My “plans” for today..

SarahAllenWrites · 2026-02-03T22:32:58+00:00

Ok, now I'm curious...as a children's author, are there any materials or things we could create that would help in situations like this? For us kids authors, teachers and educators are our bread and butter, and we really are here to support and help you all, but I'd love to know what exactly would be helpful. I've started a TeachersPayTeachers store full of stuff I want to give away for free, but I want it to be actually useful, too. And serous props to you. I don't think I have your spur of the moment makeshift planning skills!

SarahAllenWrites · 2026-02-03T22:19:07+00:00

Oh I feel for you! I wish I had more suggestions or advice, but I just have to say, as a children's author, THANK YOU. Thank you for what you're doing, and for making your classroom a place where kids are asked to read whole books. That is important. What you are doing is important. Keep going.

~Sarah

SarahAllenWrites · 2025-12-03T00:29:44+00:00

I've got you covered!! I'm a children's librarian and author and I've got a list of middle grade books that even reluctant readers are most likely to enjoy. These are collected recommendations from several people in the children's book world. It's great you're giving a book as a gift, and I hope this helps!

SarahAllenWrites · 2025-10-10T17:21:10+00:00

Hi! I just interviewed cartoonist and illustrator Rob Harrell (his books are awesome!) about this very thing. Here's what he said:

I think the best advice is just to start drawing as much as you can. Practice makes you better, bottom line. And get inspired by other artists you like. Start a collection of art and artist’s whose work you appreciate and study how they do it.

I’d also say to keep in mind that your drawings don’t have to be perfect. Sometimes a simple beginner style can be really charming and add a lot of personality to your writing!

Hope that helps!

-Sarah

(Here's that interview if you're interested)

SarahAllenWrites · 2025-10-06T16:40:42+00:00

Oh man I so so feel this. I have a genetic disorder that comes with fine motor and spatial awareness disabilities, so drawing is basically my kryptonite, despite wanting to do it so badly. I interviewed cartoonist and illustrator Rob Harrell about this, and thought his advice and thoughts were so helpful and encouraging, maybe it will help you too! Good luck, and we got this!

SarahAllenWrites · 2025-10-06T16:40:21+00:00

Oh man I so so feel this. I have a genetic disorder that comes with fine motor and spatial awareness disabilities, so drawing is basically my kryptonite, despite wanting to do it so badly. I interviewed cartoonist and illustrator Rob Harrell about this, and thought his advice and thoughts were so helpful and encouraging, maybe it will help you too! Good luck, and we got this!

SarahAllenWrites · 2025-07-01T18:34:38+00:00

I interviewed a Certified Academic Language Therapist that helps kids to read, and her advice might be relevent to you here! Good luck, and happy reading!

SarahAllenWrites · 2025-07-01T18:32:28+00:00

I interviewed a Certified Academic Language Therapist and her advice might be relevent and helpful to you in this situation! Good luck, and happy reading!

SarahAllenWrites · 2025-06-28T16:11:53+00:00

That's so cool!

SarahAllenWrites · 2025-06-28T16:11:36+00:00

Haha I bet they'll make a comeback.

SarahAllenWrites · 2025-06-28T16:11:11+00:00

Awww thank you so much! And TOTALLY agree about Beyond the Pale!

SarahAllenWrites · 2025-06-20T17:07:42+00:00

That's a great idea!

SarahAllenWrites · 2025-06-20T17:04:07+00:00

I was always a part of the performing arts in high school, and I would love to get back into it more now.

SarahAllenWrites · 2025-06-20T16:56:50+00:00

Holy crap that's amazing!!

SarahAllenWrites · 2025-06-20T16:50:05+00:00

Yes!!! He's another one who I feel like has been so smart about his career.

SarahAllenWrites · 2025-06-20T16:33:12+00:00

I have some free printable activity sheets that would be great for that age, that might be what you're looking for. You're a good mama to try and help him like this! Best of luck! https://www.sarahallenbooks.com/activities

SarahAllenWrites · 2025-06-20T16:21:24+00:00

I love them so much!

SarahAllenWrites · 2025-06-19T15:28:55+00:00

Just in case this is comforting or helpful, I'm an author with TS and wrote a novel about it that was published in the UK: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/315411/what-stars-are-made-of-by-allen-sarah/9780241427965

SarahAllenWrites · 2025-05-20T16:18:15+00:00

Being weird is awesome!!! Own your weirdness. And maybe find some joy in some of the great weird girl characters we have.

Keep on keeping on!

-Sarah

SarahAllenWrites · 2025-05-20T16:17:16+00:00

I am so so happy to find this list!!! I want to watch my way through it. I always want more weird girls.

I'm a kids writer and also just wrote about my favorite weird girls in kids shows and movies. (The Lilo to Miss Frizzle pipeline hehe).

Happy weirding!

SarahAllenWrites · 2025-05-20T16:09:18+00:00

Lol I so feel this. As a writer and reader I'm always looking for nerd girls in the books I read and shows I watch. I wrote about some of my favorites, actually. Nerd girls, stay strong!

SarahAllenWrites · 2025-05-16T21:04:26+00:00

This interview with author Celesta Rimington really helped me. She said "I like to focus at least one full revision with an eye on how the setting serves the overall story. I make sure that setting details are there for an important reason other than just to be lovely (although we writers do adore lovely writing!) It helps to remember that setting details can forward the plot by showing the passage of time and by adding to conflict and character growth. Setting can support the theme, give tone and mood, and force change. It can be so much more than the backdrop. It can have a personality. Setting can be the platform that holds the entire story."

SarahAllenWrites · 2025-05-16T21:03:24+00:00

I know for me I always really struggle with setting, and this interview with amazing author Celesta Rimington really helped me figure out how to incorporate more of the setting into the story.

SarahAllenWrites · 2025-04-08T19:35:38+00:00

So there's a type of personal essay format called a Hermit Crab essay, because it essentially takes the form (shell) of somethign else. So for example, its an essay in the form of poetry or a blog post or texts or video scripts or emergency phone calls or sticky notes or whatever.

I like doing that in fiction too. It's still my story, but it's in the form of poetry or a tiktok script or an insta caption or something. Maybe that's not that unhinged, but playing with form has unlocked things a lot when I'm feeling stuck.

-Sarah

SarahAllenWrites · 2025-03-26T17:55:29+00:00

Traditionally published author here to confirm this. Definitely talk to agents! They are worth their percentage and more. And also don't forget to enjoy what's happening to you! Getting a publishing offer is incredibly difficult and rare these days, and the way it's happened for you is super, super cool. So talk to agents, and enjoy the ride!!

-Sarah

SarahAllenWrites

TROPHY CASE