| I have been writing since childhood, poems, short | | | | difficult and very time consuming. |
| stories, even songs. I never thought of publishing | | | | First, there are hundreds, if not thousands of sites |
| my work or making it a career until two years | | | | and blogs that have information you need. Also, |
| ago. Not knowing any better, I thought it would | | | | information from one site may be conflicting with |
| be easy. I felt comfortable writing and always | | | | another (this is primarily in regard to query letters |
| seemed to be able to think of something to write | | | | and submissions). The time expended searching |
| about. Then I started the process of actually | | | | this needed information is so great it can very |
| writing children's books with the intent of having | | | | easily keep you from actually writing. So, what |
| them published. This opened another world, one | | | | can you do to ease into this? |
| filled with road blocks and rejection letters and a | | | | Your first order of business is to join a writer's |
| lot of hard work. | | | | group such as Children's Writers where there are |
| While I did take several English and writing classes | | | | new and seasoned people in the business of |
| in college it was many years ago and it is not the | | | | writing who are willing and able to help. You also |
| background specifically needed in writing for | | | | need to join the Society of Children's Book |
| children. To write for children you need to know | | | | Writers and Illustrators, and a critique group. If |
| techniques such as the Core of Threes and | | | | you are able, you should make it a priority to |
| having the protagonist solve the problem, not the | | | | attend a writer's conference. There is a great |
| parent or grandparent. You have to know | | | | online conference called the the Muse Online |
| showing is a must, but telling must be limited. You | | | | Conference, and it's free. There are also a |
| need to have the right sentence structure along | | | | number of sites that offer free teleseminars and |
| with good grammar and punctuation. Your dialogue | | | | teleconferences such as Author Marketing |
| must be age appropriate and you must watch out | | | | Experts; take advantage of as many as you can. |
| for blind spots in your writing. You need to | | | | There is also the Children's Writer's Coaching Club, |
| understand and utilize words such as tighten, good | | | | a wonderful writing program from Suzanne |
| voice, focus, point of view, hook...it goes on and | | | | Lieurance. For a miniscule amount per month, you |
| on and on. | | | | are afforded critiquing, coaching, teleconferences |
| How do you learn all the information needed to | | | | and so much more. Another great site for very |
| write for children, especially if you don't want to | | | | helpful information is Margot Finke's World of |
| get a degree in children's literature or are unable | | | | Books for Children. There are also a couple of |
| to enroll in a school specifically geared toward this | | | | helpful books such as The Little, Brown Essential |
| subject? The answer is the internet. Sounds easy, | | | | Handbook, and the Children's Writer's Word Book. |
| right? Well, think again. I have taken a few college | | | | This world of writing for children can feel |
| courses long distance/online and I can tell you that | | | | overwhelming, but it is also very rewarding. |
| learning a subject in a classroom is much easier | | | | Remember to pace yourself. Create a time |
| than learning through long distance. And, learning | | | | management plan and prioritize. With hard work |
| on your own, using the internet is even more | | | | and perseverance you can obtain your goal. |