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aspiring authors Tag

21 Apr

Posted at 20:53h in about writing

"Marley was dead, to begin with."

This short, punchy line is the first sentence in A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles Dickens.

But Lewis Carroll took his time with the opening of ALICE IN WONDERLAND. "Alice was beginning to get very tired of sitting by her sister on the bank, and of having nothing to do: once or twice she had peeped into the book her sister was reading, but it had no pictures or conversations in it, "and what is the use of a book," thought Alice 'without pictures or conversation?'" No matter the length of the opening, masterful authors

31 Mar

Posted at 05:24h in about writing

When I recently queried a Random House editor with a new nonfiction idea, I pitched the book as a fun resource for third or fourth grade teachers to use during a particular season.

I also mentioned that there were no books with my slant on the subject for that age group.

The editor responded, “I like the idea and think it would have a great seasonal hook.” Along with the editorial board, the editor is considering my idea, and I hope to get a go-ahead on the manuscript. Teachers buy books that link to curriculum topics--like seasons and holidays. But aren’t there too many seasonal books for kids already? There seems to be an endless list of books about Thanksgiving, Christmas, Fourth of July, etc. Just a search of “Easter books for kids" brought 1,222 hits. So how do you make your idea or manuscript a cut above the others an editor receives?

11 Mar

Posted at 05:04h in about writing

 

When we write for children, we must create characters that engage young readers immediately. 

 

Let’s examine the personalities of a few famous characters that have captured many hearts.

 

 

Remember Pippi Longstocking in the The Adventures of Pippi Longstocking? (She's really Pippilotta Delicatessa Windowshade Mackrelmint Ephraim’s Daughter Longstocking.)

Pippi’s appeal is