Ellen Leventhal | Writing Outside the Lines |

04 Aug Love Your Story

Posted at 03:01h in authors, children's literature, critique groups, failures, kid lit, middle grade, non-fiction, picture books, Uncategorized, writing by Ellen Leventhal 11 Comments

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A group of writers and I are reading a wonderful book called Fearless Writing by William Kenower. I won't say it has been life changing, but I will say it has made me look at my writing and other parts of my life in a...

02 Mar #50PreciousWords

Posted at 20:17h in authors, children's literature, Dr. Seuss, kid lit, picture books, publishing, Uncategorized, writing by Ellen Leventhal 10 Comments

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It's time! It's here! It's short!! In honor of Dr. Seuss's birthday, Vivian Kirkfield has challenged writers to write a short (very short!) story using only fifty words. Did you know that Green Eggs and Ham has only fifty words? Well, only fifty unique words. Dr. Seuss shuffled and repeated them...

07 Jan Small Successes

Posted at 09:23h in authors, children's literature, critique groups, failures, holidays, kid lit, marketing, new year, picture books, reflection, revision, Uncategorized, writing by Ellen Leventhal 6 Comments

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Each January first, I beat myself up. Not literally, of course, but it's still pretty painful. I focus on everything I did not accomplish during the past year. Was I lazy? Not good enough? What was it? Turns out that type of thinking is not...

24 Nov Thank You, Charles Schulz

Posted at 20:03h in children's literature, kid lit, reflection, Uncategorized, writing by Ellen Leventhal 2 Comments

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Like most people today, I'd like to wish all who celebrate, a Happy Thanksgiving and all who don't celebrate, a Happy Thursday. This is the time of year when everyone takes a break to be thankful. I love that, I really do. BUT, here's the...

13 Oct Crazy About Crtiques

Posted at 23:08h in children's literature, critique groups, kid lit, picture books, Uncategorized by Ellen Leventhal 8 Comments

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Let me say at the outset that I love my smart, talented, kind critique buddies. Not everyone is so lucky. Picture this: You write something, give it to your critique group, and everyone says it's wonderful. No problems at all. Great feeling? Maybe. Helpful? Nope. The whole point...

30 Jun The Rule of Three in Writing and Life

Posted at 22:40h in children's literature, kid lit, picture books, publishing, revision, rule of three, Texas, Uncategorized, writing by Ellen Leventhal 1 Comment

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There is power in the number three. Julius Caesar didn't ask only friends and Romans to lend him their ears. It wouldn't have been nearly as powerful without the countrymen. And don't ever just stop and drop when your clothes are on fire. You better...

31 Mar Bluebonnets Part Two…Moving On

Posted at 18:08h in children's literature, kid lit, picture books, publishing, reflection, revision, Texas, Uncategorized, writing by Ellen Leventhal 9 Comments

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Ellen Rothberg and I loved our book, Don't Eat the Bluebonnets. Lots of other people loved it too. It had heart, great illustrations, and kids connected with it. Ahh...

28 Jan Valentine’s Day Fun

Posted at 02:47h in first dates, publishing, short stories, Uncategorized, writing by Ellen Leventhal 4 Comments

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Looking for a great Valentine's Day read? This is it. But remember, not all Valentine's Day stories are hearts and flowers! AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER NOW First of all, I need to say that getting out of one's comfort zone can sometimes be wonderful. Scary,...

19 Nov Writing for a Reason: Kissed by an Angel

Posted at 18:51h in Uncategorized by Ellen Leventhal 4 Comments

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An Anthology of Short Stories for Middle Grade Readers I admit it. I spend a lot of time on Facebook. But it’s not just for the political posts, the jokes, or even the cute puppy pictures. The majority of my time on Facebook is connecting with...

03 Aug I'VE LOST MY MOJO!

Posted at 22:55h in Uncategorized by Ellen Leventhal 6 Comments

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I will spare you the details, but suffice it to say, when I look back on this summer years from now, it will not be filled with fond memories. Aside from the flood and a myriad of other issues, a book deal recently fell through. A...