Tips for Writing More Engaging Picture Books – Part Four: Don’t Dumb It Down
I have this on the author page of my website: “Children are a tough audience. You can fool an adult with persiflage or purple prose, but a kid can tell if you’re faking immediately.”Theodore Geisel (Dr. Seuss) As a children’s author, I work to write stories that inspire and entertain because I believe a good […]
Just Enough Room for Christmas
It’s August, and I have another Christmas book for you! This time it’s because the release date is September 2nd. That’s 2 weeks away! Summary In a tiny barn in Bethlehem, Old Hannah the cow lives alone until the cold wind drives other animals to seek shelter. One by one, they squeeze in, but when […]
On Our Bookshelf: Bacon’s Very Important Christmas Job by Tina Neely
I know it’s not the Christmas season, but let’s have a little Christmas in July fun! Summary Bacon’s Very Important Christmas Job, written and illustrated by Tina Neely, is the story about Bacon, a potbelly pig who wants to help his forever family with Christmas preparations. He tries making toys, singing songs, and sealing the […]
Tips for Writing More Engaging Picture Books – Part Three: Become A Kid Again!
If you’re just joining this blog thread, check out my first two posts on writing engaging picture books: Part One and Part Two. How Do I Become A Kid Again? Here’s the thing. Some adults have forgotten what it was like to be a kid. They’ve grown up and gone all stiff like a stale […]
Tips for Writing More Engaging Picture Books – Part Two: Getting A Kid’s Attention
Last month, I gave some general tips on writing picture books. Today, I want to look deeper into the craft. What You Need to Know First Our competition is fierce. Most beginning writers think starting with picture books is good because they’re short. In a way, they’re right! Picture books should be 800 words or […]
Tips for Writing More Engaging Picture Books – Part One
In all the years I’ve been a freelance children’s book editor, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard how people want to write picture books because they’re short … and easy. “HA!” I’d say. (And I had to keep myself from slapping them and saying, “Snap out of it!”) Writing picture books is […]
The Other Side of Sunshine
I am delighted to bring you my review for The Other Side of Sunshine by Kay DiBianca. This story is a middle grade mystery (ages 9-12), but with a protagonist who is only 10-years-old, kids on the younger side of middle grade will enjoy it. I think older kids will enjoy it too, because *I* […]
Interview with Joyce Hostetter
Today on our blog, I interview Joyce Moyer Hostetter, who will be leading our Master Class in April. Interview PAM: Hi, Joyce! Thanks for being here with us on the Write2Ignite blog. JOYCE: It’s great to be here! PAM: I read about you on your website and how you got your love for history by […]
Welcome to The Writing Games!
It’s 2025. A new year to get ideas, write, submit, and get rejected. I mean, let’s be positive. Write, submit and get picked up by your dream publishing house! Woot! But it often feels like we’re playing a kids’ game, doesn’t it? I thought this after I read Julie Lavender’s blog post on the Blue […]
Writing & Making Pizza
Happy New Year’s Eve Eve! In two days, it will be 2025. A new year with no mistakes in it. Tomorrow has no mistakes in it. The next 5 minutes have no mistakes in them. The next 3 seconds have no mistakes in them. Your new manuscript, which you have not started yet, has no […]