Getting started

I want to get my first blog in before the clock strikes midnight.  This is by way of introduction to me.  My name is Denise Fuller.  I used to be a youth librarian in a public library, and I was also a school librarian for a year and a nanny for a year.

Let me start with the last first.  (The first shall be last, and all that.)  I was nanny to 3 children, ages 3, 10 and 12.  The 3 year old had the capacity to sit and be read to for long periods of time, so I checked lots of books out of the library for her.  One of her favorites was Moosetache by Margie Palatini.  The 10 year old had some learning disabilities, so I checked books out to try to get him interested in reading, and we read a math series together – Mandrill Mountain Math Mysteries by Felicia Law.  They were juvenile graphic novels that presented math concepts in disguise.  He really enjoyed them.  The 13 year old had ADHD but didn’t need a lot of coaxing to read as long as it was instructional, like cookbooks and craft books.

I was a school librarian for a year in a small Catholic school, and I did all the usual library things, like a weekly story time with the kindergarteners who loved Skippyjon Jones by Judith Byron Schachner.  I entered a 3rd-5th grade team and a 6th-8th grade team in the regional Oregon Battle of the Books competition.  One thing that came out of that was that I was able to invite author Susan Fletcher to come and speak to the middle school kids about her book, Alphabet of Dreams.

As a youth librarian I did reader’s advisory (giving suggestions of good books) to everyone from parents of babies to teenagers.  Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type is a popular picture book by Doreen Cronin.  As young children begin getting into easy books, the little boys want superheroes, Star Wars and Trucktown by Jon Sciescka (surprise, surprise!).  The little girls want Barbie and Disney Princesses (again, no surprise there).  Popular early chapter books are series like the A-Z Mysteries by Ron Roy, and Rainbow Magic by Daisy Meadows.  Of course, the older grade school kids like the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney, and Harry Potter by JK Rowling hasn’t lost any of its magic.  Middle school kids like to prove what big books they can read.  They go for things like the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer and Eragon by Christopher Paolini.   It’s true that older teens taper off on reading for pleasure.  They generally ask for books that they have to read for school.  They read the classics and non-fiction; somewhat grudgingly, I must say.

Now I am freelancing as a proofreader and copy editor, so I’ll be talking about a lot of good books on the theory that a good writer reads.  You need to become familiar with what’s popular with your target audience in order to have some idea what to write.  My target audience is writers of fiction for kids of all ages.

Oops!  I lost my glass slipper.  Good night!

11 thoughts on “Getting started

  1. It’s a good beginning! I hope your business is going on well. If you have any popular fantasy novels, please tell me! I will also trying hard on my dream as a writer. Let’s try our best!

  2. Hi Denise,
    A very lovely beginning–short and sweet. I’m delighted that you’re quickly activating the Grand Plan.
    All the best,
    Mel

  3. Denise,
    Very interesting blog, but it features your work experience as a librarian. If you are aiming for editing and proofreading business, why not tell us what qualifies you for that role. What successes have you had in correcting the writings of other people? I know you can do it, but others need to know that you can.

    • Wayne (Dad),
      You are absolutely right that my first blog features my library and nanny experience more than my editing experience. Since it is my first blog entry, I haven’t built up a readership of prospective clients yet. What I’d like you first readers to do is spread my blog site around to everyone you know who might be interested in writing. What I am aiming to do with this first blog is educate writers on what kinds of books I had parents and kids asking for most often when I was a librarian. My background is the one thing that sets me apart from other proofreaders and copy editors. I can help an author understand their target audience better.

      Thanks for the question. It gave me the opportunity to explain what I can offer to authors.

  4. I guess this is what you desire of me. Let me know if I’m still not gettin it but you can see I’m trying.

  5. Denise, I am thrilled to be part of your up and running business. I am so happy with the editing job you are doing for me at present and we are moving right along at a nice pace for me, as a new author.. So glad that you were willing to take me on as a client. I’m really enjoying working with you.

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