Children's/YA http://www.writersdigest.com/rss.aspx?p_PageAlias=Childrens en-us Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:04:29 GMT Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:04:29 GMT Using Research as Inspiration for Picture Books http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5438 Jacqueline Briggs Martin, author of the Caldecott award-winning Snowflake Bentley, has written more than a dozen children''s books, many of which celebrate the natural world. Here she talks about how her research on historical figures, nature, and snowflake photographer Wilson Bentley spark pictured books that are part story, part fact.]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5438 9 Ways to Overcome Too Many Ideas Syndrome http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=6384 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=6384 How to Be a Kid Again—or at Least Think Like One 2 http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5450 Here are idea exercises you can use to help you get started.]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5450 5 Tips for Writing for Children http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5304 "Dialogue not only keeps young readers engrossed in the action, but also makes the page appear less formidable by breaking up the text." That's one of the tips from Tracey Dils, author of You Can Write Children's Books. Read more tips here.]]> Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5304 How a Great Picture Book Comes to Life http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5585 Caldecott-winner Peggy Rathmann shares the process she went through to create her book Ten Minutes Till Bedtime, from the spark of an idea through countless revisions to the finished product.]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5585 Writer's Digest Weekly Planner http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=9302 Writer's Digest Weekly Planner will keep your entire writing life organized and portable, all year long.]]> Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=9302 Lauren Baratz-Logsted and The Sisters Eight series http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=8960 The Sisters Eight.

by Jordan E. Rosenfeld]]> Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=8960 On The Edge: Teen Reads http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=10327
by Kara Gebhart Uhl]]> Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=10327 Waiting Out a Dark Cloud http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5687 Philip Beard persevered through the publishing industry's post-9/11 trauma to publish his novel, Dear Zoe. His story offers a telling look at how the industry's mood can launch—or crush—a writing career.]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5687 Finding Strong Ideas for Teen Fiction http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=6575 How can you find and write convincingly about ideas that teenagers will enjoy? Find out from award-winning YA novelist K.L. Going how to succeed at writing for this burgeoning genre.]]> Wed, 26 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=6575 How to Be a Kid Again—or at Least Think Like One http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5449 Marcia T. Jones and Debbie Dadey provide several idea generators to help you get inside the mind of your younger characters. Here are five sense activities to help you recall the vivid experiences and emotions of childhood.]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5449 A Push Into Teen Fiction http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5240 An editor and author of teen novels discusses the children's book publishing industry and his new imprint.]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5240 Modern Myth Maker http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5133 Alice Hoffman, author of Practical Magic and Here on Earth, proves once again that fairy tales and fables aren't just a thing of the past.]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5133 A Crafty Way to Break into Children''s Writing http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5281 2002 Children''s Writer''s & Illustrator''s Market]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5281 Your Novel Blueprint http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=11804
by Karen S. Wiesner]]> Tue, 20 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=11804 Crafting an Effective Plot for Children's Books http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5137 Excerpted from The Children's Writer's Reference, Berthe Amoss and Eric Suben talk about the most important ingredient in a book — plot.]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5137 Finding One Voice http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5163 Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson turn an unlikely pairing into a prequel to a children's classic.]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5163 Picture Book Writing—Make Every Word Sing http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5139 Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5139 Children''s Poetry Markets http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5602 2008 Children''s Writer''s & Illustrator''s Market, for help with compiling this list. October 2007]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5602 7 Questions: Richard Paul Evans http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5327 Richard Paul Evans answers Writer's Digest's 7 questions.]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5327 It's a Kid's World http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5453 To write a convincing setting for your children's story, just kick off your shoes and jump into a child's world.]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5453 10 Great Writing Ideas For Kids http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5668 Learn how to introduce the idea of journaling to your child.]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5668 Q&A With Newbery Winner Linda Sue Park http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5507 Linda Sue Parks won the 2002 Newbery Medal for her third novel A Single Shard. She talked to Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market about working with her editor, getting ideas and doing research for her historical novels. ]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5507 Seven Tips for Writing Children's Nonfiction http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5542 Here are seven tips from Brandon Marie Miller on researching and writing children's nonfiction.]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5542 Advice from Agent Steven Malk http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5700 Steven Malk of Writer''s House, who handles children''s book authors like Jon Scieszka and Elise Primavera, talks about the advantages of having an agent, offers tips on choosing one, and reveals what he looks for in a manuscript.]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5700 November is National Novel Writing Month http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=8909
by Chris Baty]]> Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=8909 David Almond: A Sense of Coming Home http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5297 2002 Children''s Writer''s & Illustrator''s Market]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5297 YA Novelist-Poet Sonya Sones discusses her transition from poet to novelist, as well as her eavesdropping habits http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5499 2002 Children''s Writer''s & Illustrator''s Market]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5499 A Picture Book History of a House: Author/Illustrator Jennifer Thermes'' When I Was Built (Henry Holt and Company) http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5498 2002 Children''s Writer''s & Illustrator''s Market]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5498 Tips for Breaking Into Children's Writing Through Magazines http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5227 Children's magazines offer great break-in potential: magazines can be hungry for contributions, and selling to a magazine proves that your a pro—a big step in breaking into book publishing.]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5227 Five Tips for Writing Children's Literature http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5138 If you are interested in writing stories for very small children, here are five tips that can help get you started.]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5138 J.K. Rowling: On Setting Priorities http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5647 J.K Rowling discusses her influences, secrets about Harry Potter, and how she makes writing a priority.]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5647 Tackling Tough Issues for Teens http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5550 Author Nancy Garden discusses the challenges of writing young adult novel featuring gay teen characters.]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5550 On The Edge: Poetry for the Younger Set http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5734 Will the creation of a Children's Poet Laureate and the staying power of novels-in-verse allow room for new writers in this burgeoning market?]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5734 Picture book author Dori Chaconas writes what she knows http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5497 2002 Children''s Writer''s & Illustrator''s Market]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5497 Writing for Kids: Create Believable Characters http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5135 Thinking Like a Kid]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5135 Children's Literary Agent Barry Goldblatt Knows What He Likes In The Ever-changing And Expanding Children's Market http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5162 2002 Children''s Writer''s & Illustrator''s Market]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5162 Hook Kids' Attention With Your Writing http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5452 Between the Internet, Nintendo and the TV remote how can "boring" books compete? If you've never asked yourself a similar question, you've probably never written anything for children. Marcia T. Jones and Debbie Dadey explain what it takes to grab a kid's attention and hold onto it from the beginning to "the end."]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5452 Postscript: Finding my Way http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5615 This debut YA author contemplates her so-called "lucky break."]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5615 3 Tips for Writing for Kids http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5454 Marcia T. Jones and Debbie Dadey, who have written more than 80 children's books together, including Sea Monsters Don't Ride Motorcycles, discuss the basics of developing an attention-grabbing plot when writing for children]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5454 Writing for Kids With Judy Blume http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5194 Children's author Judy Blume explains her rise to success, the benefit of keeping a notebook, the importance of imagination when writing for children and the need for "honesty."]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5194 THE WD INTERVIEW: ANN BRASHARES: ONE LEG AT A TIME http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5731 Ann Brashares zipped up her mega-selling the sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series this year and released her first adult novel. But, as she reveals in this interview, finding a new path isn't easy.]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5731 Intensive Research Is Important for Children''s Nonfiction http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5635 It''s Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health and It''s So Amazing!: A Book About Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies, and Families focus on sexual health for kids. Here, Harris talks about the process of doing extensive research as she prepared her manuscripts.]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5635 Francesca Lia Block on Handling Challenging YA Subject Matter http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5354 Fairies, witches and genies-sounds like the makings of a child''s fairy tale, right? But what about a boy-crazy fairy who smokes? Or a witch who is a member of a Jane Mansfield cult? Or a genie who grants a wish so a teenage girl can live with her gay best friend and his lover? While books with such fantastical characters wouldn''t be targeted at young children, deciding whether to market them to an adult or a young adult audience poses a problem for their writer Francesca Lia Block an]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5354 Don't Be Such a Baby http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5451 Writing for children isn't for sissies. This genre demands your best work. Answer our columnists' questions and find out if you're up to the challenge.]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5451 11 Tips for Getting Started in Children's Publishing http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5374 If you're new to the world of children's publishing, you might now know where to begin. Here is a list of suggestions and resources that can help make your journey to publication a smooth and swift one.]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.writersdigest.com//article/?p_ArticleId=5374