Tag Archives: writing advice

Chicken Soup Tips (The Books, Not the Food)

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IMG_6754You know that old saying about March roaring in like a lion?

So, yeah, there’s been some crazy roaring over here, but I did have a moment–with a lot of help from a pair of writing buddies–to share tips on getting your story in a Chicken Soup for the Soul book over at the Muffin. I call it, “How To Get Your Story in a Chicken Soup for the Soul Book.”

Catchy, right? But seriously, Sioux and Linda had some great advice, and why not? They’re experts in this genre of writing. You only need to follow their blogs to get a glimpse into their style and voice (but I’d pick up a couple of their Chicken Soup books if you want to really see how pros do it. Um…write, that is.)

Everybody has a Chicken Soup story in them but not everyone gets their story published. The competition is fierce! But if you keep at it–and especially, if you follow these great tips–you will succeed. And I hope you’ll let me know when you do succeed.

As for me, I’m fixin’ to roar off to our regional SCBWI Conference and a wedding and an authors’ reception and…whew. When’s that March lamb thing supposed to kick in?

February’s Fine Writing Finds

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valentines-daySo we’re coming down to the end of the February stretch and I thought I’d share the best of the month’s finds.

(I had planned to make that a regular feature last year, since I started the Monthly Writing Notes System. Somehow, that part of the system never got off the ground. Until now! Wheee!)

  1. The James Cross Giblin Scholarship Fund through the Highlights Foundation: If you have a passion for juvenile nonfiction and a strong talent for it as well, you are in luck. With this scholarship, you could find the support you need to attend one of the fine nonfiction writing programs offered at Highlights this year. I know a couple of the people giving these workshops and they’re just amazing, so please give yourself and your nonfiction a chance. Check out the James Cross Giblin Scholarship today!
  2. The Write Now, Make Books for kids of all ages: Maya Gonzalez is a children’s book author and artist who has set up a site to help kids write their own books. And no, it’s not for adults who will read all the amazing information and then guide the kids through the process. It’s for kids, to do themselves. How cool is that? I’m afraid I have no Junior Halls to test drive this program, but it looks swell, and I’d love to hear from any of you mom or teacher writers if your kids/students use this program.
  3. Hiveword, an online fiction organizer (and Writer’s Knowledge Base): If you have trouble with organizing, Hiveword is the tool for you. It won’t help you with the mess in the kitchen or the stacks of papers in a chair in your office (more’s the pity on that one!) but it will help you get those notes in order on that novel you’ve vowed to finish this year.And it’s free! So far, I’ve just played around a bit as I’m not exactly in the middle of a novel. Or at the start of a novel, for that matter. But it looks easily accessible and that’s a big plus in my book. And if you have time to fall into a delightful writing rabbit hole, then check out Writer’s Knowledge Base. (But you might want to leave a trail of crumbs to find your way out again…)

So write on, friends, and I’ll share more with you come the end of March! (She said earnestly but knowing that she might not get around to it. And yet she knew her readers would understand.)