You Can Learn How to Write a Book
You can learn how to write a book! Learning how to write a book begins here and your next step is a novel writing course at Institute of Children’s Literature.
Try New Writing Techniques
How often do we, as writers, try new things with our writing? Fall is the time to take advantage of new opportunities to learn new writing techniques.
Your Back-to-School Plan for Writing Success | IFW
Writers need a plan to improve and succeed. Apply the following tips and techniques to your writing back-to-school program and be ready for writing success!
The Essentials of Writing Back-to-School Stories | IFW
Every year, book and magazine publishers buy back-to-school stories. Let’s talk about how to create projects that are unique and engaging to young readers.
The Essentials of Writing Romance, Fantasy, and Historical Fiction
Knowing the defining elements of a particular genre helps your writing succeed. Let’s look at the essentials of writing romance, fantasy, and historical fiction.
7 Ways to Go Back to School for Writers
Although most writers no longer attend school full-time, we can create our own learning experiences. Here are ways to go back to school for writers.
The Essentials of Writing Mystery and Adventure Stories for Kids
Identifying your story’s genre helps readers know what to expect. Here are the defining essentials of writing mystery and adventure stories for kids.
7 Things to Know About Writing a Book Series | IFW
Different book genres allow for the potential of writing a book series. Jan Fields reveals 7 things to know as you consider writing the next great book series.
Using POV in Writing to Build Emotion
Using POV in writing gets us deep inside a character’s thoughts and feelings. Jackie Diamond Hyman reveals how to connect with your reader using point of view.
Introducing Genre Writing
If you can describe your story with genre shorthand, it will help attract the attention of an agent or a publisher. Here’s how to think about genre writing.
The Role of Pace in Writing Fiction
Turn the page already! IFW Instructor Kris Franklin shares the important role of pace in writing fiction and reveals the traps where pacing can easily get stuck.
The Trouble with Rhyme
We know without a doubt that children love poetry and picture books that rhyme. So why do publishers say they don’t want rhyme in submissions?
Poetry Play and Poetry Prompts
Looking at famous poems and really thinking about how the poem came about is one way to be mentored by other poets. Try one of these poetry prompts today!
Dialogue: Putting Words in Your Character’s Mouth | IFW
Dialogue isn’t the only tool fiction writers have, but it’s the best one to reveal character, advance the plot, and inform readers. Find out why!
So You Want to Be a Children’s Poet
You want to be a children’s poet? Great! Let’s explore how poetry and publishing connect so you can realize your dream of becoming a published children’s poet.
MaryLou Driedger
Lost on the Prairie July 15, 2022
Who Has Seen a Children’s Poem?
What makes a good children’s poem? Jan Fields explores the essential elements of writing poetry for young kids including topics, imagery, musicality, and length.
Detail: Yep, That’s Where the Devil Is
Lynne Smith shares how to use familiar, relatable, and evocative details to convince readers that the people and places in your stories are as real as they are.
Skip Zetzman
Contest: Sci-Fi First Pages | 4th Place
Rust of the Soul
July 8, 2022
Be a Better Writer: Summer Stretching
Be a better writer by looking for new ways to stretch your writing skills including new things to try, new elements to learn, and new ideas to cultivate.
