Creative Success Stories Archives - Page 6 of 9

August 3, 2018

Interview with Author Lisa Wheeler

What a joy it is to be able to glean experience from successful and prolific author Lisa Wheeler. She grew up near Pittsburgh, PA but has been in Michigan since she was almost 16. Though she has written all her life, Lisa didn’t attempt publication until the age of 32. (See, YOU are in good company!) After nearly 4 years and about 225 rejections, she sold her first book. She credits the support and encouragement of her husband, Glen, for taking those first baby steps and never looking back. Lisa totally loves the world of children’s books and says she "cannot imagine any other life".

July 31, 2018

Writing Strategies for Authors

Someone may have asked you what some good writing strategies for authors are. Perhaps you've asked this yourself. Writing has been around for thousands of years and unlike new technology industries, we know what works for writers and what doesn't. You could call these good strategies for authors the basics or fundamentals for strong writing. Try not to see yourself as too good not to be reminded of the basics. Everyone needs these basic strategies. It's those with experience that stray from these strategies and test out new, unproven methods. Revisiting the basics will help get you back on course with your writing progress.

July 18, 2018

Interview with Illustrator Valeria Wicker

Today, we have the incredibly talented Valeria Wicker here sharing insights and advice from her journey as an illustrator. She was born in Rome, Italy and graduated from art school with the intent of becoming a fashion designer. After moving to the United States, her passion evolved into writing and illustrating children's books. She has illustrated picture books for independent authors and embraced the children’s literature community through the Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). With English as her second language, she works restlessly to hone her writing skills.

July 9, 2018

Interview with Illustrator Steve Brown

I am pleased to introduce illustrator Steve Brown! He is a freelance children's illustrator from the Romney Marsh in Kent, England and has been drawing for as long as he can remember. His animation style is heavily influenced by the cartoons of the 70's, 80's, and 90's which he considers "the best". Steve is most often in his home studio scribbling away on his Wacom Cintiq, located at the bottom of his garden that overlooks fields and trees. His passion is for character design and story telling through illustration. Steve "likes to use humor" in his illustrations to "make it more fun for children and adults." Secretly, he sneaks in lots of subtle details that take a careful eye to spot. Follow Steve's incredible art on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and at his website, Steve Brown Illustration.

June 27, 2018

How to Create Major Characters from Scratch

Curious how authors create incredible leading characters from out of nowhere? Well, be curious no more! After reading these techniques, you will be able to create brilliantly believable characters your readers and listeners will love. In fact, you will want to re-visit some of your old characters and give them a new paint job. Leave the boring, one-dimensional characters to your competition.

June 26, 2018

Write Picture Books Without Being Preachy

Teaching through stories has been around since the dawn of communication. Although when that dawn occurred is hotly contested, what isn't contested is that stories are excellent methods to communicate a message. They are so excellent, in fact, writers often abuse them by being too preachy. What this really means is that the lesson or purpose in a story, especially in children's books and even more so if it's a picture book, should be subtle. Does this come natural to you? Probably not. But it can, if you implement these 5 techniques.

June 22, 2018

Writing for the Right Picture Book Audience

Are you an aspiring picture book author? Perhaps you are an author / illustrator with a passion for children's books. In either case, if you don't know your audience or how to target them, you won't win any love from agents, editors, buyers, readers, or listeners! Read on below so you know who you're writing that picture book for.

June 18, 2018

The Single Proven Principle To Improve Your Writing

Search the topic and you'll find countless tips, tricks, and strategies to catapult your writing to the stars. But like you, you'll find yourself scratching your head wondering which technique, if improved, would have the most effective impact. Let me clear up your confusion right now. If you continue reading this post, you will know without a shadow of a doubt how to become an excellent writer. This is the single, most important principle you need to focus on to step up your writing game. Are you ready for it?