Introduction xix
You as a Storyteller, You as a Writer xix
How This Book Works xx
The Books I’ve Written xxiii
Create Your Writing Life Now xxv
 
PART 1. PREWRITING
 
1. Ideas
Being Open to Ideas 3
Five Tips to Be Open to Ideas 5
Observation 6
Quieting the Inner Critic 8
Digging Deep for Stories 9
Freewriting: Joy and Fear 10
Regular Writing 12
Lost Ideas 13
Chapter 1 Exercises 15
Practical Task
Writing: 10 Minutes
Writing: 30 Minutes
Taking It Further
 
2. Roots 19
My Reading Life 20
Reading Like a Writer 22
The Reading Lists 24
Chapter 2 Exercises 26
Practical Task
Writing: 10 Minutes
Writing: 30 Minutes
Taking It Further
 
3. The Options for Writing for Young Readers: Overview 29
Publishing Your Book for Young Readers 29
Should You Write This Story? 31
Thinking about Your Book for Young Readers 33
Good Initial Rules when Writing for Young Readers 35
A Note on the Rules 37
Finding Your Possible Audience 37
Chapter 3 Exercises 39
Practical Task
Writing: 10 Minutes
Writing: 30 Minutes
Taking It Further
 
4. The Options for Writing for Young Readers: Specifics for Picture Books and Chapter Books 41
From Picture Books to Chapter Books 41
Picture Books: All Types 43
Board Books 43
Picture Books, General 44
A Note on Rhyme 45
Notes on Illustration 46
The Challenges and Opportunities of Picture Books 48
Easy Readers 51
Chapter Books 52
Polly Diamond 53
Graphic Chapter Books 55
Chapter 4 Exercises 56
Practical Task
Writing: 10 Minutes
Writing: 30 Minutes
Taking It Further
Picture Book 57
Chapter Book 57
 
5. The Options for Writing for Young Readers: Middle Grade and Young Adult Books 59
From Middle Grade to Young Adult 59
Middle Grade 61
Young Adult 63
New Adult 65
Taboo Topics—or Not? 65
Challenges and Opportunities for Writing Middle Grade
and Young Adult 66
Genre 66
World Building 69
Three Possible Ways to Begin World Building 69
What Is Structure and How Does It Work? 72
Chapter 5 Exercises 75
Practical Task
Writing: 10 Minutes
Writing: 30 Minutes
Taking It Further
 
PART 2. WRITING
 
6. Finding Time and Finding Your Flow 79
Flow 80
Goal Setting 82
Clarity of Goals 84
Concentration and Distraction 88
The Place Where You Work 88
Process 89
Chapter 6 Exercises 90
Practical Task
Writing: 10 Minutes
Writing: 30 Minutes
Taking It Further
 
7. Storytelling 93
Sense of Story 93
Becoming a Ghost Transformed My Greatest Writing Weakness 94
Pantser or Planner 96
Useful Words as You Think about Your
Story Architecture 97
Central Dramatic Question 97
Chronology 98
Flashback 98
Language: Cadence, Rhyme, and Rhythm 98
Narrative 99
Outline 99
Plot 100
Point of View 102
Scenes 104
Theme 104
Tense 105
Voice 107
Chapter 7 Exercises 108
Practical Task
Writing: 10 Minutes
Writing: 30 Minutes
Taking It Further
 
8. Character 111
Where Do Characters Come From? 111
Act and React 112
Character Flaws and Layers 113
Character Desires and How to Use the Interview 115
Characteristics, Habits, Body Language, and Speech 116
Diversity in Your Characters 118
Physical Attributes 119
Tips for Writing Physical Description 120
Other Key Characters 121
Bit-Part Characters 121
Tips for Writing Your Cast 122
Chapter 8 Exercises 122
Practical Task
Writing: 10 Minutes
Writing: 30 Minutes
Taking It Further
 
9. Scenes and Settings 125
Scenes 126
The Four Elements of a Scene 127
Description 127
Writing Description 130
Action 131
Writing Action 133
Dialogue 134
Writing Dialogue 135
Interior Monologue 137
Writing Interior Monologue 138
Chapter 9 Exercises 139
Practical Task
Writing: 10 Minutes
Writing: 30 Minutes
Taking It Further
 
10. Drafting Your Book 143
Magic and Moments 145
The Slump in the Middle 147
Tips for When You Get Stuck 150
Endings
Chapter 10 Exercises
Practical Task
Writing: 10 Minutes
Writing: 30 Minutes
Taking It Further
 
PART 3. REWRITING
 
11. Editing 157
The Break 158
Developmental Editing 160
Developmental Edits: Picture Books 160
Developmental Edits: Chapter Books, Middle Grade, and Young Adult 163
Rewriting 166
Line Editing 167
Ten-Point Line-Edit Checklist 168
Finding a Reader 170
Hiring an Editor 174
Chapter 11 Exercises 175
Practical Task
Writing: 10 Minutes
Writing: 30 Minutes
Taking It Further
Pacing/Structure 177
Characters 177
 
12. What Happens Next? 179
The Nitty Gritty of Traditional, Hybrid, and Self-Publishing 179
The Traditional Route 180
Self-Publishing 182
7 Questions to Ask Yourself as You Decide 183
Rejection 185
Abandoning 189
Agents 193
Tips to Find an Agent 194
Querying 195
Query Letter and Submission: Final Tips 197
Chapter 12 Exercises 198
Practical Task
Writing: 10 Minutes
Writing: 30 Minutes
Taking It Further
 
13. Your Writing Life 201
Social Media and Your Platform 203
Library and School Visits 204
Parenting and Responsibilities 205
Tips for Juggling Responsibilities and Writing 206
Confidence and Writer’s Block 208
Tips for When Your Confidence Flags and You’re Feeling Blocked 210
Final Words 211
Chapter 13 Exercises 211
Practical Task
Writing: 10 Minutes
Writing: 30 Minutes
Taking It Further
 
Places to Go: Further Reading 213
Picture Books to Get You Excited 213
Chapter Books 215
Younger Chapter Books 215
Older Chapter Books 216
Graphic Chapter Books 218
Middle Grade 218
Younger Middle Grade 218
Classic Middle Grade 219
Series for Younger Middle Grade 221
Older Middle Grade 221
Series for Older Middle Grade 223
Graphic Novels for Middle Grade Readers 223
Young Adult 224
Young Adult for Ages 12 and Up 224
Series for Ages 12 and Up 225
Older Young Adult 226
Series for Ages 14 and Up 228
Graphic Novels for Young Adult Readers 228
Books about Writing that I Love 229
Places to Go Online 229