Peggy Archer

1—Read! Every author started out reading, and then decided that they wanted to be the one to write the stories that other people read. Read books that you like. Read something different, something you wouldn’t think of picking up. Read magazines, comics, cereal boxes, billboards.

2—Learn as much as you can. It gives you more things to write about.

3—When you get an idea, write it down so you don’t forget it. Write down your dreams, and interesting things that you hear about.

4—Make a list of words that are fun to say. Like giggle, noodle, popcorn, butterball, wiggle, macaroni, zip, clap, fizzy...

5—Listen to music. It gives you a sense of rhythm and pacing. (Just for fun, did you ever try writing different words to a song that you like?)

6—Keep a journal, or diary. Write down things that happen to you or around you. Write down how you feel about things.

7—Write about things that you know—your pet, where you live, what you like to do. You’re an expert about these things because you know a lot about them.

8—Try sonmething different! Write down an original joke, or recipe. Write about things that you don’t know anything about. Research something that you’re interested in. Read as many books or articles as you can find about something, and become an expert on that topic. Then write about it in your own words.

9—Read your stories out loud to see how they sound.

10—Add some surprises. Be silly sometimes. Most of all, have fun with your writing!

1—Write your story or article or poem until it’s the best it can be. Writing includes re-writing. When you feel that you’re satisfied with what you’ve written, put it aside for a week or two, then go back and read it again. If you still feel it’s as good as it can be, then get ready to send it in!

2—Look for the right place to send your manuscript (a manuscript is a written piece of work). Read magazines and books. Find the places that publish the kinds of things you write. Then submit your manuscript to them. Fantasy magazines aren’t looking for true stories. A magazine or publisher who publishes only non-fiction won’t even look at a piece of fiction. Do you write poetry? Does your poetry rhyme, or is it free verse? Look for places that publish the type of poems that you write. If you write jokes or puzzles or recipes, look to see who publishes those in their magazines and submit yours to them.

3—Follow the rules if they have them, and stay within the word count they ask for. Their space is limited, and even an extra 25 words in your story can make the difference between acceptance and rejection.

4—You don't need to get fancy when you send something in --just type it neatly on white paper. And be sure that your spelling and grammar are correct.

5—Don't worry about rejections-- there are many different reasons that good stories and articles are rejected. Just keep trying!

There are a number of opportunities for young writers and illustrators to have their work published.

Look in magazines that you read for contests and submission guidelines.

Check local colleges for literary magazines that accept submissions from young writers and illustrators.

Check your library for the "Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market" book, and look at the section called Young Writer's & Illustrator's Markets. It lists places that publish the work of writers and illustrators under the age of 18.