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100+ Things Kids Don’t Like

February 7, 2008 in Children, Children's Books, Creative Writing, Fiction, Writing, Writing for Children | 32 comments

To accompany 500+ Things Kids Like, here’s a list of 100+ things that kids don’t consider their favorites. Of course there’s probably some kids out there who drool over asparagus, and those who climb into bed without protest, but in general, this list is filled with things children want to avoid. I hope it helps jump-start your creativity.

Anchovies
Arguments
Asparagus
Bats (Disclaimer: my seven-year-old loves bats.)
Bedtime
Bee Stings
Being Grounded (Punished)
Being Picked Last for a Team
Being Unpopular
Being Scared
Being Sick
Being Teased
Bleu Cheese
Braces
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Bullies
Caviar
Celery
Chicken Pox
Chores
Cleaning up
Confessing
Copycats
Cooties
Crushes
The Dentist
Detention
Divorce
Embarrassing Parents
Escargot
Exams/Tests
Failing
Feeling Left Out
A Fever
The Flu
Fungus
Getting Cheeks Pinched
Giving Up
Glasses
Gorgonzola
Growing Pains
Gum on Their Shoes
Haircuts
Headaches
Homework
Hot Pepper
Lectures
Lima Beans
Long Car Rides
Losing
Loud Noises
Making Their Beds
Measles
Medicine
Millipedes
Monsters
Mosquito Bites
Moving
Nightcrawlers
Not Knowing Another’s Secret
Onions
Paper Cuts
Parsley
Pea Soup
Pop Quizzes
Posing for Portraits
Potty Training
Quiet
Retainers
Sharing
Shopping/Errands
Shots (Vaccinations)
Skinned Knees
Siblings
Sitting Still
Smashed Pumpkins
Speaking in front of the class
Spinach
Sticky Hands
Substitute Teachers
Sushi
Talking to Grown-ups
Tattle Tales
Teacher’s Pets
Tickle Torture
Trying Something New
Tummy Aches
Turning Off the TV
Turtleneck Sweaters
Unfamiliar Places
Unusual Foods
Vice Principals
Waiting
Walking
Washing Their Faces
Watching the News
Wearing Bike Helmets/Protective Pads
Wedgies
Winter Hats
Wool Sweaters
Writing Reports
Younger Siblings Pestering Them

Pitching an Editor

January 26, 2008 in Children's Books, Writing, Writing for Children | Tags: Editors, Publishing | Leave a comment

Robin Mizell of Treated and Released asked her readership about approaching editors in an informal setting. The business of writing is no different than any other business, meaning that you have a limited amount of time to wow an editor with your idea. Practice and get the pitch tight. Read the post and comments here.

Re-entering the Atmosphere: Ignited or Burned?

January 26, 2008 in Children, Children's Books, Children's Writing, Creative Writing, Picture Books, Publishing, Short Stories, Writing, Writing for Children | Tags: Middle Grade Books | Leave a comment

After receiving many positive reviews of my work this week, I’ve finally started floating back down to earth. I’m listening more to the constructive comments than the complimentary ones. I had been inspired and encouraged, and while some of that enthusiasm remains, I’m now taking a serious look at the difficult work that lies ahead, and it’s daunting.

One of the most helpful things I’ve realized is that my natural voice suits the middle grade market best. However, I gravitate towards writing short stories. A chapter book is a stretch for me and a novel seems as distant as the next galaxy. I am wondering if there are any short story anthologies for middle grade readers. If there are not, does that mean kids aren’t interested or there’s a niche to fill? It’s a question I’d love to ask a professional. Do you have any knowledge to share? (If you have a blog about children’s books, please include a link in the comments and I’ll add you to the blogroll.)

On one hand, I’m ignited. I wrote another story in a flash of inspiration earlier this week. On the other hand, I’m burned. As written, it’s probably too advanced for a picture book, although the length would be suitable. I’m always afraid to reduce the language for fear I’ll lose my voice. I have to respect that voice. It has brought attention to my work and it just spills out automatically when I write. I just have to find a way to make it fit into a neat little box, a box that a publisher wants to fill.