So, you want to write and self-publish a children’s book? Good for you! You’re just itching to transcribe your idea to the page. But there’s one obstacle, you don’t know where to start. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.
First things first, write your idea whichever way is most comfortable for you: a list, a word web, notes. It doesn’t matter, just get it out before you forget.
I suggest going to the source after you’ve written it down. What does that mean? Read children’s books. Go to the library and check out a few. Take notes on what you like and dislike about the books.
Many people think creating a children’s book is easy. Let me tell you from experience, it isn’t. It’s fun, it’s fulfilling, but easy is not a word I’d use to explain the process.
Welcome to my blog interview with novelist, Ellwyn Autumn, author of The Kamyla Chung Series and Chris Kringle’s Cops The First Mission.
Ellwyn Autumn is an American author/blogger/ghostwriter and a certified teacher with a Master’s Degree in Education. She writes children’s picture books, middle-grade novels, and Young Adult fiction. Ellwyn’s first self-published novel, Chris Kringle’s Cops The First Mission, was a finalist in the 2016 Reader’s Favorite International Book Contest. Her Kamyla Chung picture book series addresses difficult issues facing young children. Kamyla Chung and the Classroom Bully is on Jedlie’s Certified Great Reads List and earned Story Monster Approval.
Ellwyn discovered her passion for writing in second grade when she had to write a book report for school. She was so excited to write the report, until her mother told her that she had to write about someone else’s book and not her own story. Ellwyn became indignant and decided that once she finished the book report she would most certainly write her own original story. She has been writing ever since!
She lives with her family in Pennsylvania. She loves all things magical, curling up with a good book, writing stories, and almost anything with chocolate in it.
Hello, Ellwyn,
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
When I was seven years old.
What inspired you to write your first book?
My son inspired my first published book. When he was little I used to tell him and his friends that I was a secret agent for Santa Claus. Shortly after I envisioned, Agent 12-25, and the story came to life.
What genre do you consider your book(s)?
Children’s and fantasy.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?
It depends on the day. During a good week, usually several hours every day. This may also include marketing.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
That’s a good question. I like rhyme and alliteration.
Do you have a specific writing style?
I try to weave humor and sarcastic characters, that have a certain vulnerability, into my stories. I want to show the humanity beneath their salty exteriors. I strive to write stories that will make people laugh and empathize with the characters as they overcome difficult obstacles.
It is my pleasure to announce the newest edition of the PROMPT ME SERIES. Woo hoo!
Prompt Me Again is full of new prompts and ideas to get (and keep) you writing.
I had a ton of fun taking all the new pictures. I went so far as getting into a pool fully clothed (with my friend, Jenn) and capturing some eery images. I also found myself wading through waist-high grass (in flip-flops) while getting eaten by mosquitos to nab the perfect sunset pic. And…it was all worth it.
As an aside, both of my editors faves are the “Fairy Tale Mash Up” and the “Facial Expression” reference chart. Regardless, there is something for everyone in the book.
Here is a glimpse of what you get in this new installment.
Clean enough for teens and sophisticated enough for adults.
I am so pleased to announce the release of the third installment of the Prompt Me Series! Prompt Me Sci-Fi & Fantasy is now available on Amazon or any other online retailer. Creating this book has been a blast, the pictures alone were an adventure. My daughter and I had fun amongst the redwoods for the fantasy based pic below. Others had me flat on my belly trying to capture the strange beauty of giant sand dunes. But pictures aren’t the only type of prompt in this workbook. Trust me when I say, there’s something for every type of writer. Enjoy!
This gives you a glimpse at the variety of pages in this book.
If you would like to put this on your “To Be Read” list on Goodreads, here is the link:
Welcome to my blog interview with novelists, Camilla Ochlan and Bonita Gutierrez, authors of THE WEREWOLF WHISPERER SERIES.
Camilla Ochlan grew up on fantasy and fairy tales, finding David Eddings, Katherine Kurtz, Guy Gavriel Kay, and Mercedes Lackey early on. To thedismay of her parents, she spent her high school weekends playing Dungeons & Dragons. College split her time between Theatre Arts and English Literature.
Camilla still occasionally acts but focuses the majority of her time, energy and (in)sanity on writing. Her interests revolve around activities that add to her writer’s toolbox — travel, the arts and voracious reading.
Bonita Gutierrez found her way to the stage at the early age of five. After college, she moved to Los Angeles to get into “The Biz.” Over the years, she’s played many roles from actor to producer, screenwriter to filmmaker — and now novelist.
A mixed martial artist, Bonita has a background in Jeet Kune Do Kung Fu (Bruce Lee’s art), Kenpo Karate MMA and Kali Escrima (stick and knife fighting). An avid runner, student of film and lover of music, Bonita is a self-proclaimed hamburger connoisseur with a passion for all things Star Wars and Buffy.
Welcome to my blog interview with novelist, BMB Johnson, author of the Melody Jackson (or, It Happened on Lafayette Street) Series.
BMB Johnson lives in Portland with a family of humans, too many cats, and just enough Guinea Pigs. Thinks the only valid sports are bowling, table tennis and pinball. Reads comics, plays vintage computer games and new designer board games and is a gigantic slobbery fan of Doctor Who.
Hello, BMB
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
Well, I think I’ve always been a writer, especially since I’m not particular fond of speaking out loud. Writing has a way of conveying your thoughts without interruptions or that nagging voice of dissent or reprisal, It also gives one the wonderful added ability to edit and review. There is no “White-out” for physical conversations, after all.
I suppose the above makes me sound like a bit of an introvert (which I kind of am.) Just let me state for the record that I don’t have anything against conversing with other humans, I just feel more comfortable clacking out my thoughts on a keyboard than from my own tongue.
I can almost taste summer. Can’t you? It has been such a fabulously stormy winter that I’m looking forward to some sunny days and a writing getaway.
As I sat trying to rest up for teaching tomorrow, I was thinking about light and dark. It inspired me to put a list together and dabble with a little graphic design. Anyway, here are the fruits of my labor. I hope it helps inspire you to write this week.
When writing or editing, sometimes it’s nice to have a cheat sheet next to you to save time. This list will help you get out of a rut and add some sound to improve on sensory language.
As William Cowper once said:
“Variety’s the very spice of life, that gives it all it’s flavour.”
Mix it up and have fun. As usual, a printer-friendly PDF is at the bottom.
As I have been pecking away at the keys working on my new projects, I’ve been compiling a little list for myself. I thought I would make it pretty and share it with all of you. I do like to share. Is that weird? Well, not everything—my toothbrush is off limits.
Now that I have made that clear, here is my latest list. Voice Descriptor Infographic . . .
I received my first blog review of Prompt Me: Creative Writing Workbook & Journal by romance writer and teacher, Brooke E. Wayne. Read the review here. So exciting!
