It's an exciting time in the publishing world. However, with so many
options for getting published -- eBooks, apps, print on demand, etc. --
it's easy to get caught up in the hype and forget what's
really important:
Writing great books.
Regardless of how a book is presented (on paper, on an eReader
or on a tablet) one thing hasn't changed. It's still about craft.
It's still about exciting plots, memorable characters and flowing
prose. It's still about sharp dialogue, crisp pacing and consistent
voice.
In fact, I would argue that these things are actually *more* important
than ever. That's because there's so much content being published that
only those books that get great word of mouth will become "viral" and
succeed.
And only good books get that word of mouth.
You can learn everything about writing an app or ebook and it won't do you
a dang bit of good if your writing isn't up to snuff.
So, let's take a step back from the digital abyss for a moment, and
spend a bit of time refocusing on the craft of writing for children.
To help, I've temporarily unlocked three fantastic articles from
Children's Book Insider that are usually members-only. They each focus on
a different aspect of craft. And, as bonus, I've tossed in a cool
writing exercise, too.
Here you go!
* 5 Ways To Instantly Improve Your Manuscript
Don’t submit that manuscript before you’ve read this! Laura’s got
five easy ways to quickly and dramatically improve your odds of
scoring that contract….
http://cbiclubhouse.com/clubhouse/2010/03/5-ways-to-instantly-improve-your-manuscript/
* Show Don’t Tell — A New Take on an Old Chestnut
Writers have heard the axiom “show, don’t tell” repeatedly. But what
does it really mean? CBI Expert Guide Jane Choate gives a practical
breakdown on how to handle this vital aspect of the craft.
http://cbiclubhouse.com/clubhouse/2011/02/show-dont-tell-a-new-take-on-an-old-chestnut/
* Point of View -- A 5 Minute Master Class!
Understanding and mastering point of view is the "secret sauce" that can
truly jumpstart your writing career. Here's a no-nonsense guide that explains
it all!
http://cbiclubhouse.com/clubhouse/2010/05/working-with-point-of-view/
BONUS FREEBIE:
* A Nifty Exercise to Learn Pacing from Top Writers
Here's a simple and very powerful exercise to discover the secret of great pacing.
http://cbiclubhouse.com/clubhouse/2009/12/cbi-challenge-a-nifty-exercise-to-learn-pacing-from-top-writers/
Enjoy....and keep writing!
All the best,
Jon Bard
* Managing Editor, Children's Book Insider, the Newsletter for Children's Writers
* Fightin' Bookworm in Chief, The CBI Clubhouse -- The Essential Children's Writing Resource. Visithttp://cbiclubhouse.com and Come Join the Fightin' Bookworms!
PS: DID YOU KNOW....
...that we've added three amazing bonuses for everyone who subscribes to
Children's Book Insider this spring? And here they are:
I Wish Someone Had Told Me That!
This is one of the best eBooks we've ever done. We asked 64
successful children's writers for the advice they wish someone had
given them when they were starting out. There are dozens of pure gems
in this ebook!
How to Self Publish Your Book for Amazon Kindle
A fantastic step-by- step course and action guide to create and sell
your book on Amazon. Includes worksheets, instruction guide and free
sources for creating and converting your book!
Facebook: The Essential Guide
If you're not fully maximizing the power of Facebook Fan Pages to
build your career, you are truly missing out. Here's a simple guide
that tells you exactly what you need to know!
Join now, and these are ALL yours -- free!
