How to Write a Memorable Children’s Book
Marcy Pusey
This interview will expire in…
In this session, you’ll discover:
Discover how you can know if your story idea is good, how to choose one idea, and how to go from idea to a written manuscript. Learn how you can get past feeling stuck while writing and some top ways you can improve your manuscript.
Session Link:
Bonus:
– Children’s Book Publishing Checklist
Comment Below With Your Key Takeaways Or If You Have Questions About The Session.
47 responses
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Thank you.
Marcy said several things that I needed to hear. I am about to give up, and she so clearly said, “Don’t quit. Commit to the process.” I liked her idea to find a favorite line in the manuscript and level up the rest of the writing. I like her thoughts on connecting with the young reader and the adult reader as well. And I especially needed to hear her belief that there is space for everyone – we just need to find ours. I look forward to reading her checklist, and I am considering her “7-Day Idea Challenge.”-
Monica, I’m so glad you came! Don’t give up! I’m so glad you’re soaking up all the goodies at this summit. We need your stories in the world.
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This was an amazing session. I learned a lot about myself especially when it comes to writer’s block and tips to overcome it.
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I love that, Denera! It’s my favorite when people learn something about themselves… especially if it unlocks them from staying stuck. Thanks for coming. I’m cheering you on!
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I appreciate all that Marcy said about metacognition. It was a thoughtful presentation and very helpful.
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Marcy fired off one practical tip after another and frequently backed them up with her professional knowledge of how the brain works. For example, to make my story memorable, I must find a way to emotionally connect with the adult reader and child listener.
I particularly enjoyed the notion that my involuntary temptations to engage in distractions from writing is my brain “high jacking” me from my story.
Great presentation, Marcy. Thank you.
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Dorie! So good to see you here! And thanks for your feedback. Man, that brain. Can’t live without it… hard to live with it sometimes! But the more we know, the more power we have to make the choices we want (instead of living hijacked). I’m so glad you’re living with intention. Now, onward!
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I love Marcy’s perspective—if you are stuck, look at what the “real” reason might be and deal with it. Then, you can move on to whatever your next step might be. I also like her message—if you have an idea or something you feel needs to be heard, not to listen to the publishers or editors that tell you that there is no market for this. If you feel there is, other people probably do too. Thank you for the checklist. I’m looking forward to getting that.
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Marty, thank you so much for taking the time to respond. It’s always so helpful to me to know what is hitting and what isn’t. I’m a firm and fervent believer in exactly what you heard… if you care about it, so does someone else. So let’s get books out there to them. There’s ALWAYS a market… we just need to be good stewards of our stories and our readers and give them what they deserve—our best! And that’s what you’re doing. Thank you!
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This was the best session of the day. I have several books written or in process yet I can’t seem to get to the next step. I have a lot of sitting with myself to do. Just having this metacognition concept has been highly valuable. Thanks so much for giving me the freedom to just do it!
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hi Jude- i agree with you. i am working on some books and wonder if you would be interested in collaborting on a book.
do you write picture books or childrens books. -
Jude, wow!!!! I’m humbled by your kindness. Thank you! I’m so glad these concepts can help move you forward. Yes to freedom!!! And yes to taking control of your internal stories to get unstuck!
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I was especially glad to see Marci P. as one of the speakers. She was my first contact when she was part of Selp-Publishing School. I played those videos over and over and still do as a refresher to make sure I’m doing it right and focused. I highly recommend her 7 day challenge and any other video she offers. It WILL get you a completed version draft of your book.
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Victoria! So good to see you! And thank you for your sweet recommendation for the 7-Day Challenge. It’s definitely one of my favorites, but I only want to share it if it helps people. And I hear it does! HA! Thanks for coming and sharing 🙂
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I fell in love with Marcy. I appreciate her view on doing a brain dump first and then starting to separate out the pages or scenes. Yes, my brain operates in the “Dishes have to be done” or “Floor has to be mopped.” A distraction from the task at hand. Not sure I agree with Marcy in seeing those household tasks as “rewards,” but I definitely understand what she is saying here. Her course is enticing and I’m sure well worth the money. Just might have to hop into that.
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Hi Judy! Awwww, thank you for falling in love with me. HA! Thank you for your kind words. I understand the resistance to tasks as rewards. (*cue laughing face*) You can swap out “reward” for “If, Then” — IF I get my writing done, THEN I can… It settles your brain into feeling “heard” with a concrete/ish plan and it should settle the noise. So call it what helps your brain embrace it OR find the thing that works for you! <3
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I thought I was the only one who found all the other reasons not to write. It was good to know you have a brain that distracts you as well. Great tips on allowing it to feel heard, but enabling the process to move forward.
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NOPE! You’re definitely not the only one, Dwight! HA! And it doesn’t have to WIN the battle. You can play the game and get it to work in your favor. We’ve got this!
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Thank you so much, Marcy! I’ve been stuck and now realize why I’ve been procrastinating. There’s a fear of the next step holding me back.
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YAY! I’m so glad, Diane, that you got a peek beneath the surface. Fear of the next step is SO real. And seeing it is one of the FIRST steps to kicking it in the bootie. Just do the very NEXT thing, even if that’s to invite someone to hold your hand. One tiny bite at a time. Cheering you on!
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Take away: Keep going. Invest in the process. Know yourself. Have some good expectations. Thank you, Marcy!
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Thank you for this presentation. I like the idea of just writing it all out and inviting/hiring someone to do what you don’t love in the publishing process..
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This was so fantastic. Thank you Marcy for your generous sharing of ideas and for your lovely smile 🙂
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Thank you Marcy for a wonderful presentation. I always learn so much from you. After listening, I realize I’m stuck because I’m afraid of the marketing aspect. I loved hearing you say you pay someone to do your marketing! I’m always editing as I begin a new story and now I see I need to stop doing that and just get it all out first. And thank you for explaining that you then break up the writing into beginning, middle and end. You’ve inspired me to continue!
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I’m so glad to hear all of this, Paula! I love that you realized where you’re feeling stuck… and how to get unstuck! THAT’S MY FAVORITE! Keep going!!!
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I’m so glad to hear all of this, Paula! I love that you realized where you’re feeling stuck… and how to get unstuck! THAT’S MY FAVORITE! Keep going!!!
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Marcy! I took so many notes, my hand hurts! Thank you for some great tips. Love your comment about not telling the story but showing the story. I’ve been “stuck” but I think I’m ready to pick up and write again. Thank you!
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Thanks Marcy – very insightful. When you said break your story up into 28 pages – is that for all young children’s books or picture books etc. How many words would you put on each page of an early reader chapter book for example? Is there a guideline or word count to follow?
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MARCY: WOW! I HOPE I don’t get carpel tunnel syndrome after taking SO MANY notes on your presentation! 😉 THANK YOU SO MUCH for ALL the INSPIRATION and ENCOURAGEMENT, which you paired SO BEAUTIFULLY with the science to back it all up. I’m HOPING my hand stops cramping from the notetaking so I can get back to the story writing. THANK YOU for MOTIVATING me to do so. And THANK YOU for the LOVELY gift of your checklist to help in the process.
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Thanks Marcy!! I appreciate your energetic OPTIMISTIC presence in the universe!! Your commentary was ON SPOT with CLARITY!!
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I think the idea you shared about looking at your best scene, or line, figuring out what makes it work, and then using that knowledge to level up the rest of your draft is some of the best advice I have heard in a long time.
Thanks!
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Marcy,
I particularly wanted to watch your session because I remember you from a writing group I was in. Your presentation is here is fantastic. Thank you!
Paula R.
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