KidLit Craft

It's not too late to join the party! This Saturday, KidLit Craft is hosting a plotting party with acclaimed young adult author Ann Dávila Cardinal ("You've Awoken Her"). Bring an existing plot or create a new one in this fun and interactive workshop. Register: https://www.kidlitcraft.com/workshops

Are you stuck on the plot for your novel? Join KidLit Craft & acclaimed YA author Ann Dávila Cardinal ("You've Awoken Her") on Sat. Nov.  15, for a plotting party! Ann will share an easy plotting method, then you'll work on a plot of your own. Register: https://www.kidlitcraft.com/workshops

Sometimes it pays to slow down, as Khadijah VanBrakle ("My Perfect Family") advises in our author Interview. Khadijah advocates for taking all the time you need to learn the craft of storytelling and sings the virtues of not rushing through the drafting process. Read: https://bit.ly/4ohexGq #kidlit

In our interview, J.E. Thomas ("The AI Incident") promotes the power of finding community and helping other authors in what can sometimes feel like a competitive field. J.E. also discusses being an ideas person, revision, and other crafty topics. Read here: https://bit.ly/4qD6xBi #kidlit #amwriting

You're invited! On Sat., Nov. 15 acclaimed YA author Ann Dávila Cardinal ("You've Awoken Her") kicks off our interactive "Plot Party! Story + Friends = Painless Plotting" workshop. Develop a new plot or build on the one in your current WIP.  Register:  https://www.kidlitcraft.com/workshops

Don't miss it! Join us on Saturday for our workshop with acclaimed KidLit author Michael Leali ("The Truth About Triangles") about crafting scenes that are both plot and character forward. Bring your work in progress and get the jump-start you need. Register: https://www.kidlitcraft.com/workshops

Struggling to craft scenes that are both plot & character forward? Join our Sat., Nov. 1, workshop with award-winning author Michael Leali. ("The Truth About Triangles").You'll learn how to craft scenes that further the plot & your character's journey. Sign up: https://www.kidlitcraft.com/workshops

So much is out of an author's control, from querying to publication dates. What's a writer to do? In our interview, Miriam Chernick ("The Zuzu Secret") advises writers to enjoy the process. Miriam also discusses writing multiple points of & dual motivations. Read here: https://bit.ly/3L22ga4 #kidlit

When you're trying to chase the latest publishing trends, it can be easy to lose sight of how writing should be fun. In our interview, Ron Wolff ("Colony") guides authors to lead with what brings you joy. Ron also explores crafty elements like emotion & pacing. Read: https://bit.ly/46TGpuh #kidlit

Scenes *can* be both emotional and active! Find out how in our Sat. Nov. 1 workshop with celebrated KidLit author Michael Leali ("The Truth About Triangles"). Michael will teach how to craft scenes that further the plot & also inspire character growth. Sign up: https://www.kidlitcraft.com/workshops

It's not too late to register! Join KidLit author Misa Sugiura on Saturday for a workshop on all things revision. We'll address all your revision fears, from macro-level topics like character development to micro-level elements like crafting themes. Sign up: https://www.kidlitcraft.com/workshops

Struggling with writer's block? Feeling uninspired to keep writing? In our interview, #kidlit author Donna Galanti ("Loon Cove Summer") offers some words of advice: seek out the wonder you had for the world as a child. Read more here: https://bit.ly/4nGDH0O #kidlitwriters #amwriting

If revising seems intimidating, join us on Sat. Oct. 18 for a revision workshop with renowned KidLit author Misa Sugiura ("Momo Arashima Duels the Queen of Death"). We'll help you tackle your fears and kick-start your revision. Register here: https://www.kidlitcraft.com/workshops

Embrace the joy of play! In our interview, Sandra V. Feder ("Shy Me") shares the advantages of being playful with your writing, from experimenting with different forms to exploring different genres. Sandra also discusses the benefits of being open to feedback. Read it: https://bit.ly/4n0etcR #kidlit

Don't fear your novel revision! Instead, join us for a workshop on Sat., October 18, with acclaimed KidLit author Misa Sugiura ("Momo Arashima Duels the Queen of Death") about revising. You'll get all the tools you need to revise without the scaries. Register: https://www.kidlitcraft.com/workshops

Announcing: KidLit Craft Fall Workshops!

Developing Plot by Exploring Character
Michael Leali
OCT 4

Novel Revision
Misa Suguira
OCT 18

And . . . Scene! Writing Active, Emotionally Resonant Scenes
Michael Leali
NOV 1

Plot Party!
Ann Dávila Cardinal
NOV 15

Sign up at kidlitcraft.com/workshops

We’re on break!

#KidLit Craft is taking a few weeks off to rest, relax, and, of course, read and write #KidLit! 

Get excited… when we come back, we’ll be announcing a host of great offerings this fall, from classes to workshops.

Until then, wishing you words—and a spectacular end to the summer!

Maybe you love sour gummy worms. Or maybe you devour salty pretzels by the handful. Every writer has a go-to snack to enjoy during writing (or procrastinating). Tell us in a comment: what’s your favorite writing munchie?

#kidlit #kidlitwriters #amwriting #writingcommunity #writesky

Being a KidLit writer is a unique experience shared by the KidLit community. We understand the challenges—and joys—of writing books for children. 

So how can you tell us you’re a #KidLit writer without saying you’re “a KidLit author”? What inside jokes or niche references we'd recognize? #writesky

Thieves' Gambit, Ep. 10: Chapter and Scene Pacing — KidLit Craft Pacing scenes and chapters in an action/thriller might seem to be all about how to move through the story as fast as possible, but in this episode Anne-Marie and Erin focus on controlling the pace, why you want slower moments, and how to move fast without sacrificing clarity or emotional resonance.

What happens if the timer goes off before your character can achieve their goal? 

Listen to the podcast here:
 
https://www.kidlitcraft.com/podcast-archive/thieves-gambit-ep10-chapter-and-scene-pacing

#amwriting #writesky #kidlit #kidlitwriters #writingcommunity #writers

Will the security guard come back to find her mid-heist? What if something unexpected happens—will she be able to adapt?

Now you try. Think about ways you can include a ticking clock element in your story. What kind of deadline would it be? For how long?

That’s because the security guards have a 20-minute rotation. But the character knows she’d be cutting it close by that timeline, so she gives herself 15 minutes to get the job done just in case she runs into trouble.

And so the clock starts. Will she get the object without being seen?

As we discuss in Episode 10 of the second season of KidLit Craft’s podcast, Kayvion Lewis effectively includes a ticking clock in her novel “Thieves’ Gambit,” our mentor text. 

In this YA thriller, a character hoping to steal an object from a museum knows she only has 20 minutes to do it.

The momentum pulls your character—and reader—through the story and will keep your audience flipping pages to find out if all will be resolved before the deadline expires.

Be sure to define a consequence of what happens if the character doesn’t pull it off before the clock runs out. By doing so, you also raises the stakes for the story. 

With the pressure to beat the clock, your protagonist will be forced to act quickly before time runs out.

With this technique, include an element of time, like a deadline, that adds urgency to the story and pushes your character into action. 

A ticking clock could last just a few minutes. 

Or it could be a longer range of time, like thirty days.

And now for a crafty tip!

How do you craft well-paced scenes that move the plot forward? 

One way is to introduce a “ticking clock” element.

It’s Friday! What kind of writing day are you having?

Whether you’re typing, deleting, or thinking today, we here at #KidLit Craft see you and your writing. We hope you have a great weekend ahead no matter what kind of writing (or not writing!) you’re doing. 

#writesky #amwriting #writingcommunity

How can you introduce some fun in between heavier moments? In a lighter story, how could you incorporate stretches that explore not-always-sunshiny truths your young readers might be learning?

#amwriting #writesky #kidlit #kidlitwriters #writingcommunity #writers #booksforchildren

Walliams respects his young reader enough to acknowledge that life isn’t always sunny and perfect. But nor is life strictly negative.

One lesson of childhood is learning that the balance between light and dark, humor and pathos, comedy and tragedy is part of life.