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, as well as insights about her creative process. She provides advice to aspiring writers, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability in writing and self-care during the process.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Karen Chow

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For more information about Sharon Skinner, visit bookcoachingbysharon.com or follow her on Instagram @sharon_skinner_author_bookcoach and X @SharonSkinner56.

For more information about Christy Yaros, visit christyyaros.com or follow her on Instagram and X @ChristyYaros.

For more information about Karen Chow, visit her website at kchowrites.com or find her on Instagram @kchowrites.

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 on Instagram @sharon_skinner_author_bookcoach and Twitter @SharonSkinner56.

For more information about Christy Yaros, visit christyyaros.com or follow her on Instagram and Twitter @ChristyYaros.

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.

02:44 Understanding the Complexity of Writing a Novel

05:44 The Importance of Project Management in Writing

09:35 Setting Realistic Goals and Managing Energy

14:47 Understanding Your Writing Process

20:24 The Role of Planning and Scheduling in Writing

28:19 The Importance of Trying Different Writing Strategies

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @CoachingKidLit

You can find Sharon Skinner at bookcoachingbysharon.com or connect with her on Instagram @sharon_skinner_author_bookcoach and X @SharonSkinner56.

You can find Christy Yaros at christyyaros.com or connect with her on Instagram and X @ChristyYaros.

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 perspective along the way.

Sharon and Christy draw from their personal experiences with writing challenges to provide an encouraging mix of practical strategies, managing expectations, and giving grace when life happens. You'll walk away inspired to start moving the needle on your writing goals.

Key topics include:

• Crafting reasonable daily word count objectives

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @CoachingKidLit

For more information about Sharon Skinner, visit bookcoachingbysharon.com or follow her on Instagram @sharon_skinner_author_bookcoach and Twitter @SharonSkinner56.

For more information about Christy Yaros, visit christyyaros.com or follow her on Instagram and Twitter@ChristyYaros.

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 and Twitter/X: @CoachingKidLit

For more information about Sharon Skinner, visit bookcoachingbysharon.com or follow her on Instagram @sharon_skinner_author_bookcoach and Twitter @SharonSkinner56.

For more information about Christy Yaros, visit christyyaros.com or follow her on Instagram and Twitter @ChristyYaros.

• Navigating permissions for quoting lyrics, poems, and book passages

• Blood from a Rose by Sharon Skinner

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @CoachingKidLit

For more information about Sharon Skinner, visit bookcoachingbysharon.com or follow her on Instagram @sharon_skinner_author_bookcoach and Twitter @SharonSkinner56.

For more information about Christy Yaros, visit christyyaros.com or follow her on Instagram and Twitter @ChristyYaros.

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

• Read debut authors

Relevant Links:

• Writing KidLit 101: A Self-Guided Course book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/writing-kidlit-101-a-self-guided-course-cheryl-lawton-malone/19842091?ean=9798987666548

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @CoachingKidLit

For more information about Sharon Skinner, visit bookcoachingbysharon.com or follow her on Instagram @sharon_skinner_author_bookcoach and Twitter @SharonSkinner56.

For more information about Christy Yaros, visit christyyaros.com or follow her on Instagram and Twitter @ChristyYaros.

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. They caution against including unnecessary details that can bog down the story and suggest trusting the reader to fill in gaps and understand the story. Throughout the episode, they provide examples and practical tips for writers to improve their use of scene and summary in their writing.

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @CoachingKidLit

For more information about Sharon Skinner, visit bookcoachingbysharon.com or follow her on Instagram @sharon_skinner_author_bookcoach and Twitter @SharonSkinner56.

For more information about Christy Yaros, visit christyyaros.com or follow her on Instagram and Twitter @ChristyYaros.

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

Uncle Bobby's Wedding by Sarah S. Brannen

When Aiden Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff

Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love

Grandad’s Camper by Harry Woodgate

Too Bright to See by Kyle Lukoff

The Prince and the Dress Maker by Jen Wang

Darius the Great is not Okay by Adib Khorram

Marissa Meyers’ Gilded Duology

She Drives Me Crazy by Kelly Quindlen

This Poison Heart by Kaylynn Bayron

For more information about Sam Cameron, visit truantpen.com or follow her on Twitter at @sblaircameron.

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @CoachingKidLit

For more information about Sharon Skinner, visit bookcoachingbysharon.com or follow her on Instagram @sharon_skinner_author_bookcoach and Twitter @SharonSkinner56.

For more information about Christy Yaros, visit christyyaros.com or follow her on Instagram and Twitter @ChristyYaros.

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.

Sharon's Manuscript Triage and First-Aid Basics: https://bookcoachingbysharon.com/manuscript-triage-and-first-aid-basics/

Christy's Story Map Template: https://christyyaros.com/writer-resources

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @CoachingKidLit

For more information about Sharon Skinner, visit bookcoachingbysharon.com or follow her on Instagram @sharon_skinner_author_bookcoach and Twitter @SharonSkinner56.

For more information about Christy Yaros, visit christyyaros.com or follow her on Instagram and Twitter @ChristyYaros.