There is A LOT of preparation for a new baby. But no matter how much you think you’re ready, it all feels so rushed leading up to the glorious event. So it is with this book baby (my first and hopefully, not my last!) I feel like I’ve been preparing for ten years. And yet…
Category: on writing
Here WE go! Labor Before Birth
Last week, July 7, 2023, I got the email from my editor that my “cover is up!” This new author was like, “Yay, I can finally tell my friends.” Yesterday night, I realized “Nope, it’s MORE than that!” I tried to Google my title and my name and to my surprise… it is UP, I…
Blog Hopping with Gifted Writers
Though I am new to the term “blog hop,” the way I understand it is this: It gives people a chance to dig into the mind of a writer… an interesting place to go spelunking whether or not you’re a writer yourself AND to find some cool blogs you may not have discovered otherwise. I…
1st Draft Done!
On November 30, 2012, I birthed a bouncing baby novel (50,221 word, 186 pages, middle grade/YA, thank you nanowrimo!) Though a joyous moment, I was tempted to tell the doctor to tie my tubes — I am not doing this 30-day thing again, (but then again, that’s how I felt last November 30. No really, 2.5…
A Month of Crazy Writing
November is National Novel Writing Month (nanowrimo.com). That means if you go to the website I indicated in parens, you can join thousands (maybe even millions? who knows, I’m bad in math) of crazy writers all over the world and write a 50,000+ word novel in a month. That breaks down to 25 days of…
The Neurosis of This Writer
Recently, I was stressed (again). So I listed all I’m doing (on a daily, weekly and monthly basis). Then I listed all that I wish I were doing and all that I wish I weren’t doing. Then I listed my priorities. If I had a few more days to kill, I’d add to my already…
Writing Journal: Rejected Rhino
Recently, my first short story submission was rejected from a children’s magazine. I won’t say which one, but it’s very well-known and rhymes with “this bites.” Honestly, I’m not bitter. I knew going in that I would have to send in 100+ submissions before getting my first acceptance; so I have at least 99 more…
Writing Journal: Got Critique Group?
Recently I met with three talented children’s book writers. We read each other’s works aloud, made comments and suggestions, while encouraging what worked — all over three intense days. I was the newbie trying to find my strongest voice between YA, MG, and picture books. Having the input and support of peers was invaluable (more…
Conferences and BIC
I’m a writer. To be exact, I’m a journalist. But for the past 9 months, and even more so this last weekend for 4 days, I’ve been learning that fiction writing for children is a whole ‘nother world! Since Friday, I’ve had the pleasure of attending SCBWI’s (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) International…
Ann Suk Wang, Kidlit Author 