 Drama: September 02, 2009 Issue [#3218] |
  Drama
This week: Think About Writing Fillers--Seriously! Edited by: esprit  
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Think About Writing Fillers--No, Seriously!
Even writers who don't like kids might be interested in this one. You don't have to write kids-lit to cash in on these ideas--you only need to be imaginative.
The children's genre is one of the most versatile of all genres, and gives the creative writer many more opportunities to publish than just writing a piece of fiction. If you're ready to submit your work, think seriously about magazines. There are mags for every subject imaginable and the ones in my copy of the Children's Magazine Market accept a percentage of their work from non-published freelance writers. If you don't have expertise on a subject, research thoroughly and appear as if you do.
Don't think you must stick to children's magazines. Are you familiar with Hot Rod? Many of their readers are in the YA bracket. Ever know a teen who wasn't interested in cars? Not me. Maybe you have tips on easy detailing of cars? Do you have knowledge of low-cost modifications that work? Topics include hot rod cars, repairs, racing, and collecting. They're looking for writers with a strong knowledge of hot rodding who can write with an active voice. How does $250.00 to $300.00 a page sound?
Most everyone has a hobby that could be simplified for children. Sewing simple projects are seen often. It was suggested to me long ago to detail simple quilting techniques for children, but I didn't take it on. Remember what you enjoyed as a child and work a project around it. Write step-by-step instructions simply and clearly, and include photos or drawings of the steps. Most will want a model included (if applicable).
Are you or your child left-handed? Love horses? Pets? Home school? Also, check out any regional historical mags your state, county, or hometown publish.
Visit the children's section in your library and spend time looking through magazines. Read the articles and how-to's to get familiar with the style and voice each uses. They will expect the author to know what they want.
While you're there, find the Children's Magazine Market Sourcebook published by The Institure of Children's Literature. If you haven't seen it in a while, you'll be surprised at the number of magazines that accept children's genre articles. It's a pretty handy thing to subscribe to.
A few more ideas:
Preschool and Kindergarten craft projects that use materials found around the house, like egg cartons, cardboard, paper, boxes, string, crayons, paint, glue, etc. Include instructions to show how to combine paint to make all the colors of the rainbow.
Can you draw? What about a picture book formatted as a colorbook that the kids can color to suit themselves? It keeps the kids and their crayons away from Mom's books for a while.
Magazines always need good column fillers. The shorter the better to leave room for more ads. Realistically, it's the money from the ads that pay the authors.
I was sitting in my Doctor's waiting room one day and picked up a colorful locally published brochure. It was filled with ads, jokes and tidbits of both serious and humorous information. The headliner was a short non-fiction parent-child related article. I opened it to the middle spread and realized I'd read the piece somewhere. Looking at the ending, I found it was written by Holly Jahangiri . Imagine my delight to find something published by one of our own WDC'ers right here in my little hometown. Priceless!
By the way, Jessie, the brochure doesn't come any more. What did you say?
Rebus Rhymes are popular and fun.
Rebus Picture Puzzles.
Word Puzzle Games.
Dot to Dot's.
Themed Poetry.
Are you a writer of Tongue Twisters?
Crisp crusts crackle and crunch.
A flea and a fly flew up in a flue.
Said the flea, "Let us fly!"
Said the fly, "Let us flee!"
So they flew through a flap in the flue.
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/rhymes/Twisters.shtml
Kids and parents love interactives that keep kids busy and happy.
The best tip I can give today is to visit your library and read the magazines that publish stories, both fiction and non-fiction. But don't stop with stories, check out what else is being published. You can find most submitting guidelines on the net, but you must hold several issues of any magazine in your hand to study them. It's important to write in the style and voice that they publish if you want them to accept your work. There aren't any shortcuts.
Consider magazines when you're ready to send your stuff in; you just might find your
niche and a few clips to boost your self-esteem and the agent's interest when you're ready to query that book.
Keep writing and good luck in reaching your goal!
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Comments on "Invalid Entry"
Submitted By: Lorien
Submitted Comment: Great newsletter! I couldn't agree more with the assertion that characters in children's stories should be a bit older than the intended audience. It's a tactic that's often forgotten, but it's what makes a story popular - not just in print, but in TV and movies as well. I look forward to the children's lit edition!
Best, Lorien
Thanks, Lorien! And the older the audience gets, they will look for young, vibrant characters, and that's also used as a tactic to lure fans. Isn't it fun to be human?
Submitted By: Adriana Noir
Submitted Comment: I loved this edition, Esprit! I have shiny paperclip affliction, where everything around me is a potential distraction. Focusing on the task at hand is not one of my strong points. I'm going to try these tips and see if I can't stay on track with my writing goals!
I sure wish you luck, Adriana, because I'm still wandering.
Submitted By: aszreal
Submitted Comment: I don't read all of the drama newsletters - I skim and then move on. But this one really caught my attention because it speaks to the exact problem I'm having right now. I have all of these ideas and can't focus them into cohesive tales. Your thoughts and suggestions have given me something to think about and I'm going to be giving the blurb idea a try.
You don't read our Drama newsletters?  I'm sure glad you did this time. You really should check all the letters out regularly, you never know what you'll find. Thanks for tuning in this time, Ariana. Did you know it was unhealthy and/or illegal to skim? But it's done by some of the best. 
I read part of it all the way through. - Samuel Goldwyn (1882-1974), U.S. film producer.
Submitted By: Sherri faithjourney
Submitted Comment: Thanks for featuring my stories "Web of Lies" and "Hanging Out With Zack" in the August 5th newsletter! I'm so honored and I'm looking forward to reading more!
You're very welcome, Sherri, it was my pleasure. You can submit another, you know. We love submissions.
Submitted sarahreed
Submitted Comment: Thank you for featuring one of my children's stories. I am looking forward to your children's newsletter as it is a type of writing that I want to pursue, but feel uncertain about in many areas. Thank you for the advice you have given and I look forward to the advice you have yet to share.
You're welcome. Don't get stressed out about writing--just write. Stress out later when we can all join in. (I'm kid-ding) Writing for kids is supposed to be fun.
Submitted By: J. A. Buxton 
Submitted Comment: Since writing stories especially aimed toward children is a genre I haven't tried yet, I've decided to give it a go here on WDC. Many reviewers mentioned they'd like to know more about Julius, his socks, and his earthly trips. I'm wondering if this is something children might like to read, too.
I like the theme, Judity, and it sounds like something kids will like. Go for it and enjoy the new path!
Submitted By: SkyHawk - Into The Music
Submitted Comment: Esprit, I usually have some sort of mental idea of where I'm going, and if it's a longer or multi-volume project I'll create an outline of some sort. But there's such a thing as being too focused, I feel. Some of my best works have come when I let myself go on a writing tangent, or I realized that a new idea / direction opened a whole new set of doors and possibilities. I agree, you need to maintain focus. But don't get so focused you don't see a better idea along the way.
Skyhawk
Yes, if you already know where you're going, just go ahead and write. But if writing a long or multi-volume project, we don't want to be so flexible that the whole story changes course someplace around the middle. There would be much more work to straighten it out. Be open to new ideas, but try to get them in the creative 'tangent' stage, that's what it's for. That subject was covered in the "Short Stories Newsletter (July 29, 2009)" I believe the longer the work, the more a good outline is needed to keep the story consistent. But, we all figure out what works best for us as our knowledge grows. Thanks for commenting!
We always appreciate the feedback, thank you!
Editors - in order of appearance:
Joy 
Adriana Noir
StephBee 
esprit
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