http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/ Discussion and chat board for members en-US Sat, 19 May 2012 15:27:15 +0000 bbpress 1.0-alpha-2 q http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/search.php http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/topic.php?id=81#post-537 Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:07:08 +0000 Sheila 537@http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/ <p>Welcome to the Round Robin thread! This is where we will be discussing our cover and query letters. </p> http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/topic.php?id=82#post-546 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:39:15 +0000 Barbara Lorenzo 546@http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/ <p>Hi All,<br /> I received the message below from my brother Joe on Saturday. For those of you who recall he visited our May meeting last year to share his love of poetry with the group. I thought I would share his thoughts...He is a professor at DePauw University in Greencastle IN.</p> <p>Dear Friends,</p> <p>The day has finally arrived. My book, Poison Sonnets, is now available for purchase. Though I've yet to hold a book in my hand, I've been told that a box will be arriving at my house eventually. Also, I launched the website joeheithaus.com late this morning where you can click on the book, see some of my poems online, and see pictures of the various places my poems have appeared -- windows, barns, walls -- and where I'll be doing readings in the coming months. </p> http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/topic.php?id=78#post-534 Wed, 23 Nov 2011 01:42:33 +0000 Sheila 534@http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/ <p>Happy Thanksgiving to all NJCWG members! Jack and I hope that you have a wonderful day with family and friends. Many blessings. </p> http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/topic.php?id=77#post-527 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:39:34 +0000 Marvin in Tyler 527@http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/ <p>I sent the next 3 chapters of Changing Tomorrow to each of you (I hope!) via e-mail attachment. If anyone in the group does not get the manuscript in an e-mail attachment, send your request to <a href="mailto:writing4kicks@yahoo.com">writing4kicks@yahoo.com</a> and I'll add you to my list.<br /> Marvin </p> http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/topic.php?id=71#post-480 Mon, 09 May 2011 18:49:45 +0000 Sheila 480@http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/ <p>Hello, fellow classmates and Shakespeare fans! This is the thread where we can post our comments about Shakespeare, etc., and attach our mini-plays (just below the comments section). Please be reminded that this is an open forum for all on the internet to read, so it really is a world "stage."</p> <p>I just started reading Stephen Greenblatt's book "Will in the World" and it is wonderful! I hope that you can find time over the summer to check it out.</p> <p>I'm looking forward to reading your plays!</p> <p>Sheila </p> http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/topic.php?id=76#post-524 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 03:31:00 +0000 sunaynaprasad 524@http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/ <p>Check the chapters out on through this link</p> <p><a href="http://www.worthyofpublishing.com/book.asp?book_ID=21417" rel="nofollow">http://www.worthyofpublishing.com/book.asp?book_ID=21417</a> </p> http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/topic.php?id=75#post-522 Thu, 23 Jun 2011 00:13:40 +0000 sunaynaprasad 522@http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/ <p>Twelve-year-old Alyssa Norris has been living through very tough times in her life; losing her parents at age seven, her aunt at age nine, and her uncle becoming irresponsible and cruel towards her and her cousin. One day, two incredible events happen to Alyssa: she has mysteriously received the power to make animals speak English to her, and she has a godfather whom she wished she got to live with. Alyssa runs away from home, so that she could take a train down to where her godfather lives. On her way, a zoo truck stops and a monkey asks her where she’s going. But then the driver invites Alyssa to come to Africa and help a family in need. He tells her that the family may starve and that there was nobody else available for them, which causes her to come along.<br /> When Alyssa arrives in Africa, she meets the family and promises to take care of them. But early the next morning, the zoo animals tell her that she needs to help them with survival skills. Alyssa helps them all day, but when she brings the family’s water back later that day, they fire her and leave. That leaves her stuck with the zoo animals. She offers them a tour of the savannahs of Tanzania, but then an African wizard informs her that she must go to the Congo to retrieve a charmed necklace, which will sense suspicion of the zoo truck driver. </p> <p>I may make the talking animals more minor, since I'm not done and the story will probably be very long. But I can't cut them out. There will be lots of serious themes, strong emotions, some cartoon violence, and intensity though. It would probably be rated PG if it were a movie. Plus many kids read up lately. There are probably 9-10-year-olds reading upper MG and lower YA books</p> <p>I asked on Yahoo Answers and two people said kids 9-12 wouldn't read it. Someone even said that it sounded too much like The Wild Thornberries. I didn't used to get offended by that, but I am starting to now. Eliza is not an orphan who is abused by her uncle, she never discovers that she has had a godfather, and she doesn't ever use something that raises suspicion. If you read the 1st 4 chapters at worthyofpublishing.com under the children's category, it's NOTHING like the Wild Thornberries. The uncle abuses them because he drinks a lot (but never in front of Alyssa or her cousin). No one ever drank in The Wild Thornberries. Alyssa also sneaks out at night to see her best friend. Now with these "extra" descriptions, would any kids 9-12 read this book? </p> http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/topic.php?id=72#post-489 Sun, 05 Jun 2011 16:05:43 +0000 sunaynaprasad 489@http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/ <p>Twelve-year-old Alyssa Norris has known nothing but a miserable life in an all-girls orphanage for five years. But one day, she discovers that she has mysteriously received the power to make animals speak. Later, a zoo truck stops by and a monkey invites Alyssa to come to Africa and live with a family. Feeling gifted, Alyssa agrees to go, flees Canada, and arrives in Tanzania. Later, the family leaves Alyssa after she disobeyed a command. When another zoo truck animal suggests a tour of the landscape, Alyssa decides to come. But many surprises and dangers come across their journey.</p> <p>That's the back cover blurb. More details to come. </p> http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/topic.php?id=74#post-520 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 16:51:32 +0000 edkowalski 520@http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/ <p>Hi, hope you're summer's starting well! I guess mine is since I've been too busy (lazy, forgetful?) to get us going on a new submission. So for June and probably combined with July, does some one have something they'd like us to review? We have the next installment of Fernando's Parallel Universe, and Marvin's Changing Tomorrow to review if they're ready. If some one else has something, don't be shy. ttys and hope all's well! </p> http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/topic.php?id=73#post-516 Fri, 17 Jun 2011 18:07:22 +0000 sunaynaprasad 516@http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/ <p>Here's the first chapter of the new version of Alyssa's African Adventures.</p> <p>Snow fell from the gray clouds on a cold January night outside the window of a lilac bedroom in a warm brick house. On the bed rested a beautiful, tall, and skinny girl of twelve years old. She was looking at a photo of a woman with wispy bangs and curly auburn hair that fell to her shoulders. Her blue eyes filled with tears of sorrow.<br /> “Oh, Aunt Laura,” she whispered.”How I wish you were here again.”<br /> The girl heard footsteps running down the hallway. She sat up from her bed and looked at the door. It opened to reveal a girl of eleven with fair skin and long red hair past her underarms.<br /> “Hailey-Anne?”<br /> “Alyssa, we need to get our dinner. My dad hasn’t made anything.”<br /> “He’s been feeding us overcooked meatloaf and boiled cabbage for the past few days.”<br /> “Well he’s become quite demonic since my mom died three years ago. So it’s no surprise that he forgot. And this isn’t the first time. Alyssa, get your birthday money and let’s head outside.”<br /> Alyssa stood up and walked towards Hailey-Anne with her straight thigh-length, platinum blonde braids bouncing at her knee-length denim skirt.<br /> “Hailey-Anne, where is Uncle Bruce?” asked Alyssa.<br /> “He’s not home. He’s at that sports bar, which is about two kilometers outside of Burnt Church.”<br /> “So he drinks?”<br /> “Yes. I think he’s an alcoholic. Remember when you started fourth grade, he never paid for your ballet classes and your teacher wouldn’t let you back? She found another girl to replace you.”<br /> “Yeah, I remember. I was crying hysterically for hours.”<br /> “Do you remember last spring, when we were stranded at school until eight pm and a guard called our principal? He called my dad and told them that if he doesn’t pick us up by five pm, he would be reported to the police. My dad decided that it would be better to have us homeschooled. But he hired Mr. Frank, who used to work for the military and is extremely tough. He even hits us on the hands if we don’t pay attention.”<br /> “Kind of like a traditional Catholic school nun,” said Alyssa as she and Hailey-Anne started to walk down the staircase. “My mom went to Catholic school until ninth grade. She told me that the nuns would hit students on the hand if they misbehaved. She also told me that kids who lived far away from the school were required to eat the school lunch. The nuns would force them to.”<br /> “What about the kids who lived very close?”<br /> “They got to go home and eat.”<br /> “Well I think this is the first time we’re finding out about my dad consuming alcohol and becoming so abusive and forgetful. He’s probably been hiding it.”<br /> “That’s scary,” said Alyssa as she and Hailey-Anne made their way to the coat closet. Alyssa pulled out her deep pink peacoat and put it over her hot pink V-neck sweater and white shirt.<br /> “Alyssa, are you sure you’re warm enough?” asked Hailey-Anne looking at Alyssa’s black and white striped leggings.<br /> “Yeah, I’m fine. Let’s go now.”<br /> Before Hailey-Anne and Alyssa could move a muscle, the door opened to reveal a salt and pepper-haired man who looked like he just came from a mess. He gave the girls a glowering look.<br /> “Where do you think you’re going?” he asked gruffly.<br /> “We’re going to buy dinner, dad,” said Hailey-Anne. “We’re using Alyssa’s birthday money… oops!” Hailey-Anne covered her mouth. Alyssa gave her a dirty look.<br /> “Hailey-Anne, that was supposed to be a secret!”<br /> Uncle Bruce grasped Alyssa’s arm and slammed her against the wall.<br /> “You kept money for God-knows how long?!” he snarled. “Is this what you’ve been asking people for your birthdays?”<br /> “Yes,” Alyssa whined. “And for Christmas too.”<br /> Uncle Bruce let go of her.<br /> “Give me your money, Alyssa Norris!”<br /> “No.”<br /> “GIVE IT OR ELSE… I’LL ABANDON YOU!!!”<br /> Abandon? Alyssa thought. That’s way too extreme. It’s even illegal.<br /> “I’m counting to three!” One… two…”<br /> “Here, take the money,” Alyssa whined. She handed the money to Uncle Bruce and ran back up the stairs. The money she received from her friends was gone.<br /> “I’ll be drinking more!” Uncle Bruce yelled as Alyssa ran away.<br /> She stormed into her room and slammed the door. She was so mad at Hailey-Anne for revealing her secret. Every birthday and Christmas, she would ask her friends for cash. When they asked how much, she would say as much as possible. With that money, she’d buy clothes, food, and books. She actually only bought clothes twice a year since that was all she could afford. Alyssa may have been living miserably, but outside, she was very smart and wise. At school, she got straight A’s and she had a lot of friends. She was actually very popular because she was gentle, sweet, and outgoing. Everyone at school was easy on her. No one would have believed that at home, she had been abused, because she was very good at controlling her emotions.<br /> When her digital clock read “nine o’clock,” Alyssa opened her window, climbed on it, and reached the closest branch of the pine tree outside her window. Almost every night, Alyssa would sneak out to see Melanie Johnson, her best friend at school to soothe her stress and live peacefully since nine o’clock was her and Hailey-Anne’s bedtime. But she’d only stay for an hour.<br /> Alyssa reached her legs to the branch right below the one she was holding onto. She then held onto the trunk of the tree and hopped onto the ground.<br /> After making her way off the tree, Alyssa ducked her head as she walked in the backyard of her house and towards the Johnson’s house, which was two houses down the left of hers.<br /> When Alyssa arrived at the Johnson’s house, she quietly opened the back door, and tiptoed inside. She noticed a girl around her age standing in the kitchen, munching on an apple. The girl turned around and saw Alyssa.<br /> “Hi Alyssa,” said the girl in a dreamy voice. She ran over to Alyssa with her high wavy black pigtails bouncing on her shoulders.<br /> “Hi Melanie,” said Alyssa quietly.<br /> “Are you alright?”<br /> “I don’t know. Two terrible events happened today.”<br /> “What?”<br /> “Well one is that my birthday money was confiscated. Not because I did something wrong, but because my uncle is a villain.”<br /> “I know you’re uncle’s evil,” said Melanie. “But why?”<br /> “Because he drinks a lot.”<br /> Melanie’s mouth dropped. “No kidding.”<br /> “My cousin and I didn’t know until today. We remembered the times he forgot is responsibilities, like paying for my ballet class and picking us up from school since we stayed after to do our homework. Now I can’t take ballet classes again or go back to school. My cousin and I are homeschooled by a former military chief.”<br /> “I’m sorry to hear that,” said Melanie. “Well be our guest and come into the dining room. Kaitlyn and my parents are there. Can I offer you something?”<br /> “No thanks. I’m good.” Alyssa followed Melanie to the dining room. A small girl of around nine and a couple sat with a bunch of little envelopes and cards. They all noticed Alyssa.<br /> “Hi,” said Melanie’s mom. They were always okay with Alyssa sneaking out to see them since they knew how much she suffered at home.<br /> “Hi Mrs. Johnson. What’s going on?”<br /> “My birthday’s two weeks from today,” said the little girl. “I’ll be turning ten.”<br /> “Cool, Kaitlyn,” said Alyssa. “What are you doing?”<br /> “I’m having my party at a ski resort,” said Kaitlyn. “On Friday, we’ll be renting out a restaurant for the night. On Saturday, we’ll be having a brunch and people can decide if they want to ski, snowboard, snow tube, or just hang out. Sunday, we’ll be departing back here. Would you like to come?”<br /> Alyssa looked down. She didn’t know what to say.<br /> “Is there anything wrong, Alyssa?” asked Kaitlyn.<br /> “Kaitlyn, my parents died near a ski resort.”<br /> “Really?”<br /> “Yes. Five years ago, my parents and I drove out to Edward’s Ski Resort for the weekend.”<br /> “Where’s that?” asked Melanie.<br /> “Fort Nelson, British Columbia. That’s actually my hometown. Anyway, we were driving there for the weekend. When we were almost there, I heard loud tumbling, and saw an avalanche heading right towards our car. I opened the back seat of my parents’ car, and ran away until it finally stopped. When it did, I called for my parents. There was no response. I climbed a gate and walked on top of the avalanche snow. My parents’ car was barely visible. After minutes of scraping the snow off the front window, I saw that not only was the window open, but my parents were dead. I cried like a baby for several minutes. When the rescuers arrived, they managed to calm me down, and take me into their private plane. I cried more on the way. It was nearly six and a half hours from Fort Nelson to here in Burnt Church, New Brunswick. I lived peacefully with my aunt and uncle until I was about finished with third grade. My aunt was exiting a department store when a scary man held up a gun at her and threatened her to hand him her wallet. She said no and that she’d call the police. But before she could grab her cell phone, the man shot her. It aired on the news and my uncle told my cousin and me when I was in bed. I cried for at least four days. I’m wondering if my aunt’s death caused my uncle to drink enough that he was no longer safe to be around.”<br /> “That’s so sad,” said Mr. Johnson. “Well we’d be happy to let you move in with us.”<br /> “Thank you, Mr. Johnson,” said Alyssa. “But I don’t know if that can happen. My cousin and my uncle both don’t know about me sneaking out here.”<br /> “Hey, Kaitlyn, stop playing with your hair and listen to Alyssa,” said Mr. Johnson seriously. Kaitlyn was twirling her long wavy strawberry blonde hair, but let it fall to her elbows again.<br /> “Sorry, dad,” she said. “I’m just thinking of how I should style it the night of my party.”<br /> “We’ll worry about that, later,” said Mrs. Jacobson.<br /> “I’m also planning on growing out my bangs,” said Kaitlyn. She turned to Alyssa. “Hey, Alyssa, can I make you a cup of tea?”<br /> “Sure. What kinds do you have?”<br /> Kaitlyn named all the teas.<br /> “Okay, I’ll have white peach with some sugar, please.”<br /> Kaitlyn headed to the kitchen and put the kettle on.<br /> “So, Alyssa, tell me what life was like with your parents,” said Mrs. Johnson.<br /> “Well my dad was a graphic designer and my mom was a bookkeeper. We lived up on a hill near the mountains. One of my biggest memories was when I received a dark brown and white Dutch rabbit for Christmas in 2000.”<br /> “What was the rabbit’s name?” asked Mr. Johnson.<br /> “Ring Ding.”<br /> “Cute,” said Mrs. Johnson.<br /> “Thanks. My mom used to buy me ring dings until I was six. That was when she realized how unhealthy they were. I was upset in the beginning, but then I got over it after she bought me snacks like Luna Bars and trail mix.”<br /> “Kaitlyn, I think that’s the water,” Mrs. Johnson told her after hearing a high pitched noise. Kaitlyn removed the kettle from the stove, and poured the water into a mug. She then delivered the mug to Alyssa.<br /> “Thanks,” said Alyssa. She drank her tea slowly until the clock read “ten-fifty-five.”<br /> “I’m sorry, guys,” said Alyssa quickly. “I have to go now. Thanks for the tea, Kaitlyn.”<br /> “You’re welcome. Goodbye.”<br /> “Bye.” Alyssa headed back to the back door and stepped outside. She walked two houses back to hers and climbed the tree to reach her room. When she got there, she saw Hailey-Anne in a red polka-dotted yellow bathrobe over her pajamas, with her arms crossed and giving her a dead look.<br /> “Hailey-Anne, why aren’t you in bed?” asked Alyssa.<br /> “Because I saw the light on in your room as I headed down to the bathroom. I assumed you were in there, so I told you to shut it off. But then you were gone. Where did you go?”<br /> “Um… it’s none of your business.”<br /> “What do you mean it’s ‘none of my business?’ I was dead worried about you.”<br /> “Okay, I was at my friend, Melanie’s house.”<br /> “Why?”<br /> “To see her.”<br /> “Do you do this every night?”<br /> “Well… sort of. But please do not tell Uncle Bruce. He’ll kill me. Now go back to bed.”<br /> “Alright, Alyssa. But what would happen if my dad found out?”<br /> “He won’t find out. No just go.”<br /> Hailey-Anne walked out of Alyssa’s bedroom and shut the door. Alyssa then took off her clothes and put on a spaghetti-strap candy pink nightdress that fell to the floor. She then headed to the bathroom to brush her teeth, undo her braids, and brush her hair. Uncle Bruce actually had a rule that they were never allowed to leave their room except for when they’d be homeschooled by Mr. Frank, to eat, and to go to the bathroom. But they often broke that rule to gather their needs, especially because Uncle Bruce was out almost every day, secretly drinking.<br /> As Alyssa crawled under the covers of her bed, fear took over her mind. Would Hailey-Anne keep her promise by not telling her dad about Alyssa sneaking out to see her best friend from the public school she used to attend up until the end of third grade? If she didn’t, how much would Uncle Bruce lose his temper? Would he beat her to the point where she’d be in a coma or even worse… dead? Alyssa hoped not. But there were no guarentees. </p> http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/topic.php?id=70#post-470 Wed, 06 Apr 2011 21:52:49 +0000 Fernando 470@http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/ <p>Hi all,</p> <p>I’ve attached a submission for April.</p> <p>The premise here is as follows: A young princess travels between two parallel universes in search of her memory and the person(s) that want her confined in the dark side.</p> <p>The age group is YA, probably sixteen and above. The setting is more or less modern day. The time span is not more than a week in Mingol mean time. The final WC should be around 20K. I say should be, because every time I review the story or the outline, something gets tweaked.</p> <p>I hope you enjoy. Please throw the lids off your ink canisters, and apply liberally. I can’t fix something if I don’t know about it.</p> <p>Can’t wait to hear from you.</p> <p>nando </p> http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/topic.php?id=69#post-465 Fri, 25 Mar 2011 21:48:01 +0000 edkowalski 465@http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/ <p>I forget how we used to do it.</p> <p>Are we waiting on a couple more reviews of Curse and Field Trip?</p> <p>Should we wait another week or two and then Marvin submit? Thx, everyone! </p> http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/topic.php?id=66#post-436 Thu, 17 Mar 2011 18:20:00 +0000 edkowalski 436@http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/ <p>As promised/threatened, attached is chapter one of a ya novel I wrote, Jurassic Field Trip. It's 16 pages, so when you can, thanks. If you're not crazy about the title, let me know. My original title was A T-Rex Ate My Taxi (because one does later), but my kids (who may be characters) didn't like it, and a t-rex already ate lunch and homework I guess. I've got my own test audience, heh. I'm thinking of revising it to be in the first person, chapters alternating between the two lead characters. Let me know if you think that would have more impact or not. Thanks!</p> <p>Ed </p> http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/topic.php?id=63#post-410 Fri, 11 Mar 2011 22:14:06 +0000 Sheila 410@http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/ <p>Hi, All!</p> <p>I would like to introduce Michele to the online group. She will be posting some information about herself very soon, so please feel free to introduce yourselves. </p> <p>Welcome Michele!</p> <p>Sheila </p> http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/topic.php?id=64#post-421 Tue, 15 Mar 2011 23:12:06 +0000 MicheleB 421@http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/ <p>*deep breath*</p> <p>I'm taking the plunge!</p> <p>Here's my first short story. It's a little over 800 words. My hope is to submit it to a children's magazine for consideration (after revision, of course!).</p> <p>I'm eager to hear your impressions and your suggestions for improvement.</p> <p>~Michele~</p> <p>p.s. The "sidebars" section at the end is not part of the story proper. </p> http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/topic.php?id=67#post-450 Sat, 19 Mar 2011 02:15:04 +0000 Marvin in Tyler 450@http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/ <p>Looks like I might have figured this thing out! The first 3 chapters are attached. I'll be watching for your reaction and comments.<br /> Marvin </p> http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/topic.php?id=65#post-422 Tue, 15 Mar 2011 23:40:26 +0000 MicheleB 422@http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/ <p>What are you reading this week?</p> <p>On my nightstand this week is "The Sorceress" (book 3 of the Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel).</p> <p>How about you?</p> <p>~Michele~ </p> http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/topic.php?id=68#post-452 Sat, 19 Mar 2011 14:36:56 +0000 MicheleB 452@http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/ <p>I ran across this little gem when I was perusing the forums on AW.</p> <p>If you're a YA or possibly even MG writer, it's worth a luck.</p> <p>The winner nets the eye of an Erin Murphy Literary Agency agent who is currently closed to submissions.</p> <p>~Michele~</p> <p><a href="http://yatopia.blogspot.com/2011/03/agent-pitch-contest.html" rel="nofollow">http://yatopia.blogspot.com/2011/03/agent-pitch-contest.html</a> </p> http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/topic.php?id=62#post-399 Thu, 13 Jan 2011 20:01:23 +0000 Carol 399@http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/ <p>Hi all! I've sent you my new rhyme and verse book. Looking forward to your comments. I think I put the title of my last book. by mistake. I'll resend so there is no confusion. Sorry about that.</p> <p>Carol </p> http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/topic.php?id=61#post-398 Sun, 12 Dec 2010 22:04:01 +0000 Sandy ParenthoodNJ 398@http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/ <p>On my website, <a href="http://www.parenthoodnj.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.parenthoodnj.com</a>, I am running a family holiday contest with some great prizes and all you need to do is share your favorite holiday traditions. You can learn more about the contest, how to enter, how to vote here: <a href="http://www.parenthoodnj.com/holiday-2010-contest1.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.parenthoodnj.com/holiday-2010-contest1.html</a></p> <p>Anyone over 18 can enter and the top prize is a birthday party for 8. Could be a great gift for someone (as well as some other prizes).</p> <p>I also put together a holiday toy/gift guide that might be of interest to you: <a href="http://www.parenthoodnj.com/holiday-2010-contest1.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.parenthoodnj.com/holiday-2010-contest1.html</a></p> <p>And some fun holiday stuff (like ways to email or chat online with Santa, or track him online) and fun holiday polls: <a href="http://www.parenthoodnj.com/winter-holiday-fun-page.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.parenthoodnj.com/winter-holiday-fun-page.html</a></p> <p>and lastly some fun NJ holiday events:<br /> <a href="http://www.parenthoodnj.com/winter-holiday-fun-page.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.parenthoodnj.com/winter-holiday-fun-page.html</a> </p> http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/topic.php?id=60#post-397 Fri, 10 Dec 2010 03:02:43 +0000 Sheila 397@http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/ <p>To all of my writing friends, a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!</p> <p>If you have a special holiday memory that you would like to share this season, feel free to share it on this thread.</p> <p>All the best in the coming new year!</p> <p>Sheila </p> http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/topic.php?id=59#post-380 Wed, 13 Oct 2010 15:38:20 +0000 Sheila 380@http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/ <p>Who wants to be next, guys?</p> <p>Sheila </p> http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/topic.php?id=58#post-366 Mon, 30 Aug 2010 12:29:59 +0000 phutchison 366@http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/ <p>Here goes, everyone. I will look forward to seeing what y'all have to say about my little story.</p> <p>Marvin, I got your comments via email. If you wouldn't mind posting so others can see them, it would be great. I wish I would have known about your trip... I am about in the middle between Ashville and Charleston. We could have met for coffee! Glad you had a great trip.</p> <p>Welcome back, everyone! </p> http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/topic.php?id=57#post-358 Thu, 05 Aug 2010 17:03:53 +0000 edkowalski 358@http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/ <p>Hi gang. Hope everyone's summer's going well. Thought I'd ask if anyone has material they'd like to submit for this month? I'm dying to see your creative minds. Taking a break til Sept/fall isn't bad either. Be well. Enjoy the rest of summer. Keep writing. :) </p> http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/topic.php?id=55#post-338 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:38:58 +0000 edkowalski 338@http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/ <p>Hi, guys. I emailed you chapter 1 of my book, True Colors: A Young Gecko's First Tail of Adventure. Looking forward to comments, thanks! </p> http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/topic.php?id=56#post-349 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 13:22:03 +0000 phutchison 349@http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/ <p>Hi everyone. I am going to sound so low-tech with this appeal, but if I can get some insight on this topic, I'll put up with the red face.<br /> I am looking into freelance writing jobs on the internet and many sites want me to send the url to my portfolio. I have so many questions about this I barely know where to start. But here goes:<br /> 1. What should go in this portfolio?<br /> 2. If I put writing samples in there, should they be copyrighted? If so, how do I go about doing this?<br /> 3. Once I figure all this out, and actually have a portfolio, how do I send these sites the url for it? (See, I told you... low-tech :)) </p> http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/topic.php?id=47#post-277 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 01:18:50 +0000 kathikurz 277@http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/ <p>A question for all of you writing chapter books. Is it manditory to name the chapters? </p> http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/topic.php?id=48#post-287 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:50:28 +0000 Lois 287@http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/ <p>Hello again, </p> <p>Fernando asked that I post my story (eventhough it is not a children's story). All feedback is welcome. A littel background..I entered a contest sponsored by NYC Midnight and was given the subject matter of Computer Hacker and the genre, Drama (and a limit of 2500 words), so it it seems choppy in places, I was cutting down on text. I had 8 days to write a complete story...my knowledge of computers wa a bit limited, so if any of you have more expertise in this area, try not to cringe too much :)</p> <p>The first page is a quick summary of my story. Thanks, </p> <p>Lois 8-) </p> http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/topic.php?id=54#post-324 Fri, 04 Jun 2010 01:48:25 +0000 Sheila 324@http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/ <p>Hi, Ed! Welcome to the NJCWG communications forum. </p> http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/topic.php?id=53#post-311 Tue, 11 May 2010 14:11:19 +0000 Sheila 311@http://www.childrenswritersguild.org/board/ <p>Hi, All!</p> <p>Here's the thread for my Hot Pink Hubcaps entry.</p> <p>It's not Emily Dickenson, but then it's not meant to be. Rather, I wrote it as an homage to Madeleine: In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines..., and as a spoof on the crazy industry that is publishing!</p> <p>It made me smile a lot while writing it. I hope that it brings a smile to you as well.</p> <p>Have at it! </p>