Tips for Writers

As much as I loved reading, I didn't start writing until I stayed home with my children. When I took my first writing class at American River College, a lightbulb switched on--I could do this! And I wanted to do this more than anything else I'd ever tried.

For the past ten years, I've immersed myself in writing for children and showed up at my keyboard nearly every day. If you're interested in writing, I offer the following writing tips:

• Enroll in a Writing Course at a Community College - Community colleges offer many writing courses including creative writing, poetry workshops, and writing for publication. The classroom is a perfect arena to hear other student writing, get feedback, and practice meeting editorial deadlines. Some of my great teachers included Bud Gardner, Sands Hall, and  Harold Schneider.

• Enroll at the Institute of Children's Literature -  When community colleges aren't available, a correspondent course can be just the ticket. You don't have to drive anywhere and you can show up in your pajamas. Click on the link to find out more information about ICL.

• Enroll in an online writing workshop - Some of the best online writing workshops are offered by children's authors Anastasia Suen at http://www.asuen.com  and Laura Purdie Salas at http://www.laurasalas.com. 

• Join the Society of Children's Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) - This is the national organization for children's writers and illustrators. In addition to offering national conferences in Los Angeles and New York, regional chapters of SCBWI are located across the country so writers can meet and attend conferences locally. 

• Attend Writing Conferences and Workshops - Writing workshops and conferences not only bring like-minded students together, attendees also benefit from the wisdom of great authors, editors, and illustrators in the industry. Some of the best writing workshops are Highlights Founder workshops, Writers Workshop at Chautauqua, and BYU's Writing for Young Readers.

• Visit Popular Writing Websites -  Of all the writing websites, none are better than Verla Kay's and  Harold Underdown's Purple Crayon  websites. Both offer a wealth of information on all aspects of writing for children.

• Read, read, read and write, write, write -  No matter how many classes you take, the most important thing is to immerse yourself in the genre you want to write. Then, write, write, write and keep writing. Award-winning children's author Jane Yolen often says the key to writing success is BIC--butt in chair. 

Conference Photo Gallery

I've attended many writing conferences. One of the first was Highlight's "Writing from the Heart" Workshop in Honesdale, PA with Joy Cowley, 2001.  

Henry Winkler ("The Fonz") and I at SCBWI Conference in LA 2007. (I knew I'd be cool one day!)

Great workshop with Lisa Wheeler at BYU's Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers Workshop, 2004.