Teresa LeYung-Ryan

Posts Tagged ‘children’s books’

Coach Teresa, How do I fix my children’s story? Agent says it’s too episodic.

In my previous blog post about how to remedy an episodic storyline  . . . here’s an argument from one of my clients who writes children’s books . . .

“But kids aren’t that sophisticated, are they? Shouldn’t stories for that age group be episodic?”

Coach Teresa here . . .  Kids know what a good story is, especially if they’ve read the timeless classics (to name a few:  The Hobbit; The Wind In the Willows; Charlotte’s Web; The Phantom Tollbooth; The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. What are other memorable children’s books? Wordsworth the Poet by Frances Kakugawa is a contemporary favorite of mine )

Also, keep in mind that a children’s story has to hook adults (agents, acquisition editors, publishers, booksellers, reviewers, shoppers).  How do you hook adult-readers, even if you choose to be your own publisher?

Answer:  Create memorable characters and follow screenwriting teacher Terrel Seltzer’s advice:  “Someone we care about wants something badly and is having a terrible time getting it.”

Here’s my post from May 26, 2011 about Terrel

I encourage you to set the stage.  Give the reader sensory details—not only sight and hearing but also taste, smell and touch.

To create a story with thematic significance, let your metaphors / similes / inferences move your story forward or provide clues.

Coach Teresa says: “Reach out, not stress out, when pursuing your dreams!”

Want to attract agents  & publishers?  Want to be your own publisher?

• Get your manuscript professionally edited
• Build your writer’s platform NOW

Email:  writingcoachTeresa    at    gmail.com

http://writingcoachTeresa.com

Coach Teresa  LeYung-Ryan loves to edit:

• novels & memoirs with feisty protagonists and universal messages;
• children’s novels that help young readers understand their feelings and build self-confidence

What are your 2010 resolutions for your writing life?

Click on the title of this post. Then scroll down and fill in the boxes.

I’m cheering for you!

Sincerely,

Writing Career Coach Teresa

Build Your Name, Beat the Game:  Be Happily Published

http://WritingCoachTeresa.com

March 23, 2010

Dear Anne M. Baxter,
Thank you for taking photos for me at California Writers Club. And for following up by submitting your comments to my blog.

For your children’s books, I recommend the talented agents at Andrea Brown Literary Agency  http://andreabrownlit.com/agents.php
I saw Laura Rennert at the San Francisco Writers Conference in February when she and Robert San Souci http://www.rsansouci.com/ were on the same panel. I’m a big fan of Robert’s children’s books; and, if I were writing children’s books, I would be honored to be represented by Laura Rennert (she is agent and author)  http://www.laurajoyrennert.com/

To identify prospective agents or acquisition editors for your historical novels for adults, read acknowledgment pages of your favorite historical novels (authors usually thank these folks); also go to: Association of Authors’ Representatives “AAR” to find agents for specific genres http://aaronline.org/Find

Use search engines to find authors’ interviews; after you find names of agents or acquisition editors, use search engines again to find their websites; then study their submission guidelines.

Go to: http://WritingCoachTeresa.com Click on “Teresa LeYung Ryan’s Events”
I’ll be glad to answer questions at any of my events.  I’m also available for private coaching or group-coaching if you round up 2 or 3 colleagues.

Cheering for you and your books!
Writing Career Coach Teresa

“When you make your name synonymous with the themes/subject matters/issues in your writing, you are building your name/career/platform. You too can be happily published.”

http://WritingCoachTeresa.com has resources for writers

Effie Lee Morris was the epitome of a hero. At the funeral service, one of her friends said that Effie Lee used to “run the gauntlet” when she would go to Hunter’s Point to read to children, but, before reaching the school, she would have encountered drug dealers who’d tried to sell their “merchandise” to her.

She displayed her heroism in many other ways. I knew Effie Lee as the founding president of the San Francisco Chapter of the Women’s National Book Association and the leader who coordinated book donations for children to the San Francisco Hall of Justice Teddy Bear Room. Joan Gelfand and I saw what this project meant to Effie Lee-–that time when we were Effie Lee’s “understudies” and dropped off the donations with WNBA SF Chapter past president Adele Horwitz.

I miss Effie Lee. It was always a special treat to see her at WNBA events and board meetings. I’m going to honor her by watching one of her favorite movies–-Amélie. Effie Lee said she loved Paris.  Au revoir et salut, dear Effie Lee.

Teresa LeYung Ryan & EFFIE LEE MORRIS at 2009 Effie Lee Morris Lecture reception at SFPL

WNBA members are invited to post their Effie Lee stories on:    http://wnba-sfchapter.org/blog/beloved-effie-lee-morris-we-are-so-sad/