by Nancy Tupper Ling

When I visit schools or talk to future authors, I’m often asked: “How do I break into the world of writing?” My first piece of advice will resonate with all of you Storystorm folks. Start with an idea! Not just one idea, but two or three or . . . thirty, if you’re a full-fledged Storystormer!

Thankfully, our ideas flow from a variety of places (hikes, train rides, day-to-day observations at work). Along with this “idea factory” that we’re generating however, we need to actually write . . . eventually. (Sigh! or Huzzah!—depending on how you’re feeling at the moment.)

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That’s where my second piece of advice comes in. As a matter of fact, I’ve pasted this quote onto my latest batch of rack cards: “Write everything and anything . . . you never know where it may lead you.” Sometimes this advice seems a bit shocking.  After all, we’ve often been told that we need to hone our particular craft and concentrate on a certain genre, whether that’s picture books, middle grade, poetry, etc.

But nope! I’m here to disagree. I believe our writing improves and develops when we tackle a variety of genres simultaneously. Really, we are building our resumes and relationships in all that we do. A blog post might lead to an article; a short story might weave its way into a novel. Likewise, a poem might lead to a picture book. That’s exactly what happened to me with my most recent book, HEARTS IN MY POCKET (Union Square). It’s a true-blue example of how writing everything and anything can lead to amazing twists and turns.

Several years back, I wrote a poem entitled “Hearts in my Pocket” for the anthology, FOR EVERY LITTLE THING (Eerdmans Publishing), that I coauthored with June Cotner. The editor, Kathleen Merz, had asked for a poem related to divorce or separation. Of course, I sat down and penned one that evening. Certainly, that poem could have been all that I wrote. After several edits, it was included in our anthology. Done!

But as Storystormers, we never shut off that “idea faucet.” Therefore, I began to wonder . . .  could this poem possible turn into a picture book story? Believe it or not, it did, but not in an abracadabra kind of way. Rather, in a many drafts, edits, and tears kind of way. Eventually it sold to Union Square Kids in a bidding auction. Even now, my favorite parts of the story are its poetic spreads, where the reader can take a pause, enjoy the illustrations, and listen to the rhyming couplets such as: “Hearts break, leaves shake.”When we witness various forms of our writing coming together into one work, that’s a wonderful thing.

True, this January we’re in an ideas percolating stage! We’re not supposed to be thinking dark, heavy thoughts about submissions, acceptances, and publication. But let’s face it! It’s impossible not to wonder about these things. If we’ve been submitting for a while, we can’t help but fear rejection as well. Yet, I come bearing good news!  While we await that first or next acceptance, we have some options. That’s the wonderful idea behind “writing everything and anything. You never know where it may lead you!!”

I’ve published the whole gamete—traditional, non-traditional, self-published, tiny chapbook press, faith-based, journals, start-up children’s publishers, and anthologies. Many of these genres don’t require you to have an agent and are open for submission. All that’s to say, play with your story ideas. Consider whether one or two might work their way into a poem or a short story instead. Then, take a chance and submit them. Believe me when I say, I cannot wait to hear about everything and anything that you write this year! Good things await!

Blessings!

Nancy Tupper Ling is a children’s author, poet, book seller and librarian. Her latest books are  Hearts in my Pocket and Bless the Earth with co-editor, June Cotner. Along the way her work has received various honors including the Writer’s Digest Grand Prize, Delaware Diamond Award, Northern Lights Book Awards, and a Golden Scroll Award Finalist. Visit her at NancyTupperLing.com and follow her on Blue Sky and Instagram.

Nancy Tupper Ling is giving away 3 copies of HEARTS IN MY POCKET to 3 separate winners.

You’re eligible to win if you’re a registered Storystorm 2025 participant and you have commented only once below.

Prizes will be distributed at the conclusion of Storystorm.