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Helpful Writing Information



Author MargotFinke

 


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"How-To" Books That ROCK . . . . .

* Powerful Writing Tips. . . . .
* Self Editing Tip Sheet
. . . . .

* My Website Picks - . . . . & Websites Worth Surfing

If You're Writing Rhyme - Dori Chaconas is the Master!

* Read my monthly "MUSINGS" column
in the "Purple
Crayon"


*
"What to Aim for When Writing" -
*
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Link to Children's BOOK Categories

 

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IF YOU'RE WRITING RHYME. . . Read on.



Mastering Rhyme & Meter
by
Dori Chaconas

"To Rhyme or Not to Rhyme" - in the archives of SmartWriters Journal
and

"Icing on the Cake" - on Dori'e Website.


*These two articles are the perfect lessons on how to write stories written in rhyme and meter.

If you want to learn the secrets of writing rhyming picture books, read these two amazing articles by Dori Chaconas. Dori nails the subject. Her clear, precise information and instructive examples, make it seem easy. If you long to write great rhyme, studying and absorbing the wisdom in these two articles is for you.

 

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Visit my "Critique Service" - A Personal Critique will help you polish your manuscript.

Do you need writing help? Read my archived "Musings" columns.


....

"How-to" Books That Rock!

Complete with personal comments and recommendations from
writers who were inspired by these particular
"How To" books


Feeling an urge, a longing, or a passion to write for children is not enough.

Before you write anything an editor might consider, you need to know the basics of writing - and then some! After you have the basics under your belt, there comes voice, plot, POV and more. And picture books, early chapter books, rhyme - a whole other ball game, mates.

Get a head start on the craft of writing for children, by reading the"How To" books I list below. These all come with recommendations from writers who are happy to let me quote their words of approval.

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Joelle Anthony
I still go back and look stuff up in "Writing for Children & Teenagers,"by Lee Wyndham. It came with my ICL course years and years ago.

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Jane Buchanan wrote on the CW list:

I still think the best book on how to write for children specifically is Jane Yolen's "Writing Books For Children," but it's sadly out of print. And, of course, there's Elaine Alphin's "Creating Characters Kids Will Love."

Some other favorites are: Ursula Le Guin's "Steering the Craft." (or any of her other
books on writing); Annie Dillard's "The Writing Life;" Carol Bly's "The Passionate Accurate Story;" Ben Yagoda's "The Sound on the Page;" Stephen King's "On Writing;" E.M. Forster's "Aspects of the Novel;" and "Aristotle's Poetics."

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Gail Martini-Petersonr recommends: Nancy Lamb's, "Crafting Stories for Children."

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Shelley also wrote: "I'm reading Nancy Lamb's book now. She was private critique faculty member at the Big Sur conference...I thought she was fantastic and I'm really
enjoying her book."

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Amy Thomas's: top recommendation is: "The Elements of Style" by William Strunk, Jr., andE.B. White. Now in it's fourth edition, it is just as valid today as it was when I first read it in journalism school. In 105 pages, this book practices what it preaches about concise speech.

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Deb Bailey has a few key books that helped her. She writes: "I have dog-eared the pages, put Post-It notes all over them, highlighted them, often in two or three colors, and even RE-HIGHLIGHTED things in them, when the original highlighting faded."

The Books:

1) A Story Is A Promise by Bill Johnson

2) How to Write a Damn Good Novel by James N. Frey

3) How to Write a Damn Good Novel II by James N. Frey

4) Beginnings, Middles, and Ends by Nancy Kress

5) The Writer's Guide to Crafting Stories for Children by Nancy Lamb

*Books 1-3 helped me FINALLY understand that a story is not just plot and character, not just a bunch of exciting things happening to a character. They helped me fully understand that the surface plot action is merely the tool/pathway for revealing the PREMISE of a story. Premise was what I was missing. Without that, a story lacks soul and meaning. You can have all these exciting things happening, but if there's no meaning, no why, what's the point.
*Books 2 and 3 also do a great job of explaining all the story elements clearly, crisply and with good examples. Trouble on 2 and 3, they may not be in print anymore, but I think used copies may be around.

*Books 4 and 5 have just played off of what I started learning in 2 and 3, deeper understandings of conflict, character, how to actually structure a story, pace it, set up scenes and weave all of these together.

While most of these are not "writing for children" per se, they are invaluable to me in learning how to write a good story, and ultimately, it's the same thing.

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Bobbi Miller likes:Marion Dane Bauer's "What's Your Story." She writes: "I used this textbook in my undergraduate/graduate writing course for children. Although it is written for young people, the presentation -- and information makes it - in my opinion -- one of the best 'technique' books out there."

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Lea Wait writes: "My favorite book for writers is The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Storytellers & Screenwriters, by Christopher Vogler. Although the title makes it sound intimidating, Vogler has analyzed the plots of many books and movies (most of them ones
readers are very familiar with) and found that in most successful plots the hero or heroine follows the same pattern of challenges, defeats, and final achievement. Vogler cuts through the verbose theories in a lot of other books and gives clear structures that work in an amazing variety of contexts. I have used plot elements from The Writer's Journey in all of my works, both for children and adults. Highly recommended.
" http://www.leawait.com

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Bev Cooke writes: "I don't use a "children's writing" book per se. I read books on writing, and apply what works for writers in general to my children's work My favorites, bar none, is: A Passion for Narrative, by Jack Hodgkins, published by McLelland and Stewart - he's Canadian and actually is related to a good friend of mine His book is packed with exercises and information on writing and craft One of the best parts of the book, for me, is that he introduces elements of the "literary" style into his exercises and chapters, but in an unobtrusive and simple way. He shows you, without being pretentious or snobbishly "literary" how to deepen and layer your work. In addition, he builds from one chapter to the next, so that instead of exercises that are always disconnected bits of writing, he will start you on a piece of writing and carry that work forward through the chapters, so you can see the work develop as you would with your own writing. There are isolated exercises, of course, but one of the strengths of the book, in my opinion, is that you can see how a piece will build and improve while working on specific sections, like character or setting or dialogue.

Another one I read and reread and love - Stephen King's "On Writing" published by Pocket Books. I'm a King fan, so the autobiographical stuff was fascinating, all by itself. The writing half was great. I read it and want to go write. I like his descriptions and the way in which he talks about the craft as a "toolbox" and what the toolbox should contain, and what we need to know in order to master our craft. It made my fingers itch to connect with my keyboard, which is my definition of a successful writer's book.

Specifically kids writing books: The Writer's Guide to Crafting Stories for Children by Nancy Lamb. Writer's Digest Books. I rely heavily on it for putting together my
courses on children's writing. It's logically organized, easy and engaging to read, and the exercises are terrific.

Two last ones: Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. It's not a "how-to" - but more a series of meditations on writing and the writing life - and it too, makes my fingers itch.

Becoming a Writer, by Dorothea Brandt. It's out of print, now, unfortunately, but it's brought back every once in a while. Another book on "being" a writer, as opposed to how to write - but it also makes me want to rush off and write.

I said that any book that makes my fingers itch is a successful writer's book for me. That's because the *only* way to master our craft is to practice it - and if the book makes me go and write, then it's successful. It's all very well to do the exercises, but to succeed in this business, you have to be passionate, and for me that's the key - if the book I'm reading makes me want to go off and write, then it makes me passionate. It's one I'll read and reread and wear out so that I do go off and write and improve my craft.

(NOTE from Margot - I think Bev's last paragraph is the best kind of writing wisdom)

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Steve Lyon wrote: "An essay by Ursula Le Guin.gave me a great deal of help when writing my novel, The Gift Moves (Houghton Mifflin 2004) The essay, Towards an Archaeology of the Future, appears at the beginning of her 1985 novel, Always Coming Home. It is set in Northern California about forty thousand years from now, and deals with how to find people who won't be born for years upon years. Toward the end of the essay she muses about Heinrich Schliemann, the nineteenth-century discoverer and excavator of Troy." Excerpt follows:

"Could you hear voices, Schliemann, in the streets of
Troy? If you did, you were crazy, too. The Trojans
had all been dead three thousand years. Which is
farther from us, farther out of reach, more silent -
the dead, or the unborn? Those whose bones lie under
the thistles and the dirt and the tombstones of the
Past, or those who slip weightless among the
molecules, dwelling where a century passes in a day,
among the fair folk, under the great, bell-curved Hill
of Possibility?

There's no way to reach that lot by digging. They
have no bones. The only way I can think to find them,

the only archaeology that might be practical, is as
follows: You take your child or grandchild in your
arms, a young baby, not a year old yet, and go down
into the wild oats in the field below the barn. Stand
under the oak on the last slope of the hill, facing
the creek. Stand quietly. Perhaps the baby will see
something, or hear a voice, or speak to somebody
there, somebody from home."

"I had no baby to bring with me. But I could try and lose the adult part of myself,
the part that needs to know what comes next, the part that fits things into their order and place. I could try to listen instead. Her words were a big help to me."

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Elizabeth Dulemba wrote: "The Golden Book, "Treasury of Elves and Fairies," and is my "Bible" for illustrating picture books. It is delightfully illustrated by Garth Williams. And "dog eared" is right! The book originally came out in 1951 by Simon and Schuster. The copy I have was my mother's when she was a child. The illustrations are so lush - to this day I'm not sure I've read all the stories. But the binding is falling apart from staring at the illustrations too much. I attribute to it my initial inspiration about creating children's books. So, from an illustrator's perspective, it is definitely my "bible." Reprinted in 1999, as far as I know it is available from Amazon.com "


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Ann Harth writes: "My favorite writing book of all time is "On Writing," by Stephen King. Every time I read it I find a new morsel of wisdom. I've always liked Stephen King as an author, not necessarily for his obsession with the horror genre but for the way he can make me see, hear, smell and feel the places he writes about. His characters are completely real and he can make even the most bizarre situations believable. In my opinion, this is good writing. On Writing takes a conversational, practical and humorous approach to the technicalities of writing. It's as readable as one of his novels. This book has already been mentioned by Bev, but it really is my writing bible."

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Pam Beres writes: "My two favorites are "Story Sparkers" by Debbie Dadey and Marcia Thornton Jones, and "Creating Characters Kids Will Love," by Elaine Marie Alphin. I couldn't put my finger on why they were my favorites until I read Bev's comment that a good how-to book makes your fingers itch. That's what these books do for me. I never read more than a few pages before I'm tossing them aside and running to my computer."

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Andria Warmflash Rosenbaum highly recommends Lee Bennett Hopkins fabulous book called "Pass the Poetry Please." If you are looking for a book that tells you what you might need to know before beginning to write poetry for children, the question is answered by many of the children's poets this author interviewed. Well worth the read!



E-mail (mfinke at frontier dot com) me the names of "How To" books
you would like added to this list.

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First - Understand Children's Book Categories

Laura Backes - Publisher of Children's Book Insider (a subscription newsletter) has compiled a list of the various categories you need to know.

CLICK HERE - to read the list of categories.



NOTE -

The following writing advice is either my own, or gathered over many years from fellow writers or unknown sources. If any of the original authors come to light, I would be happy to give attribution and great praise.

 

 


Self-editing Tip Sheet



Visit my "Critique Service" Professional critiques polish manuscripts.

Read my archived "Musings" columns for step-by-step writing help.

 

Use your "Find" application
to track down the troublesome words below.

 

DOWN: If the verb implies down, "down" is unnecessary.
*She sat down in the chair.
*She sat in the chair.

UP: If the verb implies up, "up" is unnecessary.
*He stood up.
*He stood.

OUT: If the verb implies out, "out" is unnecessary.
*The cloth was spread out over the table.
*The cloth was spread over the table.

THEN: If an action follows, "then" is implied.
*He aimed the gun, then fired.
*He aimed the gun and fired.

BEGAN - STARTED: *He raised an arm and began to scrub viciously at his skin.
*He raised an arm and scrubbed viciously at his skin.

*He lifted the pen and started to write.
*He lifted the pen and wrote.

FELT - FEEL: Weak words can often be replaced to create a clearer image
*The chill of the night air had little to do with the cold she felt.
*The chill of the night air had little to do with the cold swirling inside her.

BACK: Often a given if the subject of the sentence is doing one thing and then does another.
Also note in the example, down was unneeded.
*Jessie shook her head as she gazed back down at the child.
*Jessie shook her head as she gazed at the child.

BACK - RETURNED: Sometimes "returned" can signal going back to a previous action.
*He turned his attention back to the raging storm.
*He returned his attention to the raging storm.

PASSIVE VOICE: Various methods of torture developed by his ancestors were contemplated
by Harrison.
ACTIVE VOICE: Harrison contemplated various methods of torture developed by his ancestors.

INSTEAD: Often unnecessary. It's a given that he didn't land on the chair if he landed on the floor.
*He'd land on the floor instead of the chair.
*He'd land on the floor.

TO THE: Often causes wordiness
*The door to the office.
*The office door.

SUDDENLY: Seldom needed. If it's the next action, writing it as such often eliminates the
need for the word.
*Suddenly the bull lurched forward.
*The bull lurched forward.

BE--ING: Sometimes makes for longer, weaker sentences.
*I suppose I should be thanking you.
*I suppose I should thank you.

COULD: Determine if the sentence conveys the information without it.
*He could see her walking toward him.
*He saw her walking toward him.
*Even better: She walked toward him.

WOULD: Determine which sentence is stronger and if "would" is needed. Sometimes it is.
*Occasionally, he would catch her watching him.
*Occasionally, he caught her watching him.

THERE: Generally weak and should be removed when possible.
*If there are men that close--
*If men are that close--

SEEMED: Use only when you want to create an image of doubt.
*Harry's presence seemed to dominate the camp.
*Harry's presence dominated the camp.

WAS (and other linking verbs): Signals a possible weak sentence that can be punched up with
a stronger action verb.
*His only fear was--
*He feared--

TO BE: Another example of wordiness.
*He needs to be scrubbing.
*He needs to scrub.

THAT: A word we all overuse; sometimes it's necessary, often it's not. Always try the sentence
without it and see if it means the same.

JUST: Another word we overuse. Try some of the synonyms like merely, only.

 

*Snip Out Those Excess Words!*

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Powerful Writing Tips

These Will Help You Become Published -


 

Always Aim for the WOW Factor

SETTING, SETTING, SETTING
Expose your readers to new worlds

All readers (editors & agents included) love to learn as they read. Whenever possible, place your action in a setting that treats your readers to a locale about which they know very little. A dairy farm, a secret intelligence agency, a coalmine, even another time in history are all settings that have the potential to transport readers to new worlds. It's no secret that the success of medical and legal thrillers is due in large part to their "settings" (we all love to learn about the inner workings of hospitals and courtrooms.) Readers love to learn, so choose settings that teach.

IN AND OUT SCENE-BUILDING
Keep things moving

Regardless of what type of manuscript you're writing, scenes that "drag" are the kiss of death. Often, dull scenes are the result of elaborate setups and wind-downs -- extra commentary before and after the critical event. You often hear successful authors and screenwriters quote the mantra, "In late, out early." This simply means that they open their scenes as late into the action as possible and close their scenes as early as possible (often before the action has even concluded.) If you have a scene that seems to drag, try trimming from the beginning and the end rather than the middle.

A SOLE DRAMATIC QUESTION
Build your foundation with a SINGLE brick

The best manuscripts have a single dramatic question: Will Ahab catch the whale? Will the Jackal kill his target? Will the young lawyer escape the corrupt law firm that hired him? The twists and turns in your novel can (and should!) be intricate, but your foundation needs to have a sole, central conflict around which all the action revolves. A good way to test your manuscript is to synopsize your plot in a single sentence. Can you do it?


INFORMATION WEAVING

Doling out description in bite-sized chunks

Once you've researched the "specifics" of your novel, there is an overwhelming urge not to let any of it go to waste. Be careful. Long dry passages of description are a turnoff to readers and agents alike. Remember, we read novels to find out what happens to characters (if we want to read a five-page description of New Delhi, we buy a travel guide.) whenever possible, intersperse your factual description with action and dialog. Better yet, have your characters interacting with your description, that is, let your characters see, smell, and taste your specifics.

 

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These are the 5 "C" rules for writing compelling fiction:

CHARACTERS: both you and the reader care about
COMPLICATIONS: something happens: crises, conflict
CHOICES: your character makes
CONFLUENCE: tie it all together at the end
CONCISE: make the writing tight (don't waffle on about things that don't move the plot forward)

 

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Goals For Your First Chapter

Establish your major character
Focus on what is important
Character's conflict -- make this clear
Setting
Set the time frame
Hint at direction -- a good hook into the rest of the book

 

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Checklist for Picture Books

CONFLICT: The protagonist needs to be in conflict with something or someone for the story to grip a reader. Have some problem that bothers, or gnaws, or leads to trouble. The hero/heroine gets to solve the problem over the course of the story. The solving is the meat in your story.
DIALOGUE: Kids like realistic fast action dialog. It brings things up close and personal. Try for a good hook at the beginning of the story - in the first paragraph. Get to the POINT of the story ASAP, because young kids have short attention spans. You will not hold their attention if the story wanders from the main point. Read lots of rhyming books in the age you are planning to write. Ask your librarian for guidance about what to choose.

 

A GOOD WAY TO PLOT A STORY

Something happens to someone
and
this leads to making a goal
and
that needs a plan of action
but
forces try to stop the protagonist
yet
he moves forward because there is a lot at stake
then
things get as bad as they can
and
he learns an important lesson
however
when he is offered the prize he had sought so hard, he has to decide whether to take it on not
thus
in making this final decision he satisfies a need created by something in his past

 

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Creating Tesnion: The Three C's

The Clock - The Crucible - The Contract

 

We've all heard of the four C's of diamond buying, but writing suspenseful fiction has some C's of its own. Here are three elements that your favorite authors invariably employ in their manuscripts to infuse their stories with extra pace and tension.

 

THE CLOCK: Placing your action in the shadow of a ticking clock. Nothing intensifies dramatic tension like time pressure.. a fixed window of opportunity after which all is lost. In some genres the time pressure literally can be a ticking bomb (a la James Bond), but more subtle ways exist to apply time pressure. Bridges of Madison County is a good example. In Bridges, the heroine must make a major life decision before her family returns from vacation in three days. (If she'd had the rest of her life to make the decision, the story would have been dull.) Time pressure forces your characters to take action.

THE CRUCIBLE: Constraining your characters as you apply the heat. A crucible is defined in Webster's as "an enclosed vessel used for melting materials at high temperatures." Whenever possible, place your characters in a crucible. Lock them in to that when you turn up the heat, they do not have the option of running away. In other words, tie our characters' hands and force them to become resourceful in finding a solution to whatever challenges you put before them. Peter Benchley created a brilliant crucible for his characters in the final scene of Jaws. He placed them on a sinking boat... with the radio blown out... miles from shore... the shark closing in. Even if his characters wanted to run, they could not. They were constrained. The ocean was their crucible.

 

THE CONTRACT: Making promises to your reader, and then keeping them. Good writers create tension by filling the pages of their novels with "promises" to their readers. For example, if an author makes ominous mention of a loaded shotgun in the closet, the reader perceives this as a contract with the author: If I keep reading, that shotgun will be used. This promise serves as foreshadowing and creates tension. When will the gun be used? Against whom? Promises can work on more subtle levels too. By describing a gathering storm outside a character's window (and doing it in just the right way) you can promise your reader that tough times lay ahead for this poor soul. Again tension. Remember, though, once you make your reader a promise, you better deliver...

 

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CHECKLIST FOR MIDGRADE & YA

 

1) SETTING:
Does my setting reveal a "new world" to my readers? Does it have the potential to teach?

2) IN-AND-OUT SCENE BUILDING:
Do my scenes start late and end early? Does my plot keep moving? Can I trim excess fat from lead-ins and wrap-ups?

3) DRAMATIC QUESTION:
Is the fundamental question driving the action a simple one? Can my plot be summed up in a single sentence?

4) TENSION:
Do I employ the three C's? Do my characters exist in the shadow of a ticking clock? Are they constrained
by some sort of crucible? Do I make contracts with my reader... and then follow through?

5) RESEARCH:
Do I know enough about my topic to write a manuscript filled with specifics? What (specifically)
will my reader learn?

6) WEAVING INFORMATION:
Is my background information "woven" into my story, or does it occur in long blocks of description?
7) REVISION:
Have I reworked my manuscript many times? Have others read it and offered criticism? Have I tightened dull scenes? Have I seasoned the stew?

 

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REVISION
The most fun of all

 

Somewhere along the way, revision got a bad reputation. Many aspiring writers dread reworking their manuscripts and therefore don't do it. Few of these writers will ever be published. Revision is not only absolutely crucial to the success of your manuscripts, it can be the most enjoyable part of writing. When you are finally ready to revise, you have already done the bulk of the hard work; most of your ideas are in place, and all that is left is reshuffling ideas, cutting superfluous chatter, trimming the fat, and making all your hard work shine. Revision is like seasoning a stew... savoring what works and spicing up what doesn't. Enjoy the process. Remember, when this manuscript is done, you will be back at page one of your next project.

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MY WEBSITE PICKS. . .

Want to learn how to become a published writer?
Then study the
helpful, insightful and hard earned
information offered in the websites below.

 

 

Rachelle Burk's Resources For Children's Writers

This is a wonderful writing resource.
Great links and information for the wannabe writer
as well as the published pro. DIVE IN!

Jill Ronsley's - SUN - Editing and Book Design.

Jill works as a freelancer for small and medium publishing companies and for individuals.
Many of the books she work on are children's books, including picture books, short chapter books and MG/YA novels. Some have won awards (such as the Benjamin Franklin, Foreword Magazine Award, and the Dove Family Seal of Approval). Jill also does book design for publishers, including children's book publishers.

Margot Finke'sWorld of Writing for Children

My Books, DOWN-UNDER Fun or WILD US CRITTERS. My Critique Service - personal guidance at reasonable fees. Check out Secrets of Writing For Children for Self-Editing and great Writing Tips.
Link to "Musings," my columns on writing for children
E-mail me - mfinke at frontier dot com
We can chat about the writing secrets you want to learn!

Jan Field's WebSite

Get her terrific "Nuts & Bolts & Magic Wands." This covers children's writing from A to Z -- her style makes learning fun. Jan is one of the CW moderators who keeps us in line, and cools down any ruffled feathers. Jan's World of Writing offers writing great advice and is much appreciated. Her online "Kid Writer" Magazine gives help, interviews, and suggestions to those who write for magazines.

Verla Kay's WebSite

A mult-published author. A wonderful resource site. Verla is a longtime trusted, respected, and much appreciated CW member.

Anastasia Suen's Website
This wonderful writer's website is full of lessons to be learned - If you want to write for children, visit her Intensive Picture Book Workshop.

The Purple Crayon - Harold Underdown's Website

For writers of children's books. His advice, books on writing, and links to other great writing sites, can not be beaten. Absorb the wisdom and plain facts he offers. Also track Editorial Staff Changes at children's book publishers.

Amazon Book/Publisher Search
For more focused searches on individual authors, publishers, or
subjects, the best bet is Amazon's dedicated search page:
also
You can Track Books Sales on Amazon.com

CBC (Children's Book Council)
A great site, full of information about writing, authors, books and publishing.

Writer's Market
Research Publishers. They update information regularly, including editors to contact. They have a program where you can track submissions, but it costs to join. Beats buying the market guides every year. Writer's Market also has a free update site. You don't have to subscribe to the magazine to get the updates.

Writer's Digest - Home of ICL

ICL is one of the best writing courses you can take. WD has a Newsletter with lots of great
information, and genuine writing contests.

Write4Kids - WEBSITE
Jon Baird offers links, helpful advice, writing news &newsletter. Surf this site to find every
writing tool you need.

Children's Writers and Illustrator's Market (CWIM)

CWIM - NOT A WEBSITE, yet very helpful. BUY the current hard cover edition. This lists
publishers, their editors & their currents needs, and information that will help you decide if a
particular publisher is right for your book.

SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators)

They offer conferences in every state, lots of information, plus an extremely helpful and
experienced staff and membership. Join - it is the best way for a children's writer to spend $60.00.

Oregon Chapter of SCBWI -

A terrific bunch of dedicated and talented writers and illustrators. They give help and support to all
who join. Of course Robin's frogs are just icing on the cake!

Yellapalooza.com - WEBSITE

This is a delightfully designed site, specifically for those who write and illustrate children's books. Helpful tutorials for writer/illustrators, and lots of links. Coming soon is News and Reviews.

Cynthia Leitich Smith - WEBSITE

Cynthia's Website is chock-full of helpful information and links to other great sites. Her books
and her insights are well worth the trip to this website.

Suzanne Lieurance's "National Writing for Children Center." - WEBSITE

Her new site has everything: from Book Reviews to Writing Classes, and everything in-between.
To give you a good idea of this site's quality, here's some text from home page:
If you sign up (free), you receive the following:
"Get Your Freelance W
riting Career Off the Ground"
and "Tricks of the Trade: Learn to Write for Children." Every weekday morning you'll also receive "The Morning Nudge," a few words to
inspire and motivate you to get a little writing done.

The Midwest Book Review - WEBSITE

They offer a variety of information and Review Sites for writers and readers of good books.
Check out their terrific resource pages:
*Online Book Reviews
*Links to Writing & Publishing
*Reader Resources

Mayra Calvani's - BLOG

This is an interesting and quirky site. It offers wolf pups, book reviews, Mayra's books, and
great articles
on aspects of writing - or not writing? PLUS: a link to the terrific book her
9 year old daughter Melisa had published.

 

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WEBSITES WORTH SURFING

 

Dawn Prochovnic's website offers a "Sign Language Workshops for Kids." Check her links (on the left) to read about Benefits - Workshops - Success Stories - and more.

Amy Thomas has a neat website that offers good links and other writing information.

Michael Orwick artist & illustrator. One click opens each of his thumbnail pictures into a gallery of interesting and delightful artwork. Well worth surfing.

Linda Jo Martin offers a Weblog, Links, a NEW Homeschoolers Literary Journal, Literature For Kids, and her Web Design site, "Klamath Design." There is much more. Go visit: it is a trip worth taking.

Yvonne Ventresca wrote the book, "Publishing," about the ins-and-outs of the publishing game today: What's it like to have a career in book publishing? Here's an inside look at the role of writers, literary agents, book editors, designers, and sales people in this field. Publishing explores what each job entails, the required skills, and some suggested preparation for each of these careers. Although intended for a middle grade audience, this latest book in Lucent's "Careers for the Twenty-First Century" series will also be of value to others interested in the book publishing industry. If you want to be a writer, check out her website's links and great advice.

April Robins offers books, fun, many great links, and lots to interest children's writrs.

 

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