Rx for Writers

Writer's Support Room - Getting Started


February 4, 2010

"THE WRITE WORDS TO READ"
The Institute of Children's Literature
 http://www.institutechildrenslit.com

"Reading blogs will not turn you into a published author. Writing blogs won't either. Writing books will. You have precious little time after your other responsibilities and if the goal is to write a book, well, then... write it."
--Laurie Halse Anderson, on her blog

CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE

*NEW* Check out the New Improved Student Center

1. LOOKING FOR SOMETHING? CHECK OUT THE TOPICAL SITE INDEX
2. WHAT'S NEW THIS WEEK: "Super Short Stories" Transcript
3. VINTAGE GOODIE
4. GUEST WORKSHOP EVENT NEXT WEEK -- THE ORGANIZED WRITER
5. CHAT
6. WHAT'S NEW AT KRISTI'S
7. MARKET NEWS
8. REMINDERS

Hello Students!

Check out the STUDENT CENTER
You can access it from the left side navigation links from all over the site now -- No more disappearing Student Center! Plus, it's been updated and packed with new goodies. All students from any of the classes from the Institute can use their student ID number to access the Student Center.
This gives you access to

If you're a student and you haven't checked out this terrific resource -- check in today!

Many of our enews issues are being blocked from getting to all of our subscribers. It can be difficult to convince your email provider that you truly want to receive this enews. Therefore we've created a list of directions to make it easier for you find the exact steps to ensure the enews always makes it to your inbox. Please, check out this link http://institutechildrenslit.com/email_whitelist_instructions.htm for specific directions to ensure you get every issue of the Children's Writers eNews.

1. LOOKING FOR SOMETHING?
A Full Site Topical Index
http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/rx/ws01/webindex.shtml

Are you interested in knowing more about "educational markets?" How about "historical fiction?"
There is a perfect topic for everyone and all of the Rx content is listed -- all the articles, all the guest chat transcripts, all the topical open forums. Check it OUT.



2. WHAT'S NEW AT ICL THIS WEEK?
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In Rx
"Super Short Stories" with Jan Goldberg
http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/rx/tr01/jangoldberg.shtml
Help for writing the super short stories you can sell.

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3. OTHER GOODIES

"Choosing Markets and Writing Queries" with Tammy Ruggles
http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/rx/tr01/ruggles.shtml
If query letters have felt scary and impossible, check out this super chat transcript.

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4. WORKSHOP IN THE WRITER'S RETREAT

The Organized Writer Sets Goals and Markets With Purpose and Creativity
February 8-10, 2010
"The Organized Writer Sets Goals and Markets With Purpose and Creativity" -- with Kathryn Lay


Drop into the Writer's Retreat discussion board to ask questions for our workshop leader, Kathryn Lay.


Was organization one of your goals for this year? Let Kathryn Lay get you along your way with super tips on setting and managing goals, and on handling the dreaded "markets" side of your goals. Do you wonder how you'll ever make sense of markets enough to send out your stuff to the places it needs to go? Be sure to check in and get help.

Kathryn Lay has over 1600 articles, essays and stories in magazines and anthologies. She's also the author of a picture book, a midgrade novel, and now a soon coming chapter book series. She's an experienced speaker and workshop leader. To learn more about her books, check out http://www.kathrynlay.com

Remember, if you totally don't want to figure out the Writer's Retreat, you can still send questions, just drop an email to jan.fields@forums.institutechildrenslit.com or WebEditor@institutechildrenslit.com. And, check out the new article on using the cool features of the Writer's Retreat -- http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/rx/ws01/retreat.shtml

NOTE: All transcripts are archived! The archive contains more than six years' worth of full-length interview transcripts

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5.GOT CHAT?


Our Next Casual Tuesday Forum will be Tuesday February 16
http://institutechildrenslit.net/entry.htm
3-4PM Atlantic
2-3PM Eastern
1-2PM Central
Noon -1PM Mountain
11AM - Noon Pacific

Hang out with us on Tuesdays!
http://institutechildrenslit.net/entry.htm

The Institute Chat is open again and flashier than other. This is a much smoother easier to use chat, but for those who are new to chatting or just want some help with all the nifty bells and whistles, we have a new article.
How To Chat
http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/rx/ws01/howchat.shtml

Come Hang With Us Every Tuesday
Talk Writing, Socialize, Make new friends
http://institutechildrenslit.net/entry.htm
We'll be waiting for you
3-4PM Atlantic
2-3PM Eastern
1-2PM Central
Noon -1PM Mountain
11AM - Noon Pacific
Come on in and let's chat!

Next NIGHT Forum -- come ask your writing questions
One Hour --February 26-- Fully Fun
http://institutechildrenslit.net/entry.htm
We'll be waiting for you
10-11PM Atlantic
9-10PM Eastern
8-9PM Central
7-8PM Mountain
6-7PM Pacific

And be sure to visit theWriters Retreat if you haven't checked in yet -- I visit daily and I'll be happy to pontificate right there if you have any writing questions. We have over 200 members now!
And, check out the new article on using the cool features of the Writer's Retreat --
http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/rx/ws01/retreat.shtml

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6. What's New At Kristi's

Kristi Holl's Writer's First Aid is so good, the Institute has decided to highlight the goodies she has to offer every week --
it's like getting extra special writing advice in every visit.
http://institutechildrenslit.net/Writers-First-Aid-blog/

Fri., Jan. 29: “Writers: Always Working”
If you’re a plumber hired to unclog my drain, but I catch you sitting and looking out the window, I can, in all fairness, say you’re not working. If you’re my cleaning lady, but I catch you rocking in a chair staring into space, I can say justly that you’re not working. What about writers? Not so easy to tell!

Mon., Feb. 1: “Courage and Confidence”
When it comes to your writing, do you ever have a crisis of confidence? It can come from a number of things: destructive (instead of constructive) criticism in your critique group, months and years of rejections (from editors and/or agents), poor reviews or sales when you finally get published, and put-downs from family or friends about your “little hobby.” [Read here for a not-so-obvious way to increase your confidence this month!]

Wed., Feb. 3: “Use Your Thought Bubble!”
If you’ve read this blog for a while, you know I’ve written about taking steps to increase my energy this year. I wanted to write and study more, yet keep up with my other personal commitments. In the Simple·ology 103 course on energy, there’s a pyramid showing five ways to increase energy and the order in which to do each thing to both (1) increase your energy and (2) stop your energy drains.

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7. UPDATING MARKETS
Interview with Lou Waryncia, Editorial Director of Cobblestone Publishing
http://tinyurl.com/ygdtyt8
Learn how Cobblestone keeps going in this difficult economy.

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8. Guardian Angel Kids
http://www.guardian-angel-kids.com/default.htm
This delightful new ezine has guidelines and themes online

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8. REMINDERS

The CHAT ROOM is up and available at http://institutechildrenslit.net/entry.htm -- for extra help, check out "How To Chat."

Our WRITER'S RETREAT, ICL's discussion board is up and available at http://institutechildrenslit.net/index.php. For tips on using the discussion board, check out "Using the New Writer's Retreat."

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