Category: Writing

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Books and the iGeneration

According to a recent newspaper article (see reference below), psychologist Larry Rosen of California State University-Dominguez Hills has defined a new generation of children in his upcoming book, Rewired: Understanding the iGeneration and the Way They Learn.

Rosen calls the technically savvy kids the “iGeneration,” with the “i” in this case standing for individualized. In the past media was generic and everyone watched or listened to the same limited offerings provided on television or the radio. In contrast, the youngest children have grown up with a plethora of choices. From the TV they watch to the music they download, the media they experience is all individualized to their specific, unique tastes.

The individualization doesn’t stop at media, either. What children experience and learn is also more personal.

” ‘They know almost every piece of information they want is at their disposal whenever they need it,’ [Dave] Verhaagen [a child and adolescent psychologist in Charlotte] says. ‘They’re less interested in learning facts and learning data than in knowing how to gain access to it and synthesize it and integrate it into their life.’ ”

If this statement is true, then it represents a huge challenge to those of us writing children’s nonfiction books. Not only do we need to present the facts in an entertaining way, but also make them more personal and relevant than ever before. On the other hand, the bit that children’s books do well is the synthesis of information, and we have to continue to make that a strength.

Although challenging, the extra effort will likely result in innovative and better quality books. I can’t wait to see where we go next.

What about you? What do you think about the idea of the iGeneration? How do you think it will change children’s books?

‘igeneration’ kids grow up techie
By Sharon Jayson, USA Today. Retrieved 2/27/10 from http://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/kids/articles/2010/02/09/20100209i-generation-kids-technology.html

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On Writing and Living

If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead, either write things worth reading or do things worth writing.
– Benjamin Franklin (from his Autobiography)

I have following Sandra Foyt’s On Living By Learning blog, for awhile now, because she has a keen knack of accomplishing both the “doing” and the “writing.” When she wrote a post titled 2010 Writing Resolution: Get Published, it caught my attention. It was time to take things to a new level.

In How To Write The SAHM Blogger Resume, Sandra explains how having a blog has given her experience in writing and computer skills that she can put on her resume. She also included some links and tips if you need to brush up your own resume.

Get Published: Start Writing and Establish a Writer’s Platform has an extensive interview with writing teacher Christina Katz about establishing a writer’s platform. What does that mean? Basically, you need to establish an area of professional expertise that gives you both credentials and visibility. At the end of the post Sandra gives us the challenge to write, create a writing schedule, and identify and remove distractions. Let’s do it!

I am really excited about her most recent post, Get Published: 7 Reasons to Diversify Your Writing. I like her ideas to practice more and write faster. Even if you don’t have a deadline, give yourself one. I am a member of a critique group. Having regular meetings where I need to write something good enough for others to read is a great way to create deadlines.

I can’t wait to see how Sandra’s project turns out.
What about you? Do you have writing goals this year?

Ben Franklin must have followed his own advice, because his words are still in print more than 200 years later.

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Children’s Writing Contests

Ever wonder whether you should enter a writing contest? I entered one once and actually won. It was the prestigious Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators writing contest #31.

Did I win fame and fortune? No, but I did get my membership renewed, which was extremely valuable to me.  That’s why I am going to recommend two writing contests that have deadlines coming up soon. I like writing contests that don’t charge a fee and potentially lead to publication.

Delacorte Press has a contest for a first young adult novel.  Entries must be postmarked by December 31, 2009. They want manuscripts from authors who have not previously published young adult novels and will accept up to two submissions. Might be an incentive for getting your NaNoWriMo efforts ready.

Highlights Magazine 2010 Contest wants a fiction entry based on a true story from your family. Entries must be postmarked between January 1 and 31, 2010. See their guidelines for more details.

Good luck and let me know if you win!

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Writing Books for NaNoWriMo

Are you going to participate in National Novel Writing Month? Now is a good time to pick up some new writing books or dust off some old favorites to have on hand.

Over the years I have found a few writing books that I find I go back to again and again, like old friends. I’d like to share them here. Although I recommend some that are for writing for or by children, all of these books contain information helpful for the craft of writing in general.

Any of Natalie Goldberg’s books for writers are wise and wonderful. Her highly personal style is particularly good for people interested in creating a memoir. She’s also an excellent resource if you have writer’s block and/or need encouragement or inspiration. Two examples are: Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within and Thunder and Lightning: Cracking Open the Writer’s Craft.

Stephen King’s On Writing is a real bargain. Even if you don’t enjoy his genre or condone his lifestyle, the meat of his advice about writing is definitely worth much more than you’ll pay for his book.

You might wonder why I have included The Mother Tongue by Bill Bryson, since it is about how the English language came about. I think that if you understand the language and how it works, you can use it more effectively. Plus Bryson is a compelling writer himself and it is worth studying his style.

Anastasia Suen is a prolific author who also teaches online courses on writing for children. Her book, Picture Writing, is based on a lot of experience and knowledge. Writers of all levels and genres can benefit from her insights. (Now, if she would just write a book on how she manages her time and her organizational system, because she manages to accomplish a superhuman amount!)

Instead of teaching adults how to write for children, Ralph Fletcher writes books to help children and young adult’s learn the craft. Two examples of his many titles are How Writers Work: Finding a Process That Works for You and Poetry Matters. I like his books because his passion shows through. They are good because they are quick to read and to the point.

Finally, I found The Novel by James A. Michener a fascinating glimpse of his writing world. Although from another time, and overlaid with a thin layer of fiction, it still speaks to a number of issues a writer faces.

Hope you find something useful in this list. I would love to hear what books you turn to when writing.

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