writing craft

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August 1, 2018

How to Know When Your Writing Is Ready for Feedback

Finishing a draft feels like a major accomplishment. Sharing that draft with someone else can feel even harder. Every writer eventually faces the same question: When should I ask for feedback? Share your work too early and you may receive criticism for problems you could have fixed yourself. Wait too long and you may miss valuable opportunities to improve. The goal isn't simply to get feedback. The goal is to get the right feedback at the right stage of the writing process. Before sending your manuscript to critique partners, beta readers, agents, or editors, consider these four signs that you're ready to share your work.

July 31, 2018

6 Essential Writing Fundamentals Every Author Should Master

Strong stories are rarely the result of a single breakthrough technique. More often, they emerge from consistently applying a handful of fundamental writing principles. Whether you're writing novels, picture books, short stories, or articles, the same core elements tend to separate engaging writing from forgettable writing. Strong openings capture attention. Meaningful characters create emotional investment. Well-structured plots maintain momentum. Careful revision strengthens everything else. Mastering these fundamentals won't guarantee success, but neglecting them almost always leads to weaker stories. The six writing fundamentals below can help you create more compelling work and become a stronger writer over time.

June 27, 2018

How to Create Memorable Main Characters for Your Story

Memorable stories are built on memorable characters. Readers may forget a setting, a subplot, or even parts of the plot itself, but they rarely forget characters who feel real. Whether you're writing a picture book, novel, short story, or screenplay, strong characters help readers become emotionally invested in the story. The good news is that memorable characters aren't created by accident. Authors use specific techniques to develop personalities, motivations, flaws, and growth that make characters feel believable. If you're struggling to create characters readers care about, these four strategies can help.

June 18, 2018

How to Become a Better Writer: The Two Habits That Matter Most

Writers are constantly searching for better techniques, better routines, and better strategies to improve their work. But most writing improvement comes back to two simple habits: writing consistently and reading intentionally. No shortcut replaces either one. If you want to become a stronger writer over time, these are the two skills that matter most.

June 15, 2018

How to Create Tension in Writing: Simple Techniques That Keep Readers Turning Pages

Most people try to avoid tension in real life. We dislike uncertainty, conflict, fear, and difficult decisions. In fiction, however, tension is one of the most important tools a writer can use. Whether you're writing novels, short stories, picture books, or memoirs, tension creates curiosity. It gives readers a reason to keep turning pages because they want to know what happens next. Understanding how tension works can dramatically improve your writing.

June 13, 2018

Lessons from Rhonda Gowler Greene: Persistence, Picture Books, and Traditional Publishing Success

Rhonda Gowler Greene is the author of more than two dozen children's picture books and has spent over two decades building a successful traditional publishing career. Her books have received numerous honors, including School Library Journal Best Book, ILA Children's Choice Book, Bank Street College Best Book recognition, and multiple starred reviews. What makes her publishing journey especially encouraging for aspiring authors is that it began with persistence through rejection. Before selling her first books and securing literary representation, Rhonda accumulated more than 220 rejections while continuing to study children's literature and refine her craft. In this interview, we discuss literary agents, publishing rejection, writing picture books, creative persistence, balancing family and writing, and what aspiring authors can learn from a lifetime spent studying children's literature. Although this conversation took place in 2018, the lessons about writing, publishing, and professional growth remain just as relevant today.

February 9, 2018

Lessons on Writing, Nature, and Curiosity from Author Lisa Connors

Lisa Connors is a children's author, nature writer, educator, and lifelong student of the natural world. Through both fiction and nonfiction, she aims to spark curiosity and help young readers develop a deeper appreciation for science, wildlife, and the environment. In this interview, we discuss writing for children, self-publishing versus traditional publishing, working with illustrators, creative perseverance, and the importance of staying curious throughout life. Although this conversation took place in 2018, many of the lessons about creativity, publishing, and lifelong learning remain just as relevant today.

January 1, 2018

How to Query Literary Agents: Examples, Templates & Mistakes to Avoid

Querying a literary agent is the process of pitching your manuscript to agents in hopes of securing representation. In this guide, you’ll learn how to write a query letter, what agents actually want, common mistakes to avoid, query letter examples, and how to track submissions professionally. Whether you’re querying fiction, nonfiction, or children’s books, this guide walks you through the entire process step-by-step.