Children’s Writing Web Journal

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• 22 Blogs Every Writer Should Read http://is.gd/kQru Jon, http://cbiclubhouse.com - Home of the Fightin’ Bookworms! #
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• This site is loaded with info for writers: http://www.ralan.com/ Jon, http://cbiclubhouse.com - Home of the Fightin’ Bookworms! #
• New @ The Clubhouse: The Path to Getting Published. A to Z guide for writers: http://cbiclubhouse.com children’s writers’ community #
• Postage chart 4 writers: calculate SASE postage 4 your ms: http://short.to/1chr Jon, http://cbiclubhouse.com, Where Children’s Writers Meet #
• Some current writing contests: http://snipr.com/cmr5p Jon, http://cbiclubhouse.com - Home of the Fightin’ Bookworms! #
• Organizing Bookshelves By Color - cool idea. http://is.gd/kQke Jon, http://cbiclubhouse.com , Where Children’s Writers Meet #
• 30 Types of Freelance Writing Jobs and How to Get Them http://short.to/1chp Jon, http://snipr.com/ak9g8 children’s writers’ community #

• ¡qǝʍ ǝɥʇ ɹoɟ ʇxǝʇ uʍop ǝpısdn ǝʇɐǝɹɔ http://flipmytext.com/ Jon, http://cbiclubhouse.com children’s writers’ community #
• Need an agent? Here’s where to find one: http://www.agentquery.com/ Jon, http://cbiclubhouse.com , Where Children’s Writers Meet #
• Jen Robinson’s weekly kidlit roundup. Always a must read: http://jijr.com/s2G Jon, http://cbiclubhouse.com , Where Children’s Writers Meet #
• How to find writing contests: http://short.to/1am7 Jon, http://cbiclubhouse.com - Home of the Fightin’ Bookworms! #
• Free writing software to organize your ideas: http://short.to/19vv Jon, http://cbiclubhouse.com , Where Children’s Writers Meet #
• Free ebook: Getting Started Writing Picture Books http://snipr.com/ck93u Jon, http://cbiclubhouse.com children’s writers’ community #
• What makes a picture book memorable? http://snipr.com/ck8yg Jon, http://cbiclubhouse.com - Home of the Fightin’ Bookworms! #
• A fun & simple writing exercise: http://short.to/19vq Jon, http://cbiclubhouse.com , Where Children’s Writers Meet #

We’ve all heard “show, don’t tell”.  It’s pretty much the first piece of advice a new writer hears.  But how best to make that truism come to life?

One way is to give your characters a vivid body language.  How we move, manipulate our facial muscles, even cross our legs tells a great deal about our inner dialogue.  As a writer, the more you understand about body language, the more you can avoid telling, and really begin showing.

Here’s an example:

Emma didn’t trust Martin.  She thought he was a liar.  When he told her that he wasn’t responsible for the broken glass, she knew he wasn’t telling the truth.

Now, here’s the same exchange with body language incorporated:

Martin’s eyes darted around.  He couldn’t look Emma in the face.  “I didn’t break that glass”, he muttered.  Emma watched him silently.  Martin could only stare at the ground, slowly making a circle in the dirt with the tip of his sneaker.

We all have what poker players refer to as “tells”.  Give your characters their own “tells” and they’ll become more vivid and memorable, and your writing will grow sharper.

Here are some excellent resources for learning about body language:

http://www.wikihow.com/Read-Body-Language

http://www.ismckenzie.com/05/15/control-your-body-language-for-effective-communication/

• Our #1 FAQ: Do I need an illustrator for my picture book manuscript? The answer: http://short.to/1ae0 Jon, http://cbiclubhouse.com #
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• New @ the Clubhouse: Laura leads a video walkthrough of Peachtree Publishers website: http://cbiclubhouse.com children’s writing community #
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• One of the coolest bookcases you’re gonna see: http://snipurl.com/c86xo Jon, http://cbiclubhouse, Home of the Fightin’ Bookworms! #

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• Wow, http://snipurl.com/c0h1o really struck a chord. I guess realistic optimism is a potential growth industry. At least, let’s hope so #
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• Intro to TV Writing: http://jijr.com/oM8 Jon, http://cbiclubhouse.com children’s writers’ community #
• Jack Kerouac’s top 30 tips for writers: http://is.gd/322K Jon, http://cbiclubhouse.com - Home of the Fightin’ Bookworms! #
• What makes a great antagonist? http://snipr.com/bzky8 Jon, http://cbiclubhouse.com - Home of the Fightin’ Bookworms! #
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• is it “You and I” or “You and me”? Nice, simple solution: http://is.gd/jHwO Jon, http://cbiclubhouse.com children’s writers’ community #
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We’re big fans of writing advice that goes beyond “show, don’t tell.” So I’m happy to point you to some that goes way beyond the usual.

Jack Kerouac certainly marched to the beat of his own drum, and he left behind a little of his sheet music, in the form of 30 bits of advice for writers.

Here are a few of my faves:

Remove literary, grammatical and syntactical inhibition

Write in recollection and amazement for yourself

No fear or shame in the dignity of yr experience, language & knowledge

Composing wild, undisciplined, pure, coming in from under, crazier the better

and my absolute favorite:

You’re a Genius all the time

Indeed you are. Head over to http://www.writingclasses.com/InformationPages/index.php/PageID/464 to dig the whole list, lit cats. You’ll feel like you’re sitting in Cafe Vesuvio with Jack, Neal and Allen just shootin’ the karmic breeze.