Week Links: Get On With Your Research & Reading

The Writing for Children Resource Site.

This one link has tons of articles that answer questions like
Where should I start?

What shall I write?

Many new writers have no idea how to submit their work. There are articles here that will demystify the process.

This link has articles on the writing process and submissions. Riches of information abound.

In addition the world of children’s books is at your finger tips through your local library. You don’t even have to leave home unless you want to check a book out. I logged on to my local library and clicked on the kids category box. A page called Kids Infobits came up with links to a broad coverage of subjects for children through the GALE database.

I found a treasure chest of children’s magazine articles from publishers like Dig, Calliope and Scholastic and more. You can find out what topics have been published. Also, many articles are printed in full which would allow a writer to “study” the type of article a particular magazine publishes. This benefit could save you money and the hassle of acquiring samples via snail mail. This is a great resource to add to your tool box. Of course you will need your local library card.

Write it down,

Carma

6 Reasons to Hire a Writing Coach and Achieve Success

A writer needs a coach for the same reason an athlete does. Consider Joe Blanton, pitcher for the Oakland A’s. He tied an Oakland rookie record of twelve wins in 2005 and threw his first shutout against the Royals on May 31, 2006, all under the guidance of a coach. Success and coaching go hand in hand.

Following are six reasons to hire a writing coach:



1. Increase productivity. Free up more time for writing. Work like cooking, washing dishes or cleaning house is unproductive for writers. This type of work can be delegated to other family members or if your budget allows it, hire someone else to do it.
2. Earn more money. Your writing coach will teach you how write top notch query and cover letters leading to great writing jobs. Also, a writing coach will show you where to look for jobs.
3. Generate desired results. You are your own worst critics. A coach can be objective and open your eyes to your positive attributes.
4. Learn to use S.M.A.R.T. Goals (specific, measurable, attainable, and timely) T can also stand for tangible. A goal is tangible when you can experience it with one of your senses. For instance when you see your first novel on a shelf in Barnes and Noble.
5. Receive self-esteem support. It is easy to feel depressed when creativity seems to get stuck. You may feel inadequate and the knee-jerk reaction is to beat your self up. A coach can show you how to combat against writing blocks.
6. Shatter Procrastination. All the planning and goal setting in the world will not help you become a best selling author unless you apply action. A writing coach is there for you every inch of the way. Each time you cry out “It’s too hard”, your coach will tell you yes it is hard but you can do it!

In conclusion:

A writing coach gives support, listens and teaches. Furthermore, the objectivity they provide is incredible because they are not so embedded in your trees that they can’t see your forest.

Join the Children's Writer's Coaching Club and unite with other children’s writers and aspiring authors. Under the guidance and expertise of writing coach and founder of The National Writing for Children Center, Suzanne Lieurance, you will be on your way to becoming a published children’s writer.

Write it down,

Carma

TOT LOL On line Videos for Kids

Videos for kids are not a new thing but too many Utube type videos on the Internet are not suitable for children under thirteen. I found a website that solves that issue thanks to Elizabeth O Dulemba's blog and it is the coolest thing. The website is







Click here to see a sample called The Birds.

I had so much fun surfing around this site. TOT LOL is a brand new community-moderated website designed to be enjoyed by those from 6 months to 6 years. I imagine that some parents will enjoy these videos right along with them.

TOT LOL is still in the early testing stages and that means that some things will work most of the time but occasionally there may be couple of things that don't. Feel free to join this community and participate in rating these unique, funny, educational and touching videos. The registration is free. Surf on over to get the full scoop.

Write it down,
Carma

Hear Ye, Hear Ye! It's Children's Book Week!

May 12 through May 18.

Hosted by the Children's Book Council. Go visit their website to learn all about it. Also, check with your local library. I am sure they have some wonderful things in store to celebrate.

Color Me!

Purchasing coloring books online is a common occurrence. Also, many sites have single pages that can be printed out for coloring. I have found a few sites to print out coloring pages drawn by illustrators of children 's books such as Elizabeth Dulemba. She places one coloring page for children each Tuesday on her blog for printing and coloring. I have printed several for my grandchildren.

Read the article below: Coloring Books - Online Books, by Elizabeth Ashe. Her website also lists resources to help you find quality books for children at affordable prices.

It seems that you can find everything and anything online these days, but can you find coloring books? A quick search will reveal that coloring books are indeed online and there are quite a few options that appear for them.
Some of these options include: online coloring books, jumbo coloring books, and coloring books for purchase.

Online coloring books - This is a new phenomenon known only to the online generation, kids prior to this day in time never knew the option of printing out virtually endless amounts of coloring pages for their coloring pleasure. Nowadays, kids can log on to their favorite kid's programs website and either color pictures of their favorite characters right there on the computer screen and print them on their printer, or they can print out the blank coloring page and color with crayons. Now that's options!

Jumbo coloring books - Also a new but very fun idea is the jumbo coloring books that are available today both in your local discount store and for purchase online. These huge coloring books can create hours of fun for your child. Available again with their favorite cartoon characters and these are larger than life. Kids can spend hours coloring in these extra large books.

Coloring books for purchase online - Does your child have a favorite cartoon character or maybe they have a love for tiny horses, sheep dogs or some other unique animal. Online you can find an array of coloring books available for purchase that you may not find anywhere else.

Elizabeth Ashe is a mom of four that would love to show how to find great cheap books online. To learn more visit http://www.bestchildrensbooksonline.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elizabeth_Ashe

Write it down,

Carma

Walk Two Moons: Newbery Medal Winner Book Review

Title: Walk Two Moons

Author: Sharon Creech

Hardcover: 280 pages

Ages: 9 to 12

Publisher: Harper Collins

ISBN: 0-06-023334-6

ISBN: 0-06-023337-0

Walk Two Moons is the tale of thirteen year old Salamanca (Sal) Tree Hiddle and her trek from Euclid, Ohio to Lewiston, Idaho with her zany grandparents. Through humor, wit and poignancy Walk Two Moons addresses dying, loving and grieving. I loved this story. The plot twists, satire and charming characters come alive on every page. Another great facet about Walk Two Moons is how the main character, narrates a parallel story of grief and love while she sorts out her own heartaches.

Sal’s mother leaves home without warning and Sal experiences a feeling of abandonment even with all the post cards her mother sends to her. When Sal’s father announces her mother will not be coming home, Sal is devastated. Still, she and her father move to Euclid, Ohio against Sal’s desire.

Sal’s grandparents, Grams and Gramps Hiddle are determined to help Sal get to Lewiston, Idaho before her mother’s birthday. However instead of following a direct route they follow the scenic tour bus route.

In order to pass the time and keep her mind off of her Gramps crazy driving, Sal narrates the story of her friend Phoebe’s mother who also left home. Phoebe is adamant her mother did not leave home on her own accord rather Phoebe believes her mother has been kidnapped by a lunatic who delivers notes with strange messages like “Don’t judge a man until you’ve walked two moons in his moccasins.”

Additionally, Walk Two Moons provides a glimpse of how families can react differently to similar circumstances and still hold on to a solid foundation of love and warmth. As you begin to learn about Sal’s grandparents and the deep love they share you also learn about Sal’s friend Mary Lou and her family who are openly rambunctious and affectionate with each other in comparison to Phoebe’s family who are uncomfortable with outward signs of affection.

Creech’s talent to write two story lines simultaneously is the essence of Walk Two Moons. There are so many things to admire about this book that a mere few lines of plot description will not do it justice. However, just when you think you know where the plot is headed, Creech drops a few surprises on you and a curve ball is thrown right between the pages. Walk Two Moons speaks on a level that all middle grade students can relate too. The plot unfolds nicely and yet the end is still a surprise. Don’t be surprised if a small tear trickles down your cheek too.


Author Sharon Creech was awarded the 1994 Newbery Medal award for Walk Two Moons and Newbery Honor Book for The Wanderer. She is also the first American to win the Carnegie medal for her book Ruby Holler. For nine months of the year she lives in England and teaches American and British literature. You can visit her website at http://www.sharoncreech.co.uk/

Write it down,

Carma

Web Links and Children's List Links

While writing my book review of Sharon Creech’s Walk Two Moons, I ran across a great website. BloomsburyUSA. This site was launched in 1998 by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. An England based publishing company and independent publisher. Its USA children’s list was launched in 2001.

I love looking through their children’s catalog. I have been told by many professionals that it is wise to read publishers catalogs before sending out queries. Reading publishing catalogs will give you a sense of the type of books they are interested in.

Also click here for free online data of reference books.

Write it down,

Carma