From Idea to Story, Part 1/Calls for Submissions

An idea toys around in your mind—a phrase, an interesting character, or maybe a situation. The story becomes a mental movie. As days turn into months, the story evolves and grows. Characters become clearer and develop names. Sound familiar?

Writers use many techniques to develop story ideas. Some let stories percolate until the characters are strong enough to come to life on paper. Others take an idea and immediately construct a character and plot. Different methods work for different writers.

For the next six weeks, I’ll post techniques for turning an idea into a story.

Who is the audience? Is this story for a four year old or a fourteen year old? When we meet someone on the street and talk face-to-face, we adjust our speech and language to suit the audience. As writers, we have to recognize and understand the reading and interest level of our readers before we begin writing. A four year old thinks the word “underwear” is funny. A fourteen year old will probably roll eyes at the word.

Call for submissions for adult writers:

Cricket magazine pays on publication. Seeks nonfiction, fiction, fillers, photos/artwork. Subjects: Literary magazine for readers ages 9 to 14.

Submission guidelines at http://www.cricketmag.com/25-Submission-Guidelines-for-CRICKET-magazine-for-children-ages-9-14

Call for submissions for young writers:

ChixLITtle, a print magazine and online community created by girls and made for girls 7-12.

Submission guidelines at http://chixlittle.com/littlesubmissions.html

Check out more contests on my blog: http://nancykellyallen.blogspot.com/