You’ve polished the character, the plot has twists and turns, and the dialog is snappy. When it seems that everything in the manuscript has come together in perfect harmony, it’s time to focus on the theme. Check your story for the broad message. Aim for a universal message with which many, maybe all, readers can identify. Writing about the loss of a pet, moving, fighting with a best friend, and controlling anger are themes that stand out and help young reader learn to cope. A story without an overall theme is considered to be too slight for publication by many editors.
The theme is not intended to sound preachy or teachy, nor is it presented directly to the reader, as in Jill learned to be nice to her friend. The theme is the underlying truth that evolves from the character and plot and recurs throughout the story. If the readers identifies with the theme, a stronger emotional connection is made with the story.
Is your story stronger because you have an identifiable theme or themes? If not, the manuscript needs more work.
Call for Submissions for adult writers:
Big Muddy, a literary journal, seeks new poetry, fiction, articles, photos (reproduced in b&w; high contrast is preferred) for its upcoming issue. Any topic, any style. Send unpublished work, cover letter, and SASE to Susan Swartwout, Big Muddy, One University Plaza, MS 2650, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 .
Details at www6.semo.edu/universitypress/bigmuddy/
Check out more contests on my blog: http://nancykellyallen.blogspot.com/
Showing posts with label Writing for children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Writing for children. Show all posts
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Author Interview: Ann Harth, part I/Contest
Today, I’m thrilled to have children’s book author, Ann Harth, visit this blog and provide her insight into writing a contract-grabbing manuscript. Ann lives in Australia but has contracts with U.S. publishers.
NKA: Ann, for your middle-grade novel, The Art of Magic, how did you get the idea to write the story?
AH: When my children were young we spent a couple of months in Hobart, Tasmania in Australia. Hobart was a penal colony in the 1800s and was built largely with convict labor. The streets are still lined with 19th century homes and, if you can erase the cars from the driveways, a walk down the street in Hobart feels like a stroll through the last century. While wandering the streets one day, I met an elderly woman who took me on a walk I’ll never forget. She pointed out houses and was able to give me the details of the people and families who lived in each over a hundred years before. I was completely charmed and a small thrill of mystery crept up my spine as I wondered how she knew about these people in such detail.
Her stories, and the feel of Hobart, never left me. An idea about a young boy who meets an aging, eccentric artist formed and grew. The Art of Magic was born.
NKA: I love the story behind the story, and I’m looking forward to reading your book. Not only are you taking us back in time but to a region of the world most of us only dream of seeing. Plus, the cover is beautiful. The house seems to be in motion as if my magic.
Where can readers purchase your latest book?
AH: The Art of Magic will be available later this year from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, FictionWise, SmashWords and Solstice Publishing.
NKA: I’m always fascinated with how authors create and develop ideas for books. We’d love for you to share some tips for writing children’s books.
AH: Read. One of the most critical tips I could give a children’s writer is to read. This is a popular suggestion given by writers, but it’s offered for a reason. Reading is imperative. Read in the genre you want to write, but don’t stop there. Explore different kinds of writing for different ages. You never know when an idea will strike. Pay attention to what works and what doesn’t and try to figure out why. Soak up different styles and get a feeling for the current trends. When you find a book you love, check out the author’s website and delve even more deeply into the creation of the book and its creator. Immerse yourself in the world of children’s books.
Think like a child. There are plenty of ways to get into the mind of a child – watch them, play with them, let go of grown-up confines and recall your own childhood. Try to remember what it was like when each and every inanimate object had a face and feelings or when 30 minutes until dinner seemed a lifetime. Children live in the moment. Try it. It will open the door to a world filled with possibilities.
NKA: Great tips, Ann. Thanks. Next week, part II of Ann’s interview will reveal more writing tips.
Contest for adult writers:
TRAVELING FOR FUN CONTEST
Would you like to share your travel experiences from a fantastic (or not so fantastic) trip or vacation you are currently on or took in the past? Do you live in a popular (or not so popular) travel destination and would like to share what makes your town or city special with other travelers? Contest Winners will be selected in 3 categories. At the end of the contest, CruiseTrust staff will determine the winners of the CruiseTrust Vacations' Traveling for Fun, Adventure and Relaxation Blogs Contest. Contest is open to any individual age 18 or older as of March 2, 2012 who is a legal resident of the United States or over the age of majority and a legal resident of Canada.
First Place Winner in the category "Best Travel Blog" - $500.
First Place Winner in the category "My Favorite Trip or Vacation" - $250.
First Place Winner in the category "My Hometown / Destination
Business is a Great Travel Destination Because..." will receive $250.
Deadline August 31, 2012.
Details at http://trendytraveler.com/travel-planner/traveling-fun-adventure-relaxation-blog-contest-rules
Check out more contests on my blog: http://nancykellyallen.blogspot.com/
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Keep the Readers Interested/Calls for Submissions
This week I’m continuing to discuss ways to keep the readers interested in the story.
1. Add details. Think about the setting. If the area is mountainous, consider a waterfall. Let the reader feel the mist and hear the water drip, trickle, or pound against rock. Can you smell the aroma of the plants and flowers? Engage the reader with the use of senses for major scenes. Two or three senses place the reader in the midst of the setting and action. Show them the scene with words that paint pictures.
2. Ask questions. Throughout the narrative ask the question, “What if…” What if the character had to dive over the waterfall, what would happen? What if the character found a cave beneath the waterfall? What if the character was captured at the waterfall?
3. Decisions. Make the character face difficult decisions in which there is no easy way out and no easy answers. This increases the tension and the emotional drama making a more compelling story. Write the scenes so they lead the character in a logical sense to making the decision. The character should face tough choices and react to choices to reach the goal or overcome the problem.
4. Character struggles alone. The character experiencing the problem is the one who solves the problem. A knight in shining armor, Aunt Maebelle, or big brother should not be thrown into the mix to help out the character in trouble and save him/her in the end. Provide a goal for the character and lots of pitfalls. The trouble the character experiences is the story. The more trouble, the more interesting the story.
What keeps you interested in a story?
Call for Submissions for Adult Writers
BOYS LIFE
A general interest magazine published by the Boy Scouts of America. Major articles run 500-1,500 words and pay $400 to $1,500. Covers sports, history, how-to and more. See the BSA's merit badges for ideas. Departments run up to 600 words and pay $100 to $400. Many topics. Must entertain boys ages 6-18. Write for a 12-year-old.
Details at http://boyslife.org/home/383/resources-for-contributors/
Call for Submissions for Student Writers
SKIPPING STONES: A MULTICULTURAL CHILDREN'S MAGAZINE
P.O. Box 3939, Eugene, OR 97403. International nonprofit quarterly children's magazine featuring writing and art by children ages 7-18. Writing may be submitted in any language and from any country. Awarded the 1995 Golden Shoestring Award by Educational Press Association of America. Publishes original artwork, photos, stories, pen pal letters, recipes, cultural celebrations, songs, games, book reviews; writings about your background, culture, religion, interests, and experiences, etc.
1. Add details. Think about the setting. If the area is mountainous, consider a waterfall. Let the reader feel the mist and hear the water drip, trickle, or pound against rock. Can you smell the aroma of the plants and flowers? Engage the reader with the use of senses for major scenes. Two or three senses place the reader in the midst of the setting and action. Show them the scene with words that paint pictures.
2. Ask questions. Throughout the narrative ask the question, “What if…” What if the character had to dive over the waterfall, what would happen? What if the character found a cave beneath the waterfall? What if the character was captured at the waterfall?
3. Decisions. Make the character face difficult decisions in which there is no easy way out and no easy answers. This increases the tension and the emotional drama making a more compelling story. Write the scenes so they lead the character in a logical sense to making the decision. The character should face tough choices and react to choices to reach the goal or overcome the problem.
4. Character struggles alone. The character experiencing the problem is the one who solves the problem. A knight in shining armor, Aunt Maebelle, or big brother should not be thrown into the mix to help out the character in trouble and save him/her in the end. Provide a goal for the character and lots of pitfalls. The trouble the character experiences is the story. The more trouble, the more interesting the story.
What keeps you interested in a story?
Call for Submissions for Adult Writers
BOYS LIFE
A general interest magazine published by the Boy Scouts of America. Major articles run 500-1,500 words and pay $400 to $1,500. Covers sports, history, how-to and more. See the BSA's merit badges for ideas. Departments run up to 600 words and pay $100 to $400. Many topics. Must entertain boys ages 6-18. Write for a 12-year-old.
Details at http://boyslife.org/home/383/resources-for-contributors/
Call for Submissions for Student Writers
SKIPPING STONES: A MULTICULTURAL CHILDREN'S MAGAZINE
P.O. Box 3939, Eugene, OR 97403. International nonprofit quarterly children's magazine featuring writing and art by children ages 7-18. Writing may be submitted in any language and from any country. Awarded the 1995 Golden Shoestring Award by Educational Press Association of America. Publishes original artwork, photos, stories, pen pal letters, recipes, cultural celebrations, songs, games, book reviews; writings about your background, culture, religion, interests, and experiences, etc.
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