"For what event would you pack an ax, a vial of serum, and dog booties? Racing in the Iditarod! Find out what else mushers pack. #PBPitch #NF" "Jersey wishes she had spots like the other cows, so she knits herself a spotted sweater, and all the other cows want one...
Picture Books
Always a Learning Curve
There’s plenty of advice available about what to write and how to “speak” to children readers through story. But how do you get your stories out there to parents who buy a large percentage of children’s reading material after you publish those fantastic tales? You can...
Always a Learning Curve
There’s plenty of advice available about what to write and how to “speak” to children readers through story. But how do you get your stories out there to parents who buy a large percentage of children’s reading material after you publish those fantastic tales? You can...
The Charlotte Mason Method, Part Four
In Part One and Part Two of our series about writing for the homeschool community, we talked about some of the main components of the Charlotte Mason Method of education. In Part Three, we explored how to create copywork. This month, we’re going to take a look at what...
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...
Fall Writing Contest Winner
Recently, Write2Ignite held a fall-themed short story contest for writers of young adult fiction. We're pleased to announce that our winner is "H2O-CO" by Gayle Veitenheimer! Please visit Gayle's Facebook page, and enjoy her story below: "H2O-CO" Squeals and giggles...
More Than Just the Facts, Ma’am
When you think about writing for children, you might picture stacks of picture books or a shelf full of novels. But did you know there's a large nonfiction market as well? In my workshop session "More Than Just the Facts, Ma'am," I'm going to introduce you to the...
The Charlotte Mason Method, Part Two
Last month, we introduced Charlotte Mason and discussed her influence on homeschooling. Her method is popular among many homeschool families, and it’s important to understand it so you can create resources that support families who follow this method. So far, we’ve...
The Importance of Professional Editing before You Self-publish
By Brenda Covert True story: One year while celebrating my young adult daughter’s birthday at her favorite restaurant, our group sang the birthday song. Suddenly, a fashionably-dressed woman appeared at our table to wish my daughter a happy birthday and to give her an...
‘Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant’
If you follow our blog, you are interested in writing for children or teens. That, in and of itself, speaks volumes. You feel called to craft stories that will excite young readers, or you feel called to write Bible stories or devotionals that are just the right...
Let the Little Children Come
We're naturally drawn to the power of a good story. It starts at a young age, doesn’t it? Jack and Jill and other nursery rhymes. Aesop’s Fables and fairy tales. Frights around a campfire and happily-ever-after bedtime stories. Jesus understood the power of a story....
ArtSlam Live!
Six artists with one hour (or less!) to paint a picture that’s three feet square in size. What else could it be but ArtSlam Live? For the past two years, I’ve had the privilege of participating in ArtSlam Live, a timed art competition created by artist, writer, and...
Eight Lessons I’ve Learned About Writing
School has been in session in the United States for more than a month. This means that all across the country, children are facing the same question that has been asked for generations: "What did you learn today?" To my mother’s utter frustration, I’d often answer her...
Writing for the Homeschool Market – Notebooking
One great way to get started writing for the homeschool market is by creating notebooking pages. They are fun and provide countless options and opportunities for creativity—both on the part of the writer and the student. Notebooking is a tool many homeschoolers...
How Roundups Build Credibility
What does herding cattle have to do with writing? Surprisingly, more than you might expect. Both jobs require skill, stamina, and a willingness to get dusty and weary pursuing your goal. It also shows the value of rounding related things up into one place. That’s the...
What Do You Pray for Your Writing?
What do you pray for your writing? You might think that’s a silly question. Of course we pray for our writing. But what, exactly, are we praying for? If we’re honest, our prayers are often centered on requests for favor with agents and publishers. Book contracts,...
Read What You Write
“If you don't have time to read, you don't have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.” ~ Stephen King I don’t like the horror genre (it gives me nightmares), so I’m not a fan of Stephen King. But when he’s right, he’s right. Romance writers read romance....
What to bring to W2I! Conference 2016 – manuscripts, portfolio and more
by Janice D. Green Are you polishing up all of your manuscripts? Do you have published works you can show? Both may be useful to you at the Write2Ignite! Conference 2016 (or any other writing conference you attend.) This post is to help you get them organized in a way...
Ten Things NOT to Do When Writing a Picture Book
Do you have a picture book in the works? If so, you know picture books are a lot harder to write than most people think. Whether you’re just starting to write your manuscript or are in the final stages of revision, here are some things not to do: Don't write down to...
“When God Turned on the Light”
I was given a copy of Allia Zobel Nolan's book When God Turned on the Light to review, and the more I read it, the more I like it. Not only do I see it as a wonderful book for children, but it inspires me as a glowing example of how to write about the Bible in a...
Writers Giving Back and Building Up: Interview with Authors Janice D. Green and Soraya D. Coffelt
Occasionally, writers, both beginning and seasoned, will donate a portion of their work. Some writers forgo payment in order to build their publishing credits. Others desire to give back to their communities. Several view it as a “tithing” of their talents. This is a...















