Writing: The Juggling Act

  

  Contributed by Karen Cioffi, Children's Writer

 It takes time to write a 'good' story.

I’m sure there are writers who sit down and write a story in a day, but I’m talking about doing it right.

This is especially true of writing for children.

It’s so important to know the rules. Know what the standard industry guidelines are and adhere to them.

There’s a lot that goes into writing. And if you want it to be publishing and marketing worthy, again, you want to do it right.

But what happens when you finish your manuscript? You revised it, edited, and proofed it, and possibly even had a professional writer look at it.

Your manuscript, your baby, is ready to fly. 

You enter the traditional submitting phase. You’ve done your research and have found literary agents and book publishers in your genre. The submission process is in full swing.

This process can easily take longer than the writing process, but you need to persevere.

In the meantime… 

Should you just sit around and wait for a bite from an agent or publisher?

Should you sit around and gather dust on your keyboard?

Absolutely not!

You need to move on to another story as soon as you start the submission process on your first book. Once book two is in the submission process, it’s onto book three, and so on.

This goes even more so for articles.

According to writing coach Suzanne Lieurance, you should have around 12 articles out circulating to magazine editors.

This is how you get work.

It’s the writing juggling act.

Keep the stories or articles moving.

Once you finish one story, get started on the next.

Another aspect of the writing juggling act: Book Marketing.

While you do need to keep writing those stories and getting them published, you also need to work on marketing you and your writing.

Marketing is a part of every author’s writing life if you expect to sell your books. 

-The first step of marketing is to create a quality book.
-The next step is to submit your work – this is pitching your work.
-If you’re self-publishing, you will need to publish it and distribute it so it’s available for sale.

Once the book finds a home, it’s about creating visibility. If people don’t know it exists, you won’t sell it. 

The marketing and visibility process is ongoing.

If you’re wondering if having to promote your books is a must, even major publishers expect their authors to have an online author platform. They also expect the author to be able to help sell their books through that platform.

And, small publishers expect you to do all the marketing. 

Marketing is that important.

So, what are the basics of an author’s online platform?

-The first step is to have a website and keep it current.

-Next is to post to social media to bring awareness about you, your books, articles, or services.

This will take up any spare writing time you may have. 

So, if you’re a writer, there is no such thing as downtime. It’s all about the writing juggling act.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 Karen Cioffi is an award-winning children’s author, ghostwriter, rewriter, and coach with clients worldwide. If you need help with your children’s story, please visit Karen Cioffi Writing for Children.
 
Karen also offers: 

HOW TO WRITE A CHILDREN’S FICTION BOOK. 
A 250+ book that will help you start or finish your children’s book

FICTION WRITING FOR CHILDREN eCOURSE
4-Weeks / 8 Sections / Instructor Guided Self-Study Program
 
~~~~~~

MORE ABOUT THE BLOGGER Carolyn Howard-Johnson is the multi award-winning author of fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. She is also a marketing consultant, editor, and author of the multi award-winning #HowToDoItFrugally Series (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTXQL27T/ ) of books for writers including "The Frugal Book Promoter" (https://bit.ly/FrugalBookPromoIII), and "The Frugal Editor" both offered in their third editions by Modern History Press. Others in that series are "How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically," and two booklets, both in their second editions also from Modern History Press. The booklets, "Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers" (https://bit.ly/LastMinuteEditsII) and "Great First Impression Book Proposals" (https://bit.ly/BookProposalsII) are career boosters in mini doses and both make ideal thank you gifts for authors. The one on writing book proposals is also available as an Audio Book. "The Frugal Editor "(https://tinyurl.com/TheFrugalEditor), was recently released in its third edition. It is the winningest book in this series for writers. Carolyn also has three frugal books for retailers including one she encourages authors to read because it helps them understand what is needed to convince retailers to host their workshops, presentations, and signings. It is "A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques" (https://bit.ly/RetailersGuide). In addition to this blog, Carolyn helps writers extend the exposure of their favorite reviews at https://TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com. She also blogs all things editing--grammar, formatting and more--at "The Frugal, Smart, and Tuned-In Editor" (https://TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com). Learn more and follow it to get news on her new releases directly from Amazon at https://bit.ly/CarolynsAmznProfile.

For Halloween: Charlotte Isn’t the Only Writing Spider

Courtesy LA Times, Descanso Gardens and Carolyn’s Aging Files

Halloween Is the Time for Celebrating Writers—Spiders Included

 

Charlotte Isn’t the Only Writing Spider

 

By Carolyn Howard-Johnson, writer of fiction, poetry, and

the HowToDoItFrugally Series of Books Writers Depend On

 

 

A few years ago, administrators and docents of the lovely Descanso Gardens in the foothills of the San Gabriel where I live shared the story of writing spiders everywhere including the colorful orb weaver (you might know her from her bright yellow spots, her eight graceful legs, and her beautifully constructed notebook which she often constructs in gardens big—like our famous Descanso—and our own backyards. Today her job (and she is ashe/her/them/they if she is dressed in yellow) is to remind literature lovers and authors that the author of Charlotte’s Web might have been writing a story of fiction for writers but he was probably inspired by real writing spiders. Perhaps one he knew personally. Perhaps one he had read about. It’s hard to know because spiders (and other inspirational beings) are seldom credited.

And I want to remind readers and writers that the quality that makes great literature of any kind is how it reflects real life. Nature. Including human nature. What makes it great is that magical quality that attracts and—dare I use the the word ensnares?—so completely it becomes known as a “classic.”

Our orb weaver is a welcome guest in our yard. Even though she is about an inch long, she helps us keep harmful insects away. Her notebook is very tidy; hers is the one most artists emulate when they reproduce the delicate, magical web used for most everything a spider does. It’s her bedroom, kitchen, the nursery for her cocoons, her home. It is as intricate as longhand so museum curators, scientists and…mmm…writers call her and her relatives “writing spiders.”

 

Note: This article might be re-inspired. I found a column titled “California Classroom” in the Los Angeles Times—all nicely yellowed by time. It was inspired by spiders in their lovely public gardens and found its way to the clipping notebook (real paper!) I keep of articles about my fellow writers.

 

More About the Author 

Carolyn Howard-Johnson read E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web to her children when they were very small; it never occurred to her that one day she would appreciate that book on many levels beyond a lovely story with lessons to teach. She is now the author of a Modern History Press Series that began in 2004 with The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won't, now published in its 3^rd edition as a hardcover, paperback, and…an e-book! One of the books in that series is even available as Audio! Author White would never have believed in possibilities like that for his lovely characters, his lovely story. Find Carolyn’s series on Amazon’s newly offered pages for series at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTXQL27T. That Amazon feature is one of the #TheFrugalBookPromoterTips she shares with writers so they’ll know that Amazon offers a similar page to any e-book series that appears on their website. Happy Halloween to all.

 A Little About this Blogger’s Publishing Journey: 

 Carolyn Howard-Johnson is the multi award-winning author of fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. She is also a marketing consultant, editor, and author of the multi award-winning #HowToDoItFrugally Series (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTXQL27T/ ) of books for writers including "The Frugal Book Promoter" (https://bit.ly/FrugalBookPromoIII), and "The Frugal Editor" both offered in their third editions by Modern History Press. Others in that series are "How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically," and two booklets, both in their second editions also from Modern History Press. The booklets, "Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers" (https://bit.ly/LastMinuteEditsII) and "Great First Impression Book Proposals" (https://bit.ly/BookProposalsII) are career boosters in mini doses and both make ideal thank you gifts for authors. The one on writing book proposals is also available as an Audio Book. "The Frugal Editor "(https://tinyurl.com/TheFrugalEditor), was recently released in its third edition. It is the winningest book in this series for writers. 

 Carolyn also has three frugal books for retailers including one she encourages authors to read because it helps them understand what is needed to convince retailers to host their workshops, presentations, and signings. It is "A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques" (https://bit.ly/RetailersGuide). 

In addition to this blog, Carolyn helps writers extend the exposure of their favorite reviews at https://TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com. She also blogs all things editing--grammar, formatting and more--at "The Frugal, Smart, and Tuned-In Editor" (https://TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com). Learn more and follow it to get news on her new releases directly from Amazon at https://bit.ly/CarolynsAmznProfile.

Fantasy or Sci-Fi - Which is It?

 

 

Contributed by Karen Cioffi, Children's Writer

I’ve always loved fantasy, so it’s a natural fit that I like writing it for children. 

But what exactly is fantasy, and how does it differ from science fiction?

FANTASY

The simplest way to explain fantasy is that it doesn’t exist in the real world. Your imagination is the only limit when writing fantasy. This may be why I gravitate toward it.

If a story has supernatural or magical elements, it’s fantasy.

Fantasy allows you to delve into all sorts of topics, even difficult ones, and it comes across in a more digestible way than realistic fiction.

For example, in my chapter book, "Walking Through Walls," the main character, Wang, joins the Mystical Eternals and learns how to walk through walls.

In the sequel (still in progress), Wang has the choice to morph into a dragon at will or get another incredible ability.

Another example of fantasy is talking animals. This type of fantasy can have the protagonist going off on a journey alone or with friends. A children’s writer couldn’t have a child do this in realistic fiction as it could give the child dangerous ideas. There are lots of topics that can be introduced using talking animals.

In my picture book series, The Adventures of Planetman, the protagonist has supernatural vision and can fly. One of his friends has super speed, and the other is super strong.

These scenarios couldn’t possibly exist within the natural laws of our universe as they involve supernatural elements. 

With fantasy, the writer can create new worlds and new beings. It can rain meatballs. There can be magical fairies and wizards. Science and realism are not factors.  

Think of Superman, The Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter.

SCIENCE FICTION

Science fiction is also out of the ordinary but is based on scientific principles. The elements of the story can exist within the natural laws of our universe. The scientific basis helps explain the extraordinary things that go on in the story.

These stories usually involve future scientific elements, such as space travel, aliens, time travel, and environmental catastrophes.  
 
An example of science fiction is Batman. All his abilities are from gadgets that are based on science. While some of them may be a bit far-fetched, they are in the realm of possibility.

Just think of all the gadgets and inventions created that are based on movies, books, and even articles. It’s astounding.

Driverless cars.
Holographic images.
The submarine.
The rocket.
The cellphone.
The taser.
The smartwatch.

Science fiction movies include: 

World of Worlds
Contact
Altered States
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
The Matrix

Sci-fi books:

The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey
Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson
Contact by Carl Sagan
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
The Children of Men by PD James

A MIX

A mix of fantasy and science fiction is just that, a mix. 

In these stories, there are elements of sci-fi and fantasy. An example of this genre is Star Wars.

While Star Wars easily falls within the sci-fi genre, it also has elements of fantasy, such as a force field. Although, in 2015, Boeing patented the first-ever force field to protect against shockwaves. 

But even with the force field coming into existence, Star Wars also has lightning bolts from fingertips and levitation. These elements are pure fantasy.

So, if you’re writing sci-fi or fantasy for children, are you sure which it is? 

Sources:

https://hellogiggles.com/8-technological-advancements-inspired-by-books-movies-and-television/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/ten-inventions-inspired-by-science-fiction-128080674/
https://historydaily.org/was-dick-tracey-the-character-who-invented-the-smart-watch/2
https://www.mic.com/articles/113466/boeing-just-patented-a-force-field-right-out-of-star-wars

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

 

 

 

Karen Cioffi is an award-winning children’s author, ghostwriter, rewriter, and coach with clients worldwide. If you need help with your children’s story, please visit Karen Cioffi Writing for Children.  

Karen also offers:

HOW TO WRITE A CHILDREN’S FICTION BOOK
A 200+ book that will help you start or finish your children’s book

PICTURE BOOK, CHAPTER BOOK, MIDDLE GRADE COACHING
Four to twelve-week coaching programs.

FICTION WRITING FOR CHILDREN eCOURSE
4-Weeks / 8 Sections / Instructor Guided Self-Study Program
 
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MORE ABOUT THE BLOGGER Carolyn Howard-Johnson is the multi award-winning author of fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. She is also a marketing consultant, editor, and author of the multi award-winning #HowToDoItFrugally Series (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTXQL27T/ ) of books for writers including "The Frugal Book Promoter" (https://bit.ly/FrugalBookPromoIII), and "The Frugal Editor" both offered in their third editions by Modern History Press. Others in that series are "How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically," and two booklets, both in their second editions also from Modern History Press. The booklets, "Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers" (https://bit.ly/LastMinuteEditsII) and "Great First Impression Book Proposals" (https://bit.ly/BookProposalsII) are career boosters in mini doses and both make ideal thank you gifts for authors. The one on writing book proposals is also available as an Audio Book. "The Frugal Editor "(https://tinyurl.com/TheFrugalEditor), was recently released in its third edition. It is the winningest book in this series for writers. Carolyn also has three frugal books for retailers including one she encourages authors to read because it helps them understand what is needed to convince retailers to host their workshops, presentations, and signings. It is "A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques" (https://bit.ly/RetailersGuide). In addition to this blog, Carolyn helps writers extend the exposure of their favorite reviews at https://TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com. She also blogs all things editing--grammar, formatting and more--at "The Frugal, Smart, and Tuned-In Editor" (https://TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com). Learn more and follow it to get news on her new releases directly from Amazon at https://bit.ly/CarolynsAmznProfile.

Writing: What Areas are You Strong In? Weak In?

  

 Contributed by Children's Writer Karen Cioffi

Writing is different for every writer. 

Some find it easy to merge their chapters seamlessly. Others find it easy to craft that ‘just right ending.' 

Other authors find it easy to jump right into a story, writing a grabbing beginning. 

No matter what aspect of the story, there will be some writers who can breeze through it effortlessly while others  struggle. That’s the nature of writing.

I find it pretty easy to start a story. I can create a beginning that jumps into the action, which is what most stories need, especially children’s stories. 

But… I can find it challenging to end my stories. I have no idea why. I can start it and bring it along toward an ending, but then I fizzle out. My endings can initially be weak.

I first noticed my weak spot when I submitted a chapter book to 4RV Publishing. I pitched the story to the publisher during an online writers’ conference. The publisher allowed me to submit a synopsis and the first three chapters of my manuscript. Unfortunately, my submission was also lacking, but that’s another story.

The editor who read the chapters and synopsis liked the storyline but was confused about my ending in the synopsis. As I mentioned earlier, I can struggle with my endings. In spite of that, the editor recommended that the publisher request the manuscript so they could look it over. They advised me to edit it first and work on the ending. I created an entirely new ending and sent it to a professional editor for review and editing.

It’s funny, but I think that at times, there are forms of inspiration that can take us where we don’t usually tread... that help us overcome our obstacles or mountains. 

In the case of my story, “Walking Through Walls,” I came up with a pretty good ending that tied everything together and provided a surprise. I worked on this story for around two years, and finally, when it counted, I found the right path for the story to take.

We writers must pay attention to our writing weak spots and work on them. I was fortunate that an editor and publisher looked beyond my weak points and gave me the opportunity to improve my story. This is not always the case.

So, what’s a writer to do?

Well, the very basics are simple:

1. Make sure you’re part of a critique group that includes both new and experienced writers. The critique members can help you overcome the hurdles. 

2. If you have to, write a few different scenarios in the section you’re having trouble with to help you open up. And if you’re still having trouble with your story, put it away for at least a week, preferably more, and then go back to it. It’s almost like magic; you’ll see it differently. And listen when inspiration comes knocking!

3. Read a lot of quality books in the genre you’re writing and even copy sections of them word-by-word. Make sure to include recently published books by top publishers. This is a trick to get your brain to think and write ‘good writing.’ Please note that this should only be done for practice purposes. Never, ever use someone’s work as your own.

4. Practice your writing—hone your craft. My endings have improved through working and practice. This is why there’s a saying, “practice makes perfect.” Well, if not perfect, at least much better!

5. If nothing else works, hire a developmental editor or ghostwriter to help rewrite the sections you’re having difficulty with.

So, the tips of the day: Pay attention to where your writing weak spots are and work on them. 

And listen when inspiration comes knocking!

Now, back to the title of the post: What's your writing forte? 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

 

 

Karen Cioffi is an award-winning children’s author, working ghostwriter, rewriter, and coach (picture and chapter books). If you need help with your story, visit Writingfor Children with Karen Cioffi.

 

You can check out Karen’s books HERE.

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MORE ABOUT THE BLOGGER Carolyn Howard-Johnson is the multi award-winning author of fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. She is also a marketing consultant, editor, and author of the multi award-winning #HowToDoItFrugally Series (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTXQL27T/ ) of books for writers including "The Frugal Book Promoter" (https://bit.ly/FrugalBookPromoIII), and "The Frugal Editor" both offered in their third editions by Modern History Press. Others in that series are "How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically," and two booklets, both in their second editions also from Modern History Press. The booklets, "Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers" (https://bit.ly/LastMinuteEditsII) and "Great First Impression Book Proposals" (https://bit.ly/BookProposalsII) are career boosters in mini doses and both make ideal thank you gifts for authors. The one on writing book proposals is also available as an Audio Book. "The Frugal Editor "(https://tinyurl.com/TheFrugalEditor), was recently released in its third edition. It is the winningest book in this series for writers. Carolyn also has three frugal books for retailers including one she encourages authors to read because it helps them understand what is needed to convince retailers to host their workshops, presentations, and signings. It is "A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques" (https://bit.ly/RetailersGuide). In addition to this blog, Carolyn helps writers extend the exposure of their favorite reviews at https://TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com. She also blogs all things editing--grammar, formatting and more--at "The Frugal, Smart, and Tuned-In Editor" (https://TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com). Learn more and follow it to get news on her new releases directly from Amazon at https://bit.ly/CarolynsAmznProfile.