Writers On The Move

5 Common Themes in Children’s Writing

Contributed by Karen Cioffi, Children's Ghostwriter

I have children’s ghostwriting clients from all over the world and below is what I’ve noticed.

Keep in mind that these clients can be doctors, therapists, dentists, teachers, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and business owners.

I’ve even had adult children as clients who wanted to turn their father’s story, that he used to tell them as children, into a book.

The one thing all these people have in common is they want to share something.

These people want to share their story, their idea, or their experience.

Usually it’s to share it with the world, but once in a while it’s more personal and they just want to share it with their family and friends.

Another common thread among these people is they’re passionate about sharing their story.

They all have a need to get their story out there.

I can be juggling six or seven clients a month and what I’ve noticed is that there are a few themes that keep repeating themselves.

5 Common Themes in Children’s Writing

1. Be yourself.

A lot of adults want children to know that it’s okay to be themselves. Uniqueness and individuality is a big thing now.

- Children don’t have to pretend to be someone they’re not.
- They don’t have to follow others just to fit in.
- Being unique isn’t something to be feared.

2. Bullying

This is another strong theme. Adults want children to know they have options and help if they’re being bullied.

- Children who are being bullied are not alone.
- They need to seek help if they feel overwhelmed by the bullying or if they can’t handle it.
- They shouldn’t put up with any form of bullying.

3. Diversity

Adults want children to know they’re a part of a big world. One that has all types of people in it. And to be a good citizen of the world means to accept everyone as they are.

- Children should be kind to everyone.
- They should try to understand people who are different than they are.
- They should show tolerance toward others.
- Under the exterior, we’re all the same.

4. Friendship

Adults want children to learn the importance of friendship.

- Children should be a good friend to have good friends.
- They should learn how to make friends.
- They should appreciate their friends.

5. Being a good person

This is one of the oldies. Adults want children to know what being good means. They want to show children what the consequences can be if they aren’t.

This theme can cover anything from being mean, to lying, to stealing, to cheating, to not sharing, to …

Think Peter and the Wolf.

Then you have the person who simply wants to entertain children or give them a glimpse into what their life was like growing up.

There are also the professionals who want to help children through stories.

Others may have a passion about a subject and want to kindle that passion in children.

Everyone has their own reasons for wanting to have their story written.

And, of those who want to be author of their own children's book, many don’t have the necessary writing skills or time to write. These are the ones who are willing to invest in their dream of becoming a published author.

About the Author

Karen Cioffi is an award-winning children’s author and children’s ghostwriter, rewriter, and coach with clients worldwide. She is also the founder and editor-in-chief of Writers on the Move, and an author online platform instructor with WOW! Women on Writing.

Karen’s children’s books include Walking Through Walls and The Case of the Stranded Bear. She also has a DIY book, How to Write Children’s Fiction Books. You can check them out at: https://karencioffiwritingforchildren.com/karens-books/. If you need help with your children’s story, visit: https://karencioffiwritingforchildren.com.

MORE ON WRITING AND MARKETING

Writers: Enter Writing Contests

Location, Location, Location

10 Ways to Find Podcasts Where You Can Pitch Yourself

LIKE THIS POST? PLEASE SHARE!

A Tip to Reach a Wider Market on Amazon

Costa Rica is a bird-watcher's paradise.
The touconette is the most exciting bird we saw on our trip.

By Linda Wilson @LinWilsonauthor

Is your book for sale on Amazon? If so, in your Author Profile have you added your biography in different languages? On a recent trip to Costa Rica, I learned how to use a language translator on Google. I tried it for my profile page and it worked. Here’s how:

Go to the edit function for your Author Profile page in Author Central.
My bio was outdated, so I spruced it up.
Find “Your biographies,” where it says, “Do you have translations of your biography in other languages? You can add other versions of your biography here, so your readers can get to know you—wherever they are.”
Languages offered are: English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Copy your bio.
Go to Google. I typed in “Spanish translator.”
On the left side, plug in your bio in English.
On the right side, choose the language you want to translate, and paste in your English bio.
Voilà! You have your translation.
Go back to your Author Profile page, click the green button that asks for your bio in another language, and paste your new bio in. Click Review, then Publish.
If you’re not able to paste the translation directly from Google, paste it into a Word document, and copy and paste from there.
A message will tell you when your bio in another language will go live.Then for fun, go to the drop-down menu and button that allows you to see how your Author Page looks in an assortment of other countries.

Anyone who would like to share more tips on how to reach markets outside of the U.S., your comment would be greatly appreciated.

Bonne chance! Buena suerta! Buona fortuna!

Photo credit: Linda Wilson

Sketch by Nancy Batra,
illustrator of A Packrat's Holiday:
Thistletoe's Gift,
for the cover of Waddles the Duck:
Hey, Wait for Me!
Coming Soon!

Linda Wilson writes stories for young children. Visit Linda at https://www.lindawilsonauthor.com. Sign up for Linda’s quarterly giveaways. Choose your prize!

Find Linda’s books at https://www.amazon.com/author/lindawilsonchildrensauthor.

Tweetable:

https://www.writersonthemove.com/2022/01/a-tip-to-reach-wider-market-on-amazon.html

Writing Nonfiction for Children's Magazines - 6 Tips

by Suzanne Lieurance

It used to be true that one of the best ways to break into the children’s magazine markets was with nonfiction.

Today, many children’s publications have in-house writers who create most, if not all, of their nonfiction.

Yet, it’s still possible to sell your nonfiction articles to those children’s publications that do accept nonfiction from freelance writers.

But you’ll want to follow the 6 tips, below, to have the best chance of acceptance.

And, of course, you'll need to follow each publication's guidelines carefully.

6 Tips for Writing Nonfiction for Children's Magazines

1. Study the markets

Each children’s magazine is different, with a different style, voice, and variety of subject matter.

Take time to study the markets you wish to submit to, and you’ll know which ones are the most appropriate for the articles that you wish to write.

2. Study Past Issues

Besides studying current issues of each publication you wish to write for, look at several past issues of each publication.

Make a list of the various nonfiction article titles in each issue to get a “feel” for the way various authors narrowed their focus for each topic they wrote about.

One of the big mistakes most beginning children’s writers make with their nonfiction articles is that they don’t narrow the focus of the article enough.

If you want to write about camels, for example, don’t propose an article that tells anything and everything about camels.

Instead, focus on just one aspect about camels and develop your article around that.

3. Include Subtopic Headings in Your Article

These will break up your article into “chunks” which are easier for young readers to read.

These subtopic headings will also “lead” the reader through your article.

They will also make your article “look” more like nonfiction instead of fiction.

4. Give Your Topic an Unusual Slant That Will Appeal to Kids and Editors Alike

You want to create a slant that is fresh and new and one that will appeal to both kids and editors.

When you do this, your article won’t sound so much like a textbook.

And articles that sound too much like textbook material are not in big demand with magazine editors.

5. Consider Topics That Will Relate to Themed Publications

Many children’s magazines have a theme for each issue.

And, even for publications that do not have themed issues, editors still look for topics that can be used for holiday issues as well as other seasonal issues.

For example, most publications feature some sort of back-to-school articles in their August or September issues.

In the summer months, these same publications tend to feature articles that give vacation tips or crafts ideas and games to keep kids occupied during the summer.

So be sure to include some of these types of article ideas in your queries (since most markets will want queries for nonfiction).

6. Look for Lesser-known Publications

Competition is fierce for Highlights, Spider, Cricket, and most of the very popular publications for children.

You’ll automatically increase your chances for acceptance if you query publications that don’t receive so many queries.

Now, try these 6 tips and it shouldn’t take you long to start receiving acceptances from the children’s magazines that you query.

A Few Children’s Magazines to Try

Ask – Nonfiction magazine for children 7-10 years old

Faces – Query only, be sure to study the guidelines

Fun for Kidz – Each issue has a theme

Issues in Earth Science – A resource for teachers

Scout Life - From Boy Scouts of America

US Kids – Publishes two magazines, Humpty Dumpty and Jack and Jill

Suzanne Lieurance is a freelance writer, award-winning author, speaker, and writing coach.

For more writing tips visit her blog at writebythesea.com, and get your free subscription to her Morning Nudge for writers now at www.morningnudge.com.

Book Review || Ready, Set, Write -- A Guide to Creative Writing

Ready, Set, Write—A Guide to Creative Writing by Melissa Donovan

Melissa Donovan’s informative instruction for writers is a consistent source of encouragement for a writer’s journey! Melissa’s Adventures in Writing Series, of which Ready, Set, Write is a part, is packed with helps, guidance and hands-on tips, coming from a lifelong writer and multi-published author.

I own and use several of her books for my writing journey. Ready, Set, Write has been quite timely, as I now have experience that enhances my understanding of each point presented. The book is designed with short chapters to be read one per day, or in quick succession.

This powerful book is 199 pages with 56 chapters. The Goal of the book is to equip aspiring and accomplished authors with the best understanding and skills for a fruitful writing practice.

I like to share my favorite parts when writing a book review. But, I enjoyed this entire book and found help and reminders at every turn. That said, my favorite section is Part II, where Melissa discusses specific types of creative writing we can explore, and discover what really resonates. Then on to expanding our choices, taking risks, and trying new forms of writing.

For me, I journal, blog, write stories and have published one book so far.

Enjoy the journey! Enlarge your choices and try new things.

I highly recommend this book. It’s refreshing, informative
and empowers the writers' journey.

Thank you, Melissa Donovan!

More about Melissa Donovan:
Blogging is one of my favorite writing passions, along with writing fiction and poetry.

I am the author of several books on the craft of writing, including Ready, Set Write, 101 Creative Writing Exercises, 1200 Creative Writing Prompts, and 10 Core Practices for Better Writing. I am currently working on the Writer’s Toolbox series, which includes What’s the Story? Building Blocks for Fiction Writing and Story Drills: Fiction Writing Exercises. https://www.writingforward.com/books

Get to know Melissa and her work:
https://www.writingforward.com/

This Book Review was first seen on My Writers Life: https://deborahlynwriter.com/

Deborah Lyn Stanley is an author of Creative Non-Fiction. She writes articles, essays and stories. She is passionate about caring for the mentally impaired through creative arts.
Visit her My Writer’s Life website at: https://deborahlynwriter.com/
Visit her caregiver’s website: https://deborahlyncaregiver.com/

Mom & Me: A Story of Dementia and the Power of God’s Love is available:
https://www.amazon.com/Deborah-Lyn-Stanley/
& https://books2read.com/b/valuestories

Share on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/
And more via the icon bar below:

Are You Building a Body of Work?

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

Are you writing consistently? Are you continuing to work at building relationships with the gatekeepers (magazine editors, online editors, book editors, literary agents and other professional writers). I know it is basic but consistent writing and working at this business is critical. It rarely comes easy or quickly to any of us. In fact, we often fight the discipline and consistency of writing.

Occasionally someone will look at the volume of my own writing and exclaim, “How do you do it?” As writers, we write one sentence then one page at a time. Some days I’m amazed that I’ve written over 60 books and the first one. When I Grow Up was published in 1992. In these years, I’ve been able to build a body of work. The concept of consistency and building a body of work may be new to you.

Years ago on the way to a writer’s conference, I chatted with a literary agent. I was just beginning to be published and he encouraged me to continue building a body of work. It’s not a single book or a single magazine article but the sum of your work in publishing that eventually makes an impact. Are you growing in your understanding of the publishing business? On a consistent basis, I learn new terms and new aspects.

Some days I don’t feel like cranking out some words but I do it. As I’ve traveled the country and worked with different writers. I know some writers are inspirational writers. They only write when they feel the story in their fingers and put it on paper. Others are journeymen and professional writers. They pound the keys day in and day out—whether they feel like it or not. I fall into that latter category (most of the time). It’s helped my consistent writing.

As a young journalist training in news editorial, one summer, I interned on the Peru Tribune, a small town newspaper in Peru, Indiana. We had no computers and the typesetting was done with a Linotype machine in the back of the building. We had our story meetings at 7:30 a.m where the managing editor talked with the reporters about the stories to be written that day. In that short meeting we received our particular assigned stories, then hit it with the full knowledge of our 11 a.m. copy deadline. Our stories went quickly through the editor and appeared in the printed afternoon paper at 3 p.m. We had no time to sharpen our pencils or hem and haw about writer’s block. We had a deadline to meet—which we met day after day.

Whatever you write (children's books, fiction books, nonfiction books, magazine articles, online publications or anything else) what steps are you taking to build a body of work? It will not happen overnight but can certainly happen if you are consistent. I’m committed to writing consistently. I want to keep my fingers on the keyboard and keep them moving to write articles, chapters for books and book proposals. I’m committed to building a body of work. It might not pay off immediately but in the long run, I know consistency counts.

How are you building a body of writing work? Tell me in the comments below.

W. Terry Whalin is an acquisitions editor at Morgan James Publishing. He has written for over 50 magazines and more than 60 books with traditional publishers. His latest book for writers is Book Proposals That $ell (the revised edition) released to online and brick and mortar bookstores. Jim Cox, Editor-in-Chief at Midwest Book Review wrote, “If you only have time to read one 'how to' guide to getting published, whether it be traditional publishing or self-publishing, “Book Proposals That Sell” is that one DIY instructional book.” You can get a free Book Proposal Checklist on the site. He lives in Colorado and has over 190,000 twitter followers.

Tweetable:

What daily steps are you taking to build a body of work? Get the details here from a prolific editor and author. (ClickToTweet)

Growing Your Writing Practice

By Deborah Lyn Stanley

We’ve been writing and developed certain habits. Maybe this is a good time to improve our practice, or even call it our custom: our personal way of working.

First, let’s list the reasons why we write.
1.   To explain what happened and why it matters,
2.   To hold dear things that would otherwise be lost through the passage of time,
3.   To embrace the writing process for personal discovery, to make sense of things,
4.   To stretch our imagination and write more creatively,
5.   We make connections as we write and see more clearly, because it’s greater than just us.

Second, what stalls our process, or what holds us back?
1.   Expectations of perfection break our stride,
2.   The critic inside cripples with thoughts of “you’re just not good enough”,
3.   Creativity is a vulnerable place, under attack it breeds anxiety and then we flounder at the keyboard’s blank page

To grow confidence and build a stronger writing life, let’s further develop our everyday custom and practice of working.
1.   Give yourself a special place to write, for just writing: A place of quiet, a place to listen, and a place of inspiration with a view window.
2.   It’s a place that speaks of “well-being” that surrounds you with your favorite books and reference materials.
3.   Include a keepsake that grounds you in the positive, to reflect on the best moments of life.
We need that positive energy to spark our creativity and develop our thoughts.

What changes can you make to your writing space to give you more energy and creativity?

We want to share our work. Only do so to the right person, ideally someone of similar nature, who respects and appreciates you.

It seems a common occurrence with writers to think they are in good company. You share your article or story, and the crusher follows. It happened to me too. I read my essay in a quaint critique group and the leader crushed, distorted and joked as feedback. I quit writing for a few weeks until I realized what was going on, pulled up my bootstraps, bowed out of the association graciously, then continued writing. It seems we need these kinds of experiences to discern what, why and with whom to connect.

Consider joining a group or organization of writers for support, companionship, and ideas, while nurturing your writing. It has to feel right, chemistry matters. Then be specific when you share your work by asking for exactly what you want. Some feedback is on point and strengthens your work; others are just bad advice or resemble a “takeover”. Learn, by experience to judge what is of value to you and what is not.

It’s A Journey We Are On, A Journey Of Discovery,
Practice and Process, Always Learning

Share on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/
And more via the icon bar below:

Avoiding Stereotypes and Cliches in Writing

By Mindy Lawrence

The old woman had long black hair and wore a conical hat. She had a black cat named Esmeralda and friends she practiced with at midnight in the forest. Tell me, is there any other kind of witch? Not according to many people.

Books, plays and movies all have a habit of stereotyping different groups. The writers who produce the words for these works sometimes use cliches and stereotypes to advance their stories. When this happens, characters become the same old same old, and not accurate. Every witch isn’t an old woman with warts in a black dress. She can be a he. She can be a scientist, or a teacher, or a mayor.

An archetype and a stereotype are not the same. An archetype is a template (prototype) on which to build your character. Stereotypes tend to show a lazy writer who is not sure how to let a character develop his/her own way. They are oversimplified, overused, and preconceived. These are generic and have no creative punch.

According to New York book Editors (https://nybookeditors.com/2019/04/6-tips-to-avoid-writing-cliched-characters/), you can do these things:

•    Focus on your characters origin story.
•    Deeply describe your characters.
•    Allow you character to bare more than one emotion.
•    Let your characters have motivation for their actions.
•    Show your character’s fears and flaws.
•    Give your characters strengths.

Make your characters more than one dimension. Flesh them out and make them breathe.

Interesting Articles Online:

6 Tips to Avoid Writing Cliched Characters
https://nybookeditors.com/2019/04/6-tips-to-avoid-writing-cliched-characters/

Stereotypes to Avoid When Writing your Next Book
https://www.bealubooks.com/avoid-stereotypes-when-writing/

3 Stereotypes to Avoid
https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/fiction/w/character-development/2874/3-stereotypes-to-avoid---article

The 8 Worst Cliches in Fiction
https://ryanlanz.com/2016/06/02/the-8-worst-cliches-in-fiction/

Strong Female Character Cliches to Avoid (In Writing and Beyond)
https://samanthaheuwagen.com/strong-female-character-cliches-to-avoid-in/

How to Write Diverse Characters (without Stereotypes)
https://pshoffman.com/character-creation/write-diverse-characters/

How to Write Non Stereotypical Characters
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-Non-Stereotypical-Characters

5 Ways to Break Stereotypes in your Writing
https://www.inspiredlinesediting.com/blog/5-ways-to-break-stereotypes-in-your-writing

Mindy Lawrence is a writer, ghost blogger, and artist based in Farmington, Missouri. She worked for the State of Missouri for over 24 years and moved to Farmington in 2020.

She proofread the Sharing with Writers newsletter by Carolyn Howard-Johnson and wrote “An Itty-Bitty Column on Writing” there for ten years. She has been published in Writers' Digest magazine and interviewed by NPR’s All Things Considered.