How to Write Picture Book Description
With only 600 words to work with, there’s not much space for picture book description. Let’s make every word count and bring your story to life.
Writing Critique
You can become a better writer by giving and receiving actionable advice. Here’s how.
Story Mastermind: Picture Book Mini-Mastermind
Story Mastermind is our small group writing workshop. We'll tell you a little bit about the program, but mostly we will be talking today about picture book premise, and how to make sure that your story has strong bones and how to tell a compelling picture book story in today's market.
Swearing In Children’s Books
This is everybody's favorite fucking topic. It is swearing in children's books. Very controversial. Keep in mind the power gatekeepers have in children’s publishing.
Revision Process
I work as a freelance editor. I work with writers at thousands of projects a year on the revision process. I provide revision services. Every writer that I work with and every writer out there, I want them to engage in their own editing, their own revision process, because I do believe that a lot of writing happens in rewriting.
Avoid Overwriting
Overwriting happens often in early drafts, as writers try to get the story down and figure they’ll fix things later. Sometimes details draw us in, but often they can distract readers, pushing them to think about unrelated things ... and then to stop reading.
Violet Prose in Writing
Violet prose—an ominous and sometimes confusing term. What is it, and how do we avoid it in our writing? Or … is it really that bad?
Kill Your Darlings
As writers, we all have perceived strengths we fall back on time and time again. But can over-reliance on your strengths actually weaken your manuscript?
How to Use a Critique Group
To level up your writing, find a critique group. If you’re struggling to get past the first chapter, or you run out of interest midway through a project, a critique group could be essential. Getting feedback is invaluable, of course, but the benefits of joining a critique group don’t stop there.
Hiring an Editor
Should you consider hiring an editor? What are the benefits, and how do you choose the right one? Former literary agent and publishing insider Mary Kole answers all your questions.
What Makes a Character Interesting?
Characters are the most critical element for authors to get right in a novel. If the characters are interesting enough, readers will go on the most absurd journey or visit terrifying worlds with them. But if the protagonist is a snooze, they’ll most likely put the book down and reach for a better companion for the evening.
Writing an Issue Book
When writers talk about trends, one that often comes up is that of the “issue book.” Lately, issue books have become fairly synonymous with contemporary novels, especially since the massive success of both John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars and Angie Thomas’s The Hate U Give.
Benefits of a Writing Community
Writing can be a solitary endeavor, and a lot of writers don’t even know that they’re missing the important element of a writing community. Write lonely no more—there are tangible benefits to being part of a writing community, and now joining one is easier than ever.