The ABCs of Writing for Children; 114 Children's Authors and Illustrators Talk About the Art, the Business, the Craft & the Life of Writing Children's Literature

by Unknown

• ISBN13: 9781884956287
• ISBN10: 1884956289
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2002-07-01
• Publisher: Ingram Pub Services

Summary

Have you ever dreamed of writing a best-selling children's book? Ever fantasize about what it's like to live the life of a published children's author? Although writing and illustrating books for children is not as easy as it looks, new authors and illustrators are being discovered -- and published -- all the time.Even if you're not planning a career in this field, learning how authors and illustrators work can lend new insights and appreciation to their art. The same ideas and inspirations that help authors and illustrators of children's books may encourage students, teachers, librarians and other creative artists in their literary efforts.In The ABCs of Writing for Children you'll learn many 'do's and don'ts' for creating children's books. You'll see that what works for one author may not work for the next. No matter what your aspirations are, whether you want to enrich your reading, teach others to read and write more deeply, or nurture your own creative process, learning what works for others may work for you.

Table of Contents

Introduction	ix
Acknowledgments	x
First Times	1	(6)
Writing Tips from the Pros	7	(5)
You've Got Writer's Block! Now what?	12	(9)
Story Starters	21	(5)
Featuring	23	(3)
Sid Fleischman
Easy Readers	26	(3)
What Is the Best Writing Advice You've Ever Received?	29	(8)
What's the Worst Writing Advice You've Ever Received?	37	(5)
Story Behind the Story	42	(22)
Featuring	61	(3)
Richard Peck
Day In and Day Out	64	(4)
The Nitty Gritty Process	68	(5)
Magical Inspiration	73	(4)
Serendipity	77	(6)
Featuring	80	(3)
Karen Cushman
Rejection	83	(7)
Featuring	88	(2)
Chris Crutcher
Research	90	(9)
Digging up Facts with Caroline Arnold	97	(2)
First Drafts/Revision	99	(5)
Elements of Fiction and Nonfiction Characters	104	(4)
Voice	108	(2)
Setting	110	(1)
Dialogue	111	(1)
Plot	112	(6)
Featuring	117	(1)
Zilpha Keatley Snyder
Suspense	118	(4)
Picture Books	122	(15)
A Short Guide to Writing Picture Books	130	(4)
Thacher Hurd
Featuring	134	(3)
Rosemary Wells
For Art's Sake	137	(4)
Mediums	141	(3)
Illustrative Advice	144	(8)
Featuring	149	(3)
Doug Cushman
Here's a Genre, There's a Genre	152	(15)
Nonfiction	167	(5)
Biography	172	(12)
On Poems and Poetry	184	(6)
Poetry with Lee Bennett Hopkins	188	(2)
Rhyme	190	(5)
Lights, Camera, Action!	195	(4)
Photography	199	(2)
How to Write a Series	201	(8)
Featuring	205	(4)
R. L. Stine
Collaborating	209	(5)
Writing for Children's Magazines	214	(2)
Kids, Teachers and Authors Say and Do the Darn'dest Things	216	(14)
Selling Your Books to Publishers	230	(3)
Marketing and Publicity Tips	233	(4)
Author/Editor Relationship	237	(3)
Book Signings	240	(4)
Fan Mail Is Nearly Reward Enough	244	(9)
Authors Were Once Children Too!	253	(27)
Featuring	276	(4)
Jane Yolen
Book Reviews	280	(3)
Censorship	283	(11)
We Suggest Writers Read	294	(5)
Recommended Books	296	(2)
Recommended Periodicals	298	(1)
Closing Thoughts	299	(22)
Glossary	321	(3)
Resources	324	(3)
The Authors and Illustrators	327	(13)
Index of Authors	340