Writing a Book with a Relatable Theme

The theme is the dominant idea of a book, the author’s statement on which the story hangs. It is often expressed as the character’s learned experience, such as friendship, hope, love, sacrifice, or good over evil. Think of it as the main topic at the center of the story.

When I’m developing a story plot, I don’t think about theme. Instead, I focus on telling the story. If the theme becomes dominate at that stage of the writing process, it may force the characters into actions for the sake of the theme, rather than the plot.

After I finish the first, sometimes the second or third draft, I usually develop a feeling of the theme that lies between the lines of the story. In Forty Winks, a bedtime story, multiple themes exist: fear of the dark, fear of monsters, benefits of sharing. The themes evolved from the story line, rather than the writing adhering to a particular message. When we write to promote a particular message, the story often becomes didactic, too instructive. My first rule for writing a fictional picture book is to focus on the entertainment value.

I also ask the following questions:

Is the theme relatable with wide appeal? Publishers want books that resonate with a large audience or age group. If a child enjoys a book and can “see” himself in the story, he wants to read it again, or another similar book.

Is the theme an issue that’s important in the child’s world? Children often fear the dark, want to adopt a pet, or play with a friend. Consider the age of the audience before writing the first word. Themes vary with age groups. Fitting into a social group is a viable theme for middle grade and young adult readers, but don’t work as well for preschoolers.

A theme is expressed through the ideas, thoughts, and actions of the character and is what the character learns in the journey of the story.

Call for Submissions for Young Writers:

Hanging Loose magazine. High School Submissions.

Since 1968, every issue of Hanging Loose has had a section of high school writing. We’re always looking for new writers. Here’s how to submit your work:

* Send all work to High School Editor, Hanging Loose, 231 Wyckoff Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217. Please also send us a note identifying yourself as a high school age writer, and telling us your age. Include an email address—and include a self-addressed stamped envelope with sufficient return postage. Otherwise, your submission cannot be returned. Be sure your name and address appear on each page of your work.

* Send up to six poems or short stories, or an equivalent combination of poetry and prose.

Hanging Loose has long been known for its special interest in new writers. We read manuscripts throughout the year and we look forward to reading yours.

Submissions guidelines at http://hangingloosepress.com/submissions.html 

Call for Submissions for Adult Writers:

Nature Friend. "Nature-loving children and families get Nature Friend. We are primarily about wild nature. Can be animals, plants, birds, insects, rocks, ocean life, astronomy, gardening, learning by doing activities and experiments." Welcomes new writers. Circ. 7500. Monthly. Pays on publication. Period between acceptance and publication varies. Buy first rights. Accepts reprints. Responds quickly. Sample articles on website.

Submissions guidelines at  https://www.naturefriendmagazine.com/index.pl?linkid=12;class=gen.

Nancy Kelly Allen has written 40+ children’s books and a cookbook, SPIRIT OF KENTUCKY: BOURBON COOKBOOK.

Leave a message or check out my blog at www.nancykellyallen.com

 

Trends

If you’ve been writing or reading children’s literature for a few years, you’ve probably noticed some changes. Let’s look what editors and agents are seeking:

Graphic novel style of writing has moved into the picture book arena.

Short picture book manuscripts, 500 words or less, are hot property.

Middle grade stand alone and series. Historical fiction remains popular.

In middle grade and young adult books, authentic characters take on real world issues.

Diverse books and diverse voices from around the world are sought by agents and editors.

Fantasy is still fashionable in young adult books.

Nonfiction books retain their popularity.

Biographies of the famous and the not-so-famous are in vogue.

Retelling of folktales are, once again, in demand.

A constant in children’s literature is the author who writes original stories with authentic voice and laugh-out-loud books.

Call for Submissions for Adult Writers:

805. Awaiting Your Masterpiece. We can't wait to see your work!  We seek writing and art that is unexpected, striking, and moving. We accept submissions from residents of Manatee County as well as the rest of the universe. We take submissions from debut, emerging, and established authors and artists.
Art & Photography

Five at a time
Fiction or flash fiction 

One at a time, max 2,500 words
Creative nonfiction

Two at a time, max 2,500 words each

 Graphic fiction/nonfiction

Two at a time, max 8 pages each

Submission guidelines at http://www.805lit.org/submissions

Nancy Kelly Allen has written 40+ children’s books and a cookbook, SPIRIT OF KENTUCKY: BOURBON COOKBOOK. Check out her blog at www.nancykellyallen.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing a Middle Grade Novel, part 3/Calls for Submissions

Let’s examine a middle grade novel idea. 

Children’s novels, as with all writing, begin with an idea. The problem is, how do you determine if the idea is worthy of the vast amount of time and effort needed to take the idea to a completed manuscript. Here are some details to consider:

Conflict drives a story. Does your idea allow for conflict to develop between characters, within the character, or both?

Offer something different. Does the idea add a spark that will catch the interest of an editor? If the story has been told over and over, you need to find a way to take your idea in a new or different direction. Maybe the setting could be in the future or the past. Tell your story in a fresh way that will intrigue and please the reader.

Excitement factor. How much fun do you think you’ll have writing the story? How interested are you in the subject? About one-third of the way through the manuscript, many writers feel worn down by the task. The excitement factor has vanished. Develop an idea that will hold your interest over the long haul. Think of the types of books you enjoy reading and consider writing in that genre.

Next week, I’ll discuss ways to begin the manuscript.

Call for submissions for young writers:

Guardian Angel Kids is pleased to announce we are now accepting
submissions from children up to 14.

Upcoming themes:

The date on the right is the submission date.

May UNIQUE ART March 1, 2014
June SPECIAL NEEDS KIDS April 1, 2014
July SIDEWALK ART May 1, 2014
August INCREDIBLE ART June 1, 2014
September EXTRAORDINARY ANIMALS July 1, 2014
October AUSSIE ANIMALS August 1, 2014
November FLYING TO THE MOON September 1, 2014
December SOLVING MYSTERIES October 1, 2014

Submission guidelines at http://www.guardian-angel-kids.com/submissions.htm

Call for submissions for adult writers:

Turtle Magazine for Preschool Kids (ages 3-5)

• FICTION: Short stories 350 words or less. Payment: $70 and up.
• NONFICTION: We accept short articles/activities that introduce and reinforce measuring, counting, reading, nature, simple science experiments, etc., 250 words or less. Payment: $70 and up.
• POETRY: We accept poems 4-12 line poems. Please remember the age of your audience. Payment: $35 and up.
• RECIPES: We accept simple, healthful recipes of 200 words or less that generally require no cooking and minimal adult help. If possible, include a photo of the recipe with submission. Payment: $40 and up.
• CRAFTS: We accept fun crafts of 250 words or less that preschoolers can make with their family. Crafts can celebrate holidays or seasons. Materials should be inexpensive and easy to obtain. Include easy-to-understand steps and directions and, if possible, include a photo of the finished craft. Payment: $40 and up.
• FINGER PLAYS & ACTION RHYMES: We accept finger plays and action rhymes of  200 words or less that preschoolers can easily do. These are often written in rhyme and include lots of movement. Payment: $40 and up.
• Submission guidelines at http://www.uskidsmags.com/writers-guidelines/