April 2026 Master Class
Registration is Now Open
This past Saturday, April 18, 2026, we had our spring Master Class. As you see from the title, it was all about adding humor to a story. Our teacher, award-winning, middle grade author, JJ Johnson, broke down three different kinds of humor and told us how we can add...
Wonderful writing resources are easily available to us. We can access rhyming, spelling, and foreign language dictionaries. We can look up synonyms in a thesaurus, and find the perfect line to quote in Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations. If you need to write a screenplay,...
This spring, our Master Class will be focused on adding humor to our stories. We’re super excited as this is the first time we’ve focused on humor. Here’s what you can expect! Laughing on the Light Side: Writing Clean, Clever Humor for Kids and Teens Our teacher is JJ...
Which research course should I choose for my master’s in education? I wondered as I searched to fulfill the credits to graduate in Human Development and Education at Harvard Graduate School of Education. When I told my advisor my passion for writing, without...
Growing up, most of my favorite books were those that included a good amount of humor. Humor brings in light moments when they are needed and, often, makes stories more memorable. With our April Master Class on humor coming up soon, I wanted to recommend a few of my...
Hey Write2Igniters! I’m pleased to introduce you all to JJ Johnson, our teacher for April’s Master Class this year. In my March blog I’ll focus on what he’s covering in his class, “Laughing on the Light Side: Writing Clean, Clever Humor for Kids and Teens." Author JJ...
As authors, whether you write for children or not, there are so many writers conferences, online workshops, clubs/groups, magazines, and more that you can subscribe to. Or become a member of. WHY should you become a member...
My Writing Swirls It’s easy during the Christmas season to stretch ourselves thin—even in our writing. Here’s how it happened for me: I write mostly picture books and middle grade stories, and I’m actively working on submissions for some manuscripts and...
If you are looking for an interesting novel filled with accurate historical details about a group of volunteers who brave the Pacific Ocean on a cargo ship carrying 200, mostly pregnant goats, to help people in Japan following WWII, then Zachary: A Seagoing Cowboy should be on your To Be Read pile.
Introducing... When Brenda Covert took one of our Master Classes taught by Laura Sassi, she immediately had the idea for Meanwhile, Back at the Manger . A few years later, she finally has a picture book to call her own. A fun re-telling of the birth of Jesus,...
Several years ago, I went to physical therapy. While I exercised, I was struck by the similarity I discovered between physical and writing.
In today’s review of “Where the Mountain Meets the Moon” by Grace Lin, we’re discussing the beautiful themes this story holds.
We are so excited to introduce our intern for the Fall 2025 semester, Aubrey Winstead. Aubrey is a senior at North Greenville University and is making her debut on Write2Ignite's blog with a recap of Saturday’s Master Class. Welcome, Aubrey! We are so excited to have...
Tina Cho is a kindergarten teacher by day and, by night, an award-winning author of six picture books and a lyrical middle grade graphic novel, The Other Side of Tomorrow , which received five starred reviews. Tina has visited us at Write2Ignite before – appearing in...
Thirteen years ago, I decided to put all my energies into Mims House, my publishing company, and bring my books to market. I wanted to put my books into the hands of the right kids. I didn’t know that the journey would turn me into a patient, persistent problem...
Today, we have a special bonus post on Michael Dowling's experience with hybrid and traditional publishing. Want to learn more? Don't miss our September Master Class with Darcy Pattison on self-publishing. Registration is now open. Interview Sally: "Teaching Sound...
A couple of years ago, at a Write2Ignite Master Class, Wiley Blevins, Associate Publisher at Reycraft Books, presented the beautiful nonfiction picture book, Moon Tree: The Story of One Extraordinary Tree by Carolyn Bennett Fraiser . But that wasn't the first time I...
Children’s book author and indie publisher Darcy Pattison has had her books translated into eleven languages, and she has received over seventy awards for her work. In September, Darcy will share tips on how to “Self-Publish Picture Books and Middle Grade Books” at...
If you attended Write2Ignite's most recent Master Class, you've already been introduced to Sherri Seligson, marine biologist, homeschooling mom, author, and speaker. Today, I'm delighted to chat with Sherri about her most recent book, Wonders of the Ocean Realm...
It's summer, and that means it’s writers’ conference season! A time for education, encouragement, making connections, and building friendships. Recently, four of us Write2Igniters attended the Write to Publish Conference near Chicago. We came from all over—Missouri,...
It’s an honest question. Obviously, if you are writing first person POV, then this does not apply to you. Of course your narrator should be a character. Otherwise, it ain’t first person! But what about third person? Should your narrator have a distinct personality?...
If we use the writing armor God gave us to write for God’s glory, whatever we write, will always be a good fit.
Guest blogger, Big Bertha here, straight from the hen house with some tips to help further your writing career. Today’s topic? Setting up that perfect writing spot. Look for limited distractions I don’t know about you, but sharing a chicken coop with 22 hens and 2 up...
We take the land of writing little by little. Just as the Israelites did when they entered the Promised Land after their exodus from Egypt.
This past Saturday was our Master Class hosted by Joyce Moyer Hostetter: The Story Safari: Tracking Down the Story Through Research, Focus, and Revision. I read her Bakers Mountain series several years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it, so I was excited to get to learn...
A conversation with Joyce Hostetter, our spring MC teacher.
Today on our blog, I interview Joyce Moyer Hostetter, who will be leading our Master Class in April. Joyce Hostetter, our next Master Class speaker Interview PAM: Hi, Joyce! Thanks for being here with us on the Write2Ignite blog. JOYCE: It’s great to be here! PAM: I...
Last year I watched 52 movies, and read 48 books. But I didn’t like them all. Some movies I hated. Some books I rolled my eyes at, or finished with the thought of “Finally. Now, I can read something good!” As I finished the year reading A Christmas Carol, I was struck...
This week, I had the privilege of interviewing Amy Houts. I met Amy a couple of years ago at my first-ever Write2Ignite Master Class, and I’m happy to reconnect with her now as she celebrates the release of her two most recent books, The Creation and Noah’s Ark...
For me, it’s time to look at 2025 conferences and decide which one or ones I’d like to attend. I’ve been attending at least one conference a year since 1997. Yeah, I’m that old. But conferences are super important, either in person (which I prefer) or online...
What comes to your mind when you read the name of Laura Ingalls Wilder? Does it carry you back to when you were captivated by the freckle-faced little girl with braided pigtails from the popular television show Little House on the Prairie? Or does it warm your...
Overview of Natalee Creeh’s master class on lyrical language.
Natalee Creech demonstrates how she revised a stanza in one of her picture books.
Exploring the Art of Plotting Part One In Exploring the Art of Plotting , DiAnn Mills pulls from her years of studying the craft of writing, along with her experience penning multiple award-winning novels, to educate writers on the many twists and turns of plotting....
“Nothing!” by Natalee Creech and Joseph Cowman, published in 2019 by Worthy Kids, explores the reassuring message of Romans 8:38-39 from a child’s perspective. The book beautifully combines captivating illustrations and lyrical language to convey the unbreakable love of God. With engaging scenarios and literary techniques, it enhances both children’s imaginations and their understanding of God’s love.
Our next master class is coming up soon! On September 28, Natalee Creech will speak about lyrical language in prose. In thinking about this topic, let’s look at some examples of lyrical language in different types of literature. The House of the Seven Gables Nathaniel...
C.S. Lewis gave this advice on writing, to a schoolgirl in America: “Always write (and read) with the ear, not the eye.” I think that is sound advice – pun intended! I invite you to join me on September 28, for a day of reveling in lyrical language. We will take a...
I’ve got about a dozen unfinished stories. When I look back to see why I gave up on the story (sometimes mid-sentence), I discovered most of them died out around chapter three. I was shocked. What was so hard about chapter three? Why would I give up so easily? As I...
A Master's Degree! This past month I have gone back to school to earn my Master’s degree in Second Language Acquisition. I have been learning to take the process brick-by-brick or in other words one step at a time. After I was registered with all the...
In our recent Master Class on fantasy, author Amy Earls provided important tools for writing YA and MG fantasy. Today, team member Deborah S. DeCiantis gives her perspective (from many years of being an English college professor) to understanding classic fantasy. ...
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Psalm 19:1 REVIEW Annette Whipple certainly demonstrates this Bible verse in new devotional book for children. Annette, one of Write2Ignite's former Master Class instructors, is a...
If you’ve been in the writing business for any length of time, you know how valuable a critique partner is. The Bible says in Proverbs 16:24, “Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” I have found that my critique partners are the honey...
In conjunction with our Master Class on Saturday, I plan to share reviews of other YA or MG fantasy novels. Some may have explicit Christian content such as Amy Earls' FORBIDDEN REIGN, but others like today's book, MAGGIE AND THE MOUNTAIN OF LIGHT by Mark Snoad, might...
Did you miss our master class on Writing Christian Fantasy with Amy Earls? Check out our recap of the master class highlights.
I have fun connecting people to one another. My fun is doubled when I get to share how authors connect with a publisher--particularly through Write2Ignite! In January I told you how Laura Petrisin signed with Monarch Educational Services. Here is more news--Amy Houts...
I was born with flat feet, the kind that leaves rectangular blobs instead of footprints in the sand. As a young child I had to wear special shoes with an orthopedic pad inside to help my arch. And, I remember that my feet would get so painful that my mother would have...
REVIEW Pero Moshe hears a mysterious voice singing from the underground tunnels in the palace ofBeijing, and a prophecy says she’s the one to answer the call. But when she does and istrapped in the Forbidden City with Dr. Carper, the journey uncovers more than the...
In preparation for our April Master Class on Writing Fantasy, we are featuring several novels. Jean Hall previously reviewed The Impossible Girl, but I thought it would be interesting to a teen's thoughts about this book also. REVIEW The Impossible Girl (Monarch...
“The Village of Gorgenon, near Alphigaz, floated above the Hoovah as the Pinkletons swam by. As long ago as eleventy Kikes, had the Moopahs overtaken the Quillerton valley. And now, seventeen-five Kikes later, Cocoyaks were bubbling under the surface.” Before you...
A WORD FROM AMY Writer, you are not alone. I have been where you are now–the passion to write but not knowing where to begin, or how to continue, or if the pages you labored countless hours over are valuable to anyone besides your mother and dog. My name is Amy....
How can critique groups inspire us as writers? Last year, Kathy O’Neill’s blog post shared the importance of critique groups through highlighting Bandersnatch: C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and the Creative Collaboration of the Inklings. I absorbed her article, grabbed...
As we gear up for our Master Class on Writing MG & YA Christian Fantasy, the Write2Ignite team is reading and talking about this popular genre. Registration for the class opens March 1 for the April 13 class with Amy Earls. In the upcoming weeks, I plan to publish...
Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. 1st Peter 5:8 CSB I walked into the kitchen, and there, tied up and in a pot, just waiting to be boiled, was my family. Yoda...
As you know, all of us at Write2Ignite are dedicated to instructing and encouraging Christian writers who desire to publish books for children that honor the Lord. We also love sharing good news when an author finds a publishing home. Today, I'm happy to share...
A note from the W2I blog coordinator, Carol Baldwin: I'm wearing a few hats these days. On top of working on a new historical middle-grade novel, blogging about kidlit, and co-ordinating this blog, I'm also Monarch Educational Services' new publicist. So, with a huge...
I received an email from a friend wanting to know how to find his target audience. He stated that he didn’t know who his target audience was, because he wanted to market to everybody. I sent him an email telling him that when you market to everybody, you market to...
"You never say "Yes" to anything." Ever heard of Grey’s Anatomy? Shonda Rhimes is its critically-acclaimed and award-winning creator and executive producer. Although I’m not a television enthusiast, I was struck by the premise in her secular 2015 book, Year...
Most people are familiar with villains – antagonists who cause conflict with the protagonists we (usually) root for in stories we read or write. But what are foils? What do they contribute to a protagonist’s conflict resolution (and sometimes, redemption)? Can an...
Do you find it difficult to carve out time to focus on creating? Do you need a set block of time to devote to your writing? Want to work alongside friendly folks who share the same goal? We get it – and we’re here to help. Introducing Time2Write – Write2Ignite’s...
Procrastination isn’t always a bad thing.
Last Saturday’s Write2Ignite Master Class on Writing Chapter Books was a big hit. We had the largest attendance we’ve had thus far, and our teacher Marianne Hering did a fabulous job! It is such a joy for me to gather with other Christian writers whether live or via...
Join us for a review of “Skyborn: Sparrow Rising,” a captivating middle-grade fantasy novel by Jessica Khoury.
Young woman broadcasting in a studio, close up When I was nine years old, my sister and I pulled out our dad's cassette player and recorded our first radio show. I wrote the script and songs and we practiced before performing. We had a blast (or at least, I did. Hard...
Land of the Lost, by Marianne Hering, (our September Master Class instructor) is a recent title in Adventures in Odyssey’s popular “Imagination Station” series. This is Marianne Hering’s thirtieth book and cousins Patrick and Beth travel back...
REVIEW Big Risks in Russia, by Marianne Hering, (our September Master Class instructor) is the upcoming title in Adventures in Odyssey’s popular “Imagination Station” series. A brief prologue brings newcomers to the series up to speed by introducing the main...
By Guest Blogger and upcoming MC teacher, Marianne Hering Before I tell you why a fiction book with a whopping 361 chapters is not a chapter book, let me ramble about myself for a minute. Gauche, I know, but it’s part of the answer. So, I’ve written a few books in my...
The Orb and the Airship, by Realm award-winning author Jenelle Leanne Schmidt, is an adventurous tale about a rogue airship captain, an ambitious youth, and a clash of powers beyond their imagination. The first in a series, The Orb and the Airship was released on June...
Here at Write2Ignite, we're thrilled to share that one of our newest bloggers, Amy Earls, is launching her debut YA novel, The King’s Feather : Book I of the Under His Wings series, on June 30! In this Q & A interview with Write2Ignite Team member...
An English program can provide a structured environment for learning from experienced professors and receiving feedback on your work. However, an English program can be expensive, and the financial investment might not lead to financial gain. There are other paths to...
Have you ever been stuck in a writing rut? Check out three ways writing a mystery game can solve those writing rut blues.
When the Last Stone Falls begins in Holland in 1939, the world is on the brink of war. The characters in my story must fight for survival and freedom and to find light in the darkness during one of the worst times in history. Gerrit Degroot sees humanity at its...
"Mommy, there's a biwd in awe house!" "A real bird?" "Mommy, come quick. Daddy lef the doow open. It's in awe liveen woom." I leapt out of bed and followed my five-year-old into the living room where a blue Western Scrub-Jay ruffled the window blinds and house...
We had a blast with Kim Peterson during last weekend’s Master Class as she taught "Hooks, Queries and Proposals!" While writing these sales pitches can be overwhelming, Kim taught us how to focus our messaging and taught us how to reel in the necessary elements that...
9 Lessons Discovered from the Inklings
Story ideas are a lot like babies: no one knows where they come from. If you’re a writer, you know a story idea can hit you when you least expect it. Just as you drift off to sleep, or reach for the shampoo in the shower, or even while someone is talking to you at a...
An ivory tower is often defined as a place where a person is cut off from the responsibilities of the world so they can pursue their own interests without interruption. Creative people may sometimes long for a perfect ivory tower where they can spend endless,...
The Write2Ignite team is excited about our next Master Class with Kim Peterson. It's less than a month away! In Case You Missed It Here is the schedule. Notice that Kim will lead three workshops (one is split in half); you'll have time to work on your hooks, queries,...
It’s a tough market these days in an even tougher economy. Plus, there are options now available to writers, and opinions abound about which publishing path we as children’s writers should pursue on our personal publishing journey. Which direction will you take? To...
Join Karley Conklin for a discussion of 3 tips for growing strong and healthy writing habits, from James Clear’s book “Atomic Habits”.
I have a pet elephant. It all started out with a dream. I’ve always wanted a pet elephant. I dreamed about the days I could take my grandkids for a ride! I looked forward to taking the neighborhood kids for a ramble down the street on its back. I imagined summer days...
On April 22, Kim Peterson will teach Write2Ignite’s next Master Class called, “Hooks, Queries and Proposals: Angling to Land a Contract.” She will present three workshops “Choosing the Correct Hook,” “Reeling in an Editor: The Query,” and “Stocking Your Tackle Box:...
On Saturday, April 22, 2023, Write2Ignite is offering Hooks, Queries and Proposals: Angling to Land a Contract with Master Teacher Kim Peterson.
Our neighbors built a fire in their firepit and invited the children on our street over to toast s’mores. The wonderful fragrance of woodsmoke made everyone feel so festive! It’s Christmas time! This year as we’re getting to celebrate the birth of baby...
Penny Reeve, our "Next-Steps" Facebook Group Coordinator I’m thankful for opportunities to think about my faith in God, for the miracle of salvation and the wonder of grace – and then to be able to write for children and young people in a way that might honour these...
My first five books for children were all released as picture books. Three of those were later released as board books. That got me interested in exploring the differences between the two formats and a few summers ago I decided to try my hand at writing for the board...
One writer’s journey to writing and publishing her first educational book.
Tune in for the wrap-up of Write2Ignite’s Master Class, Writing Nonfiction for Kids and Teens, as well as a sneak peek at our latest news.
Ava Pennington equips Christian writers with four important principles for handling God’s Word accurately.
Annette Whipple’s “Ribbit! The Truth About Frogs” is perfect for kids who love to learn about the wonders of this world and its creatures.
Can anyone be a published author? The short answer: YES!!!! I’m a published author and I started out knowing nothing about this career. Zip. Nada. I’ve got oodles of friends who are successful published authors and most of them started out the same as me. My...
5 Steps to researching nonfiction texts.
Michelangelo was a super star in his own day, but as a Christian, he knew his work had a higher purpose.
10 ways to use mentor texts when you’re writing devotionals.
Take a careful look at the painting below. Would you hang that in your home? Neither would I—and I painted it. That's my artwork I created at a Painting with a Twist party. Can you tell I copied a "masterpiece." To get better at painting, I'd need an instructor....
A Memorial Day devotional that points to Christ.
Everyone likes a good party, especially one that gives you a personalized invitation in the shape of a puzzle piece. This is how Tim Tebow's debut picture book, "Bronco and Friends: A Party to Remember," begins. The animals in the story each receive their own unique...
Six years of upstairs and downstairs entanglements and drama. Six years of pomp and circumstance. Six years of loyalties and betrayals. Six years of secrets and celebrations. All ending in 2016 at the end of season six. But it didn’t end there. Downton Abbey, the...
Our Devotional Master Class has come and gone, but you can still access these posts about writing Devotionals for adults and children. Jarm Del Boccio started us out by writing Tips for Writing Kids and Teens Devotionals. Ava Pennington wrote about her devotional, The...
I have written a devotional blog for several years but that doesn’t mean I can’t learn a thing or two or maybe three about writing devotionals. Karen Whiting’s class had three sessions and each one was packed with information that we put into practice during the...
2022 Theme: Exalt the Lord who has Established UsCOLOSSIANS 2:6-7 I can remember the first time I became aware of the National Day of Prayer. I was driving to work and as I passed by a church, I noticed their reader board message. It stated: 2...