Monday, August 11, 2008

Why Writing For Children Can Be the Perfect Job for You



Read on to find out what the Perfect Job for Stay-at-home moms could be.

If you're a stay-at-home mom with small children, writing for kids can be the perfect part-time job for you. Here's why:

1) You're in contact with kids 24/7, so you know what kids think about and how they talk. This can be very helpful when trying to develop story lines that kids would enjoy reading. It will also help you write dialogue that sounds like things kids would actually say these days.

As a mom, you probably also read many picture books to your own child or children. And, as every writer knows, one of the best ways to learn to write picture books and other stories for children, is to READ these types of materials. So just think - each time you read to your child, you'll also be doing something to develop your own career as a writer.

2) Since your full time job is taking care of your family, you'll probably only have short snatches of time during the day and evening to write. But this is perfect for writing short works for kids - things like picture books, easy readers, and even magazine articles and short-stories.

And, if you carry a pocket-size notebook with you during the day, while you're watching the kids play at the park, or supervising them as they go about their daily chores, you can take notes for story or articles ideas. And, please note, it IS important to jot down a few notes about your ideas. Otherwise, by the end of the day you will have forgotten them.

3) In addition to writing stories and articles FOR kids, you will also develop a wealth of topics for writing ABOUT kids - articles for parenting magazines, for example, or even tips for classroom teachers.

And, there are usually at least a couple of small regional parenting publications in every large city, so you can gain publishing credits by starting out writing for these publications. If you're good at it, you might even eventually gain your own regular column in one of these publications.

4) You can develop professional connections and associations with other moms who write, so you'll have other adults to communicate with on a regular basis every day. Many moms can feel isolated when their only contact during the day is with their children. But as a children's writer and mom, you can become part of a professional network of other stay-at-home moms who write for children.


5) You'll build up your writing skills and publishing credits through the years, so by the time your children have grown and left the nest, you will probably be able to make the transition from part time children's writer to full time children's writer fairly easily if you so desire.
As you can see, for moms who like to write, writing for children offers the perfect part-time career.

Click here to join the Children's Writer's Coaching Club and learn how to write for children.
write for children
Learn to write for children


Find out how you can get a free ebook called "Tricks of the Trade: How to Write for Children," plus additional information about writing for kids, by visiting the National Writing for Children Center at http://www.writingforchildrencenter.com or Suzanne Lieurance's website at http://www.suzannelieurance.com

4 comments:

  1. Judy,

    I'm so glad to see this post. I wish someone had encouraged me way back when to write. What you say is so true... a stay-at-home mom has resources right at her fingertips!

    If I could share one thought with new writers, it's that you CAN have have the writer's life if you just start it. Anything is possible if you follow your dreams.

    My hope is that at least one person takes your words to heart...great post.

    Lisa Kirby
    www.familyfunandfood.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Carma,

    I apologize...it would help if I'd call you by YOUR name instead of Judy's, wouldn't it. :)

    (If you didn't notice, I also used "have" twice in the second paragraph. I guess I was really trying to stress my point there.)

    I should give it up before I make anymore mistakes!

    Have a great evening, Carma.

    Lisa Kirby
    www.familyfunandfood.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a great post, Carma. I love all of your advice.You offer good points for new writers and I myself love the children's writers coaching club. I have learned so much.

    Great job.

    Terri
    http://heartfeltwords4kids.blogspot.com
    http://www.freewebs.com/heartfeltwords4kids/

    ReplyDelete
  4. Carma...great advice...keep up the great work!

    Warmly,
    Donna

    http://www.donna-mcdine.blogspot.com
    http://www.donnamcdine.com

    ReplyDelete