The Journey of an Aspiring Children's Author

Posted by: Wendy Darasz (Zoemaster) | May 7, 2012

How Does Your Garden (Story) Grow? More About Lesson 1

I see a story’s growth from beginning to end, much like the stages of a garden.

Stage 1 – Planting the Seed - This part is fairly simple. Just write down your idea. Get it on paper.

It’s like planting a seed in the soil. If you don’t plant it, it won’t take root. If you don’t write your idea down, it will never become a story.

Stage 2 – Tending your Garden – Once your seed (idea) has had time to germinate, it is the time to feed and water it. Add to your idea. Put more words on the page. Now is not the time to prune or weed. Your story may yet be too tender.

Stage 3 – Weed Gently - As your seedling (story) grows, step back and look at it. Reread it. Where does it need weeding? What words repeat? What phrases don’t belong? Gradually begin to edit. All the while, continue to feed and water your story to help it grow.

Stage 4 – Some Hard Pruning May be Necessary - At times, stories grow out of control. If that happens, it might best to cut back large portions of the text. You’ll notice what needs cutting back if you read your story out loud. Are there parts that sound like they don’t belong? Try cutting them out. Reread. Does the story flow better? Pruning is a difficult task and may even seem cruel as you take out extraneous words, sentences, or paragraphs. But, like plants, stories are best when you trim them up a bit.

Stage 5 – Adding to Your Garden - A garden is at its best when there are many types plants and when these plants are in various states of bloom. Don’t limit yourself to that one seed of an idea. Plant (write) another and another and another!

Stage 6 – Enjoy the Fruits of Your Labors - Like a garden, writing is a work of art that is meant to be shared. You don’t have to wait until your garden is in Better Homes and Gardens before you admire your work. And, you don’t have to wait until your story is published before you celebrate your creation.

The Fruits of My Labors

Sweet Success

How does your garden grow? Do you find parts of the writing process more difficult or easier than others? How do you tend to your writing?

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Posted in The Writing Process | Tags: children, Garden, Plant, teaching, the writing process

Posted by: Wendy Darasz (Zoemaster) | April 24, 2012

Lesson 1 – The First Step of Many

I’ve heard it said that A journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step. (Because, let’s face it, if you don’t take that first step you aren’t going to go anywhere.)

When I whined and complained about jogging, my running partner said, “The hardest part is putting on your sneakers.” And he was right. Once I got my sneakers on, my head stopped thinking of excuses and my feet hit the pavement.

Both of those mantras mean essentially the same thing as the Nike slogan: Just Do It.

That’s how I feel about writing. It doesn’t matter what I write as long as I write. So, I have to get my mantra going and get writing.

Initially, I might have to ignore a few things, like my dogs. But, believe me, they are by no means neglected. I will admit that it can be a bit more difficult to ignore my cat. She has a way of making her presence known.

Sometimes I have to ignore the housework, because…

Then I need to choose my medium and format. Computer or pen and paper? Children’s story, journal, or blog?

Then I start writing and that’s when the fun begins. Trust me, it’s way more fun than vacuuming.

So, do you have a mantra? A routine? A favorite medium?

What works for you? I’d love to hear about it.

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Posted in The Writing Process | Tags: teaching, the writing process

Posted by: Wendy Darasz (Zoemaster) | April 18, 2012

About the Author

Hello and thanks for joining me on this writing adventure. I’ve been a teacher for twenty-five years. During that time I’ve taught hundreds of children how to read and write; two of my favorite things in the whole, wide world. For as many years as I’ve been a teacher I’ve dreamed of being an author of children’s books. This blog is about my expedition into the writing process. I hope you stick with me on this journey. Together we can dream, write, inspire and learn from one another.

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Posted in The Writing Process | Tags: children, children's books, teaching, writing process

Posted by: Wendy Darasz (Zoemaster) | April 18, 2012

Journey of an Aspiring Author

The Top 10 Things I’ve Learned Along the Way

1. There are a lot of steps involved.

2. Go where the path leads you.

3. Now and then a spark of an idea needs time to develop into a full flame. That’s ok. Breathe, rest and give your ideas time to strengthen.

4. Take pleasure in the creative adventures along the way. These adventures can be anything: drawing, baking, sewing, knitting, painting, singing, dancing…Have fun with them. They are all part of the creative process.