What are the standard word counts for the different categories of children's books?
Friday, December 31, 2021
Thursday, December 30, 2021
Rule of Three
Most stories follow the "rule of three."
https://annerallen.com/2021/12/to-tell-a-story-the-rule-of-three/
Wednesday, December 29, 2021
Developmental Editors
Should you hire a developmental editor and, if so, when should you do so?
https://www.janefriedman.com/when-and-whether-to-hire-a-developmental-editor/
Tuesday, December 28, 2021
Pacing
Here are seven tips to help you control the pacing of your story.
https://writersedit.com/fiction-writing/7-quick-tips-for-mastering-pacing-in-your-story/
Monday, December 27, 2021
Sunday, December 26, 2021
Picture Book Dummies
Even if your only artistic talent is drawing stick figures, if you're writing a picture book, you should always make a dummy.
https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/12445/guest-post-lisa-cinelli-crafting-a-picture-book-dummy/
Saturday, December 25, 2021
Story Premise
Did someone steal the idea for your story or is it more likely that someone independently came up with a similar idea?
https://www.goodstorycompany.com/blog/someone-is-publishing-my-idea
Friday, December 24, 2021
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Picture Book Page Turns
Page turns set the pace and tension of picture books.
https://writersrumpus.com/2018/03/09/purposeful-page-turns-in-picture-books/
Wednesday, December 22, 2021
On Submission
What can you expect when your agent is submitting your manuscript to editors?
http://www.literaryrambles.com/2021/12/what-to-expect-when-your-agent-is.html
Tuesday, December 21, 2021
Real People in Your Story
What are the legal issues around including a real person in your story?
https://helensedwick.com/how-to-use-real-people-in-your-writing/
Monday, December 20, 2021
Nonfiction Book Proposals
Nonfiction books for older readers start with a proposal, and here's how to write one (including a template).
https://www.janefriedman.com/start-here-how-to-write-a-book-proposal/
Sunday, December 19, 2021
Sense of Smell
We all know how important it is to include all five+ senses in our writing, but how do you include a sense of smell?
https://writersinthestormblog.com/2021/11/how-to-write-the-sense-of-smell/
Saturday, December 18, 2021
Being a Podcast Guest
Here are some tips to help make your experience as a podcast guest the best it can be.
Friday, December 17, 2021
Big Picture Revising
Now that you've written that first rough draft during NaNoWriMo, it's time to tackle your first revisioin.
https://blog.nanowrimo.org/post/74180255653/a-7-step-guide-to-big-picture-revision-with-bonus
Thursday, December 16, 2021
Repetitive Scenes
Don't bore your readers by having scenes that repeat the same information.
https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/6-questions-to-help-you-avoid-repetitive-scenes/
Wednesday, December 15, 2021
Tuesday, December 14, 2021
Successful Picture Books
What are the qualities that lead to a successful picture book?
https://tracymarchini.com/publishing-advice-for-picture-book-authors
Monday, December 13, 2021
The Fictional Dream
Here are some tips to immerse your reader in your story.
https://writershelpingwriters.net/2021/11/3-simple-tricks-to-immerse-your-reader-in-your-story/
Sunday, December 12, 2021
Dialogue Tips
These dialogue tips will leave your readers wanting more.
https://writersinthestormblog.com/2021/03/5-dialogue-quick-tips-for-page-turning-fiction/
Saturday, December 11, 2021
Back Matter
Here are some things you might include in the back matter (after the text) of your book.
https://lernerbooks.blog/2021/02/a-closer-look-whats-the-deal-with-back-matter.html
Friday, December 10, 2021
Picture Book Revision
After you revise your overall picture book, it's time to dig down and look at the little stuff.
https://www.wordsandpics.org/2018/10/picture-book-focus-top-tips-for.html
Thursday, December 9, 2021
Wednesday, December 8, 2021
Asking for Blurbs
Here are some hints to how to ask for (and graciously accept the refusal of) blurbs for your book.
https://katemckean.substack.com/p/how-to-ask-for-what-you-need
Tuesday, December 7, 2021
Trademarks
How do you use trademarked words in your story, including some you may not realize are trademarked.
https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/surprise-these-names-are-trademarks
Monday, December 6, 2021
Middle Grade Premise
Here are some points to consider when coming up with a premise for your middle grade novel.
Sunday, December 5, 2021
Saturday, December 4, 2021
Deep POV
How deep of a point of view should you use?
https://writersinthestormblog.com/2021/10/point-of-view-how-deep-should-you-go/
Friday, December 3, 2021
Successful Picture Books
What are the elements that contribute to creating a successful picture book?
Thursday, December 2, 2021
Setting
What are the elements of a great setting in a novel?
https://nathanbransford.com/blog/2021/10/what-makes-great-setting
Wednesday, December 1, 2021
Character Arc
Your character needs to experience both failure and conflict to have a character arc.
https://writersinthestormblog.com/2021/10/the-role-of-failure-and-conflict-in-character-arc/