Oz Kids Writer

Kidlit.com Competition

2010-01-19T02:03:00Z

Well, I have left this blog unattended for far too long. Time to get back to work.
Kidlit.com are holding a competition with critiques as prizes.
Email the first 500 words of your completed Middle grade or YA novel.
There is no fee but there are conditions of entry. Follow the link below for more info.

http://Kidlit%20Contest

Margaret Hamilton Course

2008-11-28T03:36:00Z

The South Coast Branch of the Children's Book Council of Australia is looking for expressions of interest for a course that they plan to hold in 2009.

The course will be run by Margaret Hamilton and Dee Huxley and be held at Wollongong library at a date yet to be determined.

It will focus on Creating Picture Books and be a 6 hour course, held over one day from 10am-4pm. The cost is $120 and there are only 16 places available, 7 of which are already taken.

Contact Di Bates at dibates@pacific.net.au if you are interested.

An Interesting Day

2008-10-27T11:24:00Z

I had one of those rare days this week where I felt like maybe I am on my way to truly
becoming a writer. I had sent off an interview the night before and couldn't stop checking
my emails throughout the morning to see if it had been accepted. When the yes finally
came through I was elated.

Not long after, I received another email. This time a rejection for a picture book manuscript.
Not the follow up I would have hoped for. The silver lining was that it came with feedback
from the editor, something I had only dreamed about when I first began receiving those
Dear Sir or Madam rejection slips. Maybe I really was getting closer to the big YES.

That afternoon, I retrieved my mail and inside a letter with an American stamp
was a US$100 note, payment for some articles that I sold about four months ago. What
a rush! My biggest payment yet and with the dollar currently so low, a nice little bonus too.

It was all a bit surreal. Every day you wait impatiently for word on all the babies you have
sent out, usually receiving nothing but frustration and here were three answers in one day.

If only every day could be like that.

Now I just have to go and rewrite that picture book manuscript.

A Milestone!

2008-10-13T10:02:00Z

I had an exciting moment this week.

You know what it feels like when you get an unidentifiable letter in the mail?
That little buzz that begins in your chest and spreads through your body
as you begin to imagine that maybe this is the one you've been waiting for,
this is the longed for acceptance. This is the feeling I got this week when
a plain white envelope appeared in my letterbox with a familiar name on the
back.

I knew it wasn't an acceptance, but there was still this feeling of anticipation.
I knew what it contained. My first ever writing-related check. My first official payment.
Just a small amount, for a short, non-fiction piece, but still ... payment!

I'm still flying. A few days later I found out that 6 pieces submitted for a teacher
resource book had all been rejected but nothing this week could bring me down.

I don't know how I'll get myself to cash it. I think I'll stare lovingly at it for a few
weeks first.

What Makes A Classic?

2008-10-12T11:03:00Z

I visited the Norman Lindsay Gallery in the Blue Mountains today.
There was a festival being held to celebrate the 90th Anniversary of
The Magic Pudding. Little children were running everywhere across the
lawns, chasing the Magic Pudding and trying to protect it from those sneaky
pudding thieves.

And I wondered ... what was it about this story that it still kept children
enthralled 90 years after it had been written? What was the recipe behind
the success of The Magic Pudding?

Was it that the artist had been true to himself? Lindsay wrote the book
because he believed that children cared more about food than fairies.

Was it the cheekiness of the characters? The children today were drawn
just as much to the pudding thieves as they were to the pudding.

Or was it the pure joyfulness of the story itself? Lindsay's artwork
illustrates his free spirit and his story embraces that free spirit.

Walking through the gardens of Lindsay's estate I could see how he would
have been inspired by the bush surrounding him and it made me dream of
what it would be like to live such an unfettered and creative existence.

One day ...

Aussie Girls Anthology

2008-10-05T13:06:00Z

I'm creating an anthology of diary entries of Australian girls
from the seventies to today.

If you have a diary and would like to contribute please email
your favourite page to aussiediaries@gmail.com.

I am only looking for one page per person and only real
diary entries. No fiction please.

Spread the word.

Wake up call

2008-10-03T12:38:00Z

So I got a bit of a wake up call today.

A generous editor who shall remain nameless gave me some advice and
made me realise that if I really wanted to become a professional writer
I needed to start acting as if I already was one.

I've been so aware of my lack of experience that I didn't have the
confidence to just take on a job and do it. I was always checking to see
if I was doing it right. I should have just stamped 'amateur' across my
forehead and been done with it.

The tax man told me that until I earn over $3000 my writing is
classified as a 'hobby', and I guess that's how I've been treating it. I've
been embarrassed to call myself a writer, cringing every time someone
asked me if I'd sold a book yet.

Well no more. This will be my day job eventually and from this moment
on I'm going to toss aside my fear and behave as though it already is.

Here's the advice I got today:

Don't send in revisions. Get it right the first time.
Don't do anything that will give your editor more work.
You are a professional - stand on your own feet.

I hope it helps you as much as it helped me.

Voice

2008-10-01T12:29:00Z

I came across a great blog by writerjenn. She has some insightful comments
to make on the subject of Voice. Here's the link if you want to check it out:

http://writerjenn.livejournal.com/53715.html

In other news, I completed and sent off my first interview today. That was
an interesting experience. I was so worried about being rude that I didn't
take a single note and drove home in a panic that maybe the dictaphone
hadn't worked and I would have to write the whole thing by memory. What
a relief when I got home and the interview was all there.

Strange thing though, my interviewee's voice sounded just as I remembered
it but that high-pitched, nervous interviewer didn't sound anything like me.
Did it?

Also in the news this week is another lovely rejection letter. This one coming all
the way from America. Now I'm one more rejection closer to that acceptance.
Yay me!!

Sentence, Theme and Premise

2008-09-29T11:15:00Z

We had writing teacher, Kathryn Andersen as a guest speaker at the August meeting of my local Fellowship of Australian Writers (FAW) group. She was an excellent presenter and gave the clearest explanation of premise that I have yet heard. This is what I learnt.

Three things you need to know about the book you are going to write.

Sentence - One sentence that is a global statement about your book. This is what you would answer if someone asked you what your book was about. E.g A high school romance.
Theme - What is your book really about? E.g Love and loss.
Premise - What you, the writer believe about the theme. This must be expressed as an opinion. E.g Love always ends in tragedy.

I'm a Writer!

2008-09-25T11:07:00Z

Last month I decided to try and become a contributing writer for
Suite101.com. I almost jumped through the floor when I was accepted.

Now I have a permanent presence on the Net and if I Google myself,
actual writing credits come up.

Here's my Profile with a list of articles published if you want to check it out;

http://www.suite101.com/profile.cfm/slaylass

I'm finding out that it doesn't pay to be nervous or hesitant. If you
really want to become a writer you have to try every market you can find
and not be too precious about the type of work that you're willing to do.

Publishing an article isn't the same as having my name on a book cover and
I'm still a long way off being able to call myself an author. But at least now
I feel I can truthfully say that I'm a writer.

Not that I'm going to give up on that book cover. I sent my picture book
manuscript off to three more publishers today.

Fingers crossed!!

Writing Tips From Margaret Wild

2008-09-23T03:01:00Z

Last month I got to fulfill one of my writing dreams.

Margaret Wild is like the Meryl Streep of picture book writing and
to get the opportunity to meet her and learn from her was just
amazing to me.

If you truly want to be a picture book writer here's a few of her
books that you simply must read.

Old Pig - I defy anyone not to cry while reading this book.
The Very Best of Friends - Ditto
Remember Me - A beautiful book about alzheimers.
Fox - A disturbing but important book.
Woolvs in the sittee - For older readers. Ahead of its time.
Let the Celebrations Begin - A holocaust story that shows humanity at its best.

Most of the above will make you cry. For joyous titles, try these.

Miss Lily's Fabulous Pink Feather Boa
Chatterbox
Little Humpty
Pocket Dogs
Kiss Kiss

If you don't see the artistry and worth of picture books I challenge you to
pick up any Margaret Wild book and see if you don't change your mind.

Tips from the Expert

Enrol in a creative poetry course.
Carry a notebook everywhere.
Be observant. Look and listen to get ideas.
Take the time to think about your story before you write it.
Write and rewrite and rewrite.
Let publishers know if it's a multiple submission. If you are honest they won't mind.
A picture book only has room for one strong idea.
The first few sentences have to answer Who? Why? Where? When? How?
Provide scope for the illustrator with action and movement.
Use humour
Create an ending that is probable, convincing and satisfying
Don't be critical when writing your first draft but be very critical when you finish it.
Cut and cut and cut and cut.

Reasons for Rejection
Margaret also worked as a publisher for many years. She said books are often
rejected for one of the following reasons.

The story is too slight
It's too wordy
Too familiar
They already have a book about that
The ending is unsatisfactory
It doesn't engage the reader
It doesn't make you laugh
There is no reason for its being

So that's just a few of the things I learned from Margaret Wild. If you ever get the chance
to go to one of her courses. Take it. You won't be disappointed.

Writing Articles

2008-06-10T10:08:00Z

So, I sold my first article to an educational website a few weeks ago.

Besides being out of my mind exciting this was a real learning experience

for me as I'd never attempted to write non-fiction before.

The editor was very generous and gave me the following tips:

*A bibliography should be alphabetized and set out in the following style;

Surname, First Name. Title. Location: Publisher, Date

*Wikipedia should not be referred to as a source as it considered by many

publishers to be unreliable.

*The first paragraph must 'hook' the reader by stating a quote or

statistic, asking a question or presenting an interesting fact.

*The final paragraph should tie in with the first paragraph.

I was so grateful for her tips and I made sure I followed

her advice while writing my 2nd article, which I emailed today.

Fingers crossed she likes his one too.

I hope you find these tips as useful as I did.

OKW

Only Joking!

2008-06-04T22:59:00Z

How many kids writers does it take to change a light bulb?

Just one.

She'll have a flash of inspiration.

Feverishly write down a plan of action.

Gather together a motley crew of characters to implement her plan.

Gently coax her characters to follow her ideas then shake her head in despair as they run around doing whatever they want.

Decide to take control and change the light bulb herself.

Be unhappy with what she's done. Take the light bulb out and put it in a different way.

Still be unhappy. Try a different kind of light bulb.

Wonder who the heck is ever going to enjoy thus light bulb anyway?

Change it again and again until exhaustion sets in and she just can't bear to look at it anymore.

Ask someone else what they think of her light bulb. Is it sufficiently bright? Does it sparkle?

Lose heart when told they think it's in a bit crooked.

Throw the light bulb in a drawer swearing never to look at it again.

Pull it out 2 weeks later decide it's a work of art and send it out to be shared with the world.

Think fondly of her light bulb on its journey of discovery but wonder why she's still sitting at home in the dark.

It's not all about me!

2008-06-04T09:51:00Z

So, if you've managed to find my little corner of the web I'd like to reward you for your trouble.

I headed off to the Sydney Writer's Festival in May and my, the wonders of information that I discovered.

Here's some pearls of wisdom from Erica Wagner, publisher at Allen & Unwin.

Before sending off your manuscript, ask yourself these questions;

*What is the hook?

*What is it about?

*Is it funny? Inspiring? The best of its kind?

*Does it have emotional intensity?

*Who is the intended audience?

*Who would you give this book to as a present?

*Who will buy it?

*Is it for boys? Girls? Both?

*Does it have adult appeal?

The publisher will also take into consideration

*Who is the author?

*Will they be a great presenter?

*How promotable are they?

*Is it a talented first time author?

*Is it an established author that they have wanted to work with?

*How much effort will be involved in publishing this book?

*What publicity will it require?

*What is it likely to sell in the first year?

*Does it have ingredient X?

Hope you find something there you can use.

Bye for now,

OKW

Welcome to Oz Kids Writer

2008-06-01T12:20:00Z

Hi and welcome to my blog.

Are you an unpublished children's writer who's dreaming of the day when a publisher
finally says "YES!"

Do you spend hours writing and rewriting, editing and tweaking your precious
manuscript while wondering if this time it will be accepted, win the writing comp or
even just get better?

Maybe you jump out of bed in the middle of the night to frantically scratch down that
perfect sentence then grasp your notepad in the morning and despair when you find
you've written a bunch of gobbledegook.

Or create your best work as you fall asleep, saying "I must write that down in the morning" only to find that in the morning your head is empty and it's totally gone.

If this sounds like you then come and join me and we'll suffer through together.
We'll cheer on the victories and console each other through the rejections.

And we might even become published authors along the way.