Bea Donaldson
Celebrate with our published grad Bea Donaldson and her recent published book PARABULUM.
Published Graduate
Carolinna Stevenson
Today we are celebrating Carolinna Stevenson!
She is a graduate of our Writing for Children and Teens course.
Let’s learn more about her article Growing a Beautiful Garden.
What is the name of your books?
“Growing a Beautiful Garden” was published in a Keys for Kids devotional.
Give us a short summary of your work.
“Growing a Beautiful Garden” is about the importance of our words. Every word is like a seed that will either grow into something beautiful and positive or grow weeds and become something negative in our lives. Our words have power so let’s use them for good!
Tell us a bit about your path to publishing, from idea to submission to publication.
The idea came to me one day while I was thinking about how powerful words can be. Words can be for encouragement or can be used as a destructive force. I wanted to write it in a way that children could understand.
How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing since I was a child, with long pauses in between. But I’m back now.
What’s your favorite genre to write and why?
Children’s Literature. Children are receptive and curious. I love that about them. I enjoy looking at things through their eyes.
Which ICL or IFW courses have you taken?
Writing for Children and Teens
Beyond The Basics: Writing and Selling Short Stories and Articles
How has taking our courses helped your writing and/or career?
Firstly, I did not think I had any writing talent. I had always loved writing but never thought of it as anything more than a hobby. ICL helped me discover that, yes, I can write and get published.
Have any of your class assignments been published?
Yes. “Growing a Beautiful Garden” was an assignment and was published in the spring of 2020.
Do you have a favorite writing tip you’d like to share?
I like to write an idea down as soon as it comes to me so I don’t forget it. I then begin processing the idea in my head and all the different ways it could go before I start writing it.
If you could travel back in time and give yourself one piece of writing advice, what would it be?
I would go back to about the age of 10. I would tell myself, “You can do it!”
What’s the most valuable thing you learned from your experience with the Institute of Children’s Literature?
I learned so much. I had no clue what involved writing a story for publication. There is so much research that goes into it. Now, I can’t look at any story without a critical eye.
Carolinna Stevenson loves children. She enjoys writing things that can help children learn and grow and put a smile on their faces.
Recent Published Graduates
Irene Bennett
Celebrate with our published grad Irene Bennett and her recent published book BATTLE OF THE ARTISANS:MAKE THE BELLS OF MARQUIS YI.
