Children's Writers! Stop Sabotaging Your Writing Career

It is so easy to fall into the saboteur’s pit. Here is a link to children’s author Anastasia Suen’s blog. She has posted links to seven individual articles written by Jane Friedman from There Are No Rules blog.

Titles for the seven sabotage articles are listed below. They can also be translated into “What Not To Do if you want to become a successful writer.”

#1 Attempting to Get Published Too Soon
#2 Looking Out For Yourself Too Much
#3 Expect Your Publisher to Market Your Work
#4 Treating Online and Multimedia Activities as Optional
#5 Be High Maintenance
#6 Assuming A Work Deeply Felt by You will Be Deeply Felt by All
#7 Become Bitter

Do these titles pique your interest? Jane Friedman’s thoughtful analysis of how these self-sabotage traps can throw you off the road to success is worth reading. Each article is an eye opener for the new and seasoned writer. At the end of the day it is not about You, it is about your reader.

I couldn’t decide which quote to use so I used both.

"A great secret of success is to go through life as a man who never gets used up" (Albert Schweitzer). And also from Schweitzer: "Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success."

Write it down,
Carma

Book Review: Holes

Title: Holes
Author: Louis Sachar
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 233 pages
Publisher: Dell Yearling (May 2000)
An imprint of Random House Children’s Books
ISBN: 0-440-41480-6

Holes is the 1999 Newbery Medal winner and joins the ranks of classic children’s literature. I have been reviewing Newbery Medal winner's for the past couple of months now and am hoping to instill a renewal of love for these incredible classics.

To read the rest of this review visit Suzanne Lieurance's The National Writing for Children Center

I highly recommend this book for parents and children from eight on up.

About the Author: Louis Sachar was born on 20 March 1954, in East Meadow, New York. In 1976, he went to the University of California, where he studied economics. While at university he became a teacher's aide to gain extra credit; it turned out to be his favorite class and inspired him to write children's books. After graduation he worked in a sweater warehouse in Connecticut and wrote at night. After he was fired from that job he moved on to law school. In his first week of study, Sideways Stories from Wayside was published. After completing his studies in 1980 he became a part-time lawyer but was compelled to concentrate on his writing full-time.

Write it down,

Carma

Book Review - The Candy Shop War - Brandon Mull

The Candy Shop War by Brandon Mull is a fantastic novel. Go over to The National Writing for Children Center to read my review. Then pick up a copy of The Candy Shop War for yourself and read it.

Also, Brandon Mull is the New York Times bestselling author of Fablehaven. Book three is due out this summer. Check out the Fablehaven website here.

Blog Talk Radio Interview

Monday through Friday Suzanne Lieruance of The National Writing for Children's Center and the Children's Writer's Coaching Club hosts a half hour talk show interviewing children's writers and illustrators at 2 p.m. central time and 12 noon pacific time. There is always something to learn. I compare these interviews to a mini seminar. Interviews are archived for later listening if you don't have time to listen live.

Suzanne will be interviewing Harold Underdown, children's writer/editor/publisher for four consecutive days. May 6 through May 9, 2008. That is two hours of choice tidbits and information for free! Harold's new book The Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Children's Books (third edition) will be out soon. My copy is on its way.

If you would like to ask Harold Underdown questions go to Blog Talk Radio and call in. The phone number is listed on the website.

Write it down,

Carma

Book Review: Strawberry Girl

Title: Strawberry Girl
Author: Lois Lenski
Illustrator: Lois Lenski
Hard Cover: 194 pages
Ages: 8 to 12
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN: 0-397-30109-X
0-397-30110-3

Strawberry Girl is the first book in my book review series of Newbery Medal winners. Over the coming weeks I will review three additional Newbery Medal winners based on historical fiction and regional stories describing American life during a particular time period.

Lois Lenski was awarded the Newbery Medal in 1946 for Strawberry Girl. This is one of many books Lenski wrote with an emphasis on regional stories allowing young readers to get a taste of how American children lived during the early part of the twentieth century.

Strawberry Girl is an interesting read. At first glance the title and the cover picture of a young girl carrying a fruit basket can mislead the reader to expect a cute little story of a young girl who loves strawberries. Conversely, the story is more about clashes and tribulations between farmers and cattlemen along with how they resolved violent conflict than it is picking strawberries.

Strawberry Girl depicts two families, the Boyer’s and the Slater’s. The Boyer’s move from North Carolina to Florida to raise strawberries, sweet potatoes and harvest oranges. The Slater’s are cattle people and have lived in central Florida for a long time. They do not believe in putting up fences and they let their cattle roam all over the county even if it means destroying their neighbor’s crops. The two families argue through out the entire book. The Slater family thinks the Boyer’s are “uppidity” because of the Boyer’s successful farming enterprises. The Slater’s routine is to sit back and do nothing to improve their way of life.

This way of thinking creates hostile actions and feelings between the two families. Violence and drunkenness escalate through out the story. This book may cross the line with many adults when the neighbors begin to kill each others animals in addition to the school teacher getting beat up by the Slater boys. This incident forced the school to close for weeks. Certainly a little discussion with young children may be desired to explain why these incidents happened.

Additionally, Lenski writes in a Florida backwoods dialect typical of the time period which might be too challenging for third and fourth graders to read. I think this story should be read aloud to get the full effect of what the southern dialogue sounded like. For example, talk like

“Ha, ha! Hain’t no dog! Hit’s a coon.” and “ will git you yet, jest you wait.”

However, I don’t believe this book won the Newbery Award for its depiction of aggression. Times were hard in the early 1900’s and resolution of conflicts back then is not typical of today. Strawberry Girl explains the day to day activities of the Boyer family. A young reader can learn exactly how to grind sugar cane and pull it for fun afterwards. Also the book explains the details of Florida weather in the spring and summer. Additionally it goes into detail on how to raise strawberries in sandy soil. Part of the charm of "Strawberry Girl" is in describing how the old Florida pioneers did it.

Strawberry Girl is a sharply written novel about harsh times. It accurately describes a true to life pioneer adventure.

Write it down,

Carma

Get in the Spirit with SCBWI

SCBWI-NORCAL (Northern California) held its Spring Spirit IV in Davis, California April 5. This was my first writers conference and it will not be my last. You know the commercial where the announcer gives a price for a variety of items but one is always priceless? Information garnered at this conference---Priceless.

SCBWI is a strong global voice for professional writers and illustrators.

I highly recommend that all children's writers and illustrators bite the bullet and join this important group. You can find out how to join by clicking HERE

Author of Hattie Big Sky, Kirby Larson opened the event with a heart warming and entertaining presentation.

Victoria Rock, Editor-at-large at Chronicle Books in San Francisco.... Pamela Bobowicz of Delacorte Press (an imprint of Random House Children's Books), New York........and Heidi Kilgras, Editorial Director at Random House Children's Books in New York were able to convey why editors do what they do. They love their jobs and they want the best for their readers.

Always take an extra notebook and maybe a small fold up camping seat to place in front of you to put your laptop or folders on instead of having just your lap available.

Requirements from editors and publishing houses may vary. For example Random House prefers picture books to be about 450 words in length. A key point: "Is it re-readable?" In other words how many times is your little one going to want to "read it again"?

Delacourte Press accepts Middle Grade 8 to 12 and YA Novels 12 and up but does not accept picture books and Chronicle Books will accept all children's genres at this point.

This is just a couple of gems that were thrown out there this weekend.

Write it down,

Carma

American Diaries: Book Review

Title: American Diaries: Janey G. Blue: Pearl Harbor, 1941

Author: Kathleen Duey

Ages: 10 - 12

Publisher: Aladdin Paperbacks

ISBN: 0-689-84404-2

Publication: May 2001

American Diaries are books written in a similar fashion as a series except the characters do not repeat. Also, American Diaries books are about 140 pages in length. American Diaries are written through the eyes of a twelve year old within a twenty-four hour period portraying a true historical event or period. The characters are fictional.

For instance I just read Janey G. Blue, Pearl Harbor 1941. Janey is a 12 year old girl who has recently moved from Kansas to Hawaii with her family. Her father is a civil service worker at Hickam Field in Pearl Harbor. Her experiences and impressions of December 7, 1941 take place from Sunday, December 7, 1941 at 7 a.m. to Monday December 8, 1941 at 7 a.m.

Janey loves the trees, fresh fruit and all the people on Oahu but she misses Kansas and her best friend Tilly even more. Besides, all the talk of impending war makes Janey nervous and scared. The evening before December 7, 1941 Janey writes in her diary.

“Last night after the Christmas concert the grown-ups got going about the war again. Holy Golly, I am sick of hearing it. Its bad enough we have to listen to the planes from Hickam Field drill all the time. Some pilots pretend to be invading and the others practice defending the harbor and the airfields and they all pretend to fight. It’s so noisy that Pokey (dog) hides under the bed.”

Kathleen Duey captures helplessness, fear and anxiety many people must have felt that fateful day; December 7, 1941. Kathleen Duey is an award winning author who has written more than 50 books for children, YA and adults. Thirty-three of these books have been historical and adventure fiction. She also novelized the DreamWorks movie Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron.

Write it down,

Carma

Interview with Children's Author Claudia Mills

I am so excited to introduce children's author Claudia Mills. She has graciously consented to partake in this on-line interview. Thank you Claudia.

Claudia Mills received her B.A. degree from Wellesley College, her M.A. degree from Princeton University, and a Ph.D. in philosophy from Princeton University. She also received an M.L.S. degree from the University of Maryland, with a concentration in children's literature. She worked as an editorial assistant at Four Winds Press (Scholastic) and as an editor at the Institute for Philosophy and Public Policy at the University of Maryland. Since 1991 she has taught philosophy, first as an assistant professor at the University of Maryland at Baltimore County, then as an assistant professor and now as an associate professor at the University of Colorado at Boulder. She has two children, Christopher Wahl and Gregory Wahl.

When did you decide to be a writer, or did it just happen?

I always knew I wanted to be a writer. My mother brought me up to be a writer: when I was in first grade, she gave me a marble-covered composition book and told me it was to be my poetry book, so I started writing poetry to put in it. I wrote incessantly as a child – I still have a box stuffed full of poetry written on Kleenex, on paper napkins, on the margins of my math assignments. It was the only thing I ever wanted to be.

When did your professional writing career begin?

I worked for Four Winds Press/Scholastic in the late 1970s, and that was my entry into the wonderful world of children’s book publishing. I began trying to write my own manuscripts, submitting them to various New York publishers and receiving uniform rejections. Then I hit upon the brilliant plan of sending one of my own stories to Four Winds Press, using a pseudonym to escape detection. The story, like all my others, was rejected – and I had to type my own rejection letter! A second story suffered a similar fate. But then when I submitted my third story to Four Winds Press, my boss there, Barbara Lalicki, asked me to write an editorial critique of it for her. I did – and surprised myself by finding plenty in my own story to criticize. Barbara then wrote the author (me) a letter, which her secretary (me) typed, asking if I would be willing to revise the story according to the suggestions in my own critique. I complied with all the excellent advice I had received (!), and Four Winds ended up publishing the book, under the title At the Back of the Woods.

What role, if any, have writing groups played in your career?

I don’t think I could be a writer without my writing group. When I lived in Maryland I was a member of a writing group called The Soup Group; here in Colorado, I’m a member of a writing group that has no name (well, we do refer ourselves as the Belles and the Beauties, but that’s not our official title). I rely on my writing group for the first critique of every one of my manuscripts, as well as invaluable support and encouragement when the going gets tough.

Who or what inspires your ideas?

All my ideas have been inspired by my own childhood experiences, or by things that have happened to my two boys, who are now 19 and 16. Lately I draw a lot of inspiration just from the ever-fascinating elementary school curriculum. For example, in my most recent book, The Totally Made-Up Civil War Diary of Amanda MacLeish, Amanda has a school assignment to keep a diary pretending she is a Civil War character, Polly Mason, who has one brother fighting for the North and one for the South. At the same time, Amanda is dealing with the “Civil War” within her own home: her parents’ separation. The book alternates between chapters of Amanda’s life and chapters of the diary she writes as Polly Mason. My book Being Teddy Roosevelt was inspired by the “biography tea” in which both my boys participated: each child had to read a biography and then come to school dressed up as the subject of the biography and impersonate that noted individual at a fancy tea party. And my book Trading Places draws on the popular Mini-Society curriculum, in which children create their own classroom society, with its own rules, flag, currency, and economy.

Does being a philosophy professor give you an added advantage when writing your children’s books?

It does make me more sensitive to the importance of theme in a book: what is this story all about? What is the small kernel of truth that it is trying to disclose?

Did you have an agent for your first published book?

I’ve never had an agent for any of my books.

What advice would you give a beginning author?

Well, of course, read, read, read, and write, write, write. Join SCBWI (the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) and attend their conferences. And find yourself a writing group.

What is your favorite genre?

As a child I loved fantasy, but now I write only realistic fiction, about real-life children at home and at school. I want to write (and love to read) the kind of story where the reader both laughs and cries, hopefully at the same time.

Do you have a favorite age group to write for?

It used to be grades 4-6, the age group for the middle-grade novel, but lately I’ve fallen in love with writing chapter books targeted at third graders. I love the brisker pacing. And I love writing about the small but painful challenges of children: mastering those pesky times tables! trying to convince your mom to let you do instrumental music. . .

What is the origin of your famous Ape Dance?

This is a dance I used to do in junior high school – and even on into high school (my high school yearbook features a picture of me doing the ape dance as a graduating senior). Because of the ape dance I was given (or gave myself?) the nickname of Tarzan, Queen of the Apes. So my first book-length manuscript was an autobiographical collection of stories about my 8th grade year, written when I was in 8th grade, called T Is for Tarzan. I usually close my school visits with a performance of the ape dance. So now you know!

Visit Claudia's website at http://www.claudiamillsauthor.com/

Write it down,

Carma

Trading Places by Claudia Mills - Book Review

Trading Places
Author: Claudia Mills
Publisher: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux
Reading Level: Ages 9 - 12
ISBN: 13:978-0-374-31798-0
ISBN:10:0-374-31798-4
Hardcover: 138 pages

Amy and Todd Davidson learn that things in life rarely turn out perfectly and that labels don’t always fit. Amy and Todd are fraternal twins who get along as well as any other brother or sister except they share the same birthday and the same classroom. This is where the similarity stops. Amy is the poet, sentimental and a bookworm while Todd is the engineer, super organized and an over achiever.

As the twins begin their Mini-Society school project things get flipped upside down at home. Their father loses his engineering job and their mother takes a job at the local craft store. The father becomes depressed and hangs around the house in his pajamas all day. This turns out to be an embarrassing situation for Amy when her best friends come home with her after school. Learning how to cope with change becomes a daily experience.

Through the alternating view points of Amy and Todd, Trading Places shows how acceptance of non-traditional roles can open minds to change. Claudia Mills has artfully written about a common problem for many families in today’s changing economy. Her easy going prose presents a realistic solution to a difficult situation in words for the “tween” years.

The fundamental message is about how change can affect everyone in the family, even Wiggles the dog. Amy and Todd learn that change can be good and they learn that opportunities in life pop up when you least expect them too.

This story has all the characters that you would expect to find in a regular classroom. The super shy girl with no friends, the clumsy kid who is a walking accident, the class show off and several more. This is an attention-grabbing read for middle graders.

Write it down,
Carma

You're Never Too Young To Read A Good Book

The other day I was babysitting my year old grandson Gabriel. He is the smartest baby in the world just as all grandchildren are. His parents are smart too because they began introducing him to books when he was six months old. They let him touch and feel the books and of course read to him. Now when he sees one of his books he gets very excited. When I gave him his favorite picture book of the alphabet he grabbed it with both hands and began to “read” it. This kid will always be entertained by books, thanks to an early start.

This brings me to point out there is a huge market for writers and illustrators who wish to write for children of pre-preschool ages. It is so important to shape a child’s mind in a positive and caring way. You may think it would be simple to write “See Spot run” or words to that affect but children’s attention spans are short and the type of words used in toddler’s books need to be effective and descriptive. In today’s world it is not just learning to read the words it is about learning to describe them.

Writing for children is a multi faceted specialty because of the wide range of age groups and subject matter. Would you like to become a Children’s writer and play an important role in a child’s life? Join the Children’s Writer’s Coaching Club as I did and begin to learn from writing coach and founder, Suzanne Lieurance, and authors like Margot Finke and Lila Guzman.

Write it down,

Carma

Learn to Write Picture Books with Margot Finke

Join the Children's Writer's Coaching Club at the National Writing for Children Center and you'll have access to FOUR 55-minute teleclasses each and every month.

If you've ever wanted to write a picture book for children but just didn't know how to go about it, you won't want to miss this week's fun and informative teleclass with children's picture book author Margot Finke.

Just look at all Margot will cover in this class:

PICTURE (BOOK) PERFECT

*Good grammar and punctuation
* Tight writing — use a few carefully chosen words to write a "big" story.
* The benefit of bringing powerful verbs into play.
* How to paint word pictures that will stick in a child’s head.
* How to write active paragraphs that easily translate into illustrations
* How to FOCUS on what is important to the story — and cut the rest.
* The art of crafting characters kids will identify with and root for.
* Develop a writing "voice" that is unique.

This LIVE teleclass will take place on Wednesday, February 13, 2008, at 4:00 pacific time.

To receive an email invitation to this event, along with any handouts needed for the class, join the Children's Writers' Coaching Club at:


The Children's Writers
Coaching Club

I hope to meet you in class this Wednesday evening. But, if you can't attend the LIVE teleclass, as a coaching club member you will also receive a link to the recording of this class on Thursday, so you can listen to the class at any time. Have a great writing day!

Carma

Dick and Jane Don't Cut it Anymore

If you are interested in writing and or illustrating children’s books, young adult books, fiction, or non-fiction, you will need to study various aspects of the industry before you try to find a publisher.

I ran across a great site for Children’s authors, published or not. America Writes 4 Kids. There are just loads of links for anyone looking for some good quality resources. The Children’s Book Council, Highlights Foundation and more. The recommended read for February is “Can You Keep a Secret” by P.J. Petersen. Click here to visit his web page and take a look at the books he has written. Titles like “The Sub” and “I Hate Weddings”

I also found some great do’s at America Writes 4Kids to help guide you on the way to success. I’m going to follow them myself.

DO:

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

2. 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. Master dialogue, characterization and plot. Write for the sake of writing, and enjoy the journey -- you'll have plenty of time to chase a publishing contract later.

3. Focus your attention on "hot" areas in children's publishing. Publishers continue to look for multicultural stories, nonfiction for all ages, horror stories and easy readers.

4. 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.

5. Learn to write a crisp, upbeat query letter that will grab the attention of a harried editor.

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

Another very important DO is to join the Children’s Writers Coaching Club where you can learn all of the above from inspiring professionals. Learn to create a part or full time writing career of your dreams. Click here.

Now that you know WHAT to do, here is what NOT to do.

DON'T

1. Assume 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. Dick & Jane don't cut it anymore!

2. Get bogged down in clichés. 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.

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

4. 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.

Write it down,

Carma

Learn to Write for Children!

If you'd like to become a published children's book author yourself, join the Children's Writers' Coaching Club like I did, at the National Writing for Children Center and get the help you need to succeed.

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

* Four 55-minute 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.

* The opportunity to have one of your manuscripts professionally critiqued EVERY week during a LIVE manuscript critique telesession. This means you can have up to four manuscripts professionally critiqued each month. This alone is worth well over $27.00 per month. You also receive the link to a recording of each of these weekly sessions, so you can learn from these critiques whether or not you're able to attend the LIVE sessions.

* A short, short assignment EVERY Monday morning, via email, designed to help you improve your skills in some aspect of children's writing and/or publishing or promotion. You can submit your completed assignments for evaluation each week.

* 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.

Click here to find out how to join.

Write it down,

Carma