So You Want to be A Full Time Children's Writer.

That is great news. You have loved writing your entire life from elementary school to college and beyond. However, you never thought of it as a career until now. You could be a full time mom raising children with great insights on children's behavior. What if you are that grandma who is full of information from the experience of successfully raising a family? Or, you are a teacher thinking of retirement or in retirement and with a wealth of inside information on what children really like to read.

Understanding what kids want in regards to stories and books is a large part of the process of searching for subject matter. Here are some questions you may ask yourself:

1. Who do you write for?
2. What genre do you love the most?
3. Do you have a penchant for pre-teen kids or do you imagine connecting with a four year old and cuddling up with a fabulous picture book?

When I began analyzing and dissecting pros and cons of writing for children, I found the research pool ripe with subjects begging to be written about.

I confess my reason for choosing to write for children began with selfish motivation. I fantasized being resident author of my grand children's school. I was convinced the road to success could be achieved in three simple steps: 1) Take a course; 2) write a story; 3) become published and the whole world will applaud you. Then my bubble burst. Work? Writing is Work?

Obviously, I was operating under delusions of grandeur. However, it has not taken me long to understand the importance of patience and practice. An important discovery was made as I began to hone my craft; children's writers write for adults because adults decide what their children will read and what they will read to their children. If you can get your story past the adults, your chances of becoming published increase.

A children's writer can be instrumental in influencing children's education, self esteem and imagination. Most children's writers will choose a specific genre that fits their tastes and desires but some writers like variety and are flexible to write in a number of different genres. For instance, picture books, fiction, non-fiction, fantasy, mystery, historical, the list is long. Children's writers have to be flexible and think ahead for future trends by studying the children’s writer’s market. What is hot now will not be hot five years from now. Writing for children takes planning.

You might ask yourself “Where do I start?” The first step I recommend for all beginning children’s writers is to join the Children’s Writer’s Coaching Club led by author Suzanne Lieurance. Click on the link above and you will be taken to a page explaining what the Children’s Writer’s Coaching Club does each month.

Write it down,
Carma

Learn How to Write Children's Books and Sell Them.

All of us have special stories inside of us that are just begging to be told. Children love stories. They live in a world controlled by adults and don’t have a whole lot of say so. The best we as adults can do for all children is to give them quality stories, truth or fiction. This is the best reason to join the Children’s Writer’s Coaching Club.

OR - do you want to learn ways to make more of the writing and illustrating career you already have?

Then join the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club and receive two free ebooks to help get you started on your writing career. Click the links below.

Children's Writer's Checklist
Dealing With Writer's Stress

You’ll work with both published children’s writers and illustrators, and those who want to become children’s writers or illustrators, to create the children’s writing or illustrating career of your dreams.

And the best part is, you won’t ever have to leave your home - so you can enjoy your coaching club sessions in your pjs or bathrobe, if you like. What could be better than that?

Membership - only $27.00 per month

Just look at all you get for only $27.00 per month when you become a member of this fantastic club:

* LIVE teleclasses EVERY month. Each teleclass is taught by a successful children’s book author and/or illustrator who knows the “tricks of the trade” of children’s writing, illustrating, and publishing.
* A monthly writing assignment, designed to become a finished project ready for submission to a publisher, usually be the end of the month, although some projects take longer. Each month we focus on some area of publishing. For example, one month we study how to write short fiction for children’s magazines. Another month we focus on writing nonfiction for children’s magazines. Another month we target writing picture books, etc.
* The opportunity to have your monthly assignment professionally critiqued, so you know if further revisions are needed before it is ready for submission to a publisher.
* The opportunity to network daily via an online discussion list with other members of the CWCC, as well as the instructors.

Click the Logo below.

">Join the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club today and you’ll be on your way to creating your own part time or full time career as a published children’s book author and/or illustrator.

You can’t go wrong.

Write it down,
carma

Create the Writing Career of Your Dreams - Learn to Write for Children!

Do you love to write but don’t know how to put your thoughts into the right words?

Have you already written a story but don’t know how to go about getting published?

Are you an established writer that wants to learn more ways to market and promote your craft?

If you answer yes to any of these questions then the Children’s Writer’s Coaching Club is for you.

As a member of the CWCC you will work with both published children’s writers and illustrators and those who want to become children’s writers or illustrators without ever leaving home. How is that for convenience?

The good news is that membership is only $27 a month. The best bargain around. Here is what you will receive as a member:

* LIVE teleclasses EVERY month. Each teleclass is taught by a successful children’s book author and/or illustrator who knows the “tricks of the trade” of children’s writing, illustrating, and publishing.

* A monthly writing assignment, designed to become a finished project ready for submission to a publisher, usually be the end of the month, although some projects take longer. Each month we focus on some area of publishing. For example, one month we study how to write short fiction for children’s magazines. Another month we focus on writing nonfiction for children’s magazines. Another month we target writing picture books, etc.

* The opportunity to have your monthly assignment professionally critiqued, so you know if further revisions are needed before it is ready for submission to a publisher.

* The opportunity to network daily via an online discussion list with other members of the CWCC, as well as the instructors.

Join the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club today and you’ll be on your way to creating your own part time or full time career as a published children’s book author and/or illustrator. You will be glad you did.

">Click Logo to Join

New Year - New Career - Learn to Write for Children - Free

A year-end bonus for you! Yes Learn to Write for Children - Free. Join The Children's Writer's Coaching Club in January 2009 and receive one month of lessons at no charge to you.

You will need a credit card to sign up but if you decide the club is not for you -- simply cancel your membership and you will not be charged one penny. But if you decide that learning to write for children is just what you have been looking for, then do nothing but continue on with your membership. No matter what your decision, you will not be charged for the first month.

What have you got to lose? Join the Children's Writer's Coaching Club and have access to a professional coach and mentor. Also, as a CWCC member you will learn how to strengthen your writing skills, meet other writers who will give you encouragement and support.

It's real easy to join. Just click the icon below.

Find Out What All the Buzz is About. Join the CWCC Today!

The Children’s Writer’s Coaching Club (CWCC) is open for business. All that is needed is a desire to learn to write for children. No experience required. Already have a writing career? The CWCC can help you make more of the writing career you have.

Writing is not the only thing writers do. They need to learn how to market their books, author visits, how to conduct seminars and workshops more effectively.

As a member of the CWCC you will work with both published children’s authors and aspiring authors to achieve the career of your dreams.

The best part of all this is that you can do it all in the comfort of your own home. Full time or part time. The decision is yours.

Membership is $27 per month. Read on and see what a member receives.

• LIVE teleclasses EVERY month. Each teleclass is taught by a successful children’s book author and/or illustrator who knows the “tricks of the trade” of children’s writing, illustrating, and publishing.

• A monthly writing assignment, designed to become a finished project ready for submission to a publisher, usually by the end of the month, although some projects take longer. Each month we focus on some area of publishing. For example, one month we study how to write short fiction for children’s magazines. Another month we focus on writing nonfiction for children’s magazines. Another month we target writing picture books, etc.

• The opportunity to have your monthly assignment professionally critiqued, so you know if further revisions are needed before it is ready for submission to a publisher.

• Network opportunity via an online discussion list with other members of the CWCC.

Come and join the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club today as I did and you’ll be on your way to creating your own career as a published children’s book author. Click the logo below.

"

Write it down,
Carma

Today is Cyber Sale Monday!

On Cyber Sale Monday you'll find all sorts of bargains all over the Internet. So we just had to join in the fun.

TODAY ONLY! You can join the Children's Writer's Coaching Club for 1/2 price. Suzanne Lieurance is offering a block buster discount if you join TODAY.

Already a bargain at $27 a month for anyone but at the special low price of $13.50 per month you are receiving a spectacular opportunity. Just click on the Children's Writer's Coaching Club logo and it will take you to the sign up page.

Yes, there is more. You can begin learning how to break into the children's writing market TODAY by attending a FREE teleclass December 1, which is tonight at 7 p.m. central time and 5 p.m. pacific time and 8 p.m. eastern. Suzanne Lieurance is my special guest tonight. Click here to pose a question and if you are among the first 24 to sign up you will receive the New York Times Best Seller, The Christmas Box, by Richard Paul Evans.

After asking your question, type in your mailing address to have the book shipped to you.

Write it down,
Carma

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

Point of View = Perspective and Technique

When you write for children it is best to stick to a simple point of view but is it really that simple? In other words, point of view has two parts: 1) the perspective of the story or character and 2) how the story or character is articulated.

First things first. Before you begin to write your story you need to determine Who you want to tell the story. Lots of people can tell the same story but each time a new narrator is introduced, the story will change. What if you are writing a story about Louise who is learning to ride her bike without training wheels for the first time?

Louise falls off her bike and breaks a leg. Who is going to tell this story? Is it going to be Louise, her friends’ point of view or other people’s point of view?

Louise’s point of view will depend on her age. If she is very young there will not be much depth to her viewpoint. She will do a lot of crying and dialogue will be sparse.

A friend’s point of view may be exciting because this friend may be the one to run for help and when the paramedics come Louise’s friend gets to ride in the ambulance. Obviously the experiences of the two characters are quite different from a particular perspective.

Multiple points of view can open up a whole new set of complex issues. For example what are you trying to accomplish with this story? Are you making it clear who is thinking, feeling and speaking?

So you see, it is critical to familiarize yourself with the range of choices available as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each choice. How will you tell your story? When is point of view changed?

Questions on character point of view and other questions are explored in depth when you join the Children’s Writer’s Coaching Club led by Suzanne Lieurance. Click Here ">Every week you are invited to attend a teleclass on a variety of topics relevant to children’s writing and publishing by a team of professional authors. In addition you can have your manuscript critiqued by a group of peers and professionals every week. All of this for the fabulous price of $27.00 per month. This is what I am doing. Come and join me.

Write it down,
Carma

How to Write a Story in Three Acts

Many of our stories we write for children or anyone for that matter are inspired by our knowledge of real life. Often this can be helpful or at other times inhibiting. When you are creating a story and characters you need to fit them in their own little world.

The three-act concept is a take on beginning, middle and end.

Act I) Problem and Obstacle
In the first act the protagonist encounters his/her central problem and the first obstacle in solving it.

Act II) Conflict and Struggle
Here the main character encounters more choices that create more conflict. You need to ask yourself if the hero can achieve his goal despite this or despite that. Your plot should have at least three major obstacles to overcome and more challenging than the one before.

Act III) Is obviously the end of the story but without characters, plots and sub plots a story is empty. If you would like to learn how to insert believable characters into your three-act story, Join the ">for only $27 per month.

You will learn how to write fiction that editor’s love, receive a critique each week, attend Live teleclasses with special instructors, learn how to submit a children’s novel and much, much more. Click " logo to join instructor and award winning Writing Coach Suzanne Lieurance and give your writing career the boost it deserves.

Write it down,
Carma

Write Short Fiction for Children

Have you ever wondered how some writer's are able to write such great stories for children? Especially short fiction. Children's short stories are fiction stories that are usually under 100 pages long.

Ideas for Children's short stories can range from animals, fairy tales, scary, or funny. Learning to write short stories deals with the same elements of long stories. The writer still needs to have a POV and most importantly a beginning, middle and end. However, children's short stories are not condensed stories from a larger version. Confused? The best way to learn how to write a short fiction story for children is to join the Children's Writer's Coaching Club now this week. During the month of September all CWCC members will be able to work on a short fiction story and have it critiqued before submitting. Does this sound like your cup of tea? Don't hesitate. Click on the logo below and sign up today.

Learn to write for children

Write it down,
Carma

Learn How to Write Children's Books and Sell Them!

All of us have special stories inside of us that are just begging to be told. Children love stories. They live in a world controlled by adults and don't have a whole lot of say so. The best we as adults can do for all children is to give them quality stories, truth or fiction and write children's books. This is the best reason to join the Children's Writer's Coaching Club.

Every week, members of the Children's Writer's Coaching Club are invited to an informative and fun teleclass that helps them with some aspect of writing and publishing for children. This week's teleclass will take place Thursday evening, August 28 at 7:00 p.m. central time. The teleclass will be recorded and club members only will be given a link to the recorded class in case they were unable to attend the live call.

BREAKING NEWS!

The Children's Writer's Coaching Club just announced their Back-to-School-Special.

Back-to-School time means more writing time for mom, grandma or dad. To celebrate check out this exciting offer . Join the Children's Writer's Coaching Club to receive an email invitation to the August 28th event. Author, Rita Milios will deal out the scoop on how to write query letters and cover letters.

BUT WAIT THERE IS MORE!

Join the Club before September 1 and receive SHOW ME THE MONEY: Writing Biographies for Young Readers - a CD from author and CWCC instructor, Lila Guzman, FREE (a $19.97 value) with your membership! No coupon or code necessary. Your CD will be shipped to the mailing list submitted with your membership.

You can't go wrong. Don't delay. Sign up now. Just click on the Children's Writer's logo below and fill out the form and you will be on your way to writing children's books before you know it.

Learn to write for children

Write it Down,
Carma

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.

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