writing for children blog

ICL’s weekly blog article features freelance writer Jan Fields.

With over 100 published books and magazine articles, Jan delivers first-hand knowledge on how to sharpen, submit, and market your writing. Jan’s articles explore inevitable writing struggles and offers tireless strategies and techniques to support you in reaching your writing goals.

You Only Need One

The whole publishing process is a journey up a mountain after the path has been washed out. Remember, it only takes one editor to connect with your work.

November 12, 2020

From Writing to Selling

Once you decide that publication is part of your writing journey, you have one of two choices: self-publishing or trade publishing. Which one is right for you?

November 5, 2020

Where Do You Get Your Ideas?

Ideas can come from many different directions, so we’re going to look as some of the ways ideas spring up so that you can try them for your own writing.

October 29, 2020

Mystery Sidekicks

Share on facebook Facebook Share on twitter Twitter We teach our students how to write and get published! View our Course Catalog > The sidekick,

October 22, 2020

Mystery Detectives

Share on facebook Facebook Share on twitter Twitter We teach our students how to write and get published! View our Course Catalog > Any fan

October 15, 2020

Follow That Clue!

Share on facebook Facebook Share on twitter Twitter We teach our students how to write and get published! View our Course Catalog > The Clue-Theory-Test

October 8, 2020

Mystery For Young Children

Young readers love the interactive nature of solving a puzzle at the heart of a mystery. Study these mentor texts for tips on writing mysteries for kids.

October 1, 2020

Love Scenes: Spicy or Sweet?

Share on facebook Facebook Share on twitter Twitter We teach our students how to write and get published! View our Course Catalog > One of

September 24, 2020

Conflict Is So Romantic

Facebook Twitter We teach our students how to write and get published! View our Course Catalog > Like any strong story, romance needs conflict. Without

September 17, 2020

Characters Make the Romance

Facebook Twitter We teach our students how to write and get published! View our Course Catalog > With romance such an important element of YA

September 10, 2020

For Love of Romance

Facebook Twitter We teach our students how to write and get published! View our Course Catalog > The Romance novel is an example of the

September 3, 2020

8272020-ICL-Walking-Through-a-Developing-Story-Structure

Walking Through a Developing Story Structure | IFW

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August 27, 2020

Structure in Narrative Nonfiction Articles

Blending fiction structure with nonfiction facts makes narrative nonfiction a favorite of kids and educators. Discover how to successfully write this genre.

August 20, 2020

Traditional Plot Structure for Very Short Stories

Short stories for young children are often under 500 words. That’s why writing picture books and stories for kids looks easy but is actually quite a challenge.

August 13, 2020

Beginning, Middle, and End

One simple structure is to think of your book as having a beginning, middle, and end. Each serves the reader in different ways. Grab these tips for success!

August 6, 2020