by Alexis Whaley

Created on: May 27, 2008

Read. Read like crazy. Read hundreds of books. (This sounds daunting, but children's books are a pretty quick read. And if you love them, this will be fun!) Go to your library and check out the maximum number of books you are allowed. Pick books from every section and every age range.

Go home and have a reading party. Think of it as exploring new worlds. Read for fun and just enjoy it!

Think about what you loved as a child. Chances are that you will have a particular affinity for these books even now, and may be an area that you would love to write in. If you find that a particular age level or type of book really appeals to you, read widely in that area.

Read types of books that you wouldn't normally read. If you love fiction, read some non-fiction. If you love fantasy, read some realistic fiction. Read all the books that have won awards. Expose yourself to everything that is out on the market today. Go back to the library and get more books. Rinse lather repeat!

Get to know the children's librarian at your library. Ask for book recommendations. Librarians love talking about books and they have a lot of knowledge that they are happy to share.

Read reviews of children's books. The Horn Book (http://www.hbook.com/) is a wonderful publication. It has reviews, and also very interesting feature articles that include interviews and biographies of authors, analysis of trends in publishing, and discussions of what's hot. It is enjoyable and a writer can learn a lot about what is being talked about in publishing right now.

The School Library Journal (http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/) is also highly regarded for its reviews. It focuses on the educational market.

Many libraries have print copies of these journals. Libraries that offer access to online databases may give you another way to read them. Both of these publications are in the Academic OneFile and Academic Search Premier databases.

Start writing. Write ten first drafts. Write down all and any ideas, or snippets of ideas, you have. These may not be a full book idea yet, but may become one. The process of writing actually helps your mind to develop your ideas further. At this point, don't worry about quality, word count, age level, or whether or not your manuscripts will appeal to an audience. Just write. Turn your imagination loose. This is supposed to be fun!

Many writers experience anxiety about their writing. For now, convince yourself that your writing is for your eyes only. Relax. Quiet down that inner critic.

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>