for writers

It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters in the end. —Ursula K. Le Guin

It really is all about the journey. If you write only for publication, you will be miserable. I mean, you can certainly dream of publication and work toward that dream, but if you only write to become published, it most likely won’t bring you any satisfaction. Or at least any time soon. You have to love writing and love the process of learning about writing. When I write, I write for the young girl inside of me. Sometimes I start writing a story and get discouraged, and then those self-doubting thoughts start creeping in. That’s when the young girl inside of me has to step up and say, “Hey, YOU, write the story for me! Finish it, because I want to see what happens.” And usually, I do.

Recommended Resources

If you are a serious writer, you’d be wise to invest in a few books to help you with your craft. I’ve found the first three on the list to be invaluable.

Children’s Writer’s and Illustrator’s Market, by Alice Pope (a new edition comes out every August)
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Publishing Children’s Books, by Harold Underdown
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, by Renni Browne and Dave King
Picture Writing, by Anastasia Suen
Bird by Bird, by Anne Lamott
Take Joy, by Jane Yolen
On Writing, by Stephen King

FAQ's

I’ve written a children’s story and want to get it published. Now what?

Writing a good children’s story isn’t easy. And even if you do have a good story, getting that story published is definitely not easy. Slush piles are enormous these days. You will help yourself and all of the other writers who are submitting via slush if you will take some time to make sure your story is the best it can be AND to target your submissions carefully.

After you finish a story, let it sit for a while. Don’t even look at it, as tempting as it may be. Come back to it in a couple of weeks, or even longer, and you’ll see the story with new eyes.

I believe feedback from other writers is invaluable. If you are serious about writing and plan on writing more stories, think about joining a critique group. You can check some of the web sites listed under Favorites, and put a call out to join an on-line critique group. However, you must be prepared to get constructive feedback on your story, not just comments like, “Wow, this is great!” After all, constructive feedback, although it may be hard to digest at first, is what will ultimately make your story better.

Once you have polished your story and made it the best that it can be, the work isn’t over. Researching publishers and learning the ropes about submitting is a whole other lesson. And do check out the books for writers, as they will be very useful as you try to navigate your way along this confusing path.

What makes a GOOD story?

Lots of things. An enduring character who experiences growth during the story. Conflict. A unique voice. Showing instead of telling. Tight writing. For PBs, a fun or clever twist at the end. I’ve heard a couple of editors say they use the “so what?” test at the end of the story. When they are done, they ask, “so what?” And if there isn’t really an answer, then the story doesn’t have that special something.

Can you recommend an editor for my story?

No, I can’t. I do understand it can be a daunting task, trying to find an editor who might like your story. But researching publishers and editors is part of your job, unless you are able to snag an agent, and then that becomes his/her job.

As you uncover little tidbits of information about editors, you might want to keep a log to refer to later. I keep a spreadsheet in Excel, but I know others who simply use an index card system. Because even if an editor isn’t right for your current project, you can refer to your notes in the future and he/she might be right for something down the road.

Do I need an agent?

In the world of children’s literature, there are still many publishing houses that are open to unsolicited manuscripts, thank goodness, so an agent isn’t required to have your work read by editors. There are certainly some houses who don’t accept unsolicited manuscripts, and that’s where an agent would be helpful.

I have a wonderful agent and it’s really helpful to have someone in my corner - a professional who knows the industry and works hard to connect with editors. But I queried agents on and off for two years before I finally found one who is a good match for me and my work.

Before querying agents, do your research. You want to find agents who represent the kind of projects you write and who’s had some recent sales. I talked to some of my agent’s clients before signing with her, and the information they provided really helped me to make my decision.

Should a story have a lesson or moral?

From what I hear, most editors don’t care for didactic stories. I think kids want to hear or read a story that entertains them. They learn stuff all day at home and at school. That’s not to say that there can’t be serious issues addressed in kid’s books, but it needs to be done very well.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Read, read, and read some more!

Many successful writers give this as their number one piece of advice, so I’m not alone in thinking that reading books in the genre you are writing is crucial. I go to the library weekly and check out novels and picture books, since I write in both genres. Honestly, I love reading books for kids and teens, and I look forward to making my way through the new pile of books each week. If you are passionate about children’s books like I am, reading will be one part of this job you look forward to.

Secondly, become informed and make your submissions the best they can be. This is an extremely competitive business. It takes time to learn the craft and experience successes, so you have to be tenacious and extremely patient.

Third, if you are serious, it will benefit you to join the Society for Children’s Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) – www.scbwi.org. If you can find a conference in your area, GO! I have learned so much and made valuable contacts from attending SCBWI-sponsored conferences.

Would you have time to read my story?

Oh how I wish I had all the time in the world! But as it is, each and every day I find myself wishing for more hours in the day. I have a family, I work full time, and somewhere in there, I try to find time to work on my own projects. My suggestion is to find another writing buddy to do a manuscript exchange or join a critique group.

Good luck to you and remember to enjoy the journey!