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. The business of publishing is just that – a business. It’s very competitive and most writers spend years writing, submitting, and being rejected. So write because you love it. Write because you can’t not write. Don’t worry about the process of publication until you have a completed book that is as good as you can possibly make it. I think one of the biggest mistakes writers make is getting caught up in which agent to query and what a query letter should look like and on and on before they’ve really spent the necessary time working on craft. There are many aspects about the publishing journey we can’t control. However, the one thing we have 100% control over is writing the best book we possibly can. So do that. Over and over again. Frequently Asked Questions I want to write a story, but I have such a hard time getting started. Any advice? If you have a story idea and you are worried about getting that idea down on paper so it sounds as wonderful in writing as it does in your mind, please know that most writers have to deal with this frustration. All you can do is start writing and do the best you can. I really think that we have to allow ourselves to play when we’re writing the first draft, and not listen to the voice that will inevitably pop up, saying, “But this isn’t good enough!” You have to realize that it won’t be perfect, and that’s okay. The first draft is for your eyes only. Once you have a first draft finished, then the real work begins. You’ll go back through and revise. And revise some more. And revise even more. The real story is written through revisions. I have trouble coming up with story ideas. Where do you get yours? I wish I could refer you to a little boutique or shop where you walk in with an empty basket and walk out with a bunch of ideas. But alas, there is no such place. Most of my books are grown from a few seeds of ideas. For example, I’d always wanted to do something with angels in a book. I was thinking about the book OUT OF THE DUST and how well that story worked in verse. I thought, what would be the opposite of dustiness and dryness, and I thought of cold weather – of snow and ice, and a family trapped in a blizzard. I put that seed with the angel seed, and my book FAR FROM YOU was born. So, try carrying around a journal and write down words, colors, names, places that you like. Sometimes just free journaling things you like will lead you to a bigger story idea. Also write down a list of things you are passionate about - horses, running, a type of food, etc. That item can be a part of the story. Then, figure out what a character might have to do with something you’ve written down, and start to form a character your story can be about. 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. The Society of Children’s Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) is THE professional organization to join if you’re serious about writing for kids and teens. Get involved with your local chapter and they can help put you in touch with a critique group, either an on-line or in-person group. Keep in mind, 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 agents and 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 agent or editor for my story? Sorry, I can’t. I do understand it can be a daunting task, trying to find an agent or editor who might like your story. But with the internet, you can find information out pretty quickly. www.querytracker.net and www.agentquery.com are two great sites for researching agents. Also, as you read books in your genre, read the acknowledgements page because often times agents and editors are mentioned there. As you uncover little tidbits of information about agents and/or editors, you might want to keep a log to refer to later. I kept a spreadsheet in Excel for a long time, but I know others who simply use an index card system. Do I need an agent? I think in today’s extremely competitive environment, yes you do. It used to be that there were quite a few publishing houses open to unsolicited manuscripts, but the list is shrinking by the day. An agent is really invaluable to your career, too. 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 both mid-grade and young adult novels, since I wrote for both age groups. 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. More advice - become informed and make your submissions the best they can be. As I’ve said already, 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. 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. 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. Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass 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 Jo, by Jane Yolen On Writing by Stephen King Good luck to you and remember to enjoy the journey!