A New Year, A New Opportunity
One thing I appreciate about a new year is the
opportunity to focus on what we want to do with our time and energy. Writers
need meaningful goals.
Promoting my latest book, BUGS ON THE JOB, tops my
list. Working with critique partners is another. Meeting readers is a must.
Those are lofty, doable, and meaningful.
Then there’s writing, another must. I’m working on a
manuscript with a so-so ending, not one I want to use. Last night or maybe
early this morning I woke up, at least semi-awake, and the ending popped into
my brain. Later in the day, I remembered the new ending. It works. That’s
happened to me a few other times, but not often. I consider it a gift from my muse,
or maybe my brain needed time to process the information. Either way, I’m
thankful.
The world of writing is filled with many opportunities
to make us thankful. A book contract is exciting, but little things we
encounter on the up-this-hill-and-down journey sustain us. Kind words from a
critique partner or editor, a fan who wants another book, hearing a phrase
that’s inspiring, writing a page or more of a manuscript….
What is on your thankful list?
Here's a fun activity for writers of all ages:
Writing activity
New Bug on the Loose
You are a bug detective and have
just discovered a bug no one has ever seen. Your job is to give it a name and
describe it. Also, draw a picture to show the world your discovery.
Bug Name:
Describe the bug’s appearance.
Where does it live? (Example: in
wood, underground, in trees)
What does it eat?
How does it hunt?
Draw a picture of the bug.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. May the sparkle and joy of the season inspire us in positive and creative ventures.
Happy writing!
Here’s a peek at my latest picture book. BUGS
ON THE JOB is a hive of activity. Fireflies are deLIGHTtful. Beetles break down
rotting wood. They’re TREEmendous workers. Dung beetles are super scoopers.
They save the earth from piling up with you-know-what. Bees are responsible for
one out of every three foods people and animals eat. Honey, that's BEEutiful! BUGS ON THE JOB will be available in January
and at that time, I’ll have a book signing at the Read Spotted Newt Bookstore
in Hazard. The book signing date will be announced soon. If you are local and
can’t attend the book signing, contact Mandi at readspottednewt@gmail.com and
she will reserve a book for you.
Those who are not local can preorder on the
website www.thelittlefig.com
on this page https://thelittlefig.com/.../bugs-on-the-job-coming-soon
The book will be available beginning January
1st at www.thelittlefig.com
and will be available through the distributor APG Sales and Distribution in
Nashville beginning February 1st.
Holding a new book is the ultimate thrill for writers.
We’ve poured our hearts, along with smidgens of sweat, and trickles of tears,
into the work for months and years. From the time a picture book is accepted
for publication, a two-year stint is in order to revise, tweak, and wait, and
wait, and wait. The effort is worth it.
Sweat and tears morph into chills and thrills as
writers meet fans of their literary “babies.” The publication date is
approaching quickly, and I’m ready.
Writing tips:
If you’re writing a picture book or a short story, keep
the number of characters small. BUG ON THE JOB has two characters per page, and
occasionally a third character, a flower, pops up.
Dialog breathes life into the characters. Allow your
words to show a character's personality.
Add humor. Every reader loves it.
Add conflict. The flower gives power to conflict in
this book.
Nancy Kelly Allen has written 51 children’s
books and a cookbook, SPIRIT OF KENTUCKY. Check out her blog at www.nancykellyallen.com
BUGS ON THE JOB, Nancy’s latest
picture book will be available in January 2022.
Check out her blog at www.nancykellyallen.com
A
week ago, I attended the Kentucky Book Fair. After months of isolation, I was a bird finding my wings. This was a day of sharing on so many levels.
Talking with other authors gave me the chance to learn what
they’d been writing and discuss my upcoming books. Forging professional
relationships with authors is instrumental in developing a career. Fun, too. Viewing
their extensive collection of books juiced up my creative flow. Now I’m ready
to tackle my next manuscript with vigor. How’s that for a win-win!
I met friends I hadn’t seen in a couple of years, longer
for some, and filled the time chatting, laughing, reminiscing. How’s that for a
treat!
Making new friends and meeting fans is another opportunity
offered by a book fair. We instantly connect through a common bond: the love of
books. How’s that for a slice of happiness!
Here’s a win-win writing treat that’ll make your words
happy.
Each student will write one
“What if” question on a strip of paper.
Examples: What if my cat
could talk? What if people could read my mind?
Students will fold each
question and place it in a bowl.
Each student picks a question out of the hat and writes about the
topic.
Note: I’m using the
word “student” loosely in this context. Students of writing come in all age
groups. This activity works equally well in a writer’s group.
Nancy Kelly Allen has
written 50 children’s books and a cookbook, SPIRIT OF KENTUCKY. Check out her
blog at www.nancykellyallen.com
BUGS ON THE JOB, Nancy’s latest picture book will be available in
January 2022.
The
Kentucky Book Fair is the largest book signing event in Kentucky and will be held on November 6th at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Lexington. I’ll be signing
copies of five of my books, so if you attend, stop by and we’ll chat.
I’m
looking forward to meeting lots of people who love to read. Another treat is
meeting authors and renewing friendships with authors I’ve met at events over
the years.
Since
this blog is all about writing tips, here are five I highly recommend:
1. Read
books. Readers make good writers.
2. Write
as often as possible. Your writing “muscle” needs to be exercised on a regular
basis to get and stay in shape.
3. Let
others read your work and give you feedback on what works and what does not.
4. Revise.
The first draft is never our best work.
5. Play
with words. Have fun with them. If you don’t enjoy writing them, the reader
won’t enjoy reading them.
A fun exercise for your
writing “muscle.”
Write a page or two of a comic book/graphic novel. Draw the
pictures first; then add the speech bubbles. On a separate paper, write the
dialog that goes in the bubbles. Read it aloud. Think about ways you can revise
it to make it sound better for the reader. After you finish revising, add
dialog to the bubbles.
Nancy Kelly Allen has written 50 children’s
books and a cookbook, SPIRIT OF KENTUCKY. Check out her blog at www.nancykellyallen.com
Achoo!
More fun to say it than to sneeze it, right? Sound words are downright fun to
read aloud to and with a young child or a group of young children. They love to
join in and become a part of the activity.
Sound
words have a name, and it’s a mouthful. Onomatopoeia. It simply means a word the imitates its sound. Clink.
Honk. Jingle. You can use this figurative language to pizzaz, pop, and
sizzle writing.
Onomatopoeia makes writing more descriptive and
memorable because we can easily imagine the sound and picture the scene.
Writers use the sense of sight more than the
other senses. Visual clues help the reader imagine the scene, but other senses
add to the overall picture. Sound words are fun to create, too. How would a
drop of water hitting a pond sound? Maybe, plop. Plink. Plip. How
would it sound hitting a rock? Pa-plip. Ka-plop. Dopp.
Have
fun writing a story or poem using sound words. Listed below are some ideas to
boost your imagination.
Create zoo music: roar,
grrrrrrrrr, screech...
Night sounds: whooooo,
chirp, hiss…
Parade: boom, oompa,
toot, beep-beep, clack, clang…
Animal: arf, baa,
moooooo, squawk, flap, tap-tap-tap…
Nancy Kelly Allen has written 50 children’s
books and a cookbook, SPIRIT OF KENTUCKY. Check out her blog at www.nancykellyallen.com
What an exciting day for me! The super-talented author
of children’s books and adult novels,
Sandi Underwood, is my guest.
NKA: Welcome, Sandi. You have exciting news—a new
book. Congratulations! Tell us about it.
SU: Thank you, Nancy. It’s
good to be a published writer again – especially after the past two years we’ve
had! The writing industry, like everything else, was hit hard during the
Pandemic, but my new book fits right in there as ‘stranger than strange.’
I received an email from a publisher on New Year’s Day
2020 offering a contract. Now here’s where the strange part comes in: I had
only submitted a cover letter and the first three chapters of ON A SCALE OF ONE
TO TEN, a coming-of-age story with sinister undertones. The editor provided a
phone number and asked me to call at my convenience. Lucky me, it was
convenient that very next day, and when I asked if she was sure she wanted my
book (I don’t recommend that question to a would-be publisher under normal
circumstances!), she gave an emphatic, “yes!”
Never one to be outdone, I argued that I had only
submitted the first three chapters. She informed me it was exactly what she was
looking for. To sum up, I wound up sending the remainder of the story, along
with a signed contract. I doubt that will ever happen again; but if it were to,
I will never argue with a Publisher over whether they made a mistake in
offering a contract—especially in this topsy-turvy world of publishing that we
have come to know.
NKA: This book is a story that touches our emotions on
a deep level and is a story that needs to be told, and what a cover. It's beautiful. What gave you the idea for
the characters and plot?
SU: I would be less than
truthful if I said I had a clear-cut answer to that question. I started out
writing a story based on an actual situation, but the final product took wings
and veered slightly off-course. ON A SCALE OF ONE TO TEN is about the painful period
of time known as adolescence—a time when insecurities and peer pressure rule
the day. Drawing on my own experience as a ‘PK’ (Preacher’s Kid), I identified
with my main character in thinking others were born with that proverbial
‘silver spoon’ in their mouths, while I had less…friends, opportunities…stuff.
Of course, looking back I realize what a perfect childhood I had and, to be
honest, I never missed out on much. In the book’s dedication, I acknowledge my
loving home and parents for raising me in a safe environment. Not all children
have that. Certainly not one character in my book!
NKA: You have other books, too. What are their titles
and for what age groups are they written?
SU: I love all genres. I
love to read them, and I love to write them. My first book was a children’s
book, a Sci-fi Mystery of sorts about ‘shapeshifters’, of all things. THE
SECRET AT ONE BELMONT LANE, was written for my second grandson. He was of the
age that enjoyed all things weird and bizarre, and I wanted to write a book he
would read.
Next book to be published was the first in The Baker
Manor Series, BLOOD MONEY. It’s a paranormal romance-mystery that tells the
story of a kindergarten teacher that led a happy life until she became an
heiress of a vast fortune. After that, unexplained accidents and broken trusts
turned her happy life upside down until that fatal night when she stared evil
in the face. The Baker Series continues with books #2 and #3, unpublished as of
yet.
My third book MOUNTAIN LAUREL, is the story of my parents’
first date, and the setting is pure Appalachia. I drew on family tales that
were passed down from both Mom and Dad with the hopes of preserving them for my
grandchildren. I enjoy reading this book over and over as it conjures up
memories of hearing them for the first time.
NKA: You’ve been a busy gal. Any new books on the
horizon?
SU: Book #2 of The Baker
Manor Series is finished, and I’m smack-dab in the middle of the final one. I
say that, but I’ve grown so familiar with the Baker family, I can’t bear to say
goodbye to them. Who knows where that story will really end??? I also
have a book, ON THE BANKS OF THE NOLICHUCKY, a fictional story about the young
Davy Crockett that is under contract, but no publication date has been
announced. And finally, I am playing with the idea of combining two unfinished
manuscripts into one. That remains to be seen or, in this case, written.
NKA: I love your books. You use a wide variety of
writing techniques in creating interesting characters and plots that amp up the
tension in your stories and snag readers’ attention. Would you share a couple
of writing tips with us?
SU: In a nutshell, when a
new storyline pops into my head, I begin with my main character (MC) by asking
myself: Who,
What, Where, When & Why?
My MC needs someone to feed off. A love interest? A
BFF? A stalker? Honestly, my mind goes immediately to the stalker because I
like edge-of-seat mysteries. Once decided, I have two individuals that allow me
to begin character sketches—one or two descriptive words to get started, but by
the time I’m well into the story and added several more characters, these can
turn into lengthy bios.At this point, I carve out a rustic outline–sometimes
just a beginning, a middle (a thought or two that will move the story forward),
and an ending (not everything all tied up with a bow at this point, just
whether the MC lives happily ever after…or not.
All this before I write the first paragraph, which is
without a doubt the most re-written paragraph in the entire story. But that’s a
whole separate blog post!
I truly think the reason I love writing adult fiction
is due to something you once said: Chase your main characters up a tree and
throw rocks at them. (I believe you were quoting someone else, so I acknowledge
the fact you and I both are plagiarizing!) I get the most joy writing what I
enjoy reading and when life becomes predictable and humdrum for my characters,
it’s time to shake it up a bit. Plotting is a fun pasttime for me. I tend to
create two or three different paths for each character and hang onto the one
that interests me most. At that point, I become the reader. If I listed
one bit of advice to a new writer it would be: Write what you enjoy reading. NKA: Great advice. Keeping readers on the edge of
their seats is what holds their attention from the first page through the last.
I’m sure people would like to know where can we find your books?
NKA: Thanks, Sandi, for telling us about your books
and giving us valuable writing tips by sharing your writing process. ON A SCALE
OF ONE TO TEN is one of the best middle-grade books I’ve read, so I highly
recommend it. I hope you visit again.
SU: Definitely!
Nancy Kelly Allen has written 50 children’s
books and a cookbook, SPIRIT OF KENTUCKY. Check out her website at www.nancykellyallen.com
I’m baaaaaack with more writing tips.
The pandemic slammed the doors on school classrooms
across the country, so I temporarily closed my blog thinking that I would post
again when schools reopened, which meant soon. Wrong! Eighteen months later, this
blog is resurfacing.
A lot happens in one-and-a-half years, especially if
cooped up inside with nowhere to go. As always, I turned to writing, my
personal outlet for all things sweet and bitter. Not associating with friends
was bitter. Fear of a virus we can’t see, hear, or touch was bitter. The loss
of a “normal” lifestyle was bitter. The silver lining of the dark, threatening
cloud was more time to kick up my heels—sweet. More time to read—sweeter. More
time to write—sweetest.
More time to write gave me the incentive to revise a mystery
novel I’d drafted years ago. Month after month, I pounded the keyboard and
finished that rascal. Sweet! I’ve been visiting classrooms, virtually. Sweet! I’ve
kept up with friends and family via text and phone. Sweet!
During this time, an editor asked me to write a
picture book based on an illustration of a spooky old house. So, I accepted the
challenge and enjoyed playing with words. Ooooo. Strange characters. Zap!
Strange actions. Boom! Strange sounds. A picture book is forthcoming.
The publication of my 50th book, COWBOY
JESSE, was another speck of silver lining during this pandemic, a speck I will always
cherish.
Let’s have fun with another silver lining often used
in writing—The Rule of Three. Play this hunt-and-find activity by identifying examples
of the “Rule of Three” in this blog. (Hint: There are several.)
Rule of three:
using a word or phrase three times for emphasis.
In my next blog, the talented author, Sandi Underwood,
will visit with news of her latest book, ON A SCALE OF ONE TO TEN, a
middle-grade novel.
Nancy Kelly Allen has written 50 children’s
books and a cookbook, SPIRIT OF KENTUCKY. Check out her blog at www.nancykellyallen.com
This week I had a request to blog about writing picture books in rhyme and ideas for books. Here's my take on the subjects.
Think twice about writing in rhyme. Many books are released each year written in rhyme, but they are extremely difficult to write. Cringe-worthy rhyme occurs in many manuscripts, enough to make some editors leery of wanting to read another such piece. A business reason for editors not accepting stories written in rhyme is due to the translation factor. Rhyming words don’t translate well to other languages. A book must tell a good story and rhythm is more important than rhyme.
Not all ideas translate into marketable picture book stories. Sometimes, a topic (princess) has saturated the market. There are so many books on the subject and competition is so stiff, the idea simply can’t find a place. Don’t feel alone. Writers often juggle ideas that can’t grab a foothold. Maybe at some point you’ll figure out a way to make it work. If you can’t move on with another idea. Sometimes an idea works so well, the first draft falls into place and the revision runs smoothly. That happened to me with my first book, Once Upon a Dime. I heard coins dropping and said to my fuzzy-faced canines, “Listen, girls, the money tree is ripe and it’s dropping fruit.” I knew the idea would work. After playing with the words for about six weeks, and with feedback from a reader, I sent it to a publisher. In less than a month later, I had a contract.
In my next blog, I’ll continue with tips for writing picture books
Call for Submissions for Young Writers and Adult Writers:
YARN is an award-winning literary journal that publishes outstanding original short fiction, poetry, and essays for Young Adult readers, written by the writers you know and love, as well as fresh new voices...including teens.
Nancy Kelly Allen has written 40+ children’s books and a cookbook, SPIRIT OF KENTUCKY: BOURBON COOKBOOK. Check out her blog at www.nancykellyallen.com
Writers, along with everyone, are experiencing unparalleled times with the onset of COVID-19. If there's a silver lining in all this tragedy, it remains hidden. People cope differently. What works for one may not be appropriate for another. I'm managing stress by staying busy writing and polishing manuscripts. As with all my writing, I spend much more time polishing the text. For those who want to tackle writing a picture book, I'm continuing with tips to help you not only write but polish, as well.
More tips:
Include an emotional impact, known as the heart of the story. This is writing so the reader will transform in some way, realize something about themselves they hadn’t considered before. Or see something in a new way. Friendship, love, and kindness stories are popular and often have an element of empathy woven into them. Emotions and moods aid in character development, so paint the scenes with feelings, sensations, and reactions. With the world in a virus turmoil, this type of story is likely to become more popular.
Also include sensory details—see, hear, touch, taste, smell—to make the reader feel as if they are along on the journey with the characters. Using the senses triggers memories for the readers back to a time or experience in which they felt the same way: scared, hopeful, anxious, happy, sad…. These shared experiences make the story seem real and builds empathy for the character.
Active verbs are your friends. If you write a statement such as, “Billy walked down the hall.” Rather than walk, which doesn’t paint a specific mental picture, consider, “swagger” if he’s confident, “rushed” if he is in a hurry, or “shuffled” if he doesn’t want to be there. Active verbs create a mood or emotion that helps to place the reader in the midst of the action with the characters. These verbs “show” rather than “tell" the reader what is happening.
In my next blog, I’ll continue with tips for writing picture books.
Call for Submissions for Adult Writers:
Root & Star. Literary magazine for children ages 4 - 8. Looking for stories that inspire and are kind, strange, powerful, exquisite, and inspired by the sanctity of the everyday. Open to diversity. This magazine doesn't pay, but it can be a nice break in market for writers of very literary work. Also open to creative activities. Check out sample issue online.
Submission guidelines: https://rootandstar.com/pages/contributors
Nancy Kelly Allen has written 40+ children’s books and a cookbook, SPIRIT OF KENTUCKY: BOURBON COOKBOOK. Check out her blog at www.nancykellyallen.com
Writing tips, continued:
A picture book story may be simple with a short timeline, such as bedtime, or longer and more complex. Consider the age of the audience. Concept books about colors or numbers intended for the preschoolers are often more simplistic and shorter than books written for those in the K-2 group.
Text should be child-focused, with the perspective from the child’s point of view. Characters can be people or non-human, but the story should resonate with the child. A child under the age of two probably would not be interested in a school-based setting, because that is not part of their world.
Keep the text short. A 2,000- word picture book will not get published in today’s market. Most are 500 words or less. This is where thinking visually comes into play. Leave out descriptions that can be shown in illustrations. In fact, if your book is published, you might be surprised at how the illustrations reflect your words but tell the story beyond the text. Picture books are 32 pages, but only about 27 or 28 pages are illustration and text. Title page and end notes take up a few pages.
Picture books are a series of page spreads. Ten to fourteen double-page spreads complete the book, so there is no room for a ton of text. Make sure every word counts.
In my next blog, I’ll continue with tips for writing picture books.
Call for Submissions for Young Writers:
Skipping Stones is a multicultural literary magazine that publishes work by writers of all ages.
Call for Submissions for Adult Writers:
FUN FOR KIDZ We are looking for lively writing that involves an activity that is both wholesome and unusual. The Ideal length of a FUN FOR KIDZ nonfiction piece is up to 300-325 words for a one-page magazine article or up to 600-650 words for a two-page magazine article. Articles that are accompanied by strong high-resolution photos are far more likely to be accepted than those requiring illustration.
Submission guidelines: http://funforkidzmagazines.com/ffk_guidelines
Nancy Kelly Allen has written 40+ children’s books and a cookbook, SPIRIT OF KENTUCKY: BOURBON COOKBOOK. Check out her blog at www.nancykellyallen.com
Writing picture books is similar to that of poetry. Employ an economy of words and lots of rhythm. There are differences, too. In poetry, visual and musical images are vivid, but in picture books, writers should think visually but write musically with a cadence and rhythm so the words leap and dance across the page. Leave the visual images for the illustrator to depict. Write each sentence with the idea that it can be illustrated.
Voice (word choice + rhythm) is necessary for picture books because they are written to be read aloud. Write in a word pattern that sometimes surprises the reader. If readers can anticipate the next line, there’s no surprise, no thrill, no excitement to the word choice.
Humor is universal. Kids of all ages respond positively to funny situations, actions, and words. Hard consonants add tickle appeal. B, C, D, G, P, K, T, blast off the tongue as they are read aloud. Pickle is funny. Underwear is not as funny as underpants. The “P” sound is comical. Try saying these aloud: Pollygoster. Filibuster.
In my next blog, I’ll continue with tips for writing picture books.
Call for Submissions for Young Writers:
New Moon Girls. Ideas, Articles, Inventions, Fiction, Gardens, Poetry, Music, Opinions, Apps, Global Villages, Recipes, Plays, Buildings, Puzzles, Projects, Jokes, Speeches, Games, Screenplays, Sports, Emotions, Equations, Painting, Art, Experiments, Costumes, Activism, Photos, Rockets, Crafts, Designs, Gadgets, Dances, Solutions, Hats and Everything Else You Imagine and Make.
Call for Submissions for Adult Writers:
Short Edition. · Submissions must be short stories and poems of maximum 8,000 characters, spaces included or children's stories of maximum 7,000 characters, spaces included.
· Works must be previously unpublished in print or online, including on personal blogs.
Submission guidelines: https://short-edition.com/en/contest/general-submissions-rendez-vous-july-2019-issue/guidelines
Nancy Kelly Allen has written 40+ children’s books and a cookbook, SPIRIT OF KENTUCKY: BOURBON COOKBOOK. Check out her blog at www.nancykellyallen.com
According to the information I've learned in workshops and talking with editors, trends in the book world are:
Board and Picture Books. Magic: Unicorns, dragons, spooky (but not too scary), and new spins on bedtime stories.
Diversity-focused books by writers belonging to historically marginalized groups (always popular)
Interactive children’s books
Books about kindness
Graphic novels
Chapter books
Series novels in Young Adult literature
Realistic fiction (especially those focusing on sensitive issues: illness, death)
Humorous picture books and middle grade novels are always popular
Nonfiction picture books
Call for Submissions for Young Writers:
Bazoof. General submissions are welcome from youth (ages 7-14) or their parents/caregivers. Stories are welcome from youth of any age. Some ideas of what you could send me are:
· Letter
· Short story (12 years and younger: 500 words or less; 13-18 years: 800 words or less; Doesn’t include any violence, fighting, not too scary, gruesome, or dark natured. Must be suitable for readers ages 8-12 years).
· Poem
· Craft idea
· Drawings
· Photo of your pet
· Photo of you doing an activity you enjoy
· Picture of a project that you made
· Recipe
· Game or puzzle
· Jokes or riddles
· Tell me about a sport you enjoy playing or a musical instrument
· Or any other ideas you have!
Call for Submissions for Adult Writers:
Storgy Kids. Short fiction here means between 1,000 and 5,000 words. A few words either side won’t matter as long as your story is brilliant and well edited.
Submissions guidelines at https://storgykids.com/submit/
Nancy Kelly Allen has written 48 children’s books and a cookbook, SPIRIT OF KENTUCKY: BOURBON COOKBOOK.
Commit to your writing. Decided how much time you can devote to writing and stick with the plan. Keep track of the time spent writing per day until it becomes routine. Make writing a habit. You may want to begin by writing an article for a local newspaper or a magazine. Seeing your work published is a strong motivating factor.
Everyone has distractions, whether it’s checking email, Facebook, Twitter, phone, TV, washing clothes, or a million other things. Remove as many of those as possible. Any of them can whittle away the time you intended for writing. Find a place where you can write with as few interruptions as possible.
Join a critique/writing group. Share ideas with other writers. Talking with others who have similar goals whets the appetite and spurs on the writer inside each of us. Everyone wins when ideas are shared.
Be realistic. If you can’t find the time to write every day, and most of us cannot, write when you have a few minutes available. Some people have written novels with twenty minutes of writing per day.
Try different techniques to figure out what works best for you in creating a story and to stay motivated to finish the manuscript.
Call for Submissions for Young Writers:Magic Dragon. Writing – Work should be neatly printed or typed. If you type it, please double-space. Stories and essays can be up to three pages, poetry up to 30 lines. It is ok to send writing that you have also illustrated. You can write about anything that is important to you; it can be serious or funny, true or fiction. If you send originals and want them returned, enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope.
Art – You may send original art or a copy. If you want original art returned, enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope big enough for it. If you send a copy, be sure it represents fairly the original work (colors are the same, lines are clear, copy looks just like the original). Your name should appear somewhere on the artwork. You may also tell us how you created it; for example, is it made with crayon, watercolor, paper sculpture, or some other way.
Submissions guidelines at http://www.magicdragonmagazine.com/?page_id=6
Call for Submissions for Adult Writers:
Chicken Soup for the Soul. Listen to Your Dreams
When we are asleep, we dream. Are dreams a connection to the unconscious mind? Are they omens of things to come—both good and bad? Dreams are often the way we tap into our own inner wisdom. Sixth sense, gut feeling, premonitions, instinct. Whatever you call it, sometimes we have no logical reason for knowing something—but still we know it. Submissions guidelines at https://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/submit-your-story
Nancy Kelly Allen has written 50+ children’s books and a cookbook, SPIRIT OF KENTUCKY: BOURBON COOKBOOK.
Comment or check out the blog at https://nancykellyallen.blogspot.com/
2020. A brand-new year. A new start.
Writers reward yourself with motivation to finish that manuscript you’ve set aside or begin the one you’ve dreamed of penning. Don’t just dream it, write it. NOW is the time!
Almost weekly, people ask how I stay motivated to write. Writing is never easy. It’s a struggle, some days more than others, because external and internal factors keep popping up. Time is often difficult to find for many. When we do have the time, we sometimes lack the drive to spend hours on a writing project that may never be read, published, or earn one cent. We might write for days and have little to show for our seemingly endless hours of brain-drain concentration. No wonder we struggle with motivation.
I spent almost ten years before holding my first book. Here are some things I do to stay motivated:
Utilize BIC (behind in chair) on a regular basis. When I held a full-time job, I had not a single ounce of creativity in me by the end of the day. To combat this, I crawled out of bed early and wrote the next morning when my brain was energized. This system probably works better for early birds. My mantra: The book won’t write itself.
Creating deadlines keeps me focused on the task of completing research or another page of writing. I set realistic deadlines, and each time I check off a completed task, I considered it one step closer to getting a book contract. Sometimes, I set word counts, such as 300 words to write that day or number of minutes.
In my next blog, I continue with more motivational tricks.
Call for Submissions for Young Writers:
Hanging Loose. Send all work to High School Editor, Hanging Loose, 231 Wyckoff Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217. Please also send us a note identifying yourself as a high school age writer, and telling us your age. Include an email address—and include a self-addressed stamped envelope with sufficient return postage. Otherwise, your submission cannot be returned. Be sure your name and address appear on each page of your work.
Send up to six poems or short stories, or an equivalent combination of poetry and prose.
Submission guidelines: http://hangingloosepress.com/submissions.html
Call for Submissions for Adult Writers:
Hanging Loose. As a rule, send up to six poems or one story at a time. We rarely publish non-fiction, but there are exceptions. We do not publish reviews. Manuscripts must be legible and be sure that includes your name and address. Enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope of adequate size or we cannot reply. If you don’t want your work returned, please make that clear. Cover letters are welcome if they contain pertinent information, but they are hardly a requirement. Because we read all submissions carefully, please allow up to three months for an answer. That’s also why we will not consider simultaneous submissions. We also cannot accept submissions by fax or e-mail. We never have contests or theme issues.
Submission guidelines: http://hangingloosepress.com/submissions.html
Nancy Kelly Allen has written 50+ children’s books and a cookbook, SPIRIT OF KENTUCKY: BOURBON COOKBOOK. Check out her blog at www.nancykellyallen.com
Characters Talk
8 Dec 2019 5:28 AM (5 years ago)
When developing characters, my goal is to develop a distinct voice for each. I consider voice, cadence, slang, dialect, and word pronunciation. For example, in a chapter book I’m still tinkering with, one of the characters has a lisp due to missing front teeth, so some of her words become slurred. “Great” becomes “gweat.”
The tone of voice is a consideration. Tone can be serious, funny, formal, sarcastic, cheerful, or any other attitude. In my picture book, The Munched-Up Flower Garden, Liz is excitable and upset. Her attitude is expressed through dialog and actions.
Cadence is the rhythm of the text. Does your character speak in long or short sentences? Another character I’m currently developing uses more sophisticated words than his friends. These elements give characters uniqueness.
Think of each character as a real person and remain consistent throughout the story with his/her particular speech patterns. Word choice in speech reflects the time in history. If characters are contemporary, they use language that reflects today, but if they lived in the 1920s, their word choice should sound differently than that of modern-day kids.
Realistic dialog makes characters seem real and adds appeal to their personalities.
Call for Submissions for Young Writers:
The Amazing Kids! Magazine is an award-winning online publication created by kids and teens like you! We are proud of the amazing creative work kids can do, and love showcasing it here on our website! Take a look and get inspired to write your own stories or articles!
Submissions guidelines at http://mag.amazing-kids.org/
Call for Submissions for Adult Writers:
Youth Imagination is interested in creative fiction stories by teens as well as by adult authors. Make the stories awesome, inspiring and engaging. Our goal is to publish the best writing for and by teens. We particularly love stories exploring their issues, such as bullying, drugs, romance, school, parental issues, teacher issues, etc., as well as about the grit and character of teens and young adults.
Submissions guidelines at https://youthimagination.org/index.php/yi-submissions
Nancy Kelly Allen has written 48 children’s books and a cookbook, SPIRIT OF KENTUCKY: BOURBON COOKBOOK.
The Inside Story
24 Nov 2019 5:10 AM (5 years ago)
As writers, we need to think of ourselves as the characters we’re writing about. If the main character is a raccoon, imagine thinking like the raccoon in your story. How would a raccoon express itself if it spoke? How would it react in the events/problems/struggles in which it’s confronted?
As you develop dialog and actions, imagine what the raccoon is thinking and feeling. That’s the heart of the story. Internal thinking and feeling—what’s going on inside the character’s mind—can be the opposite of the character's dialog and actions. Internal dialog allows the reader to better understand the character’s motivations, which adds to character development.
A character may agree with another character by answering, “Sure!” Following this with the thought, Never in this lifetime, triggers the true feelings of the character. The feelings and internal dialog reveal truths that allow readers greater insight into the character.
Exposing the character’s true sentiments can also be used as a method to lighten the story with a dash of humor or to advance the plot.
Let your readers listen in and raise the emotional level of a scene.
Call for Submissions for Young Writers:
The Telling Room. Empowers youth (young writers ages 6-18) through writing.
Submissions guidelines at https://www.tellingroom.org/submit
Call for Submissions for Adult Writers:
Smarty Pants Magazine for Kids. We are taking submissions for children’s short stories (up to 800 words).
Submissions guidelines at https://smartypantsmagazineforkids.com/submission-guidelines/
Nancy Kelly Allen has written 48 children’s books and a cookbook, SPIRIT OF KENTUCKY: BOURBON COOKBOOK.
TK “To Come”
10 Nov 2019 6:09 AM (5 years ago)
Sometimes when ideas refuse to flow, when the plotting refuses to plot, and the story refuses to gel, consider writing the bones of the story. Write the draft quickly. The first draft won’t be pretty, but it never is, anyway. Don’t know the name you want to attach to your character? Simply write TK, which means “to come.” The point is to keep writing, even when you don’t know that much about your story.
This strategy works well for Dumpsters, writers who write quickly. The idea is to hammer the gist of the story into a draft. Later, review the draft and fill in the TK spots, followed by revision, revision, revision.
This also works for Plodders, such as I. Even though I have a general idea of the map of the story and how it will end, I don’t have the rhythm or voice nailed down. Sometimes, I don’t even have the particular actions of the antagonist in mind. I have a choice, write the parts I know and TK the parts I don’t. My other recourse is to delay writing.
Both strategies work. Some people prefer to wait and think more about the story. I do that a lot, but I find that if I’m actually writing words, more ideas evolve and that gives me fodder to work with.
The most important takeaway from this blog is to find a way to stay involved in a story. If we delay writing because of some parts that we haven’t worked out, the story may never get written.
Have fun. Play with words.
Call for Submissions for Young Writers: Word Smorgasbord is thrilled to publish the original work of young writers in elementary school, middle school, high school and college.
Submissions guidelines at https://wordsmorgasbord.wordpress.com/submissions/
Call for Submissions for Adult Writers:
Chicken Soup for the Soul. Our dog titles are so very popular, and you have so many great stories to share with us, that we do a new dog title every eighteen months or so. Here is another chance for you to share a story or two about the member of your family who just happens to walk on four feet!
We are looking for first-person true stories and poems up to 1200 words. Tell us about the magic of your dog or the magic of a dog you know. Stories can be serious or humorous, or both. We can’t wait to read all the heartwarming, inspirational, and magical stories you have about a dog and the magic that dog brings to your life or the life of your family!
Submissions guidelines at Submissions guidelines at Submissions guidelines at https://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/submit-your-story
Nancy Kelly Allen has written 48 children’s books and a cookbook, SPIRIT OF KENTUCKY: BOURBON COOKBOOK.
Leave a message or check out my blog at www.nancykellyallen.com
In most fictional picture books, MG and YA novels, the character faces a problem or goal. The story builds as the character makes multiple attempts to solve the problem or reach the goal. Think about the part leading up to the moment of victory. Slow down the action in this part of the story, so you won’t reveal the outcome quickly. Slowing the action builds tension. Tension builds suspense. The suspense keeps the reader hanging on to know more, cheering on the protagonist, and holding on to finish the story.
So how do writers slow down the action? One way is to add details that delay the resolution. In Barreling Over Niagara Falls, I focused the action between the barrel ride and the crowd who watched the daredevil stunt. Refocusing the text between the main character’s action of dropping over the Falls into the pool of water and turning the page to reveal the people watching, prolonged the reader from knowing the final outcome.
Another way to slow action is to write longer sentences. Short sentences speed the action, and longer sentences slow it.
Think about ways to slow the action in order to build tension and hold the reader’s attention to the last page.
Call for Submissions for Young Writers:
Hanging Loose Press. Send up to six poems or short stories, or an equivalent combination of poetry and prose.
Submissions guidelines at Send up to six poems or short stories, or an equivalent combination of poetry and prose.
Call for Submissions for Adult Writers:
Chicken Soup for the Soul. Our cat titles are so very popular, and you have so many great stories to share with us, that we do a new cat title every eighteen months or so. Here is another chance for you to share a story or two about the member of your family who just happens to walk on four feet!
We are looking for first-person true stories and poems up to 1200 words. Tell us about the magic of your cat or the magic of a cat you know. Stories can be serious or humorous, or both. We can’t wait to read all the heartwarming, inspirational, and magical stories you have about a cat and the magic that cat brings to your life or the life of your family!
Submissions guidelines at Submissions guidelines at https://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/submit-your-story
Nancy Kelly Allen has written 48 children’s books and a cookbook, SPIRIT OF KENTUCKY: BOURBON COOKBOOK.
The adage of never writing to trends is one I strongly uphold, but I also like to keep my eye on the pulse of the publishing for children. In doing so I’ve found some of the movements in the marketplace.
Editors show interest in books (children - teen) that sell well in an international market. Setting may be in America, but the characters are universally relatable and stories evoke emotions.
Books with content suitable to be built into games and toys.
The demand for biographies of groundbreaking women has been overflowing and may be saturated. Yet, one told with a unique angle can be a hit.
MG humor and fantasy is strong, along with those offering powerful emotional punches.
Illustrated MG is hot. So are graphic novels.
Standalone titles for MG.
Realistic contemporary MG and YA that tackles serious topics.
Female protagonists in contemporary, fantasy, and literary titles for MG and YA.
Paranormal stories for teens have been down, but seem to on the rise again.
YA thrillers, mysteries, and horror are popular.
YA fantasy that can crossover into the adult markets.
Diverse books by Own Voices authors are sought after in every category and age group.
Call for Submissions for Young Writers:
Skipping Stones. You can send your regular submissions of poems, stories, essays, art and photo essays anytime. We accept your submissions for upcoming issues as they come in.
Submissions guidelines at http://www.skippingstones.org/wp/youth/
Call for Submissions for Adult Writers:
Chicken Soup for the Soul. Everyone loves holiday stories and our contributors write great ones. They are so good that we create a new edition for the holiday season every year. We are now collecting stories for our HOLIDAY 2020 book and we are looking for stories about the entire December holiday season, including Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day, and New Year’s festivities too.
We want to hear about your holiday memories and traditions. The rituals of the holiday season give a rhythm to the years and create a foundation for our lives, as we gather with family, with our communities at church, at school, and even at the mall, to share the special spirit of the season, brightening those long winter days. Please share your special stories about the holiday season with us. Be sure that they are “Santa safe” so that we don’t spoil the magic for precocious readers!
Submissions guidelines at https://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/submit-your-story
Comment or check out the blog at https://nancykellyallen.blogspot.com/
Every writer must decide what to show, tell, or omit in a manuscript.
Check out these tips:
When characters talk (dialog) they should not repeat what they already know, unless the action took place a few chapters prior and the repetition is used to remind the reader. The purpose of dialog is to enhance character development and push along the plot. If your dialog isn’t doing that, omit it.
Limit the use of “he said” and “she said” as dialog tags. Allow the character to show some action to let the reader know who is speaking.
Dialog should be authentic. It should sound like the age, gender, and culture of the speaker. A young child sometimes mispronounces words. That can be worked into the dialog to make the character seem real.
Example:
“Don’t go there,” Annie said.
Annie stopped and stared at Jim. “Don’t go there.”
Also limit the length of a character’s dialog. A character that fills in an entire page without interruption, may be (probably is) talking too much.
Use exposition (explaining) sparingly. Large chunks of information should be fed to the reader in small doses to keep the interest high and the action moving.
Call for Submissions for Young Writers:
Blue Marble Review. Are you age 13 to 21? (Or do you have writing kids?) If so, then Blue Marble Review is worth considering since there are few paying markets for teen writers. They accept fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and art. Pay is $25 ($75 for cover art). All submissions should be unpublished.
Submissions guidelines at https://bluemarblereview.com/submit/
Call for Submissions for Adult Writers:
The Writer magazine: “Calling all YA & kidlit authors: We’re currently accepting pitches for our annual “Writing for Young Readers” issue! We are interested in how-to stories, reported pieces, narrative essays, and profiles of writers and others in the field.
Submissions guidelines at https://www.writermag.com/the-magazine/submission-guidelines/
Nancy Kelly Allen has written 50+ children’s books and a cookbook, SPIRIT OF KENTUCKY: BOURBON COOKBOOK.
In a recent writing workshop, a participant said she had difficulty knowing what to tell or show in a story and what to leave out. Writers, both experienced and novice, deal with the same problem.
Begin a story as late in the plot as possible. Start with the situation, as it is happening, that changes the character’s life. Opening with an action scene is a surefire way to engage the reader. Maybe the action is ambiguous, in order to add suspense or mystery. Or introduce an interesting character that captures the attention of the audience and holds it in a tight grip.
I usually write the first draft without too much concern for voice, focusing on plot, characterization, and conflict. Later, as I revise, I concentrate on voice. At this point, I change much of the telling parts to showing by adding sensory description and details. If I’ve included a block of backstory, I revise to feed it to the audience, bit by bit. Long chunks of backstory slow the action and often becomes boring to the reader, so tread lightly.
In my next blog, I’ll continue with more tips.
Call for Submissions for Young Writers:
Amazing Kids E-zine. This educational non-profit publishes work of kids between the ages of 5-13 as well as teens up to the age of 17. To learn more visit their submission guidelines here. They publish a wider variety of work than most traditional journals and are interested in non-fiction, fiction, poems, videos, reviews, and more.
Submission guidelines at http://mag.amazing-kids.org/get-involved/write-for-us/
Call for Submissions for Adult Writers:
Chicken Soup for the Soul. “You Go, Girl!” This call is looking for true stories designed to help young women feel stronger, more capable, and more confident. Limit 1,200 words. Payment is $200 and ten copies of the anthology that contains your story.
Deadline December 15, 2019.
Submissions guidelines at https://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/possible-book-topics
Nancy Kelly Allen has written 50+ children’s books and a cookbook, SPIRIT OF KENTUCKY: BOURBON COOKBOOK.
Comment or check out the blog at https://nancykellyallen.blogspot.com/
Narrowing a topic and choosing an audience are two factors to consider in writing with a slant. Both were discussed in the previous blog. Two additional factors include:
Researching a topic. When writing AMAZING GRACE, I set aside time to explore books and websites on the Kentucky home front during World War II. Collecting tidbits of information, much more than I’d ever need, provided me with the luxury of sifting out the truths and proofs that worked best for my story setting and age group. Yes, fiction must include accurate facts. Historical fiction comes alive through details.
Simple items, such as Kool-Aid, needed to be researched. What flavors were available during the early 1940s? Was a radio station in operation in Ashland, Kentucky, during 1942? I began the story with a family moving from Ashland to Hazard, but further research led me to realize Hazard had no radio station at that time. Ashland did, so the family moved from Hazard to Ashland. Details, small details, make a difference in the believability of a story.
Voice. What type of voice should I use? I didn’t want the story to sound frivolous, too carefree. The times were difficult for those on the home front during the war, so I wanted the tone of the book to reflect that, but without burdening the reader with morose nuances. The main character, a young girl named Grace, tells the story and hits a balance between reality and a child-like view that infused a humorous touch.
Writing for a particular audience with a particular slant or particular angle can narrow your story to a perfect fit.
Call for Submissions for Young Writers:
Blue Marble Review. Are you age 13 to 21? (Or do you have writing kids?) If so, then Blue Marble Review is worth considering since there are few paying markets for teen writers. They accept fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and art. Pay is $25 ($75 for cover art). All submissions should be unpublished.
Submission guidelines at https://bluemarblereview.com/submit/
Call for Submissions for Adult Writers:
Fun For Kidz magazine looks for activities that deal with timeless topics, such as pets, nature, hobbies, science, games, sports, careers, simple cooking, and anything else likely to interest a child. Each issue revolves around a theme.
Submissions guidelines at https://www.freelancewriting.com/writers-guidelines/children-publications/
Nancy Kelly Allen has written 50+ children’s books and a cookbook, SPIRIT OF KENTUCKY: BOURBON COOKBOOK.
Comment or check out the blog at https://nancykellyallen.blogspot.com/
When I begin a fictional manuscript, I think about the character, plot, and setting, but I also consider the slants. By slant, I mean writing with an angle, such as:
Narrowing the topic.
Amazing Grace, a middle grade novel, is a fictional account of American life during World War II. The landscape of the early 1940s is so broad, I narrowed the setting to one small town, Ashland, Kentucky. Rather than covering the entire war years, I focused on one. The book is about 33,000 words, so I was limited in both time and space. Narrowing the topic was a must.
Choosing the audience. What age group do I want to reach? I began the Amazing Grace manuscript as a picture book. After many rewrites and revisions, an editor suggested that I rewrite the story for an older audience. After weeks of planning and plotting the story mentally, I started over with middle grade readers in mind. What could my readers handle? What would they enjoy reading and learning? Those were questions that I asked before writing a word.
In my next blog, I’ll address the next two factors for writing with a slant.
Call for Submissions for Adult Writers:
The Caterpillar. This is a respected literary journal for kids between the ages of 8 and 11 accepts submissions of poetry and fiction.
Submissions guidelines at http://www.thecaterpillarmagazine.com/a1-page.asp?ID=4150&page=11
Nancy Kelly Allen has written 40+ children’s books and a cookbook, SPIRIT OF KENTUCKY: BOURBON COOKBOOK.
After compiling a list of 15-20 potential publishers that fit the type of manuscript you’ve written, trim the list to the top 5 and submit to those. Before subbing a story, always check the publisher’s/agent’s website to make sure the submission guidelines still accept unsolicited manuscripts.
Follow the guidelines exactly. Some have specific information required in the cover letter (such as, three comparable titles in the last three years) and in the number of pages to send. Some want the pages in the body of the email; others prefer an attachment. And some are specific in the information listed on the Subject line of the email. Still, others require manuscripts to be sent by the U. S. Postal Service. Each publisher is different, so check the submission guidelines carefully.
Some editors/agents may provide comments on what does or does not work with the manuscript. Take the information and use it (if you agree) to revise the piece. Some editors/agents may suggest the changes and offer and R & R (revise and resubmit). Some may not offer the opportunity to resubmit. Don’t resubmit the manuscript unless the editor/agent requests it. Spend time revising and submit to the next 5 potential publishers on your list. By this time you may have made changes that will make the manuscript more appealing and marketable.
Call for Submissions for Adult Writers:
Youth Imagination is interested in creative fiction stories by teens as well as by adult authors. Make the stories awesome, inspiring and engaging. Our goal is to publish the best writing for and by teens. We particularly love stories exploring their issues, such as bullying, drugs, romance, school, parental issues, teacher issues, etc., as well as about the grit and character of teens and young adults.
We accept most genres of fiction, including modern, urban or classical fantasy, as well as sci-fi, slipstream, literary, action-adventure or suspense.
Nancy Kelly Allen has written 50+ children’s books and a cookbook, SPIRIT OF KENTUCKY: BOURBON COOKBOOK.
Comment or check out the blog at https://nancykellyallen.blogspot.com/
%20has%20saturated%20the%20market.%20There%20are%20so%20many%20books%20on%20the%20subject%20and%20competition%20is%20so%20stiff,%20the%20idea%20simply%20can%E2%80%99t%20find%20a%20place.%20Don%E2%80%99t%20feel%20alone.%20Writers%20often%20juggle%20ideas%20that%20can%E2%80%99t%20grab%20a%20foothold.%20Maybe%20at%20some%20point%20you%E2%80%99ll%20figure%20out%20a%20way%20to%20make%20it%20work.%20If%20you%20can%E2%80%99t%20move%20on%20with%20another%20idea.%20Sometimes%20an%20idea%20works%20so%20well,%20the%20first%20draft%20falls%20into%20place%20and%20the%20revision%20runs%20smoothly.%20That%20happened%20to%20me%20with%20my%20first%20book,%20Once%20Upon%20a%20Dime.%20I%20heard%20coins%20dropping%20and%20said%20to%20my%20fuzzy-faced%20canines,%20%E2%80%9CListen,%20girls,%20the%20money%20tree%20is%20ripe%20and%20it%E2%80%99s%20dropping%20fruit.%E2%80%9D%20I%20knew%20the%20idea%20would%20work.%20After%20playing%20with%20the%20words%20for%20about%20six%20weeks,%20and%20with%20feedback%20from%20a%20reader,%20I%20sent%20it%20to%20a%20publisher.%20In%20less%20than%20a%20month%20later,%20I%20had%20a%20contract.%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cspan%3EIn%20my%20next%20blog,%20I%E2%80%99ll%20continue%20with%20tips%20for%20writing%20picture%20books%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cb%3E%3Cspan%3ECall%20for%20Submissions%20for%20Young%20Writers%20and%20Adult%20Writers:%3C/span%3E%3C/b%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cspan%3EYARN%20is%20an%20award-winning%20literary%20journal%20that%20publishes%20outstanding%20original%20short%20fiction,%20poetry,%20and%20essays%20for%20Young%20Adult%20readers,%20written%20by%20the%20writers%20you%20know%20and%20love,%20as%20well%20as%20fresh%20new%20voices...including%20teens.%3C/span%3E%3Cb%3E%3Cspan%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/b%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cb%3E%3Cspan%3ESubmission%20guidelines:%3C/span%3E%3C/b%3E%3Cspan%3E%20%3C/span%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22http://yareview.net/how-to-submit/%22%20target%3D%22_blank%22%3E%3Cspan%3Ehttp://yareview.net/how-to-submit/%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cspan%3ENancy%20Kelly%20Allen%20has%20written%2040+%20children%E2%80%99s%20books%20and%20a%20cookbook,%20SPIRIT%20OF%20KENTUCKY:%20BOURBON%20COOKBOOK.%20Check%20out%20her%20blog%20at%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22http://www.nancykellyallen.com/%22%3E%3Cspan%3Ewww.nancykellyallen.com%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/span%3E%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E%3Ci%3E%3C/i%3E%3Cu%3E%3C/u%3E%3Csub%3E%3C/sub%3E%3Csup%3E%3C/sup%3E%3Cstrike%3E%3C/strike%3E)
A picture book story may be simple with a short timeline, such as bedtime, or longer and more complex. Consider the age of the audience. Concept books about colors or numbers intended for the preschoolers are often more simplistic and shorter than books written for those in the K-2 group.
Writing picture books is similar to that of poetry. Employ an economy of words and lots of rhythm. There are differences, too. In poetry, visual and musical images are vivid, but in picture books, writers should think visually but write musically with a cadence and rhythm so the words leap and dance across the page. Leave the visual images for the illustrator to depict. Write each sentence with the idea that it can be illustrated.%20is%20necessary%20for%20picture%20books%20because%20they%20are%20written%20to%20be%20read%20aloud.%20Write%20in%20a%20word%20pattern%20that%20sometimes%20surprises%20the%20reader.%20If%20readers%20can%20anticipate%20the%20next%20line,%20there%E2%80%99s%20no%20surprise,%20no%20thrill,%20no%20excitement%20to%20the%20word%20choice.%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cspan%3EHumor%20is%20universal.%20Kids%20of%20all%20ages%20respond%20positively%20to%20funny%20situations,%20actions,%20and%20words.%20Hard%20consonants%20add%20tickle%20appeal.%20B,%20C,%20D,%20G,%20P,%20K,%20T,%20blast%20off%20the%20tongue%20as%20they%20are%20read%20aloud.%20Pickle%20is%20funny.%20Underwear%20is%20not%20as%20funny%20as%20underpants.%20The%20%E2%80%9CP%E2%80%9D%20sound%20is%20comical.%20Try%20saying%20these%20aloud:%20Pollygoster.%20Filibuster.%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cspan%3E%26nbsp;%20%26nbsp;%20%26nbsp;%20%26nbsp;%20%26nbsp;%26nbsp;%20In%20my%20next%20blog,%20I%E2%80%99ll%20continue%20with%20tips%20for%20writing%20picture%20books.%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cb%3E%3Cspan%3ECall%20for%20Submissions%20for%20Young%20Writers:%3C/span%3E%3C/b%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cb%3ENew%20Moon%20Girls.%20%3C/b%3EIdeas,%20Articles,%20Inventions,%20Fiction,%20Gardens,%20Poetry,%20Music,%20Opinions,%20Apps,%20Global%20Villages,%20Recipes,%20Plays,%20Buildings,%20Puzzles,%20Projects,%20Jokes,%20Speeches,%20Games,%20Screenplays,%20Sports,%20Emotions,%20Equations,%20Painting,%20Art,%20Experiments,%20Costumes,%20Activism,%20Photos,%20Rockets,%20Crafts,%20Designs,%20Gadgets,%20Dances,%20Solutions,%20Hats%26nbsp;and%20Everything%20Else%20You%20Imagine%20and%20Make.%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cb%3E%3Cspan%3ESubmission%20guidelines:%20%3C/span%3E%3C/b%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22https://newmoongirls.com/girls-get-published/%23more-4731%22%3E%3Cb%3E%3Cspan%3Ehttps://newmoongirls.com/girls-get-published/%23more-4731%3C/span%3E%3C/b%3E%3C/a%3E%3Cb%3E%3Cspan%3E%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/b%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cb%3E%3Cspan%3ECall%20for%20Submissions%20for%20Adult%20Writers:%3C/span%3E%3C/b%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A%3Cb%3E%3Cspan%3EShort%20Edition.%20%3C/span%3E%3C/b%3E%3Cspan%3E%C2%B7%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%3E%3Cspan%3E%26nbsp;%20%3C/span%3ESubmissions%20must%20be%20short%20stories%20and%20poems%20of%20maximum%208,000%20%3Ci%3Echaracters%3C/i%3E,%20spaces%20included%20or%20children's%20stories%20of%20maximum%207,000%20characters,%20spaces%20included.%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%3E%3Cbr%20style%3D%22mso-special-character:%20line-break;%22%20/%3E%0A%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%3E%3C/span%3E%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cspan%3E%C2%B7%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%3E%3Cspan%3E%26nbsp;%20%3C/span%3EWorks%20must%20be%20previously%20unpublished%20in%20print%20or%20online,%20including%20on%20personal%20blogs.%3Cb%3E%3Cspan%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/b%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cb%3E%3Cspan%3ESubmission%20guidelines:%3C/span%3E%3C/b%3E%20%3Cb%3E%3Cspan%3Ehttps://short-edition.com/en/contest/general-submissions-rendez-vous-july-2019-issue/guidelines%3C/span%3E%3C/b%3E%3Cb%3E%3Cspan%3E%3Cbr%20/%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/b%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cspan%3ENancy%20Kelly%20Allen%20has%20written%2040+%20children%E2%80%99s%20books%20and%20a%20cookbook,%20SPIRIT%20OF%20KENTUCKY:%20BOURBON%20COOKBOOK.%20Check%20out%20her%20blog%20at%20%3C/span%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22http://www.nancykellyallen.com/%22%3E%3Cspan%3Ewww.nancykellyallen.com%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3Cb%3E%3Cspan%3E%20%3C/span%3E%3C/b%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E%3Ci%3E%3C/i%3E%3Cu%3E%3C/u%3E%3Csub%3E%3C/sub%3E%3Csup%3E%3C/sup%3E%3Cstrike%3E%3C/strike%3E)
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Commit to your writing. Decided how much time you can devote to writing and stick with the plan. Keep track of the time spent writing per day until it becomes routine. Make writing a habit. You may want to begin by writing an article for a local newspaper or a magazine. Seeing your work published is a strong motivating factor..%20Your%20name%20should%20appear%20somewhere%20on%20the%20artwork.%20You%20may%20also%20tell%20us%20how%20you%20created%20it;%20for%20example,%20is%20it%20made%20with%20crayon,%20watercolor,%20paper%20sculpture,%20or%20some%20other%20way.%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cspan%3ESubmissions%20guidelines%20at%20http://www.magicdragonmagazine.com/?page_id%3D6%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cb%3E%3Cspan%3ECall%20for%20Submissions%20for%20Adult%20Writers:%3C/span%3E%3C/b%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cb%3E%3Cspan%3EChicken%20Soup%20for%20the%20Soul.%20%3C/span%3E%3C/b%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Cspan%3EListen%20to%20Your%20Dreams%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/strong%3E%3Cspan%3E%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A%3Cspan%3EWhen%20we%20are%20asleep,%20we%20dream.%20Are%20dreams%20a%20connection%20to%20the%20unconscious%20mind?%20Are%20they%20omens%20of%20things%20to%20come%E2%80%94both%20good%20and%20bad?%20Dreams%20are%20often%20the%20way%20we%20tap%20into%20our%20own%20inner%20wisdom.%20Sixth%20sense,%20gut%20feeling,%20premonitions,%20instinct.%20Whatever%20you%20call%20it,%20sometimes%20we%20have%20no%20logical%20reason%20for%20knowing%20something%E2%80%94but%20still%20we%20know%20it.%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%3E%20Submissions%20guidelines%20at%20https://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/submit-your-story%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cspan%3ENancy%20Kelly%20Allen%20has%20written%2050+%20children%E2%80%99s%20books%20and%20a%20cookbook,%20SPIRIT%20OF%20KENTUCKY:%20BOURBON%20COOKBOOK.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cspan%3EComment%20or%20check%20out%20the%20blog%20at%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%3Ehttps://nancykellyallen.blogspot.com/%3C/span%3E%3Cu%3E%3Cspan%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/u%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E%3Ci%3E%3C/i%3E%3Cu%3E%3C/u%3E%3Csub%3E%3C/sub%3E%3Csup%3E%3C/sup%3E%3Cstrike%3E%3C/strike%3E)
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In most fictional picture books, MG and YA novels, the character faces a problem or goal. The story builds as the character makes multiple attempts to solve the problem or reach the goal. Think about the part leading up to the moment of victory. Slow down the action in this part of the story, so you won’t reveal the outcome quickly. Slowing the action builds tension. Tension builds suspense. The suspense keeps the reader hanging on to know more, cheering on the protagonist, and holding on to finish the story.
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When characters talk (dialog) they should not repeat what they already know, unless the action took place a few chapters prior and the repetition is used to remind the reader. The purpose of dialog is to enhance character development and push along the plot. If your dialog isn’t doing that, omit it. %20they%20should%20not%20repeat%20what%20they%20already%20know,%20unless%20the%20action%20took%20place%20a%20few%20chapters%20prior%20and%20the%20repetition%20is%20used%20to%20remind%20the%20reader.%20The%20purpose%20of%20dialog%20is%20to%20enhance%20character%20development%20and%20push%20along%20the%20plot.%20If%20your%20dialog%20isn%E2%80%99t%20doing%20that,%20omit%20it.%20%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Ca%20href%3D%22https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBMK5OV979lrwVYZkSH3dXHcuoniC7SoKgThbCVC2N7R_aHxBEicNCLol1Z-G6pHLMEZUB_42HJFrHLYQ9EiICqfIdccfdSD8C1hjbK4d5ke5xOYGBpzEueHAANxhOFP7Cg8IAJbS64klf/s1600/Dear+Komodo+Dragon.jpg%22%20imageanchor%3D%221%22%3E%3Cspan%3E%3C/span%3E%3Cbr%20/%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cspan%3E%3Cbr%20/%3E%3C/span%3E%20%3Cspan%3ELimit%20the%20use%20of%20%E2%80%9Che%20said%E2%80%9D%20and%20%E2%80%9Cshe%20said%E2%80%9D%20as%20dialog%20tags.%20Allow%20the%20character%20to%20show%20some%20action%20to%20let%20the%20reader%20know%20who%20is%20speaking.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cspan%3E%20%3C/span%3E%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cspan%3E%3Cspan%3EDialog%20should%20be%20authentic.%20It%20should%20sound%20like%20the%20age,%20gender,%20and%20culture%20of%20the%20speaker.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%3EA%20young%20child%20sometimes%20mispronounces%20words.%20That%20can%20be%20worked%20into%20the%20dialog%20to%20make%20the%20character%20seem%20real.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cspan%3EExample:%3C/span%3E%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cspan%3E%E2%80%9CDon%E2%80%99t%20go%20there,%E2%80%9D%20Annie%20said.%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cspan%3EAnnie%20stopped%20and%20stared%20at%20Jim.%20%E2%80%9CDon%E2%80%99t%20go%20there.%E2%80%9D%3C/span%3E%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A%3Cspan%3E%3Cbr%20/%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cspan%3EAlso%20limit%20the%20length%20of%20a%20character%E2%80%99s%20dialog.%20A%20character%20that%20fills%20in%20an%20entire%20page%20without%20interruption,%20may%20be%20(probably%20is)%20talking%20too%20much.%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cspan%3EUse%20exposition%20(explaining)%20sparingly.%20Large%20chunks%20of%20information%20should%20be%20fed%20to%20the%20reader%20in%20small%20doses%20to%20keep%20the%20interest%20high%20and%20the%20action%20moving.%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cb%3E%3Cspan%3ECall%20for%20Submissions%20for%20Young%20Writers:%3C/span%3E%3C/b%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cb%3E%3Cspan%3EBlue%20Marble%20Review.%3C/span%3E%3C/b%3E%3Cspan%3E%20Are%20you%20age%2013%20to%2021?%20(Or%20do%20you%20have%20writing%20kids?)%20If%20so,%20then%20%3Ci%3EBlue%20Marble%20Review%3C/i%3E%20is%20worth%20considering%20since%20there%20are%20few%20paying%20markets%20for%20teen%20writers.%20They%20accept%20fiction,%20nonfiction,%20poetry,%20and%20art.%20Pay%20is%20$25%20($75%20for%20cover%20art).%20All%20submissions%20should%20be%20unpublished.%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cspan%3ESubmissions%20guidelines%20at%20https://bluemarblereview.com/submit/%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cb%3E%3Cspan%3ECall%20for%20Submissions%20for%20Adult%20Writers:%3C/span%3E%3C/b%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cb%3E%3Cspan%3EThe%20Writer%3C/span%3E%3C/b%3E%3Ci%3E%3Cspan%3E%20%3C/span%3E%3C/i%3E%3Cspan%3Emagazine:%20%E2%80%9CCalling%20all%20YA%20%26amp;%20kidlit%20authors:%20We%E2%80%99re%20currently%20accepting%20pitches%20for%20our%20annual%20%E2%80%9CWriting%20for%20Young%20Readers%E2%80%9D%20issue!%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%3EWe%20are%20interested%20in%20how-to%20stories,%20reported%20pieces,%20narrative%20essays,%20and%20profiles%20of%20writers%20and%20others%20in%20the%20field.%20%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cspan%3ESubmissions%20guidelines%20at%20https://www.writermag.com/the-magazine/submission-guidelines/%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cb%3E%3Cspan%3ENancy%20Kelly%20Allen%20has%20written%2050+%20children%E2%80%99s%20books%20and%20a%20cookbook,%20SPIRIT%20OF%20KENTUCKY:%20BOURBON%20COOKBOOK.%20%3C/span%3E%3C/b%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E%3Ci%3E%3C/i%3E%3Cu%3E%3C/u%3E%3Csub%3E%3C/sub%3E%3Csup%3E%3C/sup%3E%3Cstrike%3E%3C/strike%3E)
Simple items, such as Kool-Aid, needed to be researched. What flavors were available during the early 1940s? Was a radio station in operation in Ashland, Kentucky, during 1942? I began the story with a family moving from Ashland to Hazard, but further research led me to realize Hazard had no radio station at that time. Ashland did, so the family moved from Hazard to Ashland. Details, small details, make a difference in the believability of a story.%20If%20so,%20then%20%3Ci%3EBlue%20Marble%20Review%3C/i%3E%20is%20worth%20considering%20since%20there%20are%20few%20paying%20markets%20for%20teen%20writers.%20They%20accept%20fiction,%20nonfiction,%20poetry,%20and%20art.%20Pay%20is%20$25%20($75%20for%20cover%20art).%20All%20submissions%20should%20be%20unpublished.%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/h2%3E%0A%3Ch2%3E%0A%3Cspan%3E%3Cspan%3E%3Cspan%3E%3Cspan%3ESubmission%20guidelines%20at%26nbsp;https://bluemarblereview.com/submit/%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%3E%3Cb%3E%3Cbr%20/%3E%3C/b%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/h2%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cb%3E%3Cspan%3ECall%20for%20Submissions%20for%20Adult%20Writers:%3C/span%3E%3C/b%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cspan%3E%3Cb%3EFun%20For%20Kidz%3C/b%3E%20magazine%20looks%20for%20activities%20that%20deal%20with%20timeless%20topics,%20such%20as%20pets,%20nature,%20hobbies,%20science,%20games,%20sports,%20careers,%20simple%20cooking,%20and%20anything%20else%20likely%20to%20interest%20a%20child.%20Each%20issue%20revolves%20around%20a%20theme.%3C/span%3E%3Cb%3E%3Cspan%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/b%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A%3Cspan%3ESubmissions%20guidelines%20at%20https://www.freelancewriting.com/writers-guidelines/children-publications/%3C/span%3E%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cspan%3ENancy%20Kelly%20Allen%20has%20written%2050+%20children%E2%80%99s%20books%20and%20a%20cookbook,%20SPIRIT%20OF%20KENTUCKY:%20BOURBON%20COOKBOOK.%20%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cspan%3EComment%20or%20check%20out%20the%20blog%20at%20%3C/span%3Ehttps://nancykellyallen.blogspot.com/%3Cu%3E%3Cspan%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/u%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E%3Ci%3E%3C/i%3E%3Cu%3E%3C/u%3E%3Csub%3E%3C/sub%3E%3Csup%3E%3C/sup%3E%3Cstrike%3E%3C/strike%3E)
Narrowing the topic. Amazing Grace, a middle grade novel, is a fictional account of American life during World War II. The landscape of the early 1940s is so broad, I narrowed the setting to one small town, Ashland, Kentucky. Rather than covering the entire war years, I focused on one. The book is about 33,000 words, so I was limited in both time and space. Narrowing the topic was a must.
Follow the guidelines exactly. Some have specific information required in the cover letter (such as, three comparable titles in the last three years) and in the number of pages to send. Some want the pages in the body of the email; others prefer an attachment. And some are specific in the information listed on the Subject line of the email. Still, others require manuscripts to be sent by the U. S. Postal Service. Each publisher is different, so check the submission guidelines carefully. %20and%20in%20the%20number%20of%20pages%20to%20send.%20Some%20want%20the%20pages%20in%20the%20body%20of%20the%20email;%20others%20prefer%20an%20attachment.%20And%20some%20are%20specific%20in%20the%20information%20listed%20on%20the%20Subject%20line%20of%20the%20email.%20Still,%20others%20require%20manuscripts%20to%20be%20sent%20by%20the%20U.%20S.%20Postal%20Service.%20Each%20publisher%20is%20different,%20so%20check%20the%20submission%20guidelines%20carefully.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cspan%3ESome%20editors/agents%20may%20provide%20comments%20on%20what%20does%20or%20does%20not%20work%20with%20the%20manuscript.%20Take%20the%20information%20and%20use%20it%20(if%20you%20agree)%20to%20revise%20the%20piece.%20Some%20editors/agents%20may%20suggest%20the%20changes%20and%20offer%20and%20R%20%26amp;%20R%20(revise%20and%20resubmit).%20Some%20may%20not%20offer%20the%20opportunity%20to%20resubmit.%20Don%E2%80%99t%20resubmit%20the%20manuscript%20unless%20the%20editor/agent%20requests%20it.%20Spend%20time%20revising%20and%20submit%20to%20the%20next%205%20potential%20publishers%20on%20your%20list.%20By%20this%20time%20you%20may%20have%20made%20changes%20that%20will%20make%20the%20manuscript%20more%20appealing%20and%20marketable.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cb%3E%3Cspan%3ECall%20for%20Submissions%20for%20Adult%20Writers:%3C/span%3E%3C/b%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cb%3E%3Cspan%3EYouth%20Imagination%3C/span%3E%3C/b%3E%3Cspan%3E%20is%20interested%20in%20creative%20fiction%20stories%20by%20teens%20as%20well%20as%20by%20adult%20authors.%20Make%20the%20stories%20awesome,%20inspiring%20and%20engaging.%20Our%20goal%20is%20to%20publish%20the%20best%20writing%20for%20and%20by%20teens.%20We%20particularly%20love%20stories%20exploring%20their%20issues,%20such%20as%20bullying,%20drugs,%20romance,%20school,%20parental%20issues,%20teacher%20issues,%20etc.,%20as%20well%20as%20about%20the%20grit%20and%20character%20of%20teens%20and%20young%20adults.%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cspan%3EWe%20accept%20most%20genres%20of%20fiction,%20including%20modern,%20urban%20or%20classical%20fantasy,%20as%20well%20as%20sci-fi,%20slipstream,%20literary,%20action-adventure%20or%20suspense.%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cb%3E%3Cspan%3ESubmission%20guidelines%20at%3C/span%3E%3C/b%3E%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https://silverblade.submittable.com/submit/17178/youth-imagination%22%3E%3Cb%3E%3Cspan%3Ehttps://silverblade.submittable.com/submit/17178/youth-imagination%3C/span%3E%3C/b%3E%3C/a%3E%3Cb%3E%3Cspan%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/b%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cspan%3ENancy%20Kelly%20Allen%20has%20written%2050+%20children%E2%80%99s%20books%20and%20a%20cookbook,%20SPIRIT%20OF%20KENTUCKY:%20BOURBON%20COOKBOOK.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%0A%3Cspan%3EComment%20or%20check%20out%20the%20blog%20at%20%3C/span%3Ehttps://nancykellyallen.blogspot.com/%3Cu%3E%3Cspan%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/u%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E%3Ci%3E%3C/i%3E%3Cu%3E%3C/u%3E%3Csub%3E%3C/sub%3E%3Csup%3E%3C/sup%3E%3Cstrike%3E%3C/strike%3E)