Children's books are short so people think that means they're easy to write. The truth is, the shorter the writing, the better it has to be. Kids won't keep reading just to be polite. If they don't like your book, they drop it. (And editors only buy books they think will make money for the company.)

Before you plan your Newbery Award acceptance speech, let's talk about craft. Writing is a craft just like any other. It takes time to learn a new skill, and even more time to master it.

Writers write...there is no way around it. Talking about your book doesn't get the writing done. You must sit down in that chair and write.

Of course, sitting down to write without preparing first leads straight to writer's block. Go to the library first and read. Then take a long walk and think about what you want to write. Now you're ready to sit down and write...for today. Tomorrow you can wake up and do it all over again!