Going Dark: How Do You Tune Out Online “Noise”?
After being almost completely disconnected for ten days this summer, I found it a bit jarring once I returned to my normal online-heavy life. I’m deep into drafting at the moment, and all that “noise” has been wreaking havoc with my ability to focus. Hearing about others’ progress, chasing the link to yet another craft article or agent’s wishlist, or just keeping up with the … Continue reading Going Dark: How Do You Tune Out Online “Noise”?
Agent Interview: Renee Nyen of KT Literary
This week’s agent interview series hosts the lovely and hilarious Renee Nyen of KT Literary. Renee joined KT Literary in early 2013 after working in the editorial department at Random House’s Colorado division. She has a sharp editorial eye and enjoys partnering with clients to help shape their projects in the best way possible. Tell us a little about your background and what drew you … Continue reading Agent Interview: Renee Nyen of KT Literary
Writing Success: A Magic Formula
Pssst…over here. Yes, you. You’re the one searching for the secret to writing success, right? Well, have I got a deal for you. I know the magic formula. And I’m willing to share. Ready? Good. Here it is. (And no, it has nothing to do with unicorn magic, although a strong dose of that surely couldn’t hurt if you have it handy.) Jessica’s Magic* Formula … Continue reading Writing Success: A Magic Formula
Five Amazing STEM Women Authors
Today I wanted to talk about something near and dear to my own heart: STEM Women who are Authors! Let’s get right to it! Andrea Beaty She attended Southern Illinois University and studied biology and computer science. Andrea has published over a dozen books. Her two most recent books have a place of high regard on my reader’s bookshelf. Why I liked ROSIE REVERE, ENGINEER: … Continue reading Five Amazing STEM Women Authors
8 on Eight: September Contest Feedback
Thank you to all the brave souls who entered this month’s 8 on Eight contest! Sharing your writing takes courage, and we appreciate your enthusiasm for our contest. If your name wasn’t drawn from the Triwizard cup this time around, keep an eye out for when our next contest window opens at 8 PM on September 30th. Below, we’ve posted the first 8 lines from … Continue reading 8 on Eight: September Contest Feedback
How I had a Productive Summer
Or as I like to say, how I made the most of interrupted time. Think back to June. Was this you? “I have an incredible writing project planned for this summer. I’ll write a first draft. Complete revisions. Write, query, get the book published, and go on a worldwide book tour. All before school starts in September.” Well, that did sound a bit like me … Continue reading How I had a Productive Summer
New Agent Interview: Hannah Fergesen of KT Literary
Today we’re kicking off a mini-series of agent interviews with the lovely Hannah Fergeson of KT Literary. Hannah recently joined KT as a literary agent after working as an assistant at Trident Media, a bookseller at Books of Wonder, and several internships for a reputable, rock-star agent. Tell us a little about your background and what drew you to publishing: I’ve been a writer my … Continue reading New Agent Interview: Hannah Fergesen of KT Literary
Throw in Your Set Pieces
If you are a writer, you will need a handful of special cards to throw upon your work area. Your set pieces are the cards you need to unearth and reveal before your story can end and you can go home, so to speak. A set piece is a screenwriting term, which means a fundamental scene or event in the story that you cannot remove. … Continue reading Throw in Your Set Pieces
8 on Eight September Contest Window is now open!
Fellow writers! The 8 on Eight contest window is OPEN! Q: I must have missed the announcement. What is 8 on Eight? A monthly contest that provides one lucky kidlit writer with feedback on their opening eight lines! As part of our ongoing mission to support writers, we’ll give a PB, CB, MG, or YA writer feedback on their work from at least 8 of The Winged Pen’s … Continue reading 8 on Eight September Contest Window is now open!
Thumbs Up: THE HUNDRED LIES OF LIZZIE LOVETT by Chelsea Sedoti
Lizzie Lovett’s disappearance is all anyone at Griffin Mills High School can talk about. Hawthorne Creely can’t believe all the attention Lizzie’s getting. She was a cheerleader and homecoming queen. Nothing bad ever happens to people like Lizzie. Plus, she graduated and moved away three years ago. Don’t people have something better to obsess over? Hawthorne imagines Lizzie somewhere safe, laughing as hundreds of people show … Continue reading Thumbs Up: THE HUNDRED LIES OF LIZZIE LOVETT by Chelsea Sedoti
Winged Pen Celebration!!!
The Winged Pen hit a couple of exciting milestones recently. Drum roll please! We now have over and over 100 blog subscribers! Yay! Thank you followers!!! Thank you subscribers!!! Thank you to everyone who has shared our posts and recommended us to their peers!!! To celebrate we thought we’d do something a little fun—a contest to say thank you to the KidLit writing community who has … Continue reading Winged Pen Celebration!!!
Award Winning KidLit: First Lines Quiz
In a previous Killer KidLit First Lines post (click here to read), I revealed my obsession with revising first lines. I’m almost equally obsessed with writing a banned book (I’m a rogue at heart), or winning the Newbery. Either way, I’m happy. The idea for this quiz came to me after the January American Library Association award announcements. I wondered, “Can you identify books … Continue reading Award Winning KidLit: First Lines Quiz