What Children's Authors Shouldn't Do: 3 Tips

 

 

 Contributed by Karen Cioffi, Children's Writer, Editor, Coach

 It seems there are still new children’s authors or wannabe authors who don’t take the time to learn how to write for children… at least to learn the basics.

Here are three mistakes to avoid when writing for children:

THE PICTURE BOOK CLIFFHANGER

A recent client wanted a picture book rewritten with the ending missing, so there was a bit of ghosting involved. The intended age group was four to eight.

I rewrote the story and added a ‘satisfying’ ending with a takeaway only to learn the client wanted it to be a cliffhanger and didn’t want a takeaway.

Well, kind of a cliffhanger. The client wanted the ending missing.

No loose ends tied up. No satisfying ending. No full character arc. No full story arc.

This client scenario was a first for me.

Not wanting a takeaway is one thing, but not wanting a satisfying ending for a young children’s book doesn’t make sense.

The story was to leave the reader to guess what the author had in mind for the ending or create their own. 

The author’s intent was to create a series of cliffhangers motivating the reader to get the next picture book.

I tried my best to help the client understand that a young children’s book needs all the elements of a ‘good’ story, especially when seeking a traditional publishing contract.

This is not to say if you’re writing a children’s book series, you can’t have a teaser at the end that hints to the next adventure. But the story at hand must have a satisfying ending before the brief teaser.

THE PERFECT STORY WORLD

I don’t get too many of these types of authors, but it came up in another recent project.

This scenario is when the author doesn’t want any significant conflict in the story. No real stakes involved.

-No swarm of bees to block a path the protagonist must get through.
-No ferocious fire-breathing dragon blocking the entrance to a cave the protagonist must get into.
-No dangling from a cliff before being rescued.

The author also doesn’t want the characters, even the villain, to have any bad traits.

-No evil Professor Moriarty (Sherlock Holmes’ nemesis).
-No evil Joker or the Penguin (Batman’s nemesis).
-No evil Lex Luthor (Superman’s nemesis).

This type of story is sugar-coated.

Instead of a roller coaster that goes up and down, where the rider has to hold on tight, this type of story is the stationary horse on the carousel, no holding on needed, no real movement involved.

You always want your story to be the one the reader is motivated to hold onto, motivated to turn the pages. You want your story to go up and down and around.

HITTING THE READER OVER THE HEAD

Most of my clients have a specific goal for their story. They want to send a message to a child. They know exactly what they want the takeaway to be. 

A number of stories have the bullying theme, but interestingly, that’s eased off. Now I get more requests for inclusion, standing up for yourself, and being kind themes.

Some new authors think they have to hit the reader over the head with their message. They blatantly want to tell the reader how the main character grew because he was kind, stood up for himself, or included someone different in her group.

This is not a good idea. The story should convey the message subtly. 

I hope these three tips on what to avoid will help you on your children’s writing journey.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Karen Cioffi is an award-winning children’s writer, coach, and self-publishing consultant with clients worldwide. For more tips on writing for children or if you need help with your children’s story, please visit Karen Cioffi Writing for Children. While there, you can check out Karen’s books. 

And don’t forget to CONNECT.  

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MORE ABOUT THE BLOGGER Carolyn Howard-Johnson is the multi award-winning author of fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. She is also a marketing consultant, editor, and author of the multi award-winning #HowToDoItFrugally Series (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTXQL27T/ ) of books for writers including "The Frugal Book Promoter" (https://bit.ly/FrugalBookPromoIII), and "The Frugal Editor" both offered in their third editions by Modern History Press. Others in that series are "How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically," and two booklets, both in their second editions also from Modern History Press. The booklets, "Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers" (https://bit.ly/LastMinuteEditsII) and "Great First Impression Book Proposals" (https://bit.ly/BookProposalsII) are career boosters in mini doses and both make ideal thank you gifts for authors. The one on writing book proposals is also available as an Audio Book. "The Frugal Editor "(https://tinyurl.com/TheFrugalEditor), was recently released in its third edition. It is the winningest book in this series for writers. Carolyn also has three frugal books for retailers including one she encourages authors to read because it helps them understand what is needed to convince retailers to host their workshops, presentations, and signings. It is "A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques" (https://bit.ly/RetailersGuide). In addition to this blog, Carolyn helps writers extend the exposure of their favorite reviews at https://TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com. She also blogs all things editing--grammar, formatting and more--at "The Frugal, Smart, and Tuned-In Editor" (https://TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com). Learn more and follow it to get news on her new releases directly from Amazon at https://bit.ly/CarolynsAmznProfile.

This First of a #SharingwithWriters Series of Newsletter Recommendations

Dear Writers including Visitors and Subscribers:

 

In preparation for the release of the next book in my series of books for writers, I am going to begin a series of recommendations for others’ newsletters. I’m doing it because I have always sensed the power of newsletter even from times long before I started my own “just for writers” letter after I wrote my first book for publication. As I got busier, I dropped it and began to write columns for other writers newsletters. That put me in a unique position to see what works, what doesn’t, and to meet several writers who spearhead their own newsletters as well as many editors for the newsletters that come from organized groups (like my first recommendation below!)  I have known and worked with this group (recommendation below!) for at least two decades and asked its editor to write up a little into to it.  Disclosure: I have also been writing  “Vocabulary Habit” for it for at least two decades. Keep reading for how newsletters can benefit you--whether it’s your own or one you subscribe to. And watch for the eventual re-release of mine after I finish the book that is taking me an extraordinarily long time to write!

Here is the contribution from ISWG’s newsletter editor, Juneta Keyes:

"Writing can be lonely, but you are not by yourself.

"The Insecure Writer’s Support Group (ISWG) is a welcoming community where writers share their struggles, celebrate their victories, offer encouragement, and connect with others who understand the struggle and the joy of the writing life.

Members post on their blogs on the first Wednesday of every month, then visit and support fellow writers. Members can also submit book releases, writing news, and special moments for possible shout-outs in our monthly newsletter.

Whether you’re just beginning or have been writing for years, there’s a place for you here.

Come join us. Your experiences might be exactly what another writer needs to hear.  You can subscribe on this page:

And learn even more about the "IWSG Blog Hop" https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html.

MORE ABOUT TODAYS NEWSLETTER EDITOR CONTRIBUTOR

Juneta Key

Support Juneta Ko-Fi Give A Gift

Early Access Midlife Ghostwalker details here.
 website/ social media links
Author Services (suspended until better)

“You hand out hope like it is candy in your pocket." 
~The movie The Postman Kevin Costner.

MORE ABOUT THE BLOGGER 

 Carolyn Howard-Johnson is the multi award-winning author of fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. She is also a marketing consultant, editor, and author of the multi award-winning #HowToDoItFrugally Series (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTXQL27T/ ) of books for writers including "The Frugal Book Promoter" (https://bit.ly/FrugalBookPromoIII), and "The Frugal Editor" both offered in their third editions by Modern History Press. Others in that series are "How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically," and two booklets, both in their second editions also from Modern History Press. The booklets, "Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers" (https://bit.ly/LastMinuteEditsII) and "Great First Impression Book Proposals" (https://bit.ly/BookProposalsII) are career boosters in mini doses and both make ideal thank you gifts for authors. The one on writing book proposals is also available as an Audio Book. "The Frugal Editor "(https://tinyurl.com/TheFrugalEditor), is the winningest book in this series for writers. 

 Carolyn also has three frugal books for retailers including one she encourages authors to read because it helps them understand what is needed to convince retailers to host their workshops, presentations, and signings. It is "A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques" (https://bit.ly/RetailersGuide). 

In addition to this blog, Carolyn helps writers extend the exposure of their favorite reviews at https://TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com. She also blogs all things editing--grammar, formatting and more--at "The Frugal, Smart, and Tuned-In Editor" (https://TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com). Learn more and follow it to get news on her new releases directly from Amazon at https://bit.ly/CarolynsAmznProfile.

PS: Thank you to Lois W. Stern, trusted blog associate from my #TheNewBookReview blog, for suggesting this series. Reminder, please feel free to send me one of your newsletters or favorite newsletters with “Newsletter Recommendation” in the subject line.  Address it it HoJoNews   @  AOL . com.  Eliminating the spaces. (-:   Include permission for me to quote from it, please.

A Podcast Opportunity Just for Authors

Hi folks, 

This is Lois W. Stern, an associate at TheNewBookReviewBlogSpot, with a marketing tip I think you will enjoy. As you know, Carolyn and I always like sharing helpful marketing tips with our blog followers, so heads up about this podcast opportunity. 

The Authors Show is a reputable podcast devoted exclusively to authors. Once the audio interview is finished, it is professionally edited and posted on multiple social media platforms free for 24 hours, with your book cover and a synopsis of your book included. Here is mine: 

https://wnbnetworkwest.com/LoisStern image.jpeghttps://wnbnetworkwest.com/LoisStern 

There is no fee to participate and you are sent questions in advance,​ so there are no surprises. Once the recording is completed​ and professionally edited, you can purchase an MP3 copy of your interview for a nominal fee for your extended personal use. Optional marketing plans are available to extend the distribution of the podcast if desired. See https://wnbnetworkwest.com/faqs for details. 

I recently took advantage of this offer and found it a fun, no pressure experience. I also added it to my website bio page (https://www.tales2inspire.com/bio) where folks can meet me, first in video and then listen to that interview. 

Lois is an associate of TheNewBookReview, working with a passion to help other authors strengthen their visibility on this blog and elsewhere. Through her annual Tales2Inspire contest, a labor of love that has received worldwide recognition, she accepts entries from talented newbies and accomplished authors alike and continues to feature her winning authors on an ongoing basis. True to her 'Authors Helping Authors' philosophy, she charges no submission fee for folks to enter her contest. She receives no remuneration for any of her services, but hopes those who benefit from them will express their appreciation by supporting Tales2Inspire anthologies and writing reviews. In her continuing spirit of “Authors Helping Authors”, Lois provides several tips on how authors can help promote themselves while writing honest reviews for others. To read her article, Be a Hero: Make Some Magic for Yourself. CLICK HERE.

MORE ABOUT THE BLOGGER Carolyn Howard-Johnson is the multi award-winning author of fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. She is also a marketing consultant, editor, and author of the multi award-winning #HowToDoItFrugally Series (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTXQL27T/ ) of books for writers including "The Frugal Book Promoter" (https://bit.ly/FrugalBookPromoIII), and "The Frugal Editor" both offered in their third editions by Modern History Press. Others in that series are "How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically," and two booklets, both in their second editions also from Modern History Press. The booklets, "Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers" (https://bit.ly/LastMinuteEditsII) and "Great First Impression Book Proposals" (https://bit.ly/BookProposalsII) are career boosters in mini doses and both make ideal thank you gifts for authors. The one on writing book proposals is also available as an Audio Book. "The Frugal Editor "(https://tinyurl.com/TheFrugalEditor), was recently released in its third edition. It is the winningest book in this series for writers. Carolyn also has three frugal books for retailers including one she encourages authors to read because it helps them understand what is needed to convince retailers to host their workshops, presentations, and signings. It is "A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques" (https://bit.ly/RetailersGuide). In addition to this blog, Carolyn helps writers extend the exposure of their favorite reviews at https://TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com. She also blogs all things editing--grammar, formatting and more--at "The Frugal, Smart, and Tuned-In Editor" (https://TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com). Learn more and follow it to get news on her new releases directly from Amazon at https://bit.ly/CarolynsAmznProfile.

Make a Fiction Story Work - 5 Tips

 

 Contributed by Karen Cioffi, Children's Writer and Self-Publisher

 What was the last story you read that stayed with you. A story that made you feel. A story that took you on an adventure or had you sitting on the edge of your seat. 

These types of stories have it. They have the key to making a story work.

So, how do you go about creating a story like this?

5 TOP TIPS TO WRITING A FICTION STORY THAT WORKS

1. It’s got to have conflict.

Your protagonist MUST be striving for something, and it should be something significant. She needs obstacles in her way that she must overcome to keep the reader engaged enough to turn the page.

The reader has to be pulled into the story, wondering if, and more so hoping that, the protagonist reaches her goal.

You wouldn’t have much of a story following a couple in an amusement park going from ride to ride, waiting in line for food, and so on. There’s nothing for the reader to get involved with. There’s no emotional element.

Or, what if a great writer puts two children in a story that takes place at the Bronx Zoo? The narrator describes in detail all the exhibits they visit, and does it wonderfully. But what does the reader have to sink her teeth into? 

One of my all-time favorite movies was Thelma and Louise. The conflict was never-ending. And it was the conflict that kept you on the edge of your seat.

That’s how you want your readers to feel. There needs to be conflict in order to make the reader feel. It doesn’t have to be ‘seat of your pants’ drama, but it needs to be significant. It can be external or internal, but it has to be something the reader can grab and hang on to. 

2. The readers need to be invested.

A good story brings the reader into the protagonist’s shoes. This is what will motivate the reader to like and root for the protagonist.

The story has to have substance.

Going back to Thelma and Louise, one wrong decision spiraled out of control into what seemed to them like a live-or-die situation.

Circumstances and choices took them bounding out of control, as if caught up in a tornado. 

It evoked emotion in just about everyone who saw the movie. Everyone was rooting for the protagonists.

In an article titled “Make Readers Deeply Connect to Your Characters,” the author calls this key factor “transportation.” 

You’re bringing the reader out of their reality and into your story world. You’re transporting them. Like Alice when she steps into the rabbit hole. Down, down, down she went into another world.

3. The characters have to act ‘real’ and be likable.

Your characters need to be multifaceted. They need to behave like real people. This means they’ll have both good and bad traits, as well as weaknesses. It may be they’re indecisive or afraid of everything. 

Your characters should make great decisions, but they should also make poor ones.

Along with this, your protagonist needs to be likable. He needs to have traits that the reader will admire and connect with. It’s important that the reader likes the protagonist.

Maybe your protagonist will be honest, heroic, responsible, or loyal.

You get the idea. These are characteristics that most people admire in others. They’re characteristics that will draw the reader in.

I forgot what movie it was, and I forgot the exact details, but basically, the protagonist was sitting in a diner across from her date. Another woman, elegantly dressed, walked past with toilet paper stuck to the bottom of her shoe. The toilet paper woman was heading to a table where a man was waiting for her.

The protagonist excused herself for a moment. She got up, walked behind the woman, and stepped on the paper to remove it from the woman’s shoe. Then she sat back down and returned to her conversation.

The woman who passed by never knew the kindness the protagonist showed her. And the protagonist didn’t mention what she did to her date.

This simple act of kindness spoke volumes about the protagonist’s character. She’s the type of person you’d like to be friends with.

4. The protagonist needs to have some heroic qualities.

At some point in the story, the protagonist needs to take action. This can be in several small incidents that she overcomes throughout the story. Or it can be in a single climactic incident that wraps up the story.

It may be after one, two, or three failures, but ultimately, the protagonist must step up. Whether it’s physical or emotional, whether internal or external, she needs to fight through all obstacles that stand in her way.

Readers want a purposeful story. They want and even expect the protagonist to be victorious. 

5. Tie up all loose ends.

When you’re getting to the end of your story, make sure all loose ends are tied up. Any tidbits of information you put out there must be resolved.
You don’t want her wondering why something was mentioned in the story and left unresolved.

One example is mentioning that the protagonist’s close friend lost his dog. Then there’s no mention of it. Was the dog found?

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE DOG?

Another example is in a middle-grade manuscript I just read. The author had the protagonist’s friend say he couldn’t attend the protagonist’s special event because he had something URGENT to do that day.

Afterward, there was no mention of the urgent matter.

This is a NO-NO. What was so urgent? Why was it mentioned if it wasn’t followed up on?

As I read the manuscript, I knew that part would either have to be addressed (tied up) or eliminated.

These loose ends are things that will gnaw at the reader. 

So, there you have it.

While there is more involved in writing good fiction, these five are at the top of the ‘good fiction story’ list.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Karen Cioffi is a children’s writer and self-publisher with clients worldwide. For more tips on writing for children or if you need help with your children’s story, please visit Karen Cioffi Writing for Children. While there, you can check out Karen’s books.  

And don’t forget to CONNECT. 

 

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A feature in the right column of this blog lets you subscribe to #SharingwithWriters so you don’t miss any of Karen’s posts on writing for children.  

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MORE ABOUT THE BLOGGER Carolyn Howard-Johnson is the multi award-winning author of fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. She is also a marketing consultant, editor, and author of the multi award-winning #HowToDoItFrugally Series (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTXQL27T/ ) of books for writers including "The Frugal Book Promoter" (https://bit.ly/FrugalBookPromoIII), and "The Frugal Editor" both offered in their third editions by Modern History Press. Others in that series are "How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically," and two booklets, both in their second editions also from Modern History Press. The booklets, "Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers" (https://bit.ly/LastMinuteEditsII) and "Great First Impression Book Proposals" (https://bit.ly/BookProposalsII) are career boosters in mini doses and both make ideal thank you gifts for authors. The one on writing book proposals is also available as an Audio Book. "The Frugal Editor "(https://tinyurl.com/TheFrugalEditor), was recently released in its third edition. It is the winningest book in this series for writers. Carolyn also has three frugal books for retailers including one she encourages authors to read because it helps them understand what is needed to convince retailers to host their workshops, presentations, and signings. It is "A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques" (https://bit.ly/RetailersGuide). In addition to this blog, Carolyn helps writers extend the exposure of their favorite reviews at https://TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com. She also blogs all things editing--grammar, formatting and more--at "The Frugal, Smart, and Tuned-In Editor" (https://TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com). Learn more and follow it to get news on her new releases directly from Amazon at https://bit.ly/CarolynsAmznProfile.