April 2026 Master Class
Registration is Now Open
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,...
As an author who writes for children, are you also a blogger with questions about what strategies you should incorporate into your blog? If so, in this post I gathered information from Celebration Web Design’s website to help answer some of those questions....
In Part 1, we explored the sacred role of Christian writers as faithful gardeners—planting truth, cultivating empathy, and using imagination to guide young hearts through a world full of confusion. Now, in Part 2, we’ll dive deeper into how you can craft stories that...
I had a chance to interview my longtime friend and writing mentor, Nancy I. Sanders, about her latest book, Master Books® World History Encyclopedia: Creation to the Roman Empire, Volume1. Nancy has been writing for 40 years. Not only does she have a wealth of...
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...
The Write2Ignite Podcast: Ep. 9: Anna Raats Introducing... Since 2009, Anna Raats has worked for Ambassador International. From designing the interiors of books, to becoming the Chief Operating Officer of the publishing company, Anna knows a thing or two about...
Let’s play pretend. Say we’ve been transported one year into the future, and you and I are talking over our favorite specialty drinks about how fast this past year flew by. You mention some of the things you enjoyed, but get quiet for a moment as you think about the...
Introducing... When Cindy Lynn Sawyer wrote The Wonder of Under, she stopped short of hiring an illustrator. After all, the cost of hiring someone to illustrate your picture book is the most expensive part of self-publishing a picture book. So you can imagine her...
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...
As authors, we are expected to wear several hats: writer, researcher, investigator, interviewer, blogger, marketer, to name a few. Some of us are good at the writing and researching. But the other “hats,” especially marketing, can be challenging. Many publishers also...
Introducing... Jarm Del Boccio firmly believes in telling children stories that deal with trials and hardship. But never brutality. In her Middle Grade novel “The Heart Changer” she tells a story based on the Biblical account in 2nd Kings 5 of Naaman the Leper....
Christmas is just around the corner. Shops are full of gift ideas while carols play in the background, neighborhoods are decorated with lights and all sorts of holiday displays, cookies are baking with the wonderful smells of cinnamon, nutmeg, and gingerbread filling...
Earlier this year, I was delighted to introduce Valerie Ellis and her fun picture book, Let’s Go! Bible Adventures! to you. (In case you missed it, you can check out our interview here.) Today, Valerie is celebrating the recent launch of her middle grade devotional...
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...
Why does giving matter? In 2 Corinthians 8:1-15, Paul describes the grace of giving and urges the church to care for those in need.
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....
Introducing... When Lori Z. Scott won the Christy Award in the Young Adult category, she hadn’t prepared a speech. She never thought she would win, and she almost didn’t go to the ceremony. But this wasn’t unusual, because Lori Z. Scott never wanted to write Offsides...
You’ve worked hard on your manuscript. You found a publisher that you think may like your story, and you send it out with great expectation. You wait several months. You hear nothing back, which is not uncommon nowadays. Most publishing companies only respond if...
The countdown is on! From Nov. 3–7, 2025, Write2Ignite will host the first-ever Christian Authors Reading Event (CARE), a week of free, faith-filled story connections for readers of all ages. What is CARE? CARE is a week-long celebration that pairs Christian...
I’m sitting at my desk, preparing to work on a big writing project. I have my notes, and my laptop is ready for me to find some additional online information. But then I notice that the livestream I was listening to has fallen silent. Streaming issues? Hmm. Next, I...
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...
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...
For every general market book written by Carolyn Bennett Fraiser, there is a companion book in the educational market. Was this an accident, or God’s plan? In this episode, I sit down with Carolyn to discuss what the educational market is, and how to break into it....
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...
If anyone was qualified to write stories for children, it would be Laura Sassi. She has worn many hats through the years: a mother, a homeschooler, a teacher, and a children’s ministry director. She also wore a special hat for our podcast episode! With over ten books...
YES AND, A Game When I worked as a drama coach, we played a game called, “Yes and.” We’d stand in a large circle, and I’d give the students a story prompt, such as “An elephant danced in the rain.” The students would then go around the circle and add to the story in 3...
A Season of Purposeful Connection Summer is often a time of sunshine, rest, and togetherness — but it can also offer families a powerful opportunity for spiritual growth. That’s the heart behind Summer of Stories, a new faith-based initiative created by Christian...
If you’re looking for a condensed gospel presentation to use as an affordable giveaway for children’s ministry events or something that’s lightweight for mailing, consider The Gospel Story for Kids: God’s Story of Love from Creation to Revelation by Tama Fortner. Of...
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...
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?...
One of my favorite books in elementary school was Meghan Rose Has Ants in Her Pants by Lori Z. Scott. When I heard that she also writes YA novels, I was curious to see how they would compare. I was excited to find out that her sense of humor carries over to her most...
Some books feel like a gift — and God's Perfect Peace by Glenys Nellist is one of those rare treasures. It’s more than just a bedtime story; it’s a beautifully written and illustrated blessing and invitation to rest in God’s love and peace. Honestly, it’s the kind of...
There are two kinds of children's books: the kind that grownups want children to read and the kind that children want to read. As adults, we may be tempted to write the first type of book. The kind that gets Newberry and Caldecott medals. The kind that ends up on...
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...
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...
In my multimedia journalism class, our professor talked about “writing for the ear.” If you’re unfamiliar with the term, writing for the ear is when you write something that is meant to be spoken or performed rather than read silently. My Shakespeare professor taught...
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...
Spring is a time of rebirth, renewal, and growth: green sprouts poke out of dormant dirt, the sun tarries longer in the sky, and birds tweet from awakening trees. As writers, it’s a joy to create alongside the waking wonders of spring. Here are 5 tips to help us get...
A conversation with Joyce Hostetter, our spring MC teacher.
There is nothing more painful as a writer, than staring at the blank page, with your mind even blanker. Some people call this writer’s block, some people say writer’s block doesn’t even exist. But neither of these offers a solution. Today, I’ll offer mine: prewriting....
Tackling writing tasks can overwhelm. At least that’s been my experience. So let’s look at some steps to help us tackle them.
Today, I have the privilege of meeting with Laura Sassi to celebrate the launch of her latest picture book, Faithful Feet (illustrated by Emauela Di Donna, published by Worthy Kids). Author Laura Sassi Interview Sue: Hi, Laura. Welcome back to Write2Ignite, and...
Last week started with the Super Bowl and ended with Valentine’s Day. This Super Bowl was the most watched one yet, and while Valentine’s Day is on a downward trajectory, it is still celebrated by more than half of Americans. This is good. As a country that can feel...
Do you have an Emergency Backup for your writing? I don’t mean a different avenue of life if a writing career doesn’t pan out. I’m talking about a backup for when something in your writing process goes haywire. For example, last week, my charging cord for my laptop...
Maisie Discovers Her Fingerprint written by Sandra Kay Chambers is a picture book written to help children understand that God created each of us in a unique and special way. Children will enjoy the repetitive text and will soon join in with the “Yes, Yes, Yes” and...
A few months ago, I heard Valerie Ellis speak at a webinar for children’s book writers. When I heard the title of her upcoming book, I couldn’t wait to learn more about it. Today, I’m happy to introduce Valerie and to join her in celebrating the launch of Let's Go!...
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...
At 14, I felt a gentle prompting from God that I would someday become an author. It wasn't a dramatic revelation, but a quiet assurance that, if I remained faithful, He would guide me on that path (Philippians 1:6). Now, at 28, that dream is becoming a reality. My...
The crisp winter air tweaks my nose as I admire the glow of my town’s twinkling lights. Everywhere I look, I see Christmas trees, bright-eyed children, and outdoor Nativity scenes. The Christmas season fills me with warmth, like a long-forgotten promise of joy being...
It always bugged me that depictions of Christ’s birth show the wisemen there alongside the shepherds. It just isn’t very accurate. Matthew 2 says that “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea…Magi from the east came to Jerusalem” (emphasis added). While I...
By the time you are reading this blog, I will officially be 30 years old. A lot has happened in the first three decades of my life. Some things haven’t happened as quickly as I wanted to. Others happened before I was ready. But’s that’s another blog for another time....
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...
When did you know that your writing had become more than just a hobby? For me, it was when my mother said these words: “I think you should focus on making money with your writing.” It was after I had pitched her my idea of an AI-generated graphic novel about a recent...
Today I’ll cover several writing nuggets DiAnn shares about the power of setting, story pacing, and developing a writer’s voice.
I was excited to interview Laura Sassi back in October when her book, My Tender Heart Prayer Book, was launched. If you haven’t yet seen that, I encourage you to check it out here and find a review here. (You can also find a review of My Tender Heart Bible here.) This...
I have a Spotify playlist called “In Case of Emergency, Hit Play.” These aren’t Christian songs for when my heart is in anguish. That’s a different playlist. No, this kind of emergency is strictly a writer’s problem. Whether it is writer’s block, or just a tight...
If you’re reading this, chances are, you’ve encountered rejection. When I first started writing, everything was unicorns and rainbows. I wrote my first children’s story and took it to a conference; certain I’d bring home good news. Well… The editor said my story was...
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....
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 few months ago, I was asked by a church staff member if I would be willing to participate in an afternoon get-together sometime in the summer where I could share about being a writer. The person who asked me coordinates our church’s homeschool support group, so I...
This week, we’re happy to have Tina Cho join us here at Write2Ignite. I’ve been a fan of Tina’s work since I heard her interviewed at a writer’s conference about three years ago. So, when I heard she was celebrating the launch of her latest picture book for the...
It’s the final installment! If you have ever researched rules in storytelling, you may have come across the famous Pixar’s 22 Rules of Storytelling. This came from a 2011 tweet from a Pixar employee who realized there were 22 written (and unwritten) rules they...
“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...
If you have ever researched rules in storytelling, you may have come across the famous Pixar’s 22 Rules of Storytelling. This came from a 2011 tweet from a Pixar employee who realized there were 22 written (and unwritten) rules they implemented on every story....
I’m excited to introduce you to Kate Rietema today. Kate is a busy mom, registered nurse, community educator, amateur potter, speaker, and author of over 50 articles and poems for various magazines. Welcome, Kate, and thank you for taking the time out of your packed...
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...
If you have ever researched rules in storytelling, you may have come across the famous Pixar’s 22 Rules of Storytelling. This came from a 2011 tweet from a Pixar employee who realized there were 22 written (and unwritten) rules they implemented on every story. While...
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...
As the blog coordinator for Write2Ignite, I am thankful for every writer who gives his or her time and energy to share godly inspiration, writing tips, and encouragement. I am sad to see bloggers leave us, but I understand that blogging is a big commitment. I am...
Did you miss our master class on Writing Christian Fantasy with Amy Earls? Check out our recap of the master class highlights.
If you have ever researched rules in storytelling, you may have come across the famous Pixar’s 22 Rules of Storytelling. This came from a 2011 tweet from a Pixar employee who realized there were 22 written (and unwritten) rules they implemented on every story. While...
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...
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...
When teachers want better writers, they can connect students with authors through Twitter (now called X) and other social media. In that way, author Laura Numeroff inspired and transformed the writing of my kindergartners and first graders. Little ones squealed when I...
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...
Okay, you may have been hesitant with my article What Writers Can Learn from Walt Disney. You may have seen the Peanuts comic strip in a new light with What Writers Can Learn from Charles Schulz. But Dolly Parton? Surely, Kyle, you’re taking this thing too far! But...
What makes a story stand the test of time? What elements help certain books speak to children and adults for generations? Let’s look at four characteristics of children’s stories that make them timeless, beloved classics. An Ending with Hope, but Not Happily Ever...
"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...
Creativity is a journey of discovery
By now, you’ve probably seen Linus tell Charlie Brown what Christmas is all about, seen Snoopy reunite with his brother Spike, and felt empathy for poor Rerun who is probably still stuck on that bike. For many, it’s tradition to watch the Charlie Brown Christmas...
How do authors promote their books effectively? During my thirty years of teaching, I had the privilege of hosting incredible authors in my classroom and school. I believe the ideas I’ve documented from their visits will help us as we plan our own author visits. ...
Out of the 62 animated films from the Walt Disney Company, only 8 are original ideas, and 2 of those were propaganda films made during WWII to help strengthen our relationship with South America. Everything else was based on either a book, mythology, poems, folk...
Do you ever give yourself a break from writing? I’m not talking about a hiatus where you take a long period of time away from your laptop or pad of paper and pen. I’m referring to a little transition break from one project to the next. Here’s what I mean. I just...
My favorite aspect of the self-publishing process is that I coordinate every aspect of the process from the initial idea to the printed book in my readers’ hands! And the most challenging part of self-publishing is…coordinating every aspect of the process from idea to...
Remember The Best Christmas Pageant Ever? Author Barbara Robinson penned the antics of the Herdman kids hearing the Christmas story for the first time. One of my favorite memories was watching twenty-two first-graders squeeze closer to her for a photo. As...
The Two Lives of Ezekiel Van Cleef is the greatest novel ever written by AI. Why? Because I helped write it. While this sounds arrogant, I think any novel that has 10% of the writing done by a human is better than any novel written 100% by AI. In fact, productivity...
Today we welcome a new blogger to our team. Jennifer M. Barnes is a retired kindergarten and first-grade teacher and will draw from those experiences in her upcoming posts. She is thrilled to be part of our blogging team and we're excited to have her! **** “So,...
5 ways to renew our wonder and creativity
For authors who are self-publishing, it is important to keep up with the changes in the industry so that you can make the best decisions for publishing and promoting your book. The best way to succeed as an author is to be informed about what options you have and how...
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...
When I first decided I wanted to become a published author, I had no clue what I was getting myself into. If someone had told me the amount of steps it'd take, I might've run back to my room and stuck to being a college professor only for the rest of my life. But I...
Writing a novel with ChatGPT is exhausting. I should know, for I just spent the last few months doing so. But that’s for another blog post. Today, I want to talk about how people are using ChatGPT the wrong way. If you ask ChatGPT to write you a novel, it will likely...
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...
Cool off from the summer heat with The Girl, the Ghost, & the Giant by Rebekah Reese, a heartwarming tale set in the frigid mountains.
At Write2Ignite we are always thrilled when one of our team publishes a book. This time, I have the double pleasure of sharing Gail Cartee's new picture book with you since we are in the same critique group. The reviewer is Jean Taylor, a graphic designer in North...