Writing Tips from The Lucky 13s – Kidlit Authors Debuting in 2013

When planning WriteOnCon this year, we wanted to get Back to Basics. And what better way to do that than ask authors for their best tips? Well, we did just that! We have some picture book, middle grade, and young adult authors that will be debuting in 2013 here to share their tips. Take it away, Lucky 13ers!

OH WAIT. Tons of them are giving away amazing prizes! Comment on this post to enter to win! All commenters will go into one big pool, and when we draw, you’ll be assigned a prize from a 13er. 

 

J.R. Johansson – Writing Tip: Don’t ever discount the value of finishing your first book (or each book after). It may not be the one you get published, but the lessons you learned will help you someday write the one that will.

Marketing Tip: Be a sponge for genius. Pay attention to what other authors are doing and absorb the good ideas for your own future efforts.

INSOMNIA – Flux Books – YA (June 2013)

Link: www.jrjohansson.com

Prize: Query, Synopsis & First 50 Pages critique

 

Melissa Landers – Everything you write–down to the last sentence–must serve a purpose. Don’t meander; it’s boring. Always ask yourself, “Does this advance the plot?” If the answer’s no, cut it. Be merciless. Show that manuscript who’s boss!

ALIENATED – Disney/Hyperion – YA

Link: http://www.melissa-landers.com/

 

Justina Ireland - Make time to write every day, even if it’s only for half an hour or so. This helps to build a good a habit of producing words, and you’ll also be less anxious over any rewriting you need to do, because you’ll know that you’ll have that ability.

VENGEANCE BOUND – Simon & Schuster – YA (Spring 2013)

Link: www.justinaireland.com

Prize: Query & First Two Chapters Crit

 

Lamar “L.R.” Giles – Abuse your muse. If it takes electric shocks, thumb screws, waterboarding, then so be it. The muse works when YOU say, not the other way around.

WHISPERTOWN – HarperCollins – YA (Summer 2013)

Link: www.lrgiles.com

 

Lydia Kang – Use a variety of your favorite novels as your textbooks on writing. Study what the author did that you liked (plotting, characterization, prose) or didn’t like, and then remember those tips as you write your own story.

CONTROL – Dial Books/Penguin – YA (Summer 2013)

Link: http://lydiakang.blogspot.com

Prize: First Chapter Crit & TWO Onyx & Silver Necklaces

 

Megan Shepherd – Never stop pushing yourself as a writer. Continue to take classes, to explore new genres and art forms, to let your work be critiqued. An aspiring writer’s greatest challenge isn’t “breaking into publishing” but rather “writing an amazing book.”

THE MADMAN’S DAUGHTER – Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins – YA (Jan 2013)

Link: www.meganshepherd.com

 

Steven Dos Santos – Writing: Feed your creativity. My love for movies/television/reading made it easier for me to create dramatic tension, tighten my plotting, and find the proper rhythm to scenes. Studying films is a great way of developing those skills. It’s also a lot of fun and the popcorn is a great mood enhancer!

Marketing: While it’s great to become involved with launching and/or moderating websites, attending/organizing/networking at social media events, etc. don’t spend too much time on these activities at the expense of honing your craft. Making your writing as strong and efficient as it can possibly be should be your first priority. The time for networking is after you’ve got the writing to the level where it should be.

THE CULLING – Flux Books – YA (March 2013)

Link: www.stevendossantos.com

 

Elsie Chapman - Writing tip: Never forget to keep reading while you write. Make time for it, fit it in between and around sessions. If writing is the outward expression of ourselves, reading is what holds it up from beneath.
A marketing tip: Stay humble, grateful, and truly appreciate each step of the journey.

DUALED – Random House – YA (Feb 2013)

Link: www.elsiechapman.com

 

Erin Bowman – It’s possible for the well of creativity to run dry. Some advice encourages us to write every single day; no matter what, get your butt in the chair! I disagree. If the words don’t come easily, take a quick breather. Go for a walk, visit a museum, listen to music, travel, daydream. Creativity flows best when you are inspired, and sometimes getting your butt *out* of the chair is the best remedy to writer’s block.

TAKEN – HarperTeen – YA (Apr 2013)

Link: http://embowman.com

 

Ryan Graudin – Never be afraid to take risks. If you think the setting/characters/subject matter/plot/insert random element here is too hard for you to write, do it anyway. Great art comes out of great risk.

LUMINANCE HOUR – HarperTeen – YA (2013)

Link: http://ryangraudin.blogspot.com

Prize: Query and First Chapter Crit

 

Elle Cosimano – Trust your prose. You don’t need a lot of words, just the important ones. Be fearless when cutting. Be ruthless with the red pen. Put superglue on your backspace key if you need to. Strong pacing and clarity depend on economy of words.

DEAD BLUE – Dial/Penguin – YA (Fall 2013)

Link: www.ellecosimano.com

Prize: Query & First Chapter Crit

 

Kristin Halbrook – Writing tip: Relax and let your first draft suck. Focus on getting the words down and getting the story developed, even if you can’t believe you’re writing such terrible sentences. The best books are written during revisions.
Marketing tip: The most basic marketing tip I can think of is to simply love your book. Honest excitement and gratitude when talking to someone about your book in person will go further than all the bookmarks you could hand out.

NOBODY BUT US – HarperTeen – YA (Jan 2013)

Link: kristinhalbrook.com

 

April Tucholke – People say write what you love. Sure. But I would also add this: Try writing something you hate. If you adore fantasy, try writing hard-boiled detective. If you always read dystopian or romance, try writing a western. It’s going to tell you a lot more about yourself as a writer–what your weaknesses are, and where your strengths lie, too.

BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA – Dial/Penguin – YA (Summer 2013)

Link: http://apriltucholke.com/

 

Kelly Fiore – Writing: Books are usually structured chronologically, but your writing doesn’t have to be. Open up yourself to the process — think of your books as scenes instead of chapters, and write them as you feel them, not in the order they go in. Remember, some of the best movies with the most successful continuity were actually filmed in fragmented chunks. Let the work grow as it will.

Marketing: Be kind to others, whether they have a NYT Best Seller or have struggled for decades to get an agent. In the end, people want to support people who are nice to them.

TASTE TEST – Walker Books for Young Readers – YA (Spring 2013)

Link: www.kellyfiorewrites.com

 

Rachele Alpine – Writing: Stop writing each day when you know where you’re heading next. This could be in the middle of a sentence, paragraph, chapter, wherever…but pick a place that you can sit down the next day and start right back up. It helps to alleviate writer’s block and not knowing what to do next.

Marketing: Be yourself…whatever that is, no matter how quirky or different you may be!

CANARY – Medallion Press – YA (Fall 2013)

Link: http://www.rachelealpine.com/

Prize: Query & First Chapter Crit

 

Mindy McGinnis – Writing: Don’t overuse character description or physical gestures to force the reader to see a scene or person exactly as you do. Give them their own freedom in your world.

Marketing: Don’t do anything you’re uncomfortable with. If you look awkward on camera, or hate to use Twitter, it’ll show. If you’re like me and are a total ass, it won’t matter.

NOT A DROP TO DRINK – Katherine Tegen Books – YA (Fall 2013)

Link: http://writerwriterpantsonfire.blogspot.com/p/vlogs.html

Prize: A copy of LINGER by Maggie Stiefvater

 

Ellen Oh – Writing – Never let the naysayers get you down, including the one in your own head. Slap them around (mentally) and shove them aside (physically) and just write the best damn book you can.

Marketing – Don’t be afraid to say No and mean it.

PROPHECY – HarperTeen – YA (Jan 2013)

Link: www.ellenoh.com

 

Brandy Colbert – Writing: Do what’s best for you. If your work is coming along just fine without setting daily word count goals or outlining or using Scrivener, don’t second-guess your process (or non-process). We’re all working toward the same goal and it doesn’t really matter how you get there, so long as you do.

A POINT SO DELICATE – Putnam/Penguin – YA (Fall 2013)

Link: http://brandycolbert.wordpress.com

 

Kristen Kittscher – Having a rough writing day and feel like you’re getting nowhere? I find that taking a break to read always inspires better work the next time I sit down at the keyboard.

THE WIG IN THE WINDOW – Harper Children’s – MG (Summer 2013)

Link: http://www.kristenkittscher.com

 

Cat Winters – Make sure you’ve fallen passionately in love with your book before you try selling it. If you don’t love it, readers won’t either. It’s also perfectly fine to call the book a practice run and move on to a completely new project.

IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS – Amulet Books/Abrams – YA (Spring 2013)

Link: http://www.catwinters.com

 

Amie Kaufman – Marketing tip: Spend more time boosting and supporting others than you do thinking about your own publicity. You’ll find all your efforts repaid… but truth is, that’s only one of the reasons to do it, and not even the biggest.

Writing tip: Be gently persistent. There two words there — gentle AND persistent. Be gentle with yourself, don’t berate yourself or compare yourself to others, but don’t let yourself off the hook either. Persistence pays off in this caper. Move along at a steady pace, keep working on your craft, keep learning, keep writing.

THESE BROKEN STARS co-authored w/Meagan Spooner – Disney/Hyperion – YA

Link: http://twitter.com/amiekaufman

 

Emma Pass – My writing tip: Don’t beat yourself up for the days when the words come slowly, or won’t come at-all. There will be days like this with every book, whether it’s your first or your tenth; whether you’re unpublished, about to be published or multi-published. Some days, writing is hard work. But it makes the days when the words flow all the more worth it.

My marketing tip: Take everyone with you. Don’t forget the people who helped get you where you are. Be gracious and generous – you get what you give!

ACID – Random House Children’s Books – YA (Early 2013)

Link: http://www.emmapass.com/

 

Helen Douglas – Writing Tip: Be very clear about what your protagonist wants across the entire book AND during each scene. Understand what your antagonist and minor characters want as well. Everyone wants something.

Marketing Tip: Get involved in the writing community. Writers for children and YA tend to be a helpful, friendly bunch and great for mutual support.

EDEN – Bloomsbury – YA (April 2013)

Link: http://www.twitter.com/helenmdouglas

Prize: 2 First Chapter Crits

 

C.J. Flood – Read magazines and books that don’t appeal to you. Talk to people who look frightening. Go on a holiday to the last place you’d ever think of visiting. Surprise yourself. Challenge yourself, and take risks in your life. And then, sit down and write about it.

INFINITE SKY – Simon and Schuster Kids – YA

Link: http://cjflood.blogspot.co.uk/

 

Claire Caterer - Don’t go easy on your characters. Make them suffer. Be cruel. Put up roadblocks to their dreams. Throw them in the gutter. Then show how they pick themselves up and triumph over everything you’ve put in their way.

THE KEY & THE FLAME – Margaret K. McElderry Books/Simon and Schuster – MG (April 2013)

Link: www.cmcaterer.com

 

Lindsey Scheibe – Writing Tip: Books can be written in snippets of time. Carve out thirty minute blocks a few times a week or more if that’s possible. Don’t stress about the time you don’t have to write, make the most of the time you do have! And use the mundane tasks of life for letting that big idea take shape.

Marketing: Don’t stress about financial constraints. Get creative and have fun with it!

RIPTIDE – Flux Books – YA (Spring 2013)

Link: www.lindseyscheibe.com

 

Laura Golden – Writing tip: Trust your gut. If something in your manuscript doesn’t feel finished or right, it probably isn’t. Fix it. If there’s an aspect of your story that you “get” and feel is necessary, don’t hastily remove it because someone else (even your editor!) told you to. It’s a fine line between fighting for your words and knowing when to let them go. You must learn to walk that line. Your intuition will lead you.

Marketing tip: Be yourself. People can spot a phony from a mile away. Be kind and conduct yourself in a professional manner each and every time you interact with others.

EVERY DAY AFTER – Delacorte Press/RHCB – MG (Spring 2013)

Link: www.authorlauragolden.com

 

Amy Christine Parker – On Writing: Write a story that scares you, that’s quite possibly beyond your abilities right this minute. Stretch yourself and you’ll be surprised at how your ability grows.

On Marketing: Talk to as many people as possible at writer’s conferences, online, in critique groups-not just those who are established or well known. You never know who’s on the cusp of being discovered or who might help you down the line. Go into every gathering looking to connect and with the intent to listen. Every writer-bad or good has something to teach you, even if it’s what not to do.

The Silo – Random House Children’s – YA (Fall 2013)

Link: www.amychristineparker.com

Prize: First 50 Pages Crit

 

Alison Cherry – Find people who “get” your writing and show them your new work, even if it feels unfinished. We’re often too close to our books to see what’s really going on, and outside eyes can make all the difference between a good book and a great one. (That being said, never feel obligated to show your unfinished work to people you don’t trust. A terrible critique partner is far more damaging than no critique partner.)

RED – Delacorte Press – YA (Summer 2013)

Link: www.alisoncherrybooks.com

 

Kasie West – Trust your reader. Resist the urge to over explain things. Your reader can keep up.

PIVOT POINT – HarperTeen – YA (Feb 2013)

Link: kasiewest.blogspot.com

 

Liesl Shurtliff - Learn the publishing business. The writing is the most important thing, but you can greatly increase your chances of success if you’ll learn how to navigate the business.

RUMP: The True Story of Rumplestiltskin – Knopf/Random House – MG (Spring 2013)

Link: http://www.writerropes.blogspot.com/

 

Miriam Forster – The best thing you can do for yourself, no matter what stage of writing you’re in is to finish what you start. The next best thing is to write another book. Not just a sequel, but another book entirely. Finishing a book will teach you things you’ll never learn anywhere else. Having another book in the pipeline will take a lot of the stress off of submitting and take some of the sting out of rejections. And most importantly, after you’re published, the best way to sell your first book is to follow it with a great second book.

Always be working on the next book. It makes a lot of the drama of writing and publishing disappear.

CITY OF A THOUSAND DOLLS – HarperTeen – YA (Feb 2013)

Link: http://msforster.blogspot.com/

Prize: Query and First Chapter Crit

 

Kelly Barson – Writing Tip: Be very clear about what your MC wants across the entire book AND during each scene. Understand what your protagonist(s) and minor characters want as well. Everyone wants something.

Marketing Tip: Get involved in the writing community. Writers for children and YA tend to be a helpful, friendly bunch and great for mutual support.

45 POUNDS – Viking – YA (Summer 2013)

Prize: Query, 1 pg synopsis & First Two Chapters Crit (MG or YA)

 

Jessica Corra – Writing: Remember why you’re doing this. It’s twofold: remember why you want to write, in general; what compels you to do this sometimes frustrating, isolating thing, and why you want to write the particular thing that you’re writing, specifically; what are you trying to DO with it?

Marketing: Only do what makes you comfortable. The best marketing comes from authenticity.

AFTER YOU – Dial/Penguin – YA (Spring 2013)

Link: http://jessicacorra.wordpress.com

Prize: Query & First Chapter Crit

 

Ashley Elston – Writing tip: Don’t be afraid to move on to something new. Even if your first manuscript is never published – it is still a crucial part of the journey.

THE RULES FOR DISAPPEARING – Disney/Hyperion – YA (Winter 2013)

Link: www.ashleyelston.blogspot.com

Prize: Query and First 50 pgs critique

 

Liz Coley – Tip #1: Always talk to strangers! What? Strangers? Yes, so many great ideas come from hearing other people’s stories, and their life experiences can fill in the gaps in yours. I include listening to NPR interviews in this category (but you don’t have to talk back to your radio).

Tip #2: Read STORY by Robert McKee. It will improve your plotting and pacing dramatically.

PRETTY GIRL-13 – Katherine Tegen Books – YA (March 2013)

Link: www.lizcoley.com

Prize: Query & First Chapter Crit

 

Amanda Sun – Don’t be afraid of revisions. It’s okay for your words to change! If you have trouble parting with your first draft, save a copy in a separate folder before you edit. You will not see the scissor marks where you cut or the seams where you sewed words together–it will flow, and it will be better for it. And don’t edit too early–wait until the advice resonates so you revise with passion and courage.

INK – Harlequin Teen – YA (July 2013)

Link: www.twitter.com/Amanda_Sun

Prize: Query & First Two Chapters Crit

 

Alex Lidell – Tip: when working with crit partners, don’t ask questions to which you don’t actually want answers or ask them of people whose opinions are not particularly relevant to you. I.e. if someone is looking over your story for final typos, don’t ask them to comment on pacing – you won’t be changing it at this point and will end up either 1. Ignoring their opinion (unfair to them) 2. Getting upset by it (not helpful to you) or 3. Second guessing your self and changing your story (which you can do forever without finishing. If someone is looking for typos, you’ve already made your decision).

CADET OF TILDOR – Dial/Penguin – YA (Jan 2013)

Link: www.alexlidell.com

 

Kara Taylor – Know when to step away from a manuscript for a while. The worst thing you can do for a book is to get too close to it!

PREP SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL – St. Martin’s/Thomas Dunne Books – YA (Fall 2013)

Link: www.karamtaylor.com

 

Lindsay Ribar – If you feel blocked, it might just mean that you’ve made a wrong turn. Go back to the last place where you felt really positive about your writing, turn your characters in a different direction, and GO. You might be pleasantly surprised by where you end up.

THE ART OF WISHING – Dial/Penguin – YA (March 2013)

Link: www.twitter.com/LindsayRibar

 

Christa Desir – 1. If you don’t know what to write next, write a story for a friend or family member. Think about what they would like to read. Make them the hero/heroine. It is so helpful in re-invigorating creative juices and makes for great holiday and birthday presents!

2. In finding critique partners/beta readers, make sure that you like what THEY write. You will need to reciprocate and it’s a losing situation if not only do you not want to read their manuscript, but you can’t trust their advice about yours.

TRAINWRECK – SimonPulse – YA (Fall 2013)

Link: www.christadesir.com

 

Tamera Will Wissinger – Writing tip: If you love to write stories in rhyme, do it. Keep in mind, though, that the story is more important than the rhyme. Focus first on telling the best story that you can, and then make the rhyming text equally outstanding. Never settle for a mediocre word simply because it rhymes with another word you’d like to use. Try again and again until you make your rhymes exceptionally good, essential to the story, and irresistible.

Marketing tip: Even before your first contract, create a place for yourself in the children’s writing community. Whether it’s offering a children’s writing workshop, volunteering at a literary festival or conference, helping with your region’s SCBWI, or developing an online presence, there are a number of ways to be involved in this field. Find activities that are meaningful to you and build a network from there.

GONE FISHING – Houghton Mifflin Children’s Books – PB (March 2013)

Link: http://www.tamerawillwissinger.com/

Prize: PB crit on a story of 1k words or less, F or NF, rhyming or unrhymed, or 6 poems for MG or younger readers

 

Nicole McInnes – If your goal for your writing is traditional publication, never give up on making your writing stronger and sending out the best quality queries possible to agents and editors – even when (especially when) the odds seem to be impossibly stacked against you.

BRIANNA ON THE BRINK – Holiday House – YA (Spring 2013)

Link: www.nicolemcinnes.com

 

Alexandra Duncan –After you’ve written your first draft, read your work aloud to root out awkward phrases, repetition, and pacing issues.

SALVAGE – Greenwillow Books – YA (Fall 2013)

Link: http://alexandraduncanlit.blogspot.com/

 

Peggy Eddleman – Writing: To become a better writer, either write tons or revise tons— whichever you love the most. When you have an idea you think has a really good chance of selling, rely on revising tons— even if revising is NOT what you love the most.

Marketing:
Remember it’s all about the people! If your fb friends / twitter followers / blog followers ever stop being people you enjoy connecting with, and become just part of a number you’re shooting for, you’ve lost.

THROUGH THE BOMB’S BREATH – Random House – MG (Fall 2013)

Link: http://peggyeddleman.blogspot.com/

 

Joe Lawlor - Get the words down on the page as quickly as possible. Revision comes later. The initial act of creation should be messy, unfiltered, and free from nagging doubts.

BULLY.COM – Eerdmans Books for Young Children – MG (Apr 2013)

 

Debra Driza — Writing: Never. Give. Up. You can TOTALLY do it…and you will, as long as you don’t quit!

Marketing:  Don’t be afraid to channel your inner goober.

MILA 2.0 – HarperCollins/ Katherine Tegen Books – March 12, 2013

Prize: First 3 Chapters and Query Critique

 

Kit Grindstaff - 1. Write what you know – But that doesn’t have to mean literally. If you want to write about an orphan, for example, you don’t have to be one; but you can and must find that lonely, bereft (or whatever) experience in your own life that will animate your MC. As to love: love for your MC and book will keep you going during the rough spots!

2. Have your PT leave each scene changed in some way, however small. What did they learn? What do they know now that they didn’t before? What internal dialogue might ramp up the stakes – not to mention the TENSION! Keep it coming, either as external events, or – often better – a thought that shows how the action is impacting them.

THE FLAME IN THE MIST – Delacorte – April 9, 2013

Site: www.kitgrindstaff.com

Prize: (MG or YA) Query & First Chapter critique & an ARC of her debut The Flame in the Mist

 

Did you like this post? Show the Lucky 13s by buying their books! All of our authors are donating their time and experience FOR FREE, and the best way to show your appreciation is to buy their books.