I’ve heard people say they have so many ideas they don’t know which one to write. Having a lot of ideas is great, but it can also be a form of procrastination or indetermination. Don’t get caught in a trap of endless idea generation that means you never write.
Here’s what works for me when choosing ideas. I’ll address different categories of writing.
Magazine Piece Ideas
I’ve sold over a hundred and fifty short stories and articles. If I’m in the midst of writing a story and another idea comes to mind, I open a file write down my ideas and save it in a folder labeled Story Starts or Article Ideas. Then I get back to the original story. When I finish my first draft of the piece, then I can move on to a new idea or an unfinished story or article.
But let’s say today I have no stories or articles in progress–just ideas. How do I choose? I look at my ideas. Some may feel “meh.” (At least at the moment.) Others may look interesting, but I’m missing something to make it compelling and I’m not sure what, so I set it aside. Another idea is intriguing, so I start writing. Why look for other ideas if this one looks good? Go ahead and write it. If no ideas grab me, I look at editorial calendars and theme lists. I may have something already written that fits or need minor adjusting, or this outside input may be the missing inspiration I need for an idea on file. Or it may inspire me to write something totally new.
It helps me to finish stories by knowing these things:
1. The main character’s problem
2. How he/she will solve the problem
3. Something of the character’s personality
4. Setting
For most articles, some research will be required. What information can I find? Are there books on the topic? Good internet sources? Good articles written for adults? Interviews? Diaries? While I’m looking at this material and taking notes, I ask myself, “What will be the focus on my article?” “What will be especially of interest to kid readers?” Sometimes the research will point at another idea, which goes in my idea file.
I’ve also done interviews for articles. That takes preparation too. Finding someone interesting to interview, arranging the interview, preparing intelligent questions, taking notes on their answers and taking pictures. If allowed, I tape the interview. My notes might include details about the person and setting and observations about what they do as well as direct quotes. Then I have to look over my notes, perhaps listen again to the interview, look at the pictures, and start organizing my article. I find it helpful to make a mini-outline after I’ve written a piece to see if it works or needs rearranging. (I’m not an outliner.)
When I’m done with the first draft of a story or article, I can move on to another idea. Giving the draft a week or more to settle while I work on other things helps me come back with fresh eyes to do editing. After that, I share with my critique group and do another rewrite (or two or three) before submitting.
TIP: If you never finish any stories or articles, you’ll never have the satisfaction of a complete piece. Nor sales.
Picture Book Ideas
Picture books are usually going to take a lot more work to get right than a short story. I have to be really motivated by the idea. Does that mean I jump in and write it? Often, not. I might look and see if there are similar books out there on the topic. If too many, then it’s not a good topic to write unless I have a fresh twist. I might abandon the idea or throw it in an idea file.
I may need to do some research on character or setting before I begin to write. What will work the best for this story idea? Who will be the right character for this story? I have to think of character names that fit. I might do research on objects or an experience I want to include in the story.
Sometimes ideas come almost full blown. I lie down at night and keep thinking of the story. I wake up in the morning and the story is nagging me. I may not want to get dressed, eat breakfast or do anything, but get to the keyboard. Does that mean the picture book comes out perfect first time? Absolutely not! But it usually means I’ll get a first draft written in a hurry.
Again, all my picture books go through revisions before my critique group sees them. They may go through several rounds with my group as well. Sometimes I get a professional critique, too.
TIP: Write to the end, even if you don’t like your first draft. You’ll learn something by doing so.
Novel Ideas
Novels are a big commitment–usually a number of years for me. I have to know the main problem, have a character, and have an idea how the problem might be solved before I write anything. I have a number of novel starts–a page or two or even a chapter–where I didn’t know enough and couldn’t get going because of it.
Ideas I’ll develop into a novel have to have a theme that resonates with me. I’ve discovered that many of my manuscripts deal with the theme of facing fears. Having a theme helps provide a partial roadmap for the story.
These story ideas may be inspired by past experiences, by the voice of a character, or by a predicament I’ve read about or imagined. I start with the one that is tugging me most.
I try to finish a draft of one novel manuscript before starting another. However, sometimes a new story is pressing me so much, I work on two projects. Of course, at any time, I may stop and make notes on a new idea that I’ll attack later. While writing that first draft, I spend a lot of time thinking about what my characters are doing, do any necessary research, and keep plugging away until I reach the end. Once I have a completed draft, I may let it “sit a spell” and work on something else so I can come back to it with fresh eyes for revisions.
Just like with the other forms of writing, my critique group gives me feedback.
TIP: As a pantser (versus an outliner), I find the use of a story timeline or story ladder helps me keep track of the who, where, and when of each of my scenes and chapters.
Assigned Writing
Sometimes writers are asked to write on a specific topic which means they didn’t have to find the initial idea. This often includes a deadline. But I’ll leave that discussion for another time.
Does It Matter Which Idea I Choose?
Eventually. But I’ve found all writing, helps develop my writing muscles and skills. I find the more I write, the more I want to write. Picking an idea and going with it will get you in the habit of writing. So, don’t agonize too long over which idea to develop–write!
I love this quote from John M. Cusick, “Writers, your job today is to sit down and start. Finishing, getting better, getting through it–that will happen on its own. Just start.”
Category: The Nitty Gritty of Children’s Writing
Finding Comp Titles
Recently, I was at a writer’s conference where someone asked, “What do you do when you can’t find comp titles?”. (Comp titles are comparable titles.) Sometimes writers say, “Nothing is out there like this book.” That’s highly unlikely, especially if the book fits a category–picture book, middle grade, young adult, etc.–and it fits a genre. If it doesn’t fall in any of these, perhaps the writer needs to rethink the project–there may be a reason “nothing is out there” like it.
How I find comp titles
First, I go to Amazon and search in the category. (You could use Barnes & Noble as well.) Let’s say I’m looking for comp titles for a picture book. I start by searching by subject in picture books. For example, manners, or musical instruments, or fun in the sun. Be sure and use the check boxes on the left to help you narrow your search. I usually check hardcover. Since I mostly write fiction, I specify that as well.
Next, I search by characters. If my characters are animals, I’ll search for fiction picture books on that specific animal. E.g. How many picture books are there with a tree frog as the main character? Probably not many, which can help your book stand out. I know there are a lot of picture books with chicken, dog, or cat main characters.
If neither of those options work, try searching for the tone of the book, such as humor or sweet, whatever fits your manuscript best. Or search for the theme of your book.
You can also go to a local bookstore and ask someone in the children’s section to show you recent books on a specific topic, character, or written in a specific tone.
Reading books
And, of course, I read the books I find to see if they really are a good comparable title. I also do a lot of reading of picture books and may find comp titles that way as well.
Using multiple comp titles
Sometimes it takes two or three titles to express your book, so your pitch or query letter could say, “My book is like Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code meets Mo Willems’ The Thank You Book. (Note these are recent titles, which make the best comps.) You can also use movies or TV shows as one of your comps. “My YA manuscript is like The Truman Show meets M.T. Anderson’s Feed.” (These aren’t recent, but would give the editor or agent an instant picture of your manuscript.)
Usually you don’t want to use the blockbuster books, such as Harry Potter or Hunger Games as comparison titles. Although, if you were comparing it to some aspect of the book, that might work too. “My book has a main character who doesn’t fit in like Luna Lovegood in HP, but the story is more reminiscent of Laurel Gale’s Dead Boy.”
Agents and editors I’ve heard speak agree that comp titles will be out there. You just have to do the research to find them.
For further reading on this topic go to “Finding Comp Titles for Your Novel” by Annie Neugebauer and “Comp titles” by Janet Reid. Both of these posts are from 2012, but have great info.
Writing for Children’s Religious Magazines
I’ve sold over 75 short stories to a variety of religious magazines. Some of these stories were resales as the markets don’t have the same audience, but have very similar beliefs. Some stories were tweaked to fit a specific religion. A few of the magazines are no longer in print. Others have gone through transitions and name changes.
Beliefs Vary
Each magazine has its own flavor and set of beliefs. When reading sample stories, you’ll find certain magazines specifically mention God and/or Jesus, while others don’t. In all cases, there are things you need to know when writing for the religious market.
Theme Lists/Editorial Calendars
Many of the religious magazines can also be called “church take home papers.” In other words, 52 issues are printed for each Sunday/Sabbath of the year. Others, are monthly magazines with several stories/articles per issue. Not only does this mean they need lots of material (fiction and nonfiction), but these magazines often have some kind of theme. It can be a yearly theme, a monthly theme, or an issue by issue theme. There may be Bible verses to read along with theme topics. Often, theme lists, sometimes called editorial calendars, are available online. If not, you’ll need to write to the magazine for them. For one magazine I’ve gotten on a mailing list to receive the themes by email.
Writers Guidelines
All have submission guidelines–many of which are online. These will tell you word counts–some will be ranges, others will be up to a specific word limit. You may find deadlines for submissions. You’ll find information on the rights the magazine buys. (If you need further information on rights, go here.) http://www.susanuhlig.com/2013/10/is-that-right.html The focus of the magazine is usually mentioned here as well.
But one of the biggest “guidelines” is reading the stories in the magazine itself. This is where you’ll really see whether the stories are simply moral or “good,” or whether God is referenced or talked to, or both. You’ll get to see if story settings are inside or outside of church–often the most religious magazines use both.
The Characters
Most will have one main character either overcoming a problem or learning something. (That doesn’t mean these stories have to be preachy, although some will lean more that way than others.) Someone might help them with the problem, but the main character has to be in control and do the actual solving. Because of what happens in the story, the character will change in some way.
Editorial Relationships
Often, if you break into print with one magazine, you can sell more stories to the same magazine. If you do, you may develop a relationship with the editor(s). I had one editor tell me she liked my story, but since the magazine didn’t promote contemporary Christian music, they couldn’t use it. Without a relationship, all I’d have gotten would have been a straight rejection. I’ve also had editors ask me to fill holes in their lists of stories. After receiving a specific topic, I usually had to propose a couple ideas before getting the go ahead to write.
Rejections
You may find as I did that some magazines are really hard to break into. In fact, some I never wrote something that they accepted. You may also find some rejections are a “not now” as they had too many stories that fit the topic. That means you can send the story later when it again fits a topic. I’ve also resent stories when a new editor comes along. This means you have to keep accurate records on your submissions and on the magazine.
Sales
My favorite sales to religious markets were the magazine I read when I was a teen and the magazine my daughters read when they were teens. One of the fun things with resales is seeing how differently the same story can be illustrated. But the best is knowing that there are children and teens being encouraged by my stories.
A Fresh Look at Our Writing
I was once again reminded how important a fresh look is on a manuscript. This week a writer friend asked me to look at a picture book manuscript that her agent had said was “too mean spirited.” It was a retelling of an old story–good guys against a bad guy–with a very modern twist. I thought it was hilarious. I’d seen several versions and really couldn’t see much to tone down. Then yesterday she showed it to a mutual critique partner who had not seen the story before. She pointed out areas that would soften the story. This third writer had fresh eyes and was so right in her suggestions.
I love this imagery from Arthur Polotnik: “You write to communicate to the hearts and minds of others what’s burning inside you. And we edit to let the fire show through the smoke.” When we are writing our own view is hindered by smoke. We’re excited about what we’re creating–in love with our characters, our words. Setting aside the manuscript and coming back to it later when the fire has cooled, let’s some of that smoke of infatuation clear.
When we’ve looked at a manuscript over and over and over, we get blind. It’s too easy to skim because we “know” what it says. Suzanne Paschall says it this way, “Tired eyes become blind to errors that jump out to fresh eyes…” Somehow we need a splash of water in the face to wake us up.
Right now I’m going through my own manuscript using comments from my critique group. Mine is a novel in verse and once I gave the complete manuscript to my partners, I’ve didn’t look at it until I got their feedback. (I also tried not to think about the story at all.) Their questions and comments are helping me see it afresh. It helps me see what I know but didn’t put on the page. It helps me see where I wasn’t clear or left out details that will add to the story. It challenges me. And I know it is making my story better.
Soon, I’ll reread the whole story again to get it ready to send out on submission. This time I’ll probably first change the font so it looks different to me. This trick can help fool our eyes into seeing the words afresh.
Do you have other tools you use to look at your writing with fresh eyes? If so, please share in the comments.
Resources for Writing for Children’s Magazines
ARTICLES/BLOG ENTRIES/PODCASTS
“5 Reasons Novelists Should Write & Publish Short Stories” by Chuck Sambuchino
“7 Online Magazines for Kids That Are Worth a Read” by Saikat Basu
“Best Magazines for Kids Who Love Getting Mail as Much as We Do” by Mary Fetzer
“The Christian Children’s Market: A Place for Beginning Writers” by Marcia Laycock – although dated, it has good info
“Creating Characters for Children’s Magazines” – ICL Podcast
“Magazines for Kids” (online)
“Tips for Breaking Into Children’s Writing Through Magazines” by Mary Lou Carney
“Top 10 Kids Magazines” – these are the ones it will probably be more difficult to break into
“Top Ten Writing Mistakes Made By New Children’s Writers” by Suzanne Lieurance
“Writing Children’s Nonfiction for Magazines – Mistakes to Avoid”
“Writing for Children’s Magazines” by Eugie Foster
“Writing for Teen Magazines” (nonfiction) by Ursula Furi-Perry
“Writing for the Christian Children’s Market” – Guest Interview with Author Kathleen Muldoon
The following are links to relevant posts I wrote on this blog:
“Do You Remember?” (writing for teen magazines)
“Is That Right?” (magazine rights)
“Keeping Track” (of submissions)
“Magazine Story or Picture Book”
“Nonfiction Writing” – includes more resources
“On the Hunt for Ideas”
“Professional Problem Maker”
“Selling Photos to Magazines”
“Swift Fiction: The Short Story in Focus”
“Theme List Tactics”
MAGAZINE GUIDELINES (and THEME LISTS/EDITORIAL CALENDARS)
Magazine Markets for Children’s Writers – buy the current year here
Markets for Children’s Writers – databases separated into children and teens and paying and nonpaying
Writing for Children’s Magazines, An Ezine – quarterly – plus info about whether magazines are open or closed and links to guidelines