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

<script src="http://www.linkytools.com/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=100294" type="text/javascript"></script>

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.