Magic Lessons: How to Find Magic When Writing for Kids
Children’s books inspire magic. That’s why we read them well into our old age. Just like a warm cup of cocoa or a feel-good movie, we cling to the simple elegance of a picture book because of the effortless magic they present no matter how old we may be. As a children’s writer, asking for magic over and over again is a big ask, but that’s the job. So how do you do it?
The Art of Self Editing: Making Space for Better Ideas
When you find yourself stuck in a rut, that’s your signal to shift. Trust your gut—it’s trying to tell you something: this isn’t working—do something else.
The Books the Raised Me
A picture book is a treasure. It’s the beginning of a lifelong relationship that only gets better with age. As I sat down to contemplate which 20 of the many picture books impacted my upbringing, I was confronted with the agony of choosing. In the end, for the purposes of this blog, there was no rhyme or reason to my selection of these 20 books, as I couldn’t rightfully decide. I just had to go with my gut, letting you in on the childhood of an American kid who grew up in New York City in the early '90s.
Unlocking Your Purpose by Listening to Your Inner Child
I never set out to become a writer, but I certainly set out to become something creative. Inspired by the mesmerizing worlds of 1990s children’s cinema, I became enchanted by the possibilities of storytelling. I vividly remember wearing out my VHS copy of Disney’s “The Lion King,” realizing one solid truth: I was meant to be a cartoon.
Breaking Free: Embracing Imperfection and Unleashing Your Creative Genius
Let's get real: perfection is nothing more than a mirage shimmering in the distance. No matter how much we strive for it, we'll forever be chasing an unattainable dream.
A Mindful Approach to Writing for Children
When it comes to writing for children, writers can sometimes find themselves stuck when trying to tap into the "child mind." They often wonder what to write to engage a young audience and how to effectively adopt their perspective. However, the truth is that if you are writing for children, you have never truly forgotten the child experience.
The Theta Brain for Peak Writing Performance: Capturing Your Dreams…Literally
Every person, no matter how old they are, has had that "aha" moment before dozing off. It’s a clear moment in our daily lives when the brain disengages from the rigorous flow of busy activity and routine. When the prefrontal cortex slows down (an area of the brain which includes areas of logic and reason). This is a time when the brain makes space for ideas to flow without judgment, intuition takes over, and creative sparks fly. This is the Theta brainwave state.
Get Comfortable with Solitude: Advice for Writers
As writers, I guess you could say that we’re idea people. However, the distractions of everyday life can easily bog us down. But we’ve got to show up and kick those distractions in the butt. And a key way to do just that is by getting comfortable with solitude.