Who Needs a Write2Ignite Critique?
If you’re fairly new to the writing business or trying out a different genre, you may wonder whether you’re doing it right. Or maybe you have a story that you feel is almost—but not quite—working, and you’re not sure why. What’s a writer needing a professional opinion and guidance to do? Get a professional critique, […]
A New Take on Avoiding Writer’s Block
Today’s guest blogger, author Max Elliot Anderson, writes fictional adventure stories for middle-grade readers. When you read his techniques for keeping writer’s block at bay, you’ll get an inkling of the zaniness, action, and humor essential for keeping his young audience, especially boys, engaged! I have to say that writer’s block, or blank-screen-itis, has never […]
Author Interviews III: Sandy Carlson’s First Self-Publishing Experience
Author Sandy Carlson was born in Michigan, lived in six other states, and now resides in Michigan again. A former elementary teacher, Carlson is a blogger and a long-time member of SCBWI. She’s published in magazines, e-zines, newspapers, and anthologies, in addition to being the author of historical fiction, fantasy, and nonfiction books. Today, she writes, […]
Author Interviews II: Laurie Gifford Adams Shares on Self-Publishing
Laurie Gifford Adams began writing young adult novels during her career as an educator. Adams is the author of Finding Atticus, www.RUinDanger, Over the Edge, and Before I Knew. A former Prattsburg (NY) High School schoolmate of W2I Team member Darcy Hendrick, Adams has agreed to share her self-publishing experiences for our informational series of […]
Dual-Curriculum in Learning to Write for Children
I am the mother of four grown sons. But they weren’t always grown. There were quite a few hectic years that could best be described as managed chaos. I would get a little one off my hip and onto his feet just in time to have another firmly attach himself. And honestly, who knew there were […]
What Spills Out of You?
When you jostle a full glass of orange juice, what spills out? And what spills out of a full glass of milk? Silly questions? Maybe. Of course, orange juice will spill out of the first glass and milk will spill out of the second one. But perhaps not so silly when we apply this to […]
The Dreaded Elevator Pitch
When I worked as a Human Resources executive, one of my responsibilities was to offer outplacement training—a fancy term for helping people who lost their jobs find new employment. Outplacement training included creating a resume, polishing interview skills, and developing an elevator pitch. The elevator pitch is something writers need as well. A pitch is […]
What Does It Mean to Write for the Homeschool Market?
We’ve talked a lot this year about creating materials with the homeschool market in mind, so it’s important that we know whom that market represents. If we’re going to visualize our ideal reader, there are some things we need to understand. One of the common misconceptions about homeschooling is that it’s done only on the […]
Writing for Schoolhouse Teachers
The homeschooling market is growing rapidly, and there are many ways childrens’ authors can be involved. I’m the executive editor at SchoolhouseTeachers.com, and I’d like to share with you about our company and how you can become part of our writing team. SchoolhouseTeachers.com is the curriculum site of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine. We serve homeschool families […]