45 review for You Can Write Children's Books Workbook

1. 

   5 out of 5

   J.L. Slipak – Jan 15, 2018

   This book is divided into nine sections: The Writing Road Map, The Writing Habit, Your Writing Preferences, Getting Ready to Write, The Workable Draft, Three Rounds of Revision, Market Research, Off to the Publisher, and Some Simple Inspiration, followed by a Glossary, and Resources and Recommended Reading. Each section has a "Your Writing Workout." I get a notebook when I want to complete some of the suggested exercises so that I can use the book over and over again. Section One is about how you This book is divided into nine sections: The Writing Road Map, The Writing Habit, Your Writing Preferences, Getting Ready to Write, The Workable Draft, Three Rounds of Revision, Market Research, Off to the Publisher, and Some Simple Inspiration, followed by a Glossary, and Resources and Recommended Reading. Each section has a "Your Writing Workout." I get a notebook when I want to complete some of the suggested exercises so that I can use the book over and over again. Section One is about how you get started writing for children. It explains how to identify why you want to write for children. It discusses how to make a series of writing commitments, which the author calls a 'writing road map.' You're shown how to create goals and hold fast to them. Along the way are tips and suggestions on materials to read. You will also learn about the many theories in child development, the major awards in children's literature and the conventions of genre and the audience. You will also learn, the divisions of book groups for children and the basic requirements for each. The author also discusses child development in the following categories: Infancy Through Todder, Preschool Through Kindergarten, Primary, ages 6-7, Middle Grade 8-11 and Young Adult 10 and up. Although I question the ages this author assigns to each grouping, you as the reader must understand that this author has been writing for children for many, many years. The other factor to remember is that there are many gray areas in each category that may include older or younger readers, for example: primary could be 5 to 9, Chapter books could be 8 to 11, middle-grade could be 11-13, and YA could be 14 to 18. The author also discusses the rules for submitting manuscripts, taking chances, and taking your writing seriously. The workout section to this first chapter is very helpful as it covers: aspiring to more than just being published, working hard at my craft, respecting my audience, working to become part of the rich tradition of children's literature, learning the conventions of the genre and the audience, determining the tools needed to assemble them, learning the rules of submitting manuscripts, taking chances, writing seriously and committing to your writing. There's also a great "Writing Group Grabber." In the next section, you will read about developing good writing habits, setting time aside for writing and learning the secrets to developing and effective writing habit, tips on everything from goal setting to creating an effective writing environment. This section is also followed by a great "Your Writing Workout." The third section discusses how to decide what to write by learning about the various categories of children's books and what their special requirements are. The author will guide you through a series of explanations, and exercises that will help you choose among the many choices that children's book publishing offers. Again, you will receive another, "Your Writing Workout." In section four, you are at the getting to write point and will learn how to prepare for this. Here, you will learn the various building blocks of fiction with a special look at how they work in children's stories. You'll be given a 'story in progress' to read and use toward understanding each of the elements of fiction presented. Another 'Your Writing Workout' is offered. Now you are at section five where you read about the first draft stage. Here you'll discover how the author explains planning out your story so that you can create a version that can be effectively revised. You'll learn about pacing and how a story builds, one step at a time. Another 'Your Writing Workout' is offered. In this workout, you learn about character goals. Section six discusses the revision process and what is the best way to revise your story. The author will explain a systematic way to tackling revisions by moving through three specific stages. In this section, you read about basic grammar, spelling, and style issues that will make your story shine. Another 'Your Writing Workout' is offered. Section seven comes along and discusses market research and finding the right publisher for your story. This is a 'behind the scenes' section showing how publishing works. It offers the opportunity to identify the right publisher for your story, which is noted as the essential key to unlocking publishing success. Another 'Your Writing Workout' is offered. Section eight gives insight to how you should prepare your manuscript for a publisher. Formatting to publisher readiness and comprising useful cover letters are focused on here. Rejection is discussed and the idea that rejection is just part of the process is explained. The author discusses how getting your manuscript is just the beginning of a very busy process and you have more to do. In this "Your Writing Workout,' you'll get examples of a cover letter, a bit about querying and the synopsis. In the last section, you'll receive some simple inspiration. The author discusses non fiction here. The author will take you through similar development stages right up to the final product. 'Your Writing Workout' will include many sections about non fiction as well.

2. 

   4 out of 5

   Beverly McCall – Jan 18, 2019

   Found this book to be quite a resource. Liked the formatting of this book that allowed me to interact with the text through the workbook approach. Clarified my understanding of some of the fundamentals for picture books. Later part of the book will help when I get to the publication stage. Appreciate the sample correspondence and resource lists. This book will be added to my resource shelf.

3. 

   5 out of 5

   Mary – Jan 08, 2008

   I use as a reference book.

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   4 out of 5

   Carrie Andrews –

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   4 out of 5

   Nicole Lingley –

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   5 out of 5

   Johnnieann Estrada –

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   4 out of 5

   S.M. Jaehn –

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   5 out of 5

   Maria Thegoddess –

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   4 out of 5

   Cindy F –

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    5 out of 5

    Manda –

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    4 out of 5

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    4 out of 5

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    5 out of 5

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    4 out of 5

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    5 out of 5

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    5 out of 5

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    5 out of 5

    Jeannie Faulkner Barber –

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    4 out of 5

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    4 out of 5

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    5 out of 5

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    4 out of 5

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    5 out of 5

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    4 out of 5

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    4 out of 5

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    5 out of 5

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    5 out of 5

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    4 out of 5

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    4 out of 5

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    5 out of 5

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    5 out of 5

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    4 out of 5

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    4 out of 5

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    4 out of 5

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    5 out of 5

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    4 out of 5

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    5 out of 5

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    4 out of 5

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    4 out of 5

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    5 out of 5

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    4 out of 5

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    5 out of 5

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    4 out of 5

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    4 out of 5

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    4 out of 5

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    5 out of 5

    Brenda –