The Comparison Trap (Redux)
At some point in every writer’s journey, a quiet voice begins whispering a dangerous question: Why them—and not me? Maybe you see a debut picture book announcement on social media.…
The Kidlit Compass Blog
Rejection Reimagined: Tactics That Build Momentum
Every writer collecting submissions will eventually collect something else as well: rejections. They arrive in many forms—polite passes, form responses, the occasional champagne rejection that almost makes the “no” feel…
Writer’s Block Isn’t the Enemy — It’s a Sign
Every writer I know has encountered writer’s block at one point or another. Sometimes it arrives quietly—a vague resistance when you sit down to write. Other times it slams the…
Plotting Styles: Outliners vs. Pantsers
In the writing world we often say there are two kinds of plotters—outliners, who work from a carefully planned story map, and “pansters”, who “fly by the seat of their…
Journey of Change: Why Transformation Matters in Picture Books
One of the most common issues I see when reviewing picture book manuscripts is this: a story that’s pleasant, charming, or even amusing—but static. Things happen, certainly. Events unfold. Perhaps…
Five Ways to Layer Structure Without Complicating Your Story
Many writers assume that depth comes from complexity—that richer stories require more plot, more explanation, more moving parts. But picture books teach us the opposite lesson. The stories that linger…
The Anatomy of a Picture Book Plot
Picture books are often thought of as “simple.” Short sentences. Only so many pages. A quick read. But anyone who has ever tried to write one knows the truth: like…
Dialogue that Dances
Dialogue in picture books does a lot of heavy lifting. Good dialogue: – Reveals character – Builds tension – Moves the plot forward – Delivers conflict – Lands humor –…
