Four on 400 in bold red on a background of text

November Four on 400!

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 from four of The Winged Pen’s contributors. Q: Sounds exciting! How do I enter? To enter, simply click the link the at the bottom of this post and submit … Continue reading November Four on 400!

Dear Citizen Scientists– 7 Books to Inspire!

We hear about yet another animal whose population is in danger in the news every day. The recent reports about the significant decline in our bird population came out just as I was finishing BUGS IN DANGER, an upcoming nonfiction book by Mark Kurlansky (releases 11/12/19). Yes, bugs, an importance food source for birds, are in trouble too. We’re probably all aware that our monarchs and bees are … Continue reading Dear Citizen Scientists– 7 Books to Inspire!

Four on 400 in bold red on a background of text

October Four on 400 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) and encouragement in the comments section below. Middle Grade Fantasy: … Continue reading October Four on 400 Feedback!

Four on 400 in bold red on a background of text

October Four on 400!

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 from four of The Winged Pen’s contributors. Q: Sounds exciting! How do I enter? To enter, simply click the link the at the bottom of this post and submit … Continue reading October Four on 400!

Featured: ONA JUDGE OUTWITS THE WASHINGTONS by Gwendolyn Hooks

Welcome to Windows & Mirrors, where we feature books that provide us windows to lives outside our own and mirrors to our shared common human experiences. This week we are featuring ONA JUDGE OUTWITS THE WASHINGTONS by Gwendolyn Hooks and illustrated by Simone Agoussoye. The title is a great description of this new fascinating picture book biography. Ona was an enslaved girl who lived with her … Continue reading Featured: ONA JUDGE OUTWITS THE WASHINGTONS by Gwendolyn Hooks

Four on 400 in bold red on a background of text

September Four on 400 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) and encouragement in the comments section below. MG Steampunk Fantasy, … Continue reading September Four on 400 Feedback!

Featured: OTHER WORDS FOR HOME

Welcome to Windows & Mirrors, where we feature books that provide us windows to lives outside our own and mirrors to our shared common human experiences. Today we are featuring OTHER WORDS FOR HOME by Jasmine Warga. When life at home begins to get too dangerous for Jude and her expectant mom, they leave her papa and beloved, but rebellious brother behind in Syria and … Continue reading Featured: OTHER WORDS FOR HOME

Four on 400 in bold red on a background of text

September Four on 400!

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 from four of The Winged Pen’s contributors. Q: Sounds exciting! How do I enter? To enter, simply click the link the at the bottom of this post and submit … Continue reading September Four on 400!

Featured: SOME PLACES MORE THAN OTHERS by Renée Watson

Welcome to Windows & Mirrors, where we feature books that provide us windows to lives outside our own and mirrors to our shared common human experiences. Today we are featuring SOME PLACES MORE THAN OTHERS by Renée Watson. With a new baby sister due to arrive in a few weeks and a mom who is still trying to force her to wear dresses, almost twelve-year-old … Continue reading Featured: SOME PLACES MORE THAN OTHERS by Renée Watson

three white stone garden paths winding down into the valley of a castle garden

A Winged Pen Round-Up: 7 Best Tips for Writing Sprints

A sprint is a timed exercise for writers, usually used to get lots of words onto the page. Today, six of our Winged Pen members give their 7 best sprinting tips. Let it fly! Laurel Decher: Chris Fox’s 5,000 Words Per Hour reminded me that it isn’t always about getting more words or the right voice. I made myself a doodle: 1. I want to … Continue reading A Winged Pen Round-Up: 7 Best Tips for Writing Sprints