Writing Tips from Fiona Ingram

Writing can be one of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences of your life. There are many reasons a person decides to write: to share their life’s experiences, to tell a good story, to express the feelings and situations of others—the list is endless. Some people even write just for fun. I wrote my book because I visited Egypt with my two nephews and wanted to write a short story to help them remember a special time. To my surprise, the short story turned into a book, and then a book series. So, you never know what’s going to happen once you begin!

Any good story is composed of two important elements: a really gripping plot and realistic, believable characters.

·      How to Choose a Great Story Topic:
Write about what you know best, or what excites you, or what you enjoy. Do you love reading about faraway exciting places? Then research a place you find interesting and set your story there. Do you enjoy mysteries? Think about something that’ll keep people guessing. Are you good at a skill or a sport? Set your story around a character with those abilities.

·      How to Construct your Storyline:
Structure is very important, otherwise your story will fall to pieces. So begin with a simple 3-point system: the Beginning (your hero appears—what is he doing? What does he want to achieve?); the Middle (something will happen to him and he has to …?); the Ending (your hero resolves the situation). From those three vital points, you will fill in your other plot points—how did… why did… what happens next.

·      Make Your Characters as Interesting as Possible:
Tip: take them from real life examples. You could write about someone like yourself, or else model the characters on friends at school, teachers, or other people you know. The dialogue between your characters is also important because that’s one place to develop the plot line. Don’t forget to break your dialogue with various activities so that readers don’t get bogged down in lots of talking but no action.

·      The Hard Part:
If you love what you’re writing about and you trust your imagination, then writing will be as fun and exciting as you can imagine. However, two important elements must never be forgotten: research and grammar.

Research will be necessary whether your story is set in the real world, or if it’s an imaginary, fantasy, or sci-fi land. Make notes before and during your writing process. Your heroes are likely to be around your audience's ages, so think about how they are going to get places and achieve things. If they are travelling, are they alone (not likely) and will they need assistance (possibly)? If they are in a foreign country, then make sure your facts are accurate. How did they get there, who are they with, and how are they going to accomplish their task/challenge? If it’s a fantasy setting, then make sure you don’t lose track of your characters and the various places and items found in your fantasy world. Make your own research notes relevant to your fantasy land.

Grammar is very important, otherwise your readers will never get through the first few pages. Make sure you use your spelling and grammar check on your computer (if you’re using one) and your dictionary and style guide (if you’re writing by hand).

A final piece of advice: writing should be fun and exciting. Just enjoy yourself and let your imagination take you to places you only ever dreamed of.
           

http://familiesmatter2us.blogspot.com

Lovers Blog Hop:

Make friends, share the love of reading and be entered to win a FREE book!

All you have to do is post the Book Lovers Blog Hop and World of Ink Tour Banners above to your blog. Promote the Book Lovers Hop and World of Ink Tours on any social network. Tweet it once a day, share on Facebook and then follow others back that leave you a comment. By joining the Book Lovers Blog Hop, you are automatically entered in our Book Giveaway!

There will be two (2) winners for this Book Giveaway.

Note: One book per winner.

Hop Rules:

1.Follow the Top link of the hop! Hop Host: Families Matter

2.Grab the button for the hop and place it in a post, sidebar, or on a blog hop page and let us know where it is in the comments section below. This will help the hop grow and gain us all new followers. It's a Win-Win for everyone!

3.Grab the buttons for the World of Ink Tours and place it in a post or side bar. Make sure you let us know where it is in the comments section below.

Book Giveaway Rules:

·Join the Book Lovers Blog Hop. (One entry)

·Follow the World of Ink Tours and leave a comment per tour blog stop. (must leave a real comment about the author, tour or book. Saying “this is cool” or “I love your book” will not count.) Make sure to include your safe email so we can contact you if you are the winner. Example: vsgrenier AT storiesforchildrenpublishing DOT com. (One bonus entry per blog stop)

·Ask a question per World of Ink Tour blog stop. (One bonus entry per tour blog stop)

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Some Advice on Advice

Let’s say you’ve posed a question to an online forum about submitting to an editor.  How do you handle the advice?  Do you follow the suggestion?   Or do you question the advice? 

Recently, I read a question concerning how a writer should go about getting the attention of a publisher.  Though it was posted on a respectable writing forum, one piece of advice shocked me.  Someone suggested that the writer should forget sending a query and try to “stand out” by sending the publisher freshly baked cookies.  Little did the advisor know that most editors think that sending "gifts" will make you stand out—in a negative way. Luckily, another person responded with sound advice: join SCBWI and attend conferences to learn how to approach publishers more professionally.

There’s a lot of advice to be had on the Internet.  Your job is to filter out the bad advice and find the good advice.  If you ask a question on a writing forum, read all of the replies.  Find the reply that best speaks to your heart.  But how can you be sure when there are many differences of opinion? Join SCBWI and attend conferences, as mentioned above.  Join a critique group or take a writing class and approach the attendees with your questions.  Read many books on the art of writing for children.  Read books on how to market your work.  Once you have a feel for what is expected of an author, you’ll have a better understanding of how you should approach a publisher, and with luck, stand out.

From time to time, I’ve sought answers to questions that were not available in books.  So I’ve asked published authors questions online and they’ve usually answered me promptly with great suggestions.  Other times I’ve attended conferences, where I can ask agents and publishers questions face to face.  I can trust these sources.  As for online writing forums, you may not know if the responder is truly creditable.  So with that in mind, I caution you to be careful of the advice that you seek.  You know the phrase:  Buyer, beware.  Here’s another: Writer, be wary.

Here are some books with tips for making your submission stand out:      

How to Write and Illustrate Children’s Picture Books, by Jean Karl
Writing Picture Books, by Ann Whitford Paul
Book Markets for Children’s Writers, edited by Marni McNiff
Children’s Writers and Illustrators Market, edited by Alice Pope

Avoiding Rejection

I hate delivering rejections.  I know what it feels like to be on the receiving end.  But last week, I had to reject two pieces.  The first submission was a short article for 7 – 9 year olds.  The second was a personal essay.   

Our magazine guidelines state that the word count for 7 – 9 year olds should run 400 – 800 words.  The writer had not achieved the correct word count that we require.  In addition, the concept and language were too advanced for young children.

The second submission was a first person narrative.  Most nonfiction articles that we publish are written in 3^rd person or in some cases, 2^nd person.  Though well-written, we simply don’t publish these kinds of pieces.  

All is not lost however, for the two writers whose articles were rejected.  My assistant and I offered them advice in terms of editing and marketing their work.  But what two things could they have done to have avoided rejection?  I have two suggestions:  follow our contributor guidelines and read a few published pieces from our magazine. 

By studying the guidelines, these writers would have known exactly what we expect from our contributors (topics, formatting, word count, etc.)  By reading a few sample articles, they would have gotten a feel for the voice and tone of our published pieces. 

There is no guarantee these two suggestions will garner an acceptance.  Every editor has her own likes and dislikes.  But when writers follow the guidelines and read sample copies, they can reduce the chances of getting a rejection.  Writers will be better equipped to offer an editor an article that she's more likely to publish.     

               

               

Helpful Tips on Writing from author Tal Yanai

After seventeen years of studying and practicing spirituality, I decided to write my first book, a short spiritual guide for the road of life. In my head, I had clear sets of thoughts and ideas I wanted to share. However, the first attempt to put them into a book created a stack of papers resembling anything but a well organized book anyone would be interested in reading. It was then that I realized there is much more to writing a book than few good ideas.

Let more than one person edit your book

You need an editor for grammar and such, but it’s a good idea to let someone with knowledge on the subject matter read it, too. When a reviewer would ask me what I meant when I wrote this or that sentence, I knew I had to do a better job conveying the message because others would ask the same questions. This give and take with people that I trusted greatly improved the clarity and quality of my writing.

Know who you are writing for

Life Is Not a Candy Store: It’s the Way to the Candy Store started as a spiritual guide for all ages. However, as the project moved forward, reaching teens became the main purpose of the book. It meant I had to go back and change some of the writing. I had to think in terms of what issues teens deal with or are bothered by. I also had to change the examples I used in the book to fit their environment and talk about things such as peer pressure and challenges teens may face in school. Changing the target audience during the writing was the right decision, but a time consuming one, too.

Always take notes when you have new ideas

Over the years you may have had many inspiring ideas crossing your mind, but for different reasons you let them go. You will do yourself a big favor by starting to write them down as they come to you. Those are the seeds of your writing and the gifts the universe has sent to you. Always have something you can write with. Later on you will have time to develop it further.

You are the most original part of your book, so show it

Whatever subject you write on, and whatever story you tell, most likely it has been told before in one way or another. What makes your book unique is your prospective, your personality. Be passionate; let the readers see your version of something they heard about before. For example, when you read Life Is Not a Candy Store: It’s the Way to the Candy Store, you’ll feel that the book was written as a personal journey coming from the heart. It is so because I decided to connect with the readers on that level.

Finally, have fun writing

It takes time and money to publish a book, and it’s not always easy to remember, but going through the process means you are realizing a dream. Look around you.  How many people are actually doing that? Very few, if any at all. It is of no use at all to be sitting there twenty years from now telling anyone who is willing to listen that you once wrote a book. Live in the present and enjoy the moment!

In a nutshell, one of the main topics in Life Is Not a Candy Store: It’s the Way to the Candy Store is learning to enjoy life without causing pain to ourselves and others. The book explores the idea of living a joyful life by connecting to a higher power and finding a more meaningful purpose for life. By changing one’s prospective of life, one can walk on the road that leads to an emotional and spiritual freedom. Realizing that, you will see that living even a small dream is a step in the right direction.

About Tal Yanai

At the age of twenty-three, Tal Yanai moved to the Los Angeles where he found solace in a higher power and started on a spiritual path.  It led him to align himself with his soul’s essence and mission. Since that time (1993), he wanted to share his story with young people, hoping it will give them the tools necessary to overcome the pain and frustration they may experience.

Life Is Not a Candy Store: It’s the Way to the Candy Store

Tal Yanai's book Life Is Not a Candy Store: It's the Way to the Candy Store is a spiritual guide for teens. It is an introduction to basic spiritual principles that can help teenagers deal with daily issues they may face. Too many fine young people end up hurting themselves and others close to them when they are unable to resolve situations involving anger and frustration. This book gives teens who feel trapped the tools to let go of the anger and overcome difficulties.

                           http://familiesmatter2us.blogspot.com

Book Lovers Blog Hop:

Make friends, share the love of reading and be entered to win a FREE book!

All you have to do is post the Book Lovers Blog Hop and World of Ink Tour Banners above to your blog. Promote the Book Lovers Hop and World of Ink Tours on any social network. Tweet it once a day, share on Facebook and then follow others back that leave you a comment. By joining the Book Lovers Blog Hop, you are automatically entered in our Book Giveaway!

There will be two (2) winners for this Book Giveaway.

Note: One book per winner.

Hop Rules:

1.Follow the Top link of the hop! Hop Host: Families Matter

2.Grab the button for the hop and place it in a post, sidebar, or on a blog hop page and let us know where it is in the comments section below. This will help the hop grow and gain us all new followers. It's a Win-Win for everyone!

3.Grab the buttons for the World of Ink Tours and place it in a post or side bar. Make sure you let us know where it is in the comments section below.

Book Giveaway Rules:

·Join the Book Lovers Blog Hop. (One entry)

·Follow the World of Ink Tours and leave a comment per tour blog stop. (must leave a real comment about the author, tour or book. Saying “this is cool” or “I love your book” will not count.) Make sure to include your safe email so we can contact you if you are the winner. Example: vsgrenier AT storiesforchildrenpublishing DOT com. (One bonus entry per blog stop)

·Ask a question per World of Ink Tour blog stop. (One bonus entry per tour blog stop)

Here is the Code for the blog hop list

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WriteOnCon

Hear ye, hear ye: announcing the second annual WriteOnCon, a  free online conference scheduled for August 16 -18^th.   As mentioned in The Writer magazine last month, 11,000 children’s book writers and illustrators participated last year. 

Young-adult writer Casey McCormick organized WriteOnCon to help writers who can’t afford to attend conferences.  She hopes to bring organized information as well as the intensity and the experience of attending an in-person conference to online participants.

Last year, McCormick along with six co-founders put together a roster of more than 50 experts, which included literary agents and authors.  This year she hopes to help new writers with basic information and to get more agents doing events.  McCormick says, “We're doing a critique partner match-up in the forums right now as well as a contest with a $1000 prize with The Reading Room and lit agent Catherine Drayton.” 

The goal of the conference is to help writers connect with other writers and industry pros so that that can someday reach their dream of publication.  To register or for more information: go to writeon.com.

Writer's News

Photo by Lucas

My picture book In Search of Awe was awarded Honorable Mention by the Alabama Writer's Conclave.  This very story was critiqued as part of Editor's Day in Lexington, Kentucky.  In fact, all attendees had the opportunity to have their work critiqued for a small fee.  Editor Maggie Lehrman of Abrams Books thought that the story would work better as a middle grade book.  Hmmm....this would take some time to develop, but it may be worth pursuing. 

My other picture book Maggie and the Third Grade Blues has a slightly new title, based on the first-page critique I received at Editor’s Day:  Maggie and the First Grade Blues.  Maggie Lehrman reminded me that the book should appeal to much younger children.  Though basically the same story, the text was modified to engage a younger audience.  

I am approaching my goal of contacting 30 publishers—only 3 more to go.  But, I will submit to Abrams first, since I have a better understanding of their needs following Editor’s Day.  Out of 13 agents, 8 responded with a no thank you.  I will submit to two more agents this summer to bring the total to 15, as planned. 

If I receive negative responses from Abrams and the agents, I will have to weigh whether to continue to submit my book to others (but of course, I’m staying positive).   My goal is to continue to submit to many more publishers and agents.  I keep in mind that many children’s writers have faced rejection.  For instance, Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss) was rejected multiple times.  J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was rejected 12 times.  She reminds all of us:  Never accept rejection. Perseverance is key.

                                                                        

Getting Gutsy

A few weeks ago, my family and I took a vacation to Carter Caves State Resort Park, about ninety miles east of Lexington, Kentucky.  We planned to hike, go caving, and ride horses.  The first day was stormy, so we opted to go into one of the caves.  Inside, it was cool and damp.  As our guide flashed his light upward, we marveled at bats nestling on the ceiling and at the knobby stalactites hanging overheard.  We sloshed deeper into the cave, twisting and winding past limestone formations for about forty minutes until we ended near another opening, out into sunshine.  We decided to take advantage of the nice weather and hike into the forest.   

The trails were dry despite the earlier downpour.  On one path we discovered three natural stone bridges.  Along the way we encountered deer peering at us with frozen stares.  Though we never saw them, woodpeckers rapped tree trunks and rufous-sided towhees warbled “drink your tea.”  After the long hike, we headed for our cottage which cozied up to the edge of the forest.  Before going inside, we spotted a red bird that looked like a cardinal, but without the black facial marking.  I had a hunch that the brilliantly colored bird was a summer  tanager.

The next morning I sat outside on the deck with my breakfast.  I had a piece of paper handy to help me work out minor edits for my picture book story.  But I was stumped.  My muse had not bothered to show.  I'd write a sentence and then scribble it out.  So I put my pen down.  I gazed upon oaks leaves glistening with patches of sunlight.  Out of the corner of my eye I spotted a deer and a fawn foraging.  So peaceful, so quiet.  Then a  summer tanager flew to the railing.  I quickly stepped inside to grab a camera.  Just in time, I captured its image as it perched on my cereal bowl and then hopped to my plate to snatch morsels of blueberry muffin. 

Maybe this bird had humans figured out: getting gutsy gets a reward—a free meal. At that moment I realized that I too, had to get gutsy.  I had a deadline, (the end of summer) so I had to attempt to put something down, anything.  It didn't have to be perfect.  

I could have put off writing until my muse returned, but it wouldn't have been gutsy.  Gutsy means writing even when the muse is not present.   Getting a few words down was the goal.  Polishing them would come later.  Concentrating on moving forward was key.  And so I began.  The words did not flow,  but I managed just enough for a good start.  Those few words were my reward.  They led me closer to where I need to be.

Tips from Editor's Day

A couple of weeks ago, I attended Editor’s Day in Lexington, Kentucky. Editor Maggie Lehrman of Abrams Books gave aspiring authors tips for making a picture book stand out. Ms. Lehrman stressed that an author must find a unique voice when writing a picture book. Voice is a combination of word choice, attitude, point of view and tense. She also mentioned that a picture book should be fun. She suggests reading the text with a kid's perspective. She agrees that it’s not easy (as I and many other writers know) to find a publisher for a picture book. A picture book has to be passionately loved by the entire editorial board, not just the acquisitions editor.  On top of that, a picture book has to be marketable.

During the one page critique session, Ms. Lehrman reminded everyone that picture books are for a very young audience, 0 – 6 years old. That means that my picture book Maggie and the Third Grade Blues needs a slight title change. Young readers may not relate well to a third grade character. I’ll also have to tweak the text—just a few words here and there to bring it down to the appropriate age level. Afterward, I hope to send it to Ms. Lehrman at the end of summer. Like many editors, she only takes submissions from conference attendees.

My Editor’s Day experience was amazing and in some ways, very similar to the Editor's Day that I co-hosted two years ago.  Both conferences allowed me to get to know the personal preferences of two New York editors—the kinds of books they like to read for fun and the submissions they want to acquire for their publishing houses.  I encourage you to consider attending a conference, too. You will learn valuable tips and meet other writers.   Moreover, attending a conference will allow your submission to float to the top of the slush pile.   It may offer you the opportunity to submit to editors who normally respond only to agented writers.

Writer's News

photo by Lucas

Here is the latest news about Maggie and the Third Grade Blues:  My picture book was sent to Schwartz & Wade, Kane Miller, Walker and Company, and Scholastic Press.  Schwartz and Wade sent a letter saying my manuscript was not right for their list as did Kane Miller and Scholastic Press.  I'm still waiting to hear from Walker and Comany as well as four agents that I've submitted to. That makes 22 publishers that I’ve submitted to and 13 agents. My manuscript has been entered in five contests. So far, it’s won three awards—so that indeed, is good news. 

Other good news:  I recently got word that another one of my manuscripts,  In Search of Awe has won an award from the Alabama Writer's Conclave.  Details will be announced in July at the AWC banquet. 

More news: Editor’s Day was held on June 11th in Lexington, Kentucky.  Editor Kate Larken of Motes Books and Abrams Books Editor Maggie Lehrman presented morning and afternoon sessions, plus one page critiques. Several months prior to the workshop, registrants had the opportunity to submit an entire picture book manuscript to Ms. Lehrman for a personal critique.Since my picture book had won several awards, I decided to submit In Search of Awe.   Maggie and the Third Grade Blues was submittted at the workshop for a first page critique. I’m hoping to share a few of the editors' tips and the critique comments with you soon. Until then, happy writing.

Steps for Publishing Nonfiction Articles for Children, Part II

As mentioned on the May 30th blog, publishing nonfiction articles for children is like climbing a staircase.  You've got to take eight steps before reaching the top landing:  publication.  The first four steps are: follow the magazine's guidelines, review copies of the magazine, use reliable sources, and add something extra—write from personal experience.  Now let's take the final four steps.

Step #5:  Educate and entertain
Spin the well-researched information into a story with a beginning, a middle, and an ending.  The beginning should hook your audience and coax them to continue reading.  The middle is the meat of the story where you explain your topic.  Use similes to help kids understand complex issues.  Incorporate onomatopoeia to bring excitement to your writing.  Add alliteration and assonance to give emphasis to your words.  Lastly, complete your article with a satisfying ending.  Find a creative way to tie it in to the first paragraph.   

Step #6:  Edit your work
Read your article aloud.  If you stumble on a word, change it until the piece flows.  Allow another reader to peruse your work.  He may pick up a mistake that you’ve overlooked.  Use spell check, but know that it’s not always accurate.  Apply the Flesch-Kincaid grade level tool or another grade assessment when writing for a specific age.  In addition, find an expert to review your work.  Consider revising your piece based on the expert’s suggestions.  Doing so will add credibility to your article.  

Step #7:  Include a properly formatted bibliography
Even if the guidelines indicate that only a few sources are required, list those sources in alphabetical order with the author’s last name followed by a comma and the author’s first name.  Cite the title, the city (and state if the city is obscure), the publishing company, and publishing date.  When in doubt, refer to reference books like The Chicago Manual of Style for proper formatting. 

Step #8:  Keep the cover letter short

Now you’re ready to write a short professional cover letter addressed to the editor.  Compose a one-page letter.  Entice the editor with a strong hook.  Give the title, the word count, the intended audience, and an overview of the piece, plus a short bio.  Thank the editor for her time.  E-mail or mail in your submission with the cover letter (check those guidelines!)  

When I receive a submission, I make sure that the manuscript and the bibliography have been formatted correctly.  I check to see if the word count is correct.  If not, I may reach for a rejection slip.  But, if the magazine guidelines were followed, then a foot is in the door.   I will eagerly read on to determine whether the topic would be of interest to our audience.  And if you’ve taken those eight steps, I’m betting an acceptance will soon come your way. 

Steps for Publishing Nonfiction Articles for Children, Part I

As Nonfiction Editor for a children’s e-magazine, I often receive submissions that need a little help.  A number require revision.  Some miss the mark completely by submitting fiction.  So how can you join the ranks of those who succeed?  Think of publishing like climbing a staircase.   You’re at the base of the steps looking up at the landing:  publication.  You’ll need to take eight steps until you reach the top.                                                                                                 

Step #1:  Review the magazine’s guidelines 

Guidelines help you give an editor what she wants.  Guidelines may specify the word count, font, formatting, and the wording of the subject line of an email.  Yet, a good number of submissions that I receive fail to do just that.  Adhere to the guidelines when you write your article and review them once more before you submit. 

Step #2:  Read the magazine

Order back issues, checkout library copies, or read articles online of the magazine for which you wish to pitch.  Get a feel for the content and tone.  Do you feel confident that you can produce a similar piece?  Will your topic have kid-appeal?  Will it keep you interested?  After all, you’ll be spending lots of time reading and researching the topic. 

Step #3:  Use Reliable Sources        

Lean on primary sources, trustworthy websites, and up-to-date books for your research.  Wikipedia can be used as a starting place, perhaps to help you produce an outline; but, it should not be used as a source.  Consider conducting an interview with a person connected to your topic.  Once, I interviewed a famous horse trainer to understand how he felt about working with a Derby horse.  His experiences brought a great personal perspective to my article. 

Step #4:  Add a Little Extra

Nobody can top you when you write from personal experience—though it’s not always required for publication, it can give you an edge.  If you’re writing about an event, try to attend it.  If you want to write about an unusual animal, try to meet one.  Allow the reader to share what you’ve seen, heard, and felt.  In addition, consider offering photographs that you’ve taken.  That way, you’ve done the footwork that an editor would have had to do herself.

You're halfway to the top.  Tune in Monday June 13th for steps 5 - 8.

A Typical Morning at the Office

Ollie Mrvos 

It’s noon.  I’ve been sitting in front of computer for three hours with a cup of Starbucks French Roast  coffee.  This is what I’ve accomplished:

Answered an email from my assistant nonfiction editor

Reviewed articles that will be considered for publication
Scheduled two guest blogs
Emailed an editor to find out about when two educational pieces will be published
Wrote to authors to explain that the publication of their pieces will be delayed
Wrote to an author that her article had been published
Called to follow up on an interviewee
Answered a text from my daughter
Answered a call from my husband
Moved the cat, who had decided to sit on the keyboard                                        
Worked on editing personal articles for children’s and writer’s magazines
Edited a piece for a second time for an editor
Worked on developing a writer’s workshop
Sent in a submission to Nature Friend Magazine      
Tinkered with three more queries for Maggie
Contacted a Basenji owner and friend about puppy updates for new article
Thought about getting started on dinner
Checked email
Sipped and sipped on coffee
Moved the cat, again

Tomorrow the list will be slightly different, except for sipping on coffee and moving the cat.

Seven Ways to Capture your Muse

photo by Lucas

Published in The Dabbling Mum e-magazine, August, 2005.
One day your writing muse announces, “I can’t stay.  You’re on your own.  See you later.”  She leaves you, taking all of your creative ideas with her.  You implore her to stay.  But she’s temperamental and fickle.  Before you can catch her, she slips away.  You stare at your manuscript.  Writer’s block sets in.   Panic ensues.  How will you finish the piece in time to meet your editor’s deadline?  How will you complete your story for the writing contest?  While your muse is away, how will you edit the manuscript that you’ve been meaning to submit?  It’s easy to turn away from writing and wait until your muse returns.  But how long will that be?  Here are a few ways to lure her back.   

Take a walk. Walking is a great way to get exercise and to take a break from sitting in front of the computer.  Is there a passage that you are having trouble completing?  Can’t find the right word for a poem?  Go outside.  Allow free thought to take over, to run free.  Brainstorm.  Make observations as you walk.  Seeing and hearing things along the way may help you find just the right words to finish a poem or an article.

Take classes. Look into taking classes at a literacy center, a library, or at a local college.  Often in writing classes, instructors will encourage participants to read their stories aloud.  Hearing a story read aloud not only brings it to life, but helps you identify lines that need to be revised, adjectives and adverbs that need to be omitted, or where active verbs should be used.  A beginning writing class may concentrate on developing conflict, establishing character motivation, creating distinctive characters, and exploring basic story schema.  More advanced writing classes may take a look at writing good query letters, submitting manuscripts, and finding an agent.  Some instructors will work with you on a one-on-one basis.  Fees vary and may be costly; however, individual critique and guidance may be worth the price.  In contrast, taking online classes may be worthwhile for writers who have a busy schedule.  Find a class that interests you or ask your writing buddies if they know of a good class.  Contact the instructor by e-mail to determine if this class will meet your needs. 

Meet with fellow writers.  Join a local writers’ group.  Writing can be a lonely profession.  Participating in a writing group will put you in touch with other writers.  You can find these groups advertised in newspapers, at literacy centers, or at local bookstores.  Finding the “right” group may take some work.  Look for a group led by a director of a literacy center or a library.  You may be able to find a group led by a well-respected, published author.  Not all groups will be right for you.  Audition them.  A good writing group should provide inspiration and support to its members.  Find out how many members belong to the group.  What are their writing habits?  Are they published?  Meet with the group several times before reading one of your stories.  Sit back, listen, and observe.  Will you be at ease when they offer critique? It’s important to get to know these people and feel comfortable with them.  Professional writers will understand the meaning of copyright and will respect your work. 

Research the markets.  Explore magazine publishers and book publishers listed in the Writer’s Market, a valuable resource which can be found at most local libraries.  Writer’s Digest magazine reports market needs every month.  If you join a professional writers’ organization, like The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, you’ll receive a newsletter with market updates.  Get a feel for the markets by visiting magazine websites or by ordering sample copies of publications.  Likewise, visit book publishers’ websites to familiarize yourself with their titles.  Study the writers’ guidelines.  Understanding an editor’s needs may give you the guidance you need to complete a piece.  

Re-write a story.  Changing the point of view can liven up a story. Switch from third person to first to give the story a personal feeling. Changing from past to present tense is another way to re-shape a piece.  Writing in present tense gives stories an intimate touch.  Use alliteration to bring flow to your words and metaphor and simile to make comparisons interesting.  Re-writing stories is a great exercise and will fuel your imagination.

Study writer’s magazines.  Subscribe to writers’ magazines, such as The Creativity Connection*, The Great Blue Beacon, and Writer’s Digest.  Save informative articles in a folder.  Likewise, search the Internet for articles.  Print the articles and refer to them whenever you need inspiration or help.   

Read a favorite novel, short story, or poem.  Analyze why you like them.  Practice mimicking the style and technique.  In addition, read books on writing and editing.  These books will help you improve your technique and increase your chances of publication.  Invest in a copy of The Chicago Manual of Style.  It’s a great resource for any kind of writing.  The Little Red Writing Book by Brandon Royal, which offers wonderful writing exercises, is another great resource.  Read inspirational books, such as If You Want to Write by Brenda Euland, Bird by Bird by Anne Lamont, or Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg. 

    
Of these seven ideas, going on a walk is the easiest and least expensive. Walking can help bring focus to your thoughts.  Likewise reading, whether it’s for enjoyment or education, is a great way to help channel your efforts.  Taking classes can give birth to new ideas or give direction to your work. Although classes involve a little more effort (and money), the payoffs are worth it.

What will you do to capture your muse?  Not sure?  Then go outside and get some fresh air.  I’d be willing to bet your muse will be waiting for you the minute you return.

*The writer's newsletter Creativity Connection is now called Extra Innings

Tips on Getting Published

Today Lisa Umina, author of the Milo book series, shares ways to help you get published.


Getting a book into print is just the beginning of the involved, and oftentimes overwhelming, publishing process. I started Halo Publishing International as an independently owned publishing company to help individual writers self-publish their books who don’t want to wade through the slush piles of traditional publisher for their chance at publication.

Trying to become a published author can be a difficult and lonely process, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are a few things to help you get your manuscript ready for publication.

Join writing communities and critique groups. You can learn from others who have been where you are or who are dealing currently with the same trials you are facing. Critique groups also help give you feedback on why your manuscript might be receiving rejections or help you overcome writers block.

Attend writing workshops and conferences. No matter what level you are at as a writer, you should at least once a year attend a conference and workshop to help hone your skills and learn about anything new in the industry. This is also a great way to make connections with editors, publishers, agents and others in your writing genre.

Get a freelance/professional editor to look your manuscript over. Authors are too close to the subject to objectively edit their own manuscripts. They often overlook the same mistakes time after time. By having an editor look your manuscript over before the submission process, you can be confident your manuscript will have correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling. At Halo, our creative editors watch for consistency, organization, clarity, character development, wordiness, sequential order, accuracy, and the right tone for the intended audience -- while always retaining your style. You want to make sure whomever you use doesn’t just do computer "mechanical" editing. Our editors at Halo get personally involved to hone your manuscript to a fine edge. This is key for a publishable manuscript.

Have a marketing plan outlined. Without an effective and comprehensive marketing plan, a book, although published, will sit in a box and collect dust. What sets HPI apart from other publishers is that our services do not end after a book is printed like most self-publishers and even traditional publishers; unless you are one of their top selling authors. Each and every HPI author is provided with an all-encompassing publishing solution that includes an essential marketing component. However, it is important to have a marketing outline ready to share with your publisher so you show what you are willing to do to help promote your book once it is published. Getting the word out to the media and, in turn, finding potential buyers for your book is a very important part of getting an editor or publisher interested in supporting you as an author.

Read the submissions guidelines and follow them. I cannot stress this enough. Each publisher, agent and editor has their own set of submissions guidelines and you need to make sure your manuscript follows them. You may have a great book idea and it would be a shame for it to be rejected because you didn’t follow the guidelines.

This are just some basic tips to help you achieve publication. Through Halo Publishing, I have helped countless authors realize their dreams and I hope that today, I have helped you reach your dream.