'Children's writing' Category
Weekend Site-Seeing
This is an informative and entertaining article on the history and development of children’s literature and children’s libraries through the work of Anne Carroll Moore, E.B. White, and others. Undertake only when you have time; it’s a bit long and should not be skimmed.
What copy editing?
In two books I’ve read recently, I’ve come across what I believe is incorrect use of the semicolon. In both cases, the semicolon was used to link an independent clause with a dependent clause. Semicolons join two independent clauses (without a conjunction).
Now, I’m no grammar whiz (right, Shell?), but these caught my attention. Has this […]Publishing: Where to Start
We had show-and-tell during a break in Marion Scoular’s class. I love Jan’s applique work!
I am often asked for advice on how to get something published. A couple of days ago, someone emailed seeking advice for publishing CLUELESS-like books for New England forests and parks.
I confess I cringe at these inquiries because I’m pretty […]Trends Schmends
Conventional wisdom says that we can’t write to trends. Unless you are a celebrity or live at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, publishing is a slow business. Vampires are hot subjects right now, but by the time I write a story about them, pitch it, sell it (not to be presumptuous or anything), and the publisher publishes […]
Finishes
“Finishes” are what we dub completed needlework, and I think we can extend the term to published stuff, don’t you?
The second project for Taku Graphics, a kids’ puzzle book (ages 7-12) made exclusively for Alaska Geographic, is now out. Or, at least, I now have a copy.Like the sudoku/trivia book, the cover art is […]
A Day in the Office
On days when it’s hard to appreciate a writer’s paycheck, it’s nice to appreciate a writer’s work environment.
The book is The Complete Rhyming Dictionary, by Clement Wood. This is one of my favorite books. You might be surprised at how often I use it–writing verse, crafting puzzles, determining correct pronunciation of words, and misc. odd […]
Team Writing
My online critique group is on a mission. We all want to ramp up the emotion in our WsIP (Works In Progress). To that end, we are taking classes or reading lecture notes from Margie Lawson.
Margie is a psychologist, among other things. A practicing psychologist. Who better to explore emotion in literature? I was a […]Summer Blog Blast Tour and Dennis Cass
Playing catch-up (not to be confused with the red stuff kids put on hotdogs).
Today is the almost-last day of the Summer Blog Blast Tour. The tour, organized by reviewer and blogger, Colleen Mondor at Chasing Ray, includes kid- and teen-lit author interviews at a number of kid-lit blogs. It’s a great way to learn about […]Alaska Geographic Sudoku/Trivia Books
Some of you may recall that over the winter I got a call from Taku Graphics about creating puzzle books. In particular, an adult sudoku/trivia book and a children’s puzzle book for Alaska Geographic. I was/am thrilled. Ten years ago, I pitched an idea for a children’s natural history puzzle book project to the Alaska […]
Weekend Site-seeing
During the Needle and Thread: Stitching for Literacy 2008 Bookmark Challenge weekend posts were dedicated to quotes about books, reading, and libraries. I liked collecting and sharing those. I’ve started collecting for next year already.
I also liked the predictable subject and format. It was easy to maintain and allowed me to take a break from […]
