This post first appeared on the Chapter Book Challenge blog. If it’s March – it must be Chapter Book Challenge 2020! I have written several posts for the Chapter Book Challenge, including Working Your Way Through Chapter Book Challenge 2017, How to Start Writing Your Chapter Book, How to Write a Chapter Book Series, and Brainstorming… Read more »
This post was first published on the Children’s Book Academy blog. There are many inspiring and helpful books about writing and creativity that may be useful as you continue along your children’s book writing path. Here are five that I recommend: BIG MAGIC: CREATIVE LIVING BEYOND FEAR, by Elizabeth Gilbert Read this book to be… Read more »
This post was first published on the Children’s Book Academy blog. In part one, I highlighted books about the writing process and about living a creative life. I refer to those books often as I brainstorm ideas, write, and revise. In part two, I’m showcasing books that will help with technical points as you craft… Read more »
This post first appeared on the Children’s Book Academy blog. This New Year’s Eve, we will be ringing in a new year and a new decade. It’s an ideal time to take stock of goals and to make plans to achieve your creative dreams. Here are a few concrete steps to help celebrate 2020 with… Read more »
This post first appeared on Chapter Book Challenge. BRAINSTORMING CHAPTER BOOK IDEAS It’s March and that means it’s time for the annual Chapter Book Challenge. I’m so glad to be posting again this year. You can read some of my previous posts for ChaBookCha and ChaBooChaLite here – including “Working Your Way Through ChapterBook Challenge… Read more »
This post first appeared on Children’s Book Academy. Last month, I wrote about organizing and conducting a writing critique group, providing critiques, and accepting critiques. You can find that post here. Today’s post includes tips for sustaining a critique group, and what to do when it’s time to move on. Again, I’m shouting out to… Read more »
This post first appeared on Children’s Book Academy. There are many benefits to joining a critique group. I gain so much from my partners’ insightful comments on my work. And I benefit by reading critiques of work written by other group members. Additionally, I learn by analyzing and providing critiques of my critique partners’ manuscripts…. Read more »
This post first appeared on #BookBlastoff. Here’s a short pitch for my next picture book, RETURN OF THE MAGIC PAINTBRUSH: Magic Paintbrush misses painting with Scarlet. When a new character causes all of Scarlet’s colors to disappear, Brush will do everything in her power to get the colors back and save her friendship with Scarlet…. Read more »
This post first appeared on #BookBlastoff. I often hear the question: “Why do you write for children?” Friends and family are inquisitive. Strangers are intrigued. And children themselves are genuinely curious. In moments of self-reflection, I have asked myself this question as well. There are many reasons why I write for children. Here are three:… Read more »
This post was originally published on the Children’s Book Academy blog. I work with many writing groups that perform varied functions. I’m part of several outstanding critique groups and I value my critique partners tremendously. I’m also a member of a few marketing groups that offer invaluable assistance surrounding a book’s debut year promotion and… Read more »