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How to Write Great Stories for Children and Young Adults
The Writing for Children and Young Adults course focuses on writing for children aged 8 to 14 years. However some of the material also covers older and younger age groups. Learn how to write effective, authentic, and appealing fiction for children and young adults and how to turn your ideas into compelling stories. The course explores the writing process from initial concept to finished work including story structure, developing plausible characters and dialogue, the creation of outlines and the importance of research, editing and...
read moreLearn how to write effective and compelling historical fiction
Historical fiction combines the events of the past with characters and stories from the writer’s imagination. This course examines the art of writing historical fiction and the need to fully immerse yourself in a particular time period to make your storytelling more believable. Learn how to write effective, authentic and appealing historical fiction and how to turn your ideas into compelling stories. Understand what defines historical fiction and different historical time periods, create believable settings and plausible characters and learn...
read moreThe Importance of Editing and Revision
I’m honoured to now be a Contributing Editor at Write By The Sea, where you’ll find all sorts of helpful resources for writers with new materials added to the library regularly. The latest post is all about the importance of editing and revision, which is also an excerpt from my book The Children’s Writer’s Guide. You can learn more about the post here...
read moreThe Benefits of a Writing Coach
A professional writing coach is someone with whom you can consult, ask questions and receive constructive feedback. They act as a guide as you build your career as a professional writer. A coach can help you conquer a stumbling block, regain momentum or make a start on a new project. My program helps you progress as a writer. You decide what you want to work on during a personalized, one on one relationship. I can be your coach and mentor for just one month or we can establish a month-to-month arrangement, depending on your schedule and...
read moreThe Curse of Writer’s Block
I’m honoured to now be a Contributing Editor at Write By The Sea, where you’ll find all sorts of helpful resources for writers with new materials added to the library regularly. The latest post is all about the Curse of Writer’s Block, which is also an excerpt from my book The Children’s Writer’s Guide. You can learn more about the post...
read moreCopywriting for Business
I offer a number of writer services for business. The way in which you communicate with your customers is a vital component of your business and well written content can be the difference between success and failure. I have extensive experience in writing for a wide range of industries and market segments. I offer a variety of copywriting services including website content, blogs and newsletters, social media including Facebook and X, brochures, direct mail, sales letters, press releases, newspaper and magazine advertising and more. Learn...
read moreWriting Fiction for Children and Youth – University of Calgary
My online course Writing Fiction for Children and Youth will be running online in May and June at the University of Calgary. Writing for children and youth is a rich and vibrant global market. The focus is on writing fiction for readers aged 8 to 12 years. Students examine the writing process from initial concept to finished work including turning ideas into stories, story structure, developing characters, creating outlines, and the importance of editing and revision. Registration is available here at the University of...
read more“This book has everything children and this adult love to read about. I could not put the book down.”
Future Imperfect Andrew Mitchell was one of the leading experts in highly advanced technology in Silicon Valley, until he vanished following a car accident, which also injured his son, Alex. When a mysterious app later appears on Alex’s phone, he and his friend Stephanie embark on a terrifying journey involving secret technology, corporate espionage, kidnapping, and murder in a desperate bid to save the future from the sinister Veronica Castlewood. “Often stories that involve cross overs from the future are confusing and lacking in...
read moreThe Importance of Book Covers
I’m honoured to now be a Contributing Editor at Write By The Sea, where you’ll find all sorts of helpful resources for writers with new materials added to the library regularly. The latest post is all about the importance of book covers, which is also an excerpt from my book The Children’s Writer’s Guide. You can learn more about the post here...
read moreBehind the Story – Super Sonya vs the Woodpecker
My guest today is Mike Plested, here to tell us about his new picture book for younger readers. What inspired you to write Super Sonya vs the Woodpecker? Two things really. On a level of wanting a children’s picture book, I wanted to create a story that encourages young children to be curious, imaginative, and brave. I wanted to craft a character that young readers could relate to and be inspired by. And I wanted to expand my reader base to include new readers. On the level of Super Sonya vs the Woodpecker specifically, my granddaughter was...
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