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THE CASE OF THE WACKY KIDS’ WRITER Why would anyone want to write for children?
THE CASE OF THE WACKY KIDS’ WRITER
Why would anyone want to write for children?
WHAT ARE SOME GOOD AND BAD THINGS ABOUT WRITING FOR KIDS?
NEGATIVES
• 1. Age appropriate: No sex, violence, cursing, kid heroes
• 2. Rules- grammar, spelling as example to kids
• 3. Keeping up-to-date
• 4. You feel old
POSITIVES
• Popular– sales--$$$?
• Making a difference: CHANGE THE WORLD
• Great audience
• Many sub-genres
• You feel like a kid- humor
• Fanmail, thank you
• Works may be shorter
• Talking dogs and smart kids
• Kids believe in magic, fairies, dragons, aliens, fun
IF WRITING FOR KIDS IS SO HARD WHY DO I LOVE IT?
Don’t tell anyone: I’m still a kid at heart.
REWARDS OF WRITING FOR KIDS$ -$$$$?
Pride – sense of accomplishment- legacy
Fame, glamour, adventure? Learn!!!
Do what you love- expressing feelings, thoughts, passions
Help others – problems, new ideas = inventions
Travel and explore– new people and cultures
Contests, conferences, signings
Makes people happy and touches their lives.
YOU CAN MAKE THE WORLD BEAUTIFUL OR JUST MAKE A CHILD LAUGH
EVERYONE HAS A STORY TO TELL
KIDS ARE A SPECIAL AUDIENCE
Sharing it with kids keeps the stories alive.
“Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it.”
MY FIRST STORY
• Think of all the problems you can help with…
Writing can help kids solve problems.
A PEN = MAGIC WAND
=
A writer can make anything they can imagine happen.
Kids will believe it– encouraging more imagination in the writer.
When life gives kids lemons-
Your books can helps kids make it lemonade.
Authors show kids they can be anyone they want to be!
Well, maybe not him. Definitely not him.
That’s Better!
Kids can have any super powers they want.
Kids can have any DREAM they want.
You can make anything happen.
Even a talking, teen-age, dog detective who solves cases with fun experiments.
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
You can write about things you care abut--
PASSION – FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT SOMETHING
Dragons in the Neighborhood
What do I care about?
YOU CAN EXPRESS YOUR FEELINGS AND THOUGHTS
DREAMS, FEARS, HOPES, LOVES, HATES,DOUBTS, WANTS, NEEDS, FANTASIES, MEMORIES, OPINIONS, COMPLAINTS, ANGERS, SADNESS, LIKES….
AND KIDS DON’T MAKE FUN OF YOU.
WRITE ABOUT WHAT YOU CARE ABOUT = PASSION
Things I love Things I hate
FamilyFriendshipNaturePetsHobbiesMovies, booksSports
WarPrejudiceHungerSpiders and ratsGunsChild abuseBulliesGhosts
Writing and imagining is FUN!
• It can also be a little scary.
• Let out the ‘crazy’ in you!!!
What monsters can you create with your imagination? Your writing will stimulate the imagination and problem-solving of kids.
TAKE KIDS TO NEW PLACES
For real and in their imaginations. The world is full of exciting places– settings for your stories that kids will love and learn about.
The science fiction of today may be the real world tomorrow.
You teach kids to see into our future, to use imagination and dream big.
IMAGINATION OPENS NEW WORLDS
YOU HELP KIDS SEE THAT IF THEY DREAM IT, IT COULD HAPPEN!
HOW MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF KIDS WRITING CAN YOU THINK OF?
USES FOR WRITING
From ABC to Zoology = OPPORTUNITY
Variety for kids WritersPre-K to YA
Picture books
Chapter Books
Comics / Graphic Novels
Poetry
Fantasy, horror, fairy tales,myths,
sci-fi SPECIALTIES
Sports
Politics
Cooking & How To
Technical, Science,
Computer Games,
Adventure Teaching
Textbooks
Science
Hobbies
Newspapers
Magazines
blogs
Historic fiction, bio,
memoirs
riting for kids is an adventure without limits.
www.markhnewhouse.com
WRITING FOR KIDS IS FUN ANDCAN HELP KIDS, PARENTS, TEACHERS
Ou feel proud when you have finished a work and Kids, parents and teachers like it.
Yes, writing for kids is hard work, but…
A child’s laugh, smile or tears of joy make it all worth the effort. Especially when they say they want the next book…
Writing For kids Makes Me Happy
Dear Mr. Newhouse,I love Rockhound books. They are the funnest books in the world. I know writers are rich?Can I swim in your pool?
I am happy when kids read my books and stories.
I invite everyone to come and swim in the pool. Writing for kids is a big dive into responsibility, but also FUN.
THE END
Writers 4 Kids2nd & 4th Tuesday
9-11:20 a.m.Laurel Manor
We are a TEAM!!!
email: [email protected]
YOU CAN MAKE THE WORLD BEAUTIFUL.
You can help others learn how to make the world a better place for everyone.
YOU MEET THE NICEST PEOPLE.
YOU GET TO HELP CHILDREN and MAKE THEM LAUGH. MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OTHERS’ LIVES.
Thank you for sharing your life with me today. I wish you much success in whatever genre you choose.
www. bullystoppersclub.com www. markhnewhouse.com
