"Some critics will write 'Maya Angelou is a natural writer'--which is right after being a natural heart surgeon."

Maya Angelou

Be Encouraged

Writing is hard work.

There is much to learn about the craft. Characterization, plotting, theme, setting, motivation, dialog, action, scenes and sequels...the list goes on. The good news is that all of this can be learned. It's not as if you have been given a portion of talent by the Almighty and you can never, ever improve. Writing is a never ending journey. We get better word by word, sentence by sentence, story by story.

We lay one small word atop another with a goal of building elaborate story worlds. That takes time. And commitment. And blood and sweat and tears.

I'm Sally Apokedak, your host at Bella Online's Writing for Children Site. My goal is to encourage you. I want you to keep laying down your words, molding your chapters, and polishing up your books.

Why?

Because I love writing for children and I love people who love to write for children. And because each one of you has a voice and a distinct perspective on life that some child somewhere can connect with. Children need us. They need to be loved and nurtured and how better to do that than to give them great stories?

But I don't just plan to be the positive thinker in your life. We aren't little engines that could. We are people with a capacity to learn and grow. So my plan here is to study technique. I want to study fiction, nonfiction, picture books, and maybe even poetry somewhere down the line. We'll study craft because there is little that encourages a writer more than seeing her writing improve.

I also think sales and contest wins are pretty encouraging. So I'll be looking at markets, and at submission guidelines, and at editors' wish lists.

If this sounds like something you might benefit from, feel free to subscribe to the newsletter and I'll send you a very short reminder each week when I post a new article. And, no, we will never sell or give your name and contact information to anyone.

If you have any questions or comments, please post on the forum or email me--there are links on the bottom of this page. Do you see them? The yellow light bulb and the yellow envelope? The light bulb will take you straight to the Children's Writing Site Forum, and the envelope will take you to my bio page, at the bottom of which is a form you can use to email me.

And while you're down there, go ahead and sign up for the newsletter if you want.

Thanks!

Sally