A Guide to Creative Writing That Sells

© Copyright 2005 Caterina Christakos

Welcome back !

It's unbelievable that with all the creative writing courses out
there, that no one teaches the necessity of researching your market
before you set pen to paper.

Yes, we all want to be creative and let our imagination go. At the
same time, wouldn't it be great to have some of your work published?
Even better wouldn't it be awesome to know that you have upped your
chances of getting published by around 80% by simply doing a tiny bit
of browsing in a library or bookstore?

Here is a way to make sure that there is an interest in your type of
story before you pick up a pen or pull out your laptop:

1) Go to the local bookstore and read the writing magazines. Editors
actually tell these magazines what they are interested in, in a
fairly timely manner. Most of the guess work is taken out for you.
You know which editors are looking for what type of stories.

2) Look at the current Writer's Guide. It is filled with editors and
publishers looking for fresh material. And guess what? They also tell
you what each editor wants and what they are sick to death of.

3) Check out the bookshelves to see which children's books are
featured. Is there a trend or pattern? For example the last few years
Harry Potter, Artemis Fowl and Charlie Bone have all been hot. It
doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out that magical characters
have taken kids and editors by storm.

4) Ask kids what their favorite books are. Ask them why they like one
over the other. Ask if their friends are into the same books. Model
these themes.

There is no need to make over the wheel or hire a psychic to figure
out what publishers, editors and your audience - kids, are looking
for. Gather this information and apply it to your writing. Watch the
number of your submissions


Caterina Christakos is a published author and children's book writer.
For free tips on how to write a children's book go to:http://www.howtowriteachildrensbook.com