Learn the Do's and Dont's of Writing for Children

You want to be a children's author and you have discovered there is more to writing than writing a story. Embarking on a writing career is like enrolling in the school of hard knocks. You will learn many skills by experience only. As you write in your genre you will need to study various aspects of the publishing industry before you seek publication.

I know this is all overwhelming right now but you do not need to do this alone. Do what I and countless other writers are doing. Join the Children's Writer's Coaching Club. ">Join Here There is no need to be discouraged and alone.

Here are some great do's and don'ts you will learn under the guidance of author and writing coach, Suzanne Lieurance.

DO:
Learn the writing market. Spend lots of time in your local bookstore and library, reading through current bestsellers.

Perfect your craft. Before worrying about seeing your name in print, really learn how to write. Take courses, read "how-to" books, join a writing group, and so on. Write for the sake of writing, and enjoy the journey.

Focus your attention on "hot" areas in children's publishing. Current hot issues include multicultural stories, nonfiction for all ages, horror stories and easy readers.

Learn how to request publisher guidelines and catalogs before submitting your work to a publisher. Study these to make sure your work is what the publisher is currently seeking.

Learn to write an upbeat query letter that will hook the attention of a stressed editor.

Be persistent. Success as a writer rarely comes easily or quickly. Don't get discouraged by rejection...just keep writing!

DON'T:
Assume that today's kids' books are just like the ones you read as a child. Juvenile literature is more sophisticated, creative and far-ranging than ever before.

Get bogged down in cliches. Editors are sick of cute talking animals, "ugly duckling" stories about shy wallflowers who save the day, and moralistic tales that shout "it's OK to be different!" Strive for originality.

Treat kids like babies. Don't talk down to your readers. Use rich and interesting language that evokes strong visual images, not baby talk.

Preach. Your job as a writer is to entertain. If your story has a message, tell it through the plot and characters, not by a "moral" tacked on to the end.

This is just a sample of the wealth of information and support you will receive through the CWCC Join today and begin writing your passion.

Write it down,
Carma

The Full Belly Bowl - Book Review

Title: Full Belly Bowl
Author: Jim Aylesworth
Illustrator: Wendy Anderson Halperin

Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Atheneum; 1st edition (October 1, 1999)
ISBN-10: 0689810334
ISBN-13: 978-0689810336

Too much of a good thing is usually just that. Too much.

An old man lived in a cozy tiny house with his cat Angelina. She was white with patches of black and the very old man thought that she was just about the sweetest cat in the world. When the old man becomes hungry he goes into the forest and searches for wild strawberries. Soon he hears the sound of a small voice calling for help. The old man sees a fox trying to carry a “wee small man” away.

The wee small man was injured and the old man gently lifted him up and took him home. For three days the old man shared generously with the small man. The wee small man became strong and one day he was gone. However, he left a letter on the old man’s doorstep beneath the rim of an overturned bowl that the letter described as a “Full Belly Bowl.” It was obvious the bowl was a gift but what in the world is a “Full Belly Bowl?” The letter explains the rules: "When not in use, store it upside down."

Later that evening the old man prepared some stew as usual and placed it in the bowl and began to eat. He ate and ate and ate, but the bowl was still as full as when he began. He even gave some to Angelina. The two had never been so full. They were so full that they fell asleep and the old man forgot to turn the Full Belly Bowl upside down.

The secret of the Full Belly Bowl was discovered. Any object or thing placed in the Full Belly Bowl multiplies until the bowl is turned over. After a few mishaps, the old man decides to multiply his coins at the prospect of untold wealth. However, greed gets in the way and the old man forgets the rules. Follow the old man and his cat in this light hearted folk tale that teaches the lesson: more is not always better.

Aylesworth keeps the story’s action going with some amusing capers. This is an excellent story time book and the wonderful colored-pencil drawings help to move the story along with little vignettes and borders with fruits, flowers and birds help to enhance the plot. Thoughtful attention to layout, visual detail, and a well-told tale combine to create a book that will compliment any library for a long time.

About the Author: Picture book author Jim Aylesworth tells his stories with generous doses of loud sounds, rhythms and rhymes. His experiences as a teacher have taught him that these are the elements children like in a story, especially when it is being read aloud. He has been honored in several years with an entry in Who's Who Among America's Teachers.

But it was his work with children that brought him the most reward. It was his experiences as a teacher that eventually led him to writing children's books. His students' enjoyment of his stories encouraged him to persist in pursuing his dream of being a children's book writer. It was in the classroom that he realized the power of books. He says, "I have seen a room full of children sit still and pay attention to a good book when it may be the first time they've been still at the same time all day."

About the illustrator Wendy Anderson Halperin: "My life enters into my books as if I were reading a mystery. I never know how, who, when, or why things and people enter my drawings. It is not calculated, however it is mysteriously woven."

Write it down,
Carma

Writing Non-Fiction for Children's Magazines

It is common to think fiction when writing children's stories but there is also a great need for non-fiction articles. Writing non-fiction in a creative way can help children become excited about learning. Read Maureen J Hinds article below for some valuable tips on the non-fiction market.

Writing for Children-Non-Fiction Magazines


Nonfiction need not be dull; it includes a wide range of topics. It can include history, biography, personal essays, personal profiles, sports, biology, geology, geography, holidays … the list really is almost endless. Anything that you find fascinating can be turned into a riveting nonfiction piece for young readers. Also, keep in mind that you can write for whatever age group you prefer, from the youngest toddlers to teens.
If you’re interested in writing for the magazine market, the following tips will help you get started:

Stay Focused
Magazine pieces are short, which means that you will not be able to cover all sides of your topic. Choose the one that most interests you and that you feel has the most readership appeal.

Spice it Up
One way to avoid an “encyclopedic” feel to your article is to include quotes from experts, interesting quotes from your research, descriptions, and if appropriate, dialogue. Use the tools of fiction for a lively magazine piece.

Do the Research
This applies to both your article research as well as your market research. For your article, editors want to see a variety of resource materials. One entry from an encyclopedia will not make the cut. Use a variety of sources, and try to avoid those encyclopedia references. If possible, use both primary and secondary sources. If you are able to obtain a quote from an expert, that can also help sell your piece.

When doing market research use a variety of tools available to you, and do not forget the "hands on" approach. This means reading several back issues of your targeted magazine--reading a year's worth is ideal. When fine-tuning your piece, be sure to follow the each magazine's guidelines. This means staying within the word count, avoiding certain topics, and following any approaches listed. The following are some sources for learning more about the market and magazine guidelines. For up-to-date information, be sure to visit each magazine's website, as many post their editorial guidelines as well as upcoming themes if applicable.

Online:
BOOST's Magazine Database
http://boost4writers.com/magazineguidelinesdatabase.htm
Jan Fields offers a great website:
http://www.kidmagwriters.com/
Writer's Market Online
www.writersmarket.com
Books:
Children's Writers & Illustrators Market, published by Writer's Digest Books
The Best of the Magazine Market, published by the Institute of Children's Literature (http://www.theinstituteofchildrensliterature.com/F9624/)

Lastly, be persistent! One common theme among published writers is that they do not give up. Find several target markets to begin with. If these do not work out, consider re-working the piece for a different age group, or give the piece a different slant. Whatever you do, keep writing and keep submitting. The nonfiction magazine market can be a great way to see your work in print. Yes, it takes focused effort, but it can be well worth it!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Maurene_J._Hinds

Write it down,
Carma

Chickerella - Book Review

Chickerella
Author and Illustrator: Mary Jane and Herm Auch
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Holiday House (March 15, 2006)
ISBN-10: 0823420159
ISBN-13: 978-0823420155

The timeless story of Cinderella is parodied into a hilarious “chick-lit.” “Chickerella had a wonderful chickhood until one night when a fox got into the coop and carried off her mother. Chickerella’s father, now a single rooster, did his best to raise her, providing her with a happy and stable cooplife.”

A few years later, Chickerella’s stepmother and stepsisters, Ovumelda and Cholestera, show up. As the reader would expect, it is not long before Chickerella is a servant in her own coop and banished from the main coop to live in the springhouse. Every day was the same for Chickerella. Work, work, work. Her sparse diet of bugs and spring water began to affect her eggs. Soon she was laying eggs of pure glass.

The clever dialogue is predictable at times with words like “eggscited”, “eggstravaganza”, “eggasparating” but nevertheless fitting for this fowl story.

To read more about this delightful story, surf over to The National Writing for Children Center. While you are there be sure to check out all the other great articles by Suzanne Lieurance's staff and faculty.

Write it down,
Carma

November Issue of Carma's Window Newsletter Now Available!

If you are a subscriber to Carma's Window you should have your copy of my Newsletter in your in box.

Not a subscriber? No problem. Go to the left sidebar to enter your email address and name. Then pick up your free Ebook "Tips for Children's Writers and Illustrators" and I will get a copy of Carma's Window out to you right away. If you are a subscriber and have not received your November issue, please contact me at carmadutra at att dot net.

Write it down,
Carma

Can You Write for Children?

Do you want to write for children? Read this article to determine if you CAN write for children. Go to The Writing for Children Resource Site then scroll down to sub heading "Where should I start?" and click on "Can I Write for Children?"

How does one get started writing for children? Do I need an agent? What are multiple submissions? Have you ever asked yourself these questions and more? I found a website where you can find out answers to these questions and more questions you may not have thought of yet. Bethany Roberts’ Writing for Children Workshop.

The Bethany Roberts Workshop is a place to learn tips that motivate and it will direct you to other helpful links. Do you want to know how to prepare for doing story telling at a library? Read the response here.

Another favorite bookmark of mine is The Purple Crayon. It’s about writing and publishing children’s books. You can also find articles about publishing and submitting etc. For example here is a great article titled Getting Out of the Slush Pile. In piles of hundreds of manuscripts how can you be sure that yours will be noticed? Harold Underdown breaks down some common concerns for writers. This article is about 1) the beginning, 2) overworked story types, 3) What to include 4) Recommended approaches.

Last but by all means First. How to Write a Successful Query There are tons of articles about query submission and from what I hear, the query letter may soon be the only way to break into some of the best markets. This article is one of the better ones.

Write it down,

Carma

Mama's Milk - Book Review

Title: Mama’s Milk
Author: Michael Elsohn Ross
Illustrator: Ashley Wolff
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hard Cover: 32 pages
Publisher: Tricycle Press; Bilingual edition (March 2008)
ISBN-10: 1582462453
ISBN-13: 978-1582462455

Mama’s Milk is wonderful, educational and entertaining for the picture story book age and parents. Michael Ross describes different ways mothers of all creatures nurse their babies. This provides parents a wonderful opportunity to discuss how and why mothers nurse and the benefits of breast milk.

The author begins with a human mother cuddling and nursing her child. “Cuddle little baby warm and tight Mama’s going to feed you day and night.” The story continues with pigs and their piglets, “She’ll fatten you up in a sunny pig sty.”

Every page depicts a different animal nursing their babies and also gives the correct name of each animal and offspring. For example: A Mare and her fold; An elephant and calf. In the back of the book a classification and illustration of each highlighted animal is added with factual statements about nursing practices. Foals nurse every thirty minutes. Kangaroo milk is pink. My granddaughters grimaced with a “Ewwwwww!” giggling all the while. Also, a dolphin calf holds its breath while feeding underwater. Can you imagine?

Michael Ross’ book is a celebration of the beauty of natural breastfeeding and a reminder how much humans and other mammal mamas on this planet earth have in common. The rhyming tone is gentle, comforting and loving. Parents will learn a lot too when they read along with their children.

The illustrations by Ashley Wolff contribute greatly to the message by providing a way for young children to learn and identify animals. The two page spreads are illustrated in deep, rich, velvet looking colors giving off a warm glow. I was especially drawn to the cover of Mama's Milk. Ashley's illustrations made me want to pet the soft fur.

About the Author: Michael Elsohn Ross has worked as a naturalist and environmental educator in Yosemite National Park for over three decades. He is the award-winning author of more than forty books for young people. Over the years he has acquired the nickname “bug author” Visit his website here

About the Illustrator: Ashley Wolff always wanted to be an artist and she has been illustrating books since 1984. All of them about animals, children and love. Please take a look at Ashley's website for more information. Check out her "what's new" tab.

Write it down,
Carma