Tag: writing for children

Categories
Kids Lit

While You Wait…

Kids Lit

We’ve all said it before. You know, the old, “I’m just waiting on God to make this publishing thing happen.” The truth is, most of the time, God is waiting on us!

You see, waiting on God isn’t like waiting in a long line at an amusement park. We’re not supposed to wait around doing nothing until our desires are finally met. Rather, we should be like the high-class waiter who watches for the needs of the people at the table she serves. We must actively serve God and attune ourselves to Him while we patiently wait for Him to accomplish His plans. We do all that we can. In other words, we do the natural stuff and he adds the “super” to our natural.

Here are a few “natural” things you can do to be more productive while waiting upon the Lord for your publishing dreams to come true.

Split your Time 50/50

Spend 50 percent of your time writing and the other 50 percent marketing for future work. This may sound extreme, but it keeps assignments coming in and your writing going out to magazines, newspapers, websites, and book publishers. Try to contact five to 10 editors/publishers/publications each week. That may seem like a lofty goal, but it is not that difficult if you have already crafted a standard pitch letter to use when applying for freelance gigs or a generic query letter that you can hone for each different publication or children’s book publisher.

Then, spend a couple of hours each week doing “follow-up” work. Maybe it’s sending a thank-you note to an editor who took time to write you a personal note on a rejection letter. Or maybe it’s reaching out to editors you’ve already established a relationship with to ask if they’re in need of a writer to tackle any work-for-hire projects in the near future.  Or it might be pitching another story to a publication that recently purchased one of your articles—why not strike while the iron is hot?

Apply the “Ten-In” Rule

This rule means you should have at least 10 query letters/pitch letters/proposals (or a combination of the three) circulating at all times. So, if you get a rejection letter back from Clubhouse Magazine on Monday, sit down right then, grab your Writer’s Market guides and find another magazine to query. Write a query to that publication and send it out on Tuesday! I’ve found that if I don’t do it right away, I won’t do it. So, like the classic Nike ad says, “JUST DO IT!”  

Recycle, Rework and Reap!

If you’ve been writing for a while, you probably have lots of published articles under your belt. If that’s true, then you have a gold mine of untapped resources. I have sold one of my articles 13 times in the past twelve years! (“Every Dog Has its Day”) The key is this: never sell all rights to your article. If you only sell first rights, then you can sell second serial rights/reprint rights after that. Then, you can resell the exact same article numerous times as long as the magazines you’re querying accept reprints. The various writers market guides will have that information for you.   

You can also rework a piece enough that it will be sellable in different markets than the one you originally intended it for. (To sell first rights again, the piece must be reworked 50 percent or more.) For example, I once wrote a hair-care article for a wedding e-zine, telling brides different ways to achieve great hair on their wedding day. Well, with a few tweaks and a funny poem about bad hair days, I sold that same “tweaked” article to Brio.  And that’s not all. Part of that Brio version is now a sidebar in my devotional book for tweens.

With these three tips, you can increase your productivity and build your platform while waiting on those other publishing doors to open. Now, go forth and be productive!

Michelle Medlock Adams is an award-winning journalist and best-selling author of over 90 books with close to 4 million sold. Her many journalism and book awards include top honors from the Associated Press, AWSA’s Golden Scroll for Best Children’s Book, and the Selah Award for Best Children’s Book. Michelle currently serves as President of Platinum Literary Services, a premier full-service literary firm; Chairman of the Board of Advisors for Serious Writer, Inc.; and a much sought-after speaker at writers conferences and women’s retreats all over the United States.  

When not writing or teaching writing, Michelle enjoys bass fishing and cheering on the Indiana University Basketball team, the Chicago Cubbies, and the LA Kings.

 Michelle is celebrating the recent release of her books, Get Your Spirit On!, Fabulous & Focused, Dinosaur Devotions, and C Is for Christmas, and she’s anticipating the upcoming release of What Is America? (Worthy Kids) and They Call Me Mom (Kregel), a devotional book she co-authored with Bethany Jett.

Categories
The Intentional Writer

Walk in the F.O.G.

The intentional writer

Recently, I was teaching “The World of Writing for Children” at a Christian writers conference, and during the first session, a lovely woman in the front row asked, “I’ve heard that the children’s picture book market is the most difficult to break into…are there any tricks to getting your manuscript into the hands of editors?”

It was a valid question.

Continue reading “Walk in the F.O.G.”

Categories
Child's Craft

Readability—a Key Element in Beginning Readers and Early Chapter Books

As I mentioned in my last post, Understanding Early Readers, there are several markets for books for emerging readers. Whether they are published in the trade book market (for bookstores), in the educational market (for schools and libraries), for magazines or other markets most publishers use their own reading levels to distinguish their books and guide parents and teachers.

However, if these books will be used in any way by students and teachers they must follow the guidelines of National and state-wide Standards, and Common Core State Standards.

Nancy I. Sanders’ book Yes! You Can Learn How to Write Beginning Readers and Chapter Books contains a lot of information on these standards. You can also research them at www.corestandards.org. Also, Google “National Standards for Education” and state standards by individual states. It will take quite a bit of time to become familiar with these sites. But, if you wish to write for these markets it’s time well spent.

Another book that is indispensable for writing on specific reading levels is Children’s Writer’s Word Book by Alijandra Mogilner and Tayopa Mogliner. The Introduction explains how to use the lists in the book to keep your writing on a specific reading level.

There are several nationally accepted methods of measuring readability. They are used for different purposes. They include:

  • Flesch Reading Ease
  • Flesch-Kincaid Grade Levels
  • Lexile Measure
  • Lexile Framework for Reading
  • Gunning Fog Index
  • Coleman-Liau Index
  • SMOG Index
  • Automated Readability Index
  • Spache Readability Formula
  • Dale-Chall Readability Formula

Whew! That’s enough to scare you off, isn’t it?

It is NOT necessary that you understand these measuring tools in order to use them. Having a tool that will give you the grade levels and reading levels is all you really need.

You can find a very basic and simple tool in Microsoft Word. Under the “Spelling & Grammar” tool. When the spelling check finishes it will show you the Flesch Reading Ease score and the Flesh-Kincaid Grade Level of your text.

However, if you want more information I highly recommend Readable.io.com. The free version gives you limited use of the tools on the website. For only $5/month you have access to all of their tools, however.

You can check the readability of any document or file on your computer, or on any website or blog. It’s easy to use, too. (No, I’m not a paid spokesperson, but I love this tool!)

Readable.io.com gives you:

  • All of the above mentioned reading scores and explains them
  • Rates the quality of the text by counting adverbs, adjectives, nouns, passive verbs, etc.
  • Gives you word count, syllable count, words per sentence, words per paragraph, etc.
  • Analyzes for Buzz words, Key words and other details especially useful for online text.
  • Analyzes other details useful for writing for international markets.

I can see all kinds of uses for it if you especially if you write for school-aged, or for school and library markets.

Try the free version and LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK, PLEASE!

Or, dive into Microsoft Word and measure the readability of your current manuscript. It’s easy! Then tell us what it is, please.

Thanks!

Jean Hall lives in Louisville, Kentucky. She is represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary. Her premier picture book series Four Seasons was recently signed by Little Lamb Books. Jean is a member of the SCBWI, Word Weavers International, and the Kentucky Christian Writers. Visit Jean at www.jeanmatthewhall.com, on Facebook at Jean Matthew Hall, and on Twitter as @Jean_Hall.

Categories
Child's Craft

Tips for Getting Published

I’ve been asked multiple times by others hoping to get published what tips I had for getting published. Here they are:

  1. Get it written. Got an idea for a story? Write it! I know a guy who has told me multiple times that he’s got a great story to write but he was still researching how to write it. He bought several books on writing that he wanted to read first. That’s great, but he doesn’t have a story if he doesn’t write it. Write it first, then let the other half of the brain edit it, rewrite it and improve it. Read books but get your idea on paper.
  2. Have it critiqued. Ask others to read it and offer their opinion. And these others should be people besides your mother and your spouse. You may ask English majors or pastors to offer their opinions but I suggest getting involved in a critique group. Look for Word Weaver groups in your area. You can check if there is one on http://www.word-weavers.com/. This site will also lead you in finding an online critique group if you prefer. Or if you know other writers, begin a critique group in your area. Vow to be honest but encouraging in your critiquing as you want to help make each other’s work more publishable without slamming the manuscripts and dashing hopes.
  3. Attend a writers’ conference. There are many Christian Writers Conferences around the country. I found this list online offered by Westbowpress: http://www.westbowpress.com/authorhub/resources/events/default.aspx. If you write nonfiction, fiction, children’s books, devotions, Bible studies, etc., there are conferences and classes available. At these events, editors from publishing houses, agents looking for new clients, and authors who have lots of experience are there teaching classes on how to get published, how to hone your writing skills, how to write better, how to write proposals that sell, how to format your manuscript. Anything you need to know can be learned at these conferences. Not only do you gain a wealth of knowledge you meet these editors and agents who may be interested in your work. You meet other writers going through the same heartaches, jubilation, and confusion as you. It’s networking at its best. Attending a conference is a must for anyone hoping to get published.
  4. Get your work in the proper format. Children’s proposals are different from nonfiction proposals which are different from fiction proposals. Apply what you’ve learned at the conference to get your manuscript and proposal with the correct font, margins, and layout. You want it to look like you know what you’re doing (even if you don’t). Try to make it look professional. Read other posts in this Almostanauthor website to learn the best ways to format your projects.
  5. Get your hands on a Writers Market Guide appropriate for your genre. A Christian Market Guide (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N3VEC7Q/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1) includes all Christian publishers. There are Children’s Market Guides as well as others. Find one. Pick out publishers or agents that accept your genre and send them what is accepted according to the guide.
  6. Cover it in prayer and submit! This is where people get shy. Manuscripts don’t get published if they never leave your hands. You’ve worked hard, you’ve perfected your baby as best as you can, you’ve re-written it to perfection! Now send it out.
  7. Be patient. Responses don’t generally come quickly from publishing houses. Keep in mind they may be receiving hundreds of proposals each day from others, just like you, hoping to get contracts. Give it time. Don’t pester the publishing houses for responses. If they like your manuscript it will take longer to receive a response. Be patient. All good things are worth waiting for.
  8. Celebrate and give God the glory when you get your contract! Best wishes my friend and share your successes with us below! We can’t wait to hear!
Categories
Child's Craft

Create like the Creator

As I was running trails with my dog one day, I was overcome with awe at the beauty, the intricacies, the details, and variety of all of God’s creations. What an incredible creator He is! And isn’t it amazing that since He made us in His image, He made us creators as well? Don’t you think He loves it when we create? When we use the talents He has given us to create something out of nothing?

Have you ever heard a song that completely touched your heart? That brought you to worship right where you were? Or how about a painting, a sculpture, a child’s finger painting, a brilliant innovative invention that revealed God’s hand at work?

I remember when I was in India, two of my team mates brought construction paper, stickers and gems for the children to create crowns. My team mates explained to the children that they were children of God, children of the King of Kings which made them princes and princesses. These crowns they created served to remind them of who they were in Christ. I loved watching these poorest of the poor Indian children create their beautiful sparkly crowns and wear them with pride.

As writers, we have this amazing privilege to create stories, images, blogs, articles, or whatever it is to highlight God’s majesty, showcase His love and illustrate His grace and mercy. What an honor that is. As children’s writers our books may be the ones that help form a child’s image of God and who He is. Our writing may help form their foundations of right and wrong, draw them to Jesus, possibly clarify Bible stories, demonstrate how to help others, how to tell the truth, to be kind to others, or whatever else God puts on your heart to write. These are the books and stories that children need today!

Don’t hold back my friends. Don’t resist writing your inspiration because it’s been done before, you think you won’t be able to write it as well as others, you feel like it will never be published. If God has placed something on your heart, then do your part and write it. Let God do with it what He will, but get it written.

And write it well. Get the idea on paper as it comes to you. But don’t submit the rough draft. We are to give our best to God, so make it beautiful! Make it strong! Make it touch the heart, move someone to tears, elicit a giggle. Make it flow, come full circle, teach without preaching, and make it enjoyable to read. Rewrite it then rewrite it again. Have it critiqued then rewrite from the critiques. Make it sing!

God gave us His best in all of His creations. Let’s give Him our best with the gifts and talents He has given to us.

Categories
Child's Craft

Onomatopoeia and rhythm

Onomato-what? Onomatopoeia is what makes your picture books pop! It’s the smooth, silky, wispy words that tap into other senses and emotions. It’s the silly-willy words that make your readers giggle and squeal. It’s the slam, clang, or bang to make kids jump or the plop, ooze, squish to make them squirm. Perhaps, it’s the oink of a teeny piggy, the yip-yip of a fluffy puppy, or soft purr of a kitty that will elicit an “Awwwww.” It’s the crunch of the leaves, the eerie creak of an opening door, or the faint whisper in the dark that will keep your audience on the edge of their seats.

According to Merriam-Webster, onomatopoeia is the naming of a thing or action by a vocal imitation of the sound associated with it (as buzz, hiss) 2. the use of words whose sound suggests the sense.

As writers of children’s books, it’s what we need to use frequently. Kids don’t want to hear that a car raced down the street and quickly stopped. It zoomed across the scorching pavement then screeched to a halt. With a whoosh the car sped off then’ urrrrrched’ to a screaming halt. Play with it. This is why we write. We want to make a great story even better. We want to make it interesting for the children, a book that the kids ask for over and over again. And we want to write a book that parents actually enjoy reading. Keep your words appropriate for your target age level. A screaming halt may be too advanced for a three-year old, but certainly not for a 10-year-old.

Can you incorporate onomatopoeia into your existing story? Check out this website with an infinite list of words to use. http://www.onomatopoeialist.com/ Play with it until you find the perfect word for the rhythm of your story. Also check out http://www.thesaurus.com/ to find equivalent words that may enhance your story.

By rhythm, I don’t necessarily mean meter for verse, but all books have a rhythm, a flow. If a bunny is hopping to get away from a predator, he’ll hop, leap, jump, zip, zoom, skitter. You’ll write with short, quick words. Short sentences. You want to evoke that tension. At this point he’s not going to meander through the delicious carrot patch in hopes of escaping the hungry fox. He skitters through rows. Zips around brush. Darts through the woods.

A gentle, bedtime story however, will have a soothing effect. Use gentle, smooth, calming words, perhaps longer sentences. A story about bath time will most certainly include bubbly words, splashes, and silly, slippery soap type words. Rain shouldn’t fall in children’s books. It pitter-patters, drips, splats, sprinkles, drizzles.

The rhythm may change through your book to obtain the feel that you want. It might start peppy, zippy and energetic at first and slowly wind its way down to a lulling, sleepy, nighty-night mood by the end. Zzzzzzzz.

You have control of this by the purrrrrfect words you choose. What are some of your favorite onomatopoeia words? What makes you or your children giggle, hoot, howl, shrink back, jump or cause you to want to read a book again? List them in the comment section below. These are the types of words we want to use.