Thank you for sharing some of your writing. It's great that you have got something started, so just keep writing for now to get your ideas down.
At some stage, however, you will need to get your story into some sort of order. I am no expert in writing children's books but a few tips I can pass on to you.
You need to decide on your reading audience: Know what age range you are writing for. Then you can decide whether it is to be a picture book for younger readers, or a p/b for the older reader, or for the more fluent reader and so on. This will dictate how you present the narrative. Younger reader or even the non-reader requires the adult to read to them and is generally written in the third person adult narrator. (For young adults, it's generally multiple narrators, with first person point of view and lots of dialogue). Your story seems aimed at the young reader. Perhaps you could shave it and gear it towards an older reader's picture book? A few options to explore. Perhaps an adventure series with one or two of the same protagonists?
If it's for the older, independent reader, it's generally written from the first person child protagonist point of view with a fair bit of dialogue. Also, there is little emphasis on character development or even plot, especially with younger reader picture books. Mostly it's more show than tell and with a lot of dialogue.
So there is no formula, but there are some common characteristics that publishers require and that the public is used to.
Lastly and the biggie. Read, read, read. And then start reading again...Get hold of as many different children's books published in the last 3 yrs as possible. Go mainly for those that have won prizes, but not restricted to those.
You obviously love to write and with the boom from the Harry Potter series, as well as The Hunger Games trilogy(your Izzy and her arrows reminds me of Katniss in the HG's)it has ignited a spark of creative writing. Keep at it, but do learn the craft. It looks simple, but it's incredibly complex.
Have fun writing and consider joining a local writer's group.
Agreed. There is lots more painful. Loss of a child, loss of limb, and so on.
Nonetheless, sometimes it is all relative. For the person suffering, at the time, there seems to be nothing worse, because the issue has grown so out of perspective.
All well and good Lookin. In some cases, surgical intervention is warranted, but unless the person makes major lifestyle changes, not much changes if the procedure is reversed. Best to modify behaviour in a sustainable way for the long-term and reap the health and fitness experts. (red wine instead of beer. - it has resveratrols, anti-aging,lol)
Oh, but sweetie, darling, that's to save your energy for later...you will be chasing me around the lake.....hang on, it's me taking you on a date...Sorry Dj, correction - I will be chasing you around the lake. (me sweating!!)
Well, Dj, I just took a peek at your profile for some hints on your likes and dislikes. Unfortunately you wrote all about us poor damsels giving up hope on ever finding anyone....so I guess I'm having to wing it a bit here...
Here goes....ummm..dunno.
Oh, well, whatever we do, it will be slow and leisurely, preferably at least partly out in the fresh air...Somewhere in the mix, yummy food, lots of talking and laughing...and maybe go feed some ducks at the Botanic Gardens....Thanks for the lovely time. First date in ages.
When the word 'brutal' is uses with speech context, it generally means no holds barred, no thoughts withheld - that's all. But that doesn't mean that what is said has to be abusive. No need for that either.
Hi bubbles, I know, it's a widespread issue. When it involves Gina, it hits the media. A good thing as it will continue to highlight the issue which I raised above. If we looked at the u/e figures, it amounts to tens of 1000's, so it's not as if we have zero unemployment in this country. What it might be showing is that a lot of these u/e Aussies have little pride and could care less about contributing to society, self-satisfaction etc. You will never see a Vietnamese or Indian sitting around taking welfare when they can work, and multiple shifts when they can.
I'm not having a dig at Gina, but that perhaps she could be in a position to force the Fed. govt to pressure Aussies to get off their butt, and make a conscience issue out of it. Someone in her position could have a lot of positive political clout. But she does opts out. Perhaps it might change come 1st July when new legislation kicks in. One can always hope.
OK, then what if the Unions do find enough Aussie workers.
And by the way, when does this new thing kick in, whereby unemployed family folk happy to collect massive fortnightly dole cheques instead of going to work, will actually have their payments cut if they don't get off their butts?? I think that should free up a good portion of the workforce.
Only once can I say that I have been brutally honest - it was extremely cathartic for me, something no therapy could buy. It was also high time that person heard what I had to say. He took it all.
Other than that, honest yes, brutal no. No need. Also, no need to sweat the small stuff. Honesty for the point of nit picking is destructive.
It can and does happen at times and it looks like you have found your hole in one....It's imperative that we don't harbour fears from the past, be cautious, but so much that we put up inpenetrable barriers.
Having said this, I have been on my own for so long now, that I think I would be in shock if anyone showed any interest.
This has been happening for years, albeit only the most recalcitrant of young 'uns do get locked up for a time. Certainly 15-18 yr. olds do. I worked with them years ago...sone of the best years of my life.
So it's you, who's been feeding Gina all the pizza. Can you at least make sure it's low fat cheese and ease off on the crust just enough 'til was gets to her?
RE: The Spirit Stone (An Adventure Story)
Hi acdcrock,Thank you for sharing some of your writing. It's great that you have got something started, so just keep writing for now to get your ideas down.
At some stage, however, you will need to get your story into some sort of order. I am no expert in writing children's books but a few tips I can pass on to you.
You need to decide on your reading audience: Know what age range you are writing for. Then you can decide whether it is to be a picture book for younger readers, or a p/b for the older reader, or for the more fluent reader and so on. This will dictate how you present the narrative. Younger reader or even the non-reader requires the adult to read to them and is generally written in the third person adult narrator. (For young adults, it's generally multiple narrators, with first person point of view and lots of dialogue). Your story seems aimed at the young reader. Perhaps you could shave it and gear it towards an older reader's picture book? A few options to explore. Perhaps an adventure series with one or two of the same protagonists?
If it's for the older, independent reader, it's generally written from the first person child protagonist point of view with a fair bit of dialogue. Also, there is little emphasis on character development or even plot, especially with younger reader picture books. Mostly it's more show than tell and with a lot of dialogue.
So there is no formula, but there are some common characteristics that publishers require and that the public is used to.
Lastly and the biggie. Read, read, read. And then start reading again...Get hold of as many different children's books published in the last 3 yrs as possible. Go mainly for those that have won prizes, but not restricted to those.
You obviously love to write and with the boom from the Harry Potter series, as well as The Hunger Games trilogy(your Izzy and her arrows reminds me of Katniss in the HG's)it has ignited a spark of creative writing. Keep at it, but do learn the craft. It looks simple, but it's incredibly complex.
Have fun writing and consider joining a local writer's group.