Table of Contents
Section One: Choosing Your Target Audience
Introduction to Writing Children's Fiction
Choosing Your Target Audience
Writing Children's Books: Genre Differences
Writing Children's Books: Genres Within Genres
Finding Children's Story Ideas
Writing for Young Children: Ten Basic Rules
Critiques are Essential
Writing Conferences, Workshops, Books, Magazines, and Articles
Your Assignment
Section Two: Grabbing Your Reader's Attention
The Story Beginning Basics
Story Beginning Examples
Creating a Story: Two Different Formulas
Rewriting a Folktale
Your Assignment
Section Three: Building Your Character and Dialogue
Introduction
Dialogue
Action / Reactions
Characteristics
Description - Imagery
Backstory
Creating a Three-Dimensional Character
Showing vs. Telling
Writing for Children - Finding Age Appropriate Words
Resources
Your Assignment
Section Four: Story Fundamentals and Strengthening the Middle
Introduction: Writing a Story
Story Fundamentals
Strengthening the Middle
Looking at Examples
Upping the Stakes Ups the Tension / Antagonist / Subplots
Balance in Writing: The Major Elements
What Makes a Good Story: Plot Driven or Character Driven?
Theme and Your Story
Resources
Your Assignment
Section Five: Bringing it Home - A Sound Ending
Introduction
Finding the Ending
Examining Endings
Recommended Reading
Being a Writer: Learn the Craft of Writing
Writing Goals, Detours, and Opportunity Costs
Your Assignment
Section Six: How to Revise and Edit, Research and Find a Publisher
Introduction to Lesson Six
Revisions and Editing
Ten Tips Checklist for Self-editing
Final Stages of Self-editing
Five Writing Exercises
Exercise Answers
A Guide to Hiring a Freelance Editor
The Manuscript's Finishing Touches
Researching Publishers and Submissions
A Bit About Self-Publishing: Before You Self-Publish
Aim for Writing Success and Persevere
Lesson Six Resources
Your Assignment
Section Seven: From Contract to Editor to Sales
From Contract to Working with the Editor to Sales to a Writing Career
Create Visibility Before Getting Published
Book Marketing: Visibility and Platform Basics
8 Essential Steps to an Effective Website
Section Eight: Lots of Writing and Marketing Bonus Resources
Helpful Online Sites
Writing Article Links
Books and eBooks for Writing and Marketing
The End and a Bonus Article: Picture Book or Children's Magazine Article?
Quotes on Writing, Life, and Success