Coaching KidLit

In this episode, Christy and Sharon delve into the art of getting character emotions on the page and explore effective techniques for showcasing characters in their unique worlds, setting character-specific rules, and crafting emotionally engaging narratives.

In this episode of Coaching KidLit, hosts Sharon Skinner and Christy Yaros dive deep into the concept of theme in KidLit writing. They discuss how to think about theme as the overarching idea of a book, touching on Cheryl Klein's concepts of experiential, emotional, and thematic points. The hosts emphasize the importance of connecting with the reader through characters' emotional journeys and how...

In this episode of Coaching KidLit, Sharon talks Picture Books with award-winning author/illustrator and Picture Book publishing guru, Michael Hale. From the importance of open communication and trusting collaboration between authors and illustrators to the invaluable advice for aspiring creators considering traditional vs. self-publishing, this episode is brimming with inspiration and practical t...

In this episode of Coaching KidLit, Christy and Sharon dig into eleven great Writing Craft Books, why they like them, how they use them, and why you might want to check them out. The discussions centers ways to use of craft writing books and materials when writing KidLit, including tools and approaches for character development, story structure, and effective editing. Topics covered include: Editi...

In this episode of Coaching KidLit, Christy and Sharon discuss the process of writing and publishing emotionally challenging KidLit with guest, Karen Chow. Chow, a middle-grade novelist and engineer by day, opens up about her debut novel Miracle, in which she explores tough subjects such as cancer, grief, and emotional recovery. Chow shares her experiences from college until her book’s publication...

Christy and Sharon discuss writing routines and processes for writers navigating their creative journeys, including the need for flexibility, embracing imperfection, and finding joy in the process of creating a sustainable and personalized writing routine.   Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @CoachingKidLit For more information about Sharon Skinner, visit  bookcoachingbysharon.com  or follow her...

In this special episode, Sharon takes a break while Christy nerds out with fellow Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach Sara Gentry, focusing on project management for writers. They discuss setting practical deadlines, recognizing personal workflows, and the importance of documenting progress. They also emphasize approaching the creative process with intention while being open to discovery.   02...

Get set for a writing sprint with this motivating episode! Join writing coaches Sharon and Christy as they share tips to optimize writing sprints like NaNoWriMo. Whether you're gearing up for a 30-day creative marathon or simply trying to make steady progress on your WIP, you'll gather insightful advice on planning, accountability, tracking achievements, celebrating small successes, and keeping pe...

In this special episode, Christy takes a break while Sharon geeks out with guest Sara Gentry on speculative fiction: defining this expansive genre, exploring its allure for young readers seeking escapism, touching upon Steampunk's charm, emphasizing nuanced character development while addressing societal issues, and cautioning against didacticism and singular viewpoints.   Follow us on Instagram a...

Sharon and Christy discuss the creative possibilities and potential pitfalls of using other authors' words in your book through epigraphs and quotes. They share thoughts on: Navigating permissions for quoting lyrics, poems, and book passages When short quotes may fall under fair use Crafting fictional quotes and sources to fit your story Using epigraphs artfully to set tone and expectations Studyi...

Christy and Sharon talked with Victoria J. Coe and Cheryl Malone, co-authors of Writing KidLit 101: A Self-Guided Course. Key Topics Discussed: Backgrounds and journeys of the guests as KidLit writers Importance of reading current children's books as mentor texts Differences between genre vs category in KidLit Craft elements like perspective vs point of view, scenes, character arcs Writing picture...

In this episode, Christy and Sharon discuss the balance between showing and telling in writing. They emphasize the importance of understanding the purpose of each scene and using scene and summary to efficiently convey information to the reader. They also highlight the significance of grounding the reader in each scene and using dialogue and setting effectively to reveal character and emotion. The...

In this episode, Sharon and Christy are joined by fellow Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach Sam Cameron to discuss how to craft nuanced, authentic LGBTQ+ characters that avoid stereotypes. They provide advice on tropes to avoid, positive examples of LGBTQ+ representation in books, and resources for conducting About GLAAD The Vito Russo Test | GLAAD "Pride" on Hulu If you want to learn more ab...

In this episode: Christy and Sharon discussed the importance of re-envisioning and revising a manuscript to ensure that it achieves the author's intended point. They emphasized the need to take a step back and look at the big picture, focusing on character arc, plot structure, and other key elements. Christy and Sharon discussed the importance of taking a break from a manuscript to gain distance a...

In this episode, Sharon and Christy talk with author/illustrator Tanja Bauerle about the joys and challenges of shifting categories from picture books to middle grade, how book coaching helped her level up her novel writing game, and what it's like working on a Revise & Resubmit request from an agent. Books Mentioned: Mary's Monster by Lita Judge The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick Boat...

In this episode, Sharon and Christy talk about attending workshops and conferences for craft. They discuss why they're important, how to decide which ones to attend, and how to get the most out of the ones you do.   Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @CoachingKidLit For more information about Sharon Skinner, visit  bookcoachingbysharon.com  or follow her on Instagram @sharon_skinner_author_bookco...

In this episode, Sharon and Christy talk about how to navigate critique groups, the positives, perils and pitfalls inherent in getting and giving feedback, and how to find a critique group that will best serve your needs.   Sharon's Critique Guide, "The Art of Critique: Giving and Getting Good Feedback" Christy's Critique Group Needs Self-Reflection Journal   Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @C...

In this episode Christy and Sharon are joined by fellow Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach Sara Gentry. Sara, Sharon, and Christy talk about using the Author Accelerator Inside Outline as a tool for studying published books as mentor texts. Books discussed: The Next Great Jane by K.L. Going Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson Red, White, and Whole by Rajani LaRocca May B. by Caroline Starr Rose...

Sharon and Christy discuss what makes a good opening for a KidLit novel, and test each other's detective skills with some excellent opening lines from published KidLit. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @CoachingKidLit For more information about Sharon Skinner, visit  bookcoachingbysharon.com . For more information about Christy Yaros, visit  christyyaros.com .

Christy and Sharon talk about plot, different forms of plot/subplot, some of the plotting tools that are available, and dig into plot in KidLit.   Darcy Pattison's Shrunken Manuscript Revision Method: https://www.darcypattison.com/writing/revision/shrunken-manuscript-watch-webinar/   Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @CoachingKidLit For more information about Sharon Skinner, visit  bookcoachingb...

Cindy L. Rodriguez returns to chat with Christy and Sharon about the value of hiring a book coach, whether you're just starting out, still aspiring, or a multi-published author. Cindy’s debut picture book, Three Pockets Full, came out from Cardinal Rule Press on September 1. Jump to: [3:04] The Backstory of the Story [8:02] Critique Group vs. Coach  [11:08] The Manuscript Evaluation [13:16] On Fee...

Christy and Sharon dive into Coaching KidLit, what exactly this book coaching thing is, which is not a very simple answer, but nonetheless an interesting one, because at its essence, it's all about helping you write, edit, and polish your manuscript so it's the best it can be.   Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @CoachingKidLit For more information about Sharon Skinner, visit bookcoachingbysharo...

Sharon and Christy discuss source material, challenges with adhering too close to facts, and ways you can put some distance between you and the "way things really happened" in order to tell a compelling and emotionally resonant story.   Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @CoachingKidLit For more information about Sharon Skinner, visit bookcoachingbysharon.com . For more information about Christy...

Join Sharon and Christy as they welcome their first guest, KidLit author Cindy L. Rodriguez, to talk about her journey to KidLit through journalism and teaching middle school. Cindy's debut picture book, THREE POCKETS FULL: A Story of Love, Family, and Tradition , illustrated by Begoña Fernández Corbalán, comes out July 1 from Cardinal Rule Press.   Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @CoachingKid...

What drives a story is not only what happens to the protagonist, but what it means to them, their choices and the consequences of those choices, and what they choose to do after that. The character journey is what the story really is about. This is especially true in KidLit. Join Christy and Sharon as they deep dive into character development and discuss ways that KidLit characters differ from adu...