Craft - Institute for Writers

Trade Publishing: Single Book or Series?

Writing for Children BlogBy Kelli Panique December 16, 2021 1 Comment

Trade publishing recognizes a simple truth: when selling a series to individual readers, the first book gets the most readers. Jan Fields shares tips for increasing your series odds.

Planning a Book Series: The Premise

Writing for Children BlogBy Kelli Panique December 9, 2021 4 Comments

All series books have a basic premise, something that links the books through time. Today we talk about how a good premise is interesting but also has repeatability.

Planning a Book Series: Characters Who Can Go the Distance

Writing for Children BlogBy Kelli Panique December 1, 2021 8 Comments

When planning a book series, it’s important to create characters that can sustain a story and still be likable throughout many books. Let’s talk about characters that can go the distance.

Writing Great Middle Grade Dialogue

Writing for Children BlogBy Kelli Panique November 18, 2021 1 Comment

Because dialogue is an essential element of any book, it’s worthwhile to take a specific look at writing great middle grade dialogue.

Middle Grade Characters: Beyond Likability | IFW

Writing for Children BlogBy Kelli Panique November 11, 2021 3 Comments

Let’s look at the complex middle grade characters who arenâ€™t really likable, and how they can play a part in grabbing the reader and holding on.

Writing for Middle Grade: An Essential Primer | IFW

Writing for Children BlogBy Kelli Panique November 3, 2021 1 Comment

Middle grade books are seeing an awakening in the publishing world. What you need to know when writing for middle grade.

Contests Are More Than Winning

Writing for Children BlogBy Kelli Panique September 30, 2021 2 Comments

Beyond the possibility of winning, there are so many benefits for writers entering contests. Jan Fields shares what contests can do for you.

Connecting to Learn

Writing for Children BlogBy Kelli Panique September 22, 2021 4 Comments

Discover how connecting to learn with others can make a huge difference in your writing skills.

The Best Christmas on Mars

Writing for Adults BlogBy Kelli Panique September 21, 2021 Leave a comment

What can you hope to gain by entering a writing contest? IFW Instructor and contest judge Lynn Smith shares why entering a contest can improve your work.

Keep Learning, Never Stop

Writing for Children BlogBy Kelli Panique September 14, 2021 5 Comments

Don’t be a stagnant writer. No matter where you are at in the journey, you still have places to go and things to learn.

Making the Most of Writing Classes

Writing for Children BlogBy Kelli Panique September 7, 2021 3 Comments

Writing classes have considerable value for a writer, but there are things you can do to help the writing class do the most for you. Let’s look at four ways to make the most of writing classes.

Lights! Camera! Action! Creating Dramatic Action Scenes

Writing for Adults BlogBy Kelli Panique September 7, 2021 1 Comment

IFW Instructor Kris Franklin illustrates how to build more tension in your story by showing and not telling.

With Writing, the Learning Never Stops

Writing for Children BlogBy Kelli Panique August 31, 2021 3 Comments

Whatever your writing journey entails, it always includes learning. To write is to learn. And every piece of writing you do will teach you something if you let it.