Children's Writing from the Bottom Up

Author: Jan Fields
Review by Margot Finke

I knew Jan Fields was working on an e-book for children's writers called "Nuts & Bolts and Magic Wands: Children's Writing from the Bottom Up." So I thought, "What the heck, it's only $8.00, I'll get a copy and see what she has to say -- see if I can learn anything new." Well, long before I was halfway through it, I was hooked. It is worth twice that amount even if you only read half of it!

This CD guides beginners and others through many writing pitfalls. Jan is generous with the writing knowledge she gained during her ten years of teaching writing at the community college level. She also writes professionally. From earliest picture book, to mid grade, and on to spicy young adult writing, this CD will whisk you through the writing hoops that lead to eventual publication.

Nuts & Bolts and Magic Wands loads fast. The fun artwork has real appeal. Yet it is Jan's easy style and writing insight that shines through these twelve chapters.

Does POV (point of view) faze you? Is tense a mystery? What about character and plot? Then there is that active/passive voice thing? Jan Fields has chapters on all of this, plus a host of other areas vital to writing a terrific book that an editor will love. E-books and agents - do we need 'em? The dreaded query letter and Copyrights and contracts are made easy -- wel-l-l-l, easier. Rejection letters - no tears please!

Jan begins by telling us a successful writer is not a hobbyist. She concludes by talking about the Business of Writing.

Whether you are a beginning writer, or feel you are on the brink of that first writing contract, all the good stuff you need to know about writing for children is on this CD. There are also insightful sidebars, written by gifted children's writers that reinforce Jan's chapter topics.

And here's the kicker that really sold me on Nuts & bolts and Magic Wands -- links to a legion of great writing sites, resources, and current agent/publisher information; all updatable, because of the CD format.

I purchased my CD direct from Jan Fields. Her web site, www.janfields.com, is a must-browse cornucopia of information, fun, and writing wisdom. At $8.00, including postage, let your fingers run, not walk, to Jan's website, and order your own copy. I learn something new every time I read it.

Jan says, "Although my writing career has taken some odd twists and turns, I always return to writing for kids. Along with a love of writing for kids, has grown a love for helping other people perfect their writing for kids. I am the co-moderator of the children's writers mailing list on Yahoo!groups. I jump back and forth between being a teacher and a learner every day. I think that's the best place I can be."

"Nuts & Bolts and Magic Wands" does not have an ISBN number," Jan continues, "because this is a kind of experiment for me. Eventually I intend to sell the book to a print publisher. But I want to make it available to as many people as I can on my own for now."

Links

Nuts & Bolts and Magic Wands: A Children's Writer's Manual http://www.janfields.com

Our Creative Space: A Resource for Children's Writers (By Margo Finke, reviewer and children's author)
http://www.ourcreativespace.com