The Writing Process

Clear the Clutter to Open Up Creativity

Whether it’s the clutter on your desk, the clutter in your fridge or the clutter in your mind, clutter equals stress. And stress and clutter take up valuable creative brain space and creative energy. A great exercise for transitioning into the new year is to take care of your non-creative business so that you can… Read more »

Writing as a Career: Jennifer Nielsen on the Realities and Economics of Publishing

As the new year begins, whether you’re dabbling in writing, considering a career as a writer, selling your first book or just curious about the nuances and economics of traditional publishing, you might wonder if  children’s authors can make a living. The truth – some do and many don’t. In today’s guest post, award-winning, best-selling… Read more »

5 Unusual Places to Find Picture Book Inspiration

Picture book ideas can hit at the most unlikely times. In honor of picture book month, I’m reprinting my post from last year’s PiBoIdMo about my most unusual sources of inspiration. 1. YouTubeKids say and do the darndest things, right? And so often, they provide tender or hilarious or wonder-filled inspiration for picture books. But… Read more »

Writing and Your Day Job with Jeannie Mobley-Tanaka

Today I’m hosting my talented friend and agency mate, Jeannie Mobley-Tanaka, who’s debut middle grade novel KATERINA’S WISH has not one, not two but THREE starred reviews.  As if that wasn’t over-achievement enough, Jeannie is a renowned interpretive dancer (click for video) and a celebrated Anthropology/Archeology professor.  While Jeannie admits her “three” careers are now… Read more »

Peter Salomon on Novel Beginnings and HENRY FRANKS

Peter Salomon’s HENRY FRANKS appears in bookstores this month to rave reviews. Last spring I got to read the haunting opening scene and had a chance to chat with Peter about those deliriously, difficult-to-write novel beginnings. The Opening Scene of HENRY FRANKS:Spanish moss, bleached to gray in the heat, stretched down from the trees and… Read more »

More … on Rhyming Picture Books

I’ve gone on and on, in the past, about lining up loads of fresh readers for your rhyming picture books in order to make sure your verse rolls right off the tongue and that no rhyme or rhythm trips your reader out of your story. But I haven’t spoken much about when to rhyme. I’ve… Read more »

What Would You Have In Your Dream Writing Space? I Need Your Advice.

A personal massage therapist to work out all those keyboarding kinks? Ahhhh, of course. So I’m taking my new-found empty-nest-hood rather seriously and refurbishing my kids’ computer room to be my home office (the kitchen table just isn’t cutting it). Other than lots and lots of shelves, some workhorse filing cabinets and a wide surface… Read more »