Category: fiction

Mining for Heart: “Silence Your Inner Critic with the ‘So What?'” by Danielle Dufayet

January 6, 2023

We’re back! Welcome to 2023! What happens when your “so what?” or “heart” of your story is also the obstacle to writing it? “Drawing a blank” is agonizing to artists of all kinds and of all ages. Here Danielle Dufayet shares her latest book and how she battled her inner critic.  Danielle is offering a … More Mining for Heart: “Silence Your Inner Critic with the ‘So What?'” by Danielle Dufayet

Behind the Scenes: “Adding Doorways into Your Story for Broader Appeal” by Lindsey McDivitt

December 9, 2022

Here’s a fabulous post by author Lindsey McDivitt on how she used a “family story” and made it viable as a picture book manuscript by developing a plot with “doorways.” While some might call these by different names, such as hooks or layers, doorways is perfect, a way to welcome readers in. Read on to … More Behind the Scenes: “Adding Doorways into Your Story for Broader Appeal” by Lindsey McDivitt

Behind the Scenes: “Composition 101” by Julie Rowan-Zoch

November 18, 2022

I’ve been in a local critique group with Julie Rowan-Zoch for nine years (Oh wow, has it been that long!) and have had the good fortune to learn a lot of from her. It’s always fascinating to see another creator’s process, especially illustration, since it’s foreign to me.  Here’s a great post from Julie sharing … More Behind the Scenes: “Composition 101” by Julie Rowan-Zoch

Mining for Heart: “The Heart Can Surprise You” by Jeanette Bradley

October 28, 2022

So many of us have manuscripts in a “drawer”—waiting for a block to clear or a better ending or a new take. I love hearing about the rare occasions when the lightning strikes and the manuscript emerges from doom with a revelation that transforms it. Here Jeanette Bradley shares how a manuscript became more than … More Mining for Heart: “The Heart Can Surprise You” by Jeanette Bradley

Behind the Scenes: “Writing a Picture Book Sequel” by Isabella Kung

October 21, 2022

Every once in a while, kid lit creators get a chance to create a sequel to a picture book they’ve done and let their beloved characters live on. Yay! But there are a few important things to consider. Isabella Kung takes us through her process of creating a sequel to NO FUZZBALL!—her latest release, NO … More Behind the Scenes: “Writing a Picture Book Sequel” by Isabella Kung

Mining for Heart: “Layering & Language- Moving Beyond Autobiography & Into the Universal” by Costantia Manoli

July 29, 2022

TOMATOES IN MY LUNCHBOX hit me right in the heart! It’s truly a special picture book. Here’s a post from author Costantia Manoli all the way from Cyprus in which she shares how she built this story.  GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment below for a chance to win a copy of the book!   Layering and … More Mining for Heart: “Layering & Language- Moving Beyond Autobiography & Into the Universal” by Costantia Manoli

Behind the Scenes: “Building Layers from Life” by Helen Wu

May 13, 2022

This week’s guest blogger, Helen H. Wu, shares how she found the layers in TOFU TAKES TIME. When you write from a personal experience, paying attention to emotions and details can contribute to the creation of a multi-layered story. Helen has a special giveaway, too—a signed bookplate and a limited edition art print! Just leave … More Behind the Scenes: “Building Layers from Life” by Helen Wu

Behind the Scenes: “How to Write a Chapter Book Series” by Christine Evans

March 25, 2022

In today’s post, Christine Evans shares the basics of writing a chapter book series. AND Christine is offering a giveaway! Just leave a comment below for a chance to win a copy of THE WISH THAT GOT AWAY!  Congrats to Robin Brett Wechsler, winner of MAKE WAY FOR ANIMALS by Meeg Pincus! How to Write … More Behind the Scenes: “How to Write a Chapter Book Series” by Christine Evans