Writing Craft Tag

Bethany Hegedus Superpower Workshop 1 SQUARE
June 3, 2025 In Giveaway, Speakers

Bethany Hegedus: Secret Superpower Workshop

The secrets continue to be revealed for our 2025 event! Here’s what we’ve unveiled so far:

Our Picture Book Summit 2025 theme is: Big, Bold, and Brave: Supercharge Your Picture Books

Online Conference Date: October 4, 2025

Workshop #1: Wordcount Wizardry with Emma Walton Hamilton

Drum roll for Workshop #2 please! We are thrilled to present you with…

Secret Superpower:

How to Inspire Young Readers Without Teaching a Thing

Bethany Hegedus Workshop 2

Whether writing narrative fiction or nonfiction, SEL or LOL, we want our readers to leave with lessons they can apply to everyday life. But lessons are best learned when discovered by the reader. So how do we offer big, bold, and brave takeaways in our stories without preaching? Bethany Hegedus, award-winning author and founder of The Writing Barn, reveals how to wield this secret superpower, from her early hit-you-over-the-head drafts to her more balanced published books. Suit up for Bethany’s tips and tools to take you from teachy and preachy to engaging and empowering.

Get ready to use your secret superpowers for the good of all kidkind with Bethany’s help!
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Picture Book Humor
May 26, 2025 In Writing Craft

The Magic of Picture Book Humor

Picture Book Humor Magic of Humor Humor has a magical way of making an old idea feel fresh. Whether it’s through witty dialogue, funny scenarios, or quirky characters, adding humor can completely transform your story. Think about unexpected moments where you can bring in some lightness or absurdity to surprise your readers.

Humor has this incredible power to take a well-worn idea and make it feel brand new.

Whether through witty dialogue, funny scenarios, or quirky characters, humor has a way of giving even the most familiar concepts a delicious twist.

And in the world of picture books, humor can be the secret sauce that makes your story stand out from the crowd.

Why Picture Book Humor Works

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Twisting the Trope Title
May 21, 2025 In Writing Craft

Twisting the Tropes: When Picture Books Flip the Script

You know that moment when you think you know exactly where a picture book is going—then WHAM! It zigs instead of zags? We LOVE that.

In fact, flipping a familiar trope is one of the smartest—and funniest—ways to craft a story that feels fresh and unforgettable.Flip the Script on Tropes

Take a tired theme like “a scary monster under the bed.” Now make that monster terrified of the dark. Suddenly, readers are wide-eyed, giggling, and totally hooked.

Here are three picture books that start with something familiar… and then twist it like a curly fry.

Twisted Trope Example 1:

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Playing with point of view title
May 14, 2025 In Writing Craft

Playing with Point of View

When you’re writing a picture book, one of the most important questions to ask yourself is: Who’s telling the story? Sometimes, a simple shift in point of view can turn an idea upside down, transforming a well-worn theme into something fresh and unexpected.

Point of ViewPoint of view isn’t just about the narrator—it’s about perspective. Who’s seeing the story unfold, and what do they bring to it? By shifting that perspective, you can breathe new life into familiar concepts and make your story stand out in a crowded market.

Switch Up the Point of View

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Idea Blog Post 1 Title - Personal Experience
May 6, 2025 In Writing Craft

How to Use Personal Experience to Create Originality in Your Picture Books

One of the best pieces of advice we can give to aspiring picture book writers is this: use your own life.

PBS Idea Quote 1 personal experienceYour personal experience is an absolute goldmine of originality, and the more you tap into that experience, the more authentic and fresh your stories will feel. We all have moments that define us, that shape our view of the world, and those moments are what make your story stand out.

So, how do you turn those personal experiences into picture book gold? Here are a few tips:

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