NONFICTION NINJAS
  • Home
  • Meet the Ninjas
    • Michelle Medlock Adams
    • Lisa Amstutz
    • Stephanie Bearce
    • Nancy Churnin
    • Susie Kralovansky
    • Wendy Hinote Lanier
    • Pat Miller
    • Christine Liu Perkins
    • Peggy Thomas
  • Ninja Notebook
  • Contact

Dinosaur Do's for Children's Writers

7/6/2020

0 Comments

 
by Michelle Medlock Adams​

     While doing research for my latest book, Dinosaur Devotions: 75 Dino Discoveries, Bible Truths, Fun Facts, and More! (TommyNelson, 2019), I realized that we can learn a lot from our dinosaur friends. Here are three “Dino Do’s” for my fellow children’s writers.

     Do be like a Compsognathus (comp-sog-NAYTH-us). This little dinosaur, about the size of a chicken, worked smarter, not harder. Though he chased after and munched on small prey, sometimes he watched and waited, letting the more powerful predators kill unsuspecting dinos. Then the Compsognathus would sneak in and snack on the dead animals. It’s not that this dino was lazy; it was cunning.
​
  • If the Compsognathus had been a writer, he wouldn’t have tried to reinvent the wheel. No, he would’ve found a mentor text for his picture book, and you should, too! 
  • Learn from those who have already written successful books on your topic and use those texts to inspire your manuscript.  

     Do be like a Corythosaurus (ko-RITH-o-SORE-us)--The Corythosaurus had exceptional eyesight and hearing and used those senses to survive. You’ll have to do the same if you want to survive and thrive in the children’s book world.
  • Listen to how children talk—their pacing, phrasing, and word choice.
  • Watch how they move and interact with the world around them.
  • Make sure you use all of your senses when sharing your stories.

     Do be like a Utahraptor (Yoo-tah-RAP-tor)--Experts believe Utahraptors stayed together throughout their lives, hunting in packs, and surviving by working together. 

  • Teamwork makes the dream work—for dinosaurs and writers. We need each other.
  •  Join a critique group. By being a part of the Nonfiction Ninjas critique group, I have learned lots, become a better writer, and found my tribe. I’m so grateful. You’ll need to find your tribe, too!
  • Network with anyone and everyone you encounter at writers conferences and publishing events—you never know who might be a source, a critique partner, or a future publishing contact.
  • Connect with other children’s writers on social media and exchange ideas. Share each other’s blogs. Promote each other’s work. Celebrate each other’s awards. Engage with your online communities and grow that platform together.

​So, be like a dinosaur and grow your writing career as big as a Patagotitan. 

original post 11/7/2018 
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Authors

    We are nonfiction authors who support readers and writers through our writing, author visits, and workshops.

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    Disclaimer

    The Nonfiction Ninjas are a group of writers with diverse ideas and a strong belief in The First Amendment. The views expressed in each post are those of the author and may differ from others in the group.​

    Archives

    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018

    Categories

    All
    Agent
    Andrea Somberg
    Back Matter
    Bibliography
    Biographies
    Book Dummy
    Bookstore
    Breaking Writers Block
    Deadlines
    Editing
    Ghostwriting
    Holiday Stories
    Humor
    Inspiration
    Magazines
    Market Analysis
    Mentoring
    Mentor Texts
    Middle Grade NF
    Nonfiction
    Organization
    Picture Books
    Primary-sources
    Questions
    Reluctant Writer
    Research
    Rhyme
    Seasonal Stories
    Twitter Pitches
    Word Count
    Work For Hire
    Writing In Sprints
    Writing Protocol
    Writing Strengths
    Writing Tips

  • Home
  • Meet the Ninjas
    • Michelle Medlock Adams
    • Lisa Amstutz
    • Stephanie Bearce
    • Nancy Churnin
    • Susie Kralovansky
    • Wendy Hinote Lanier
    • Pat Miller
    • Christine Liu Perkins
    • Peggy Thomas
  • Ninja Notebook
  • Contact