A Song of Six Pens: 2025

TEN MUST-HAVE BOOKS

Informative resources to support you throughout your journey as a children’s writer.

1. Writing Picture Books Revised and Expanded Edition: A Hands On Guide From Story Creation to Publication by Ann Whitford Paul

2. Writing For Children and Teens, A Crash Course, By Cynthea Liu

3. How to write a Children’s Book and Get It Published by Barbara Seuling

4. Children’s Writers & Illustrators Market, 33rd Edition, Newly Revised Guide and Update

5. The Magic Words: Writing Great Books for Children and Young Adults by Cheryl Klein

6. Queries, Pitches & Proposal by Moira Allen

7. Children’s Writer’s Word Book, 2nd edition, by Alijandra Mogilner

8. How to Write a Children’s Picture Book, Tips and Tricks For Writing Illustrated Picture Books for Kids by Darcy Pattison

9. Writing Irresistible Picture Books, Insider Insights into Crafting Compelling Modern Stories for Young Readers by Mary Kole

10. Writing Irresistible Picture Books Workbook: Guidance, Checklists, Worksheets, and Reading Lists to Go from Theory to Practice by Mary Kole

TEN REASONS TO LOVE WRITING FOR CHILDREN

By Gloria Reichert

February always leads us to focus on the theme of love – not only who we love, but also on things we love to do. Even though writing for children can be frustrating at times, we do it because we love to do it.
Here are ten reasons to love writing for kids.

1. We can explore our own creativity. We can write anything from picture books to poetry to chapter books. Along the way, we can let our imaginations run wild. Will it be make-believe? humor? mystery? We have the freedom to write about anything we choose and to unleash our creativity while doing so.

2. We can create new characters and get to know them. Anything can become a character – a scarecrow, a car, a dog, a person. The choices are unlimited. As we choose our characters and develop character sketches for them, we get to endow them with all sorts of traits which can be important in the story. Sometimes these characters even try to take over the story – which leads to even more creativity.

3. We can shut out the outside world and get lost in our own mind. As we develop our stories, we can play with structure and plot and shape our stories in any way we want. We can play around with different ideas until we discover the one that brings us satisfaction.

4. We can get back in touch with our own childhood. Remembering people and incidents which impressed us as we were growing up can provide fodder for stories. Sharing some of our interests or personal history might help today’s children make sense of their world.

5. We get to hone our craft and improve our skills. Through all the steps of the writing process, we can become better writers. Whether editing, rewriting, or wordsmithing, we grow in our knowledge of what works and what does not. By attending workshops and joining critique groups, we learn from others. Applying what we learn helps us perfect our stories so they are just right.

6. We grow and learn as we write for kids. As we do research about time periods or search for information needed for nonfiction, we absorb many helpful facts and are exposed to new ideas which just might lead to that next great story.

7. We have the opportunity to change the world and make it a better place. Stories can teach our readers important ideas about life. As we craft stories about such topics as empathy, kindness, and friendship, we can inform and educate children and guide them to develop these values. When kids internalize these values, they grow as individuals and become more compassionate. Our stories can provide different points of views, expose kids to different cultures, or just help them to better understand life. The possibilities are endless.

8. We can help foster a love of reading and literature. Reading about topics which interest them helps children keep reading. Every author wishes that his work would capture the interest of a child and inspire him to keep reading. There is a child just waiting for a certain story to touch his heart.

9. We have the opportunity to meet wonderful, like-minded people. The kid-lit community is filled with kind, gracious, fellow authors who are willing to be teachers, mentors, and critique partners. Not only do these folks help us hone our craft, but they can become wonderful supportive friends.

10. We have fun! Yes, writing can challenge us in multiple ways as we try to reach our full potential. But if we are honest, who among us does not enjoy playing around with the ideas swirling in our brains and perfecting them until they come out our fingertips at the keyboard? It is fun to see our stories take shape and give us such a sense of satisfaction. Many other reasons to love writing for children exist. Which ones would you add to the list?

Ten Writing Prompts for 2025

by Gloria G. Adams

To celebrate our tenth year of writing A Song of Six Pens blog, we begin with 10 writing prompts to get your creative ideas flowing for 2025. Have fun!

1. Once upon a time there was a tiny green frog named Thomas. One day he woke up and he was no longer green. He was a brilliant shade of…

2. As soon as I saw the look on Mama’s face, I knew exactly what had happened.

3. Make up a story using this picture. Ask these questions:

Who are they?

What happened to them?

Are they related to each other?

What is the setting?

What sensory details does the picture conjure up?

What will happen to them?

4. Write a story about a world where everything is upside down, except for people.

5. Make up a story in which a little girl is obsessed with wanting to be an astronaut.

6. Research an unusual animal, insect, or plant and write a lyrical nonfiction picture book about it.

7. Write a picture book about things in nature that are black. For a bigger challenge, write it in rhyme.

8. Make up a story using this picture.

9. Maggie was the naughtiest dog in the whole neighborhood. She was always getting into trouble. But then, one day…

10 Celia Carolina Crawford counted everything. She counted how many times she brushed her hair. She counted the number of tiles on the kitchen floor. She always counted each of her stuffies every morning. (Then, something related to counting goes wrong.)