MYC: Two Steps to Make the Saggy Middle Berry, Berry Good
Welcome to this week’s Master Your Craft post! Each Wednesday we’ll discuss prewriting and drafting a new book from the BIG IDEA to QUERYING. Last week, we covered Facing the Blank Page. This week, I’ll discuss the “saggy middle”. Note: Handy list of Master Your Craft topics so far. The “saggy middle” happens to the unsuspecting at any time. Some are struck down during plotting … Continue reading MYC: Two Steps to Make the Saggy Middle Berry, Berry Good
Interview with Darshana Khiani
I’m excited to introduce all of you to Darshana. She is the mastermind behind the blog Floweringminds.com where she features authors and promotes diversity in kidlit. My kind of gal. Hi, Darshana! I’m excited to get to know you better because we share a love of Richard Scarry and Blondie. That pretty much sums up my childhood! I’d like to focus on diversity since that’s … Continue reading Interview with Darshana Khiani
4 on 400 July Feedback
Thank you to all the brave souls who entered this month’s Four on 400 contest! Sharing your writing takes courage, and we appreciate your enthusiasm for our contest. Below, we’ve posted the first 400 words from this month’s winner, along with feedback from at least four of our members. We also encourage our readers to share their (constructive) suggestions and encouragement in the comments section below. Working … Continue reading 4 on 400 July Feedback
8 Tips for Writing Picture Books
Writing picture books is hard. It doesn’t matter if you’ve written one or one hundred, just ask Jane Yolen or Mo Willems or John Klassen. But good news is if you keep writing and reading picture books, you will get better! Don’t think your way into your story–feel your way in. Instead of seeing your characters as separate, become your character. For example, if you’re writing … Continue reading 8 Tips for Writing Picture Books
MYC: Conquering the Dreaded Blank Page (and other drafting tricks)
Welcome to this week’s Master Your Craft post! Each Wednesday we’ll discuss prewriting and drafting a new book from the BIG IDEA to QUERYING. Last week, we reviewed our treasure trove of pre-writing posts. Today we’re on to starting — and keeping going on — your first draft. You’ve finally arrived. You’ve got your coffee (or tea), your snacks, your favorite writing socks. Your writing space is … Continue reading MYC: Conquering the Dreaded Blank Page (and other drafting tricks)
Interview with Kristi Wientge, Author of KARMA KHULLAR’S MUSTACHE, and her agent Patricia Nelson
We’re psyched for the launch of Winged Pen member, Kristi Wientge’s, middle grade debut. Karma Khullar’s Mustache will hit bookstore shelves on August 15th! We invited Kristi and her agent, Patricia Nelson of the Marsal Lyon Agency, to talk about Karma and how this story became a book. Patricia, what first drew you to Karma Khullar’s Mustache? Patricia: I knew when I first started reading … Continue reading Interview with Kristi Wientge, Author of KARMA KHULLAR’S MUSTACHE, and her agent Patricia Nelson
MYC Review: Getting Ready to Draft
Today’s Master Your Craft post is a recap. Each Wednesday we’ve discussed one facet of writing a story. Last week, we finished the section on prewriting. If you started the series late or have gotten busy and missed some posts, here’s your chance to catch up! Below is a list of the posts with links to each. Introducing Master Your Craft The Big Idea Creativity to … Continue reading MYC Review: Getting Ready to Draft
The July #Fouron400 Contest Window is OPEN!
Q: What is Four on 400? A monthly contest that provides ONE LUCKY MG or YA WRITER with feedback on their opening 400 WORDS! As part of our ongoing mission to support writers, we’ll give a MG or YA writer feedback on their work from four of The Winged Pen’s contributors. Q: Sounds exciting! How do I enter? To enter, simply comment at the bottom of this post! At 4pm (EST) … Continue reading The July #Fouron400 Contest Window is OPEN!
MYC: Two Approaches to World Building for Science Fiction
Welcome to this week’s Master Your Craft post! Each Wednesday we’ll discuss prewriting and drafting a new book from the BIG IDEA to QUERYING. Last week, we continued our series with Two Approaches to Fantasy World Building. Today we continue with world building by looking at two approaches to science fiction world building. After reading Julie and Gabby’s post last week, we actually considered not writing this post. … Continue reading MYC: Two Approaches to World Building for Science Fiction
The Unicorn in the Barn: Review/Author Interview with Jacqueline Ogburn
Today we welcome to The Winged Pen the author of one of my all-time favorite picture books, THE MAGIC NESTING DOLLS. Jacqueline Ogburn is the author of ten picture books and, in just a few short days, the world will be able to read her beautiful debut middle-grade novel, THE UNICORN IN THE BARN. … the presence of the unicorn and other magical creatures adding … Continue reading The Unicorn in the Barn: Review/Author Interview with Jacqueline Ogburn
MYC – Two Approaches to Fantasy World Building
Welcome to this week’s Master Your Craft post! Each Wednesday we’ll discuss prewriting and drafting a new book from the BIG IDEA to QUERYING. Last week, we continued our series with Welcome to World Building. Today we continue to examine the humongous topic by looking at two approaches to fantasy world building. When Gabby & I started talking fantasy world building, we figured out quickly that, while … Continue reading MYC – Two Approaches to Fantasy World Building
Hiding in the Closet (and other tricks to find writing time in the summer)
Shhh. I’m in the closet with my laptop. Should I mention there’s no air conditioning in this closet. And it’s at least 90 degrees outside. I’m sweating like I’m in a sauna. And the air smells like teen boy sneakers. Why am I torturing myself? I just want uninterrupted writing time. My kids have been out of school for a whole week already. Every three … Continue reading Hiding in the Closet (and other tricks to find writing time in the summer)