What happens if you are working on a nonfiction writing assignment that prefers primary sources and/or information within 100 years or so of the event? This isn’t your ordinary research project. This means you have to Dig Deep! Here are some tips to help in your research.Â
There’s a silent war happening all around us—not with guns or headlines, but with stories. In classrooms, on screens, in books, and through influencers, our children and teens are constantly absorbing narratives that shape how they see themselves, others, and God. Some of these stories offer truth. Most offer confusion, cleverly disguised as freedom. And … More Faithful Storytelling for Young Hearts in a Confused Culture: Part 1 by Guest Blogger, Alexia Jons
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.â€Theodore Geisel (Dr. Seuss) As a children’s author, I work to write stories that inspire and entertain because I believe a good … More Tips for Writing More Engaging Picture Books – Part Four: Don’t Dumb It Down by Pam Halter
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 … More Tips for Writing More Engaging Picture Books – Part Three: Become A Kid Again! by Pam Halter
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 … More Tips for Writing More Engaging Picture Books – Part Two: Getting A Kid’s Attention by Pam Halter
A conversation with Joyce Hostetter, our spring MC teacher. … More A Conversation with Joyce Hostetter
Natalee Creech demonstrates how she revised a stanza in one of her picture books. … More How to Revise a Stanza by Natalee Creech
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.†Proverbs 27:17 NIV “… and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.†Ephesians 6:17 NIV Conferences Matter A favorite saying of my husband’s uncle was, “Consider the day wasted if you haven’t caught flack or learned something.†No matter what happens, you learn either way. … More Sharpen Your Swords! by Pam Halter
Ask The Right Question Marketing 101 for an author: know thy audience. In my writing workshops, I love to ask kids to raise their hands high if they love researching history. There are always a few budding history geeks with eager hands in the air, aglow with the idea of learning about the past (sniff, … More When History Gets Old, Make It New by Guest Blogger, Jenny L. Cote
As I mentioned last week, we have recently added three new bloggers to our team. Today, Pam Halter provides insight on how to maintain healthy writing habits. Take it away, Pam! — Carol Baldwin A Reminder from Scripture Then he (Elijah) lay down under the tree and fell asleep. All at once, an angel touched … More A Fresh Beginning by Pam Halter