Josh Weiss-Roessler
@boregenerations.bsky.social
Writer of genre stuff for mostly kids. | Get a free story by signing up for my mailing list @ https://linktr.ee/joshweissroessler.com
You guys! I don’t suck!
November 24, 2025 at 4:44 PM
You guys! I don’t suck!
Few things are more frustrating than breezing along with the outline, then reaching a point in it where I'm like, "Okay, that makes story sense, but from a practical standpoint how/when/where does this stuff actually happen?" #kidlitchat
November 19, 2025 at 2:16 AM
Few things are more frustrating than breezing along with the outline, then reaching a point in it where I'm like, "Okay, that makes story sense, but from a practical standpoint how/when/where does this stuff actually happen?" #kidlitchat
I want to get better at including chapters in the outline. They may change in the draft, but the blueprint helps immensely. #kidlitchat
November 19, 2025 at 2:15 AM
I want to get better at including chapters in the outline. They may change in the draft, but the blueprint helps immensely. #kidlitchat
So far I have been a Save the Cat person as far as structure, which probably makes sense with my formative professional writing experience in film/TV. Nothing will teach you story faster than writing a screenplay, because there's not room for much else... if you do it well. #kidlitchat
TOPIC: How do you come up with your story's structure? Are you a Save the Cat person? A hero's journey lover? Do you follow a natural rhythm, have another template or not even think about it? Discuss away! #kidlitchat
November 19, 2025 at 2:06 AM
So far I have been a Save the Cat person as far as structure, which probably makes sense with my formative professional writing experience in film/TV. Nothing will teach you story faster than writing a screenplay, because there's not room for much else... if you do it well. #kidlitchat
Last week I got to interview R.A. Consell, author of the MG/YA fantasy series Stealing from Wizards, about his books and writing life.
Check it out at the comment link.
#AuthorInterview
#YAFantasy
#MiddleGradeBooks
#WritingCommunity
#TeacherReads
#LibrarianLife
#BookRecommendation
Check it out at the comment link.
#AuthorInterview
#YAFantasy
#MiddleGradeBooks
#WritingCommunity
#TeacherReads
#LibrarianLife
#BookRecommendation
October 31, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Last week I got to interview R.A. Consell, author of the MG/YA fantasy series Stealing from Wizards, about his books and writing life.
Check it out at the comment link.
#AuthorInterview
#YAFantasy
#MiddleGradeBooks
#WritingCommunity
#TeacherReads
#LibrarianLife
#BookRecommendation
Check it out at the comment link.
#AuthorInterview
#YAFantasy
#MiddleGradeBooks
#WritingCommunity
#TeacherReads
#LibrarianLife
#BookRecommendation
Whether it's finding people on social or wherever, I'm just trying to figure out how to build a mailing list when I don't (yet) have anything to sell. I JUST started giving away a free short, but I'm basically getting hundreds of people going to the form... and have had 2 friends sign up #kidlitchat
October 22, 2025 at 2:01 AM
Whether it's finding people on social or wherever, I'm just trying to figure out how to build a mailing list when I don't (yet) have anything to sell. I JUST started giving away a free short, but I'm basically getting hundreds of people going to the form... and have had 2 friends sign up #kidlitchat
Oh, man. Trying to post on IG and TikTok for followers and (the holy grail) NL signups, but it has been tough sledding. Actually had a huddle with a writer the other day who does AMAZINGLY well on IG and she has me ?ing if I should restart with a new account I haven't "trained" poorly. #kidlitchat
TOPIC: How are you using social media and the online world for your career these days? Which networks or sites are still worth your time and energy? Are you posting more? Less? Both??? #kidlitchat
October 22, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Oh, man. Trying to post on IG and TikTok for followers and (the holy grail) NL signups, but it has been tough sledding. Actually had a huddle with a writer the other day who does AMAZINGLY well on IG and she has me ?ing if I should restart with a new account I haven't "trained" poorly. #kidlitchat
And... I'm going to have to take off, because our 13-year-old actually just asked to watch TV with us, which never happens. 😍 #kidlitchat
October 15, 2025 at 1:55 AM
And... I'm going to have to take off, because our 13-year-old actually just asked to watch TV with us, which never happens. 😍 #kidlitchat
I do have to say, as a Central Texas resident who loves running outside, one huge benefit of the lump of time that is fallwinter is not feeling like I'm going to pass out after a few miles. There were times this past summer when starting a run at 6am wasn't enough to escape the heat. #kidlitchat
October 15, 2025 at 1:41 AM
I do have to say, as a Central Texas resident who loves running outside, one huge benefit of the lump of time that is fallwinter is not feeling like I'm going to pass out after a few miles. There were times this past summer when starting a run at 6am wasn't enough to escape the heat. #kidlitchat
I'm actually often really bad at this. I blame years of screenwriting for my "white room" syndrome, and I think this kind of falls into the same camp. Only the absolute essential details. The production will figure out everything else. #kidlitchat
TOPIC: It's Fall, a new season! The light is changing, disappearing sooner. And it makes us wonder - how do you use things like the seasons or light and darkness or other nature-driven details in your work? And when you read, how do those details effect you (and the story)? #kidlitchat
October 15, 2025 at 1:15 AM
I'm actually often really bad at this. I blame years of screenwriting for my "white room" syndrome, and I think this kind of falls into the same camp. Only the absolute essential details. The production will figure out everything else. #kidlitchat
I THINK I'm pretty decent at queries, pitches, and log lines... but synopses are exhausting and comps are the bane of my existence. #kidlitchat
TOPIC: Queries, pitches, log lines, synopses, comps--all the stuff that someone other than you needs to see (sometimes before they agree to see your work itself!). What are you especially good at? What do you dread? Any tips for coming up with good versions of any of those steps? #kidlitchat
October 8, 2025 at 1:04 AM
I THINK I'm pretty decent at queries, pitches, and log lines... but synopses are exhausting and comps are the bane of my existence. #kidlitchat
Okay, our dog is very insistent that I need to stop chatting because it's walk time, and delaying never wins that argument.
Night all!
#kidlitchat
Night all!
#kidlitchat
October 1, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Okay, our dog is very insistent that I need to stop chatting because it's walk time, and delaying never wins that argument.
Night all!
#kidlitchat
Night all!
#kidlitchat
Ooh, did anyone else have Read Magazine in school? I remember loving the short stories and sometimes they would have plays the teacher would have us read aloud. I was THAT kid who was really into it that everyone else thought was embarassingly hilarious. Good times.
#kidlitchat
#kidlitchat
October 1, 2025 at 1:34 AM
Ooh, did anyone else have Read Magazine in school? I remember loving the short stories and sometimes they would have plays the teacher would have us read aloud. I was THAT kid who was really into it that everyone else thought was embarassingly hilarious. Good times.
#kidlitchat
#kidlitchat
As I got a LITTLE older I remember being pretty into horror. Fear Street in the... lets say 8-10 range. And the Scary Stories books. Then pretty quickly into Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Clive Barker from 11 plus. Def read some things I probably shouldn't have. #kidlitchat
October 1, 2025 at 1:32 AM
As I got a LITTLE older I remember being pretty into horror. Fear Street in the... lets say 8-10 range. And the Scary Stories books. Then pretty quickly into Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Clive Barker from 11 plus. Def read some things I probably shouldn't have. #kidlitchat
Oh, as a REALLY little kid, hands down There's a Monster at the End of This Book. It doesn't need explanation, does it? #kidlitchat
October 1, 2025 at 1:08 AM
Oh, as a REALLY little kid, hands down There's a Monster at the End of This Book. It doesn't need explanation, does it? #kidlitchat
Perhaps oddly, I also have a pretty strong love of Terry Brooks' The Sword of Shannara, which I also read in that 7-9 age range (and still kind of like it more than Lord of the Rings -- sorry, Tolkien people). #kidlitchat
October 1, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Perhaps oddly, I also have a pretty strong love of Terry Brooks' The Sword of Shannara, which I also read in that 7-9 age range (and still kind of like it more than Lord of the Rings -- sorry, Tolkien people). #kidlitchat
Oof. I read A LOT. But I have a distinct memory of FINALLY finishing my beloved Chronicles of Narnia at age 7 and being pissed that it was all a Christian allegory. I mean, the least Lewis could have done was make it less explicit in book 7 for all of us who just wanted fantasy. Jeez. #kidlitchat
TOPIC: What were your own favorite books from childhood? (Extra points if they're in the same genre you create now.) Do you ever revisit them for inspiration? #kidlitchat
October 1, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Oof. I read A LOT. But I have a distinct memory of FINALLY finishing my beloved Chronicles of Narnia at age 7 and being pissed that it was all a Christian allegory. I mean, the least Lewis could have done was make it less explicit in book 7 for all of us who just wanted fantasy. Jeez. #kidlitchat
Reposted by Josh Weiss-Roessler
so we partner with our local library on an all-queer, all-kidlit little free library... and for the second weekend in a row, somebody has stolen all the brand new books. we are working on a plan, but if you are a queer kidlit author with some books or swag you'd like to donate, can you message me? 🌈
September 28, 2025 at 11:34 PM
so we partner with our local library on an all-queer, all-kidlit little free library... and for the second weekend in a row, somebody has stolen all the brand new books. we are working on a plan, but if you are a queer kidlit author with some books or swag you'd like to donate, can you message me? 🌈
September 26, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Ooh, you know what I find fun? Looking at prompts from magazines and anthologies when they're looking for works with a certain theme.
Sometimes it sparks something really interesting -- often not even to submit to them. #kidlitchat
Sometimes it sparks something really interesting -- often not even to submit to them. #kidlitchat
September 17, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Ooh, you know what I find fun? Looking at prompts from magazines and anthologies when they're looking for works with a certain theme.
Sometimes it sparks something really interesting -- often not even to submit to them. #kidlitchat
Sometimes it sparks something really interesting -- often not even to submit to them. #kidlitchat
I find reading fiction helpful. Also critiquing others' work for some reason.
And running. Maybe not exactly "creative" energy, but I find myself more ready and focused after a run. #kidlitchat
And running. Maybe not exactly "creative" energy, but I find myself more ready and focused after a run. #kidlitchat
September 17, 2025 at 1:09 AM
I find reading fiction helpful. Also critiquing others' work for some reason.
And running. Maybe not exactly "creative" energy, but I find myself more ready and focused after a run. #kidlitchat
And running. Maybe not exactly "creative" energy, but I find myself more ready and focused after a run. #kidlitchat
Ooh, there are quite a few, but…
September 13, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Ooh, there are quite a few, but…
This.
I’m no publisher or agent. I pay attention to the industry, but to some degree also ignore it.
I have a 13- and 10yo and see what they like. And I have my instincts as a writer.
In the end, all you can do is make work that matters to you, put it out there, and let the world decide.
I’m no publisher or agent. I pay attention to the industry, but to some degree also ignore it.
I have a 13- and 10yo and see what they like. And I have my instincts as a writer.
In the end, all you can do is make work that matters to you, put it out there, and let the world decide.
There are a lot of articles this week about the middle grade category. I have so many thoughts on this topic, as both a longtime editor of some mainstay middle-grade series, and a parent of a 12-year-old.
September 10, 2025 at 11:06 PM
This.
I’m no publisher or agent. I pay attention to the industry, but to some degree also ignore it.
I have a 13- and 10yo and see what they like. And I have my instincts as a writer.
In the end, all you can do is make work that matters to you, put it out there, and let the world decide.
I’m no publisher or agent. I pay attention to the industry, but to some degree also ignore it.
I have a 13- and 10yo and see what they like. And I have my instincts as a writer.
In the end, all you can do is make work that matters to you, put it out there, and let the world decide.
Paraphrasing this as kick-in-the-butt advice for myself:
If you aren’t active because you don’t have fans, maybe become active so that you get fans.
Harsh, but okay.
#WritingCommunity #kidlit #sff #kidlitchat
If you aren’t active because you don’t have fans, maybe become active so that you get fans.
Harsh, but okay.
#WritingCommunity #kidlit #sff #kidlitchat
If aren’t active because your fans haven’t migrated to Bluesky, maybe become active here so that your fans migrate to Bluesky…?
briankirbystudio.com/the-pigeon-v...
briankirbystudio.com/the-pigeon-v...
THE PIGEON vs. … A BABY BUNNY? - Brian Kirby Studio
*Post originally published August 5, 2024 on boringstorybook.com One of the big pushbacks I see from companies, thought leaders, and institutions when it comes to leaving X and trying a new social med...
briankirbystudio.com
September 9, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Paraphrasing this as kick-in-the-butt advice for myself:
If you aren’t active because you don’t have fans, maybe become active so that you get fans.
Harsh, but okay.
#WritingCommunity #kidlit #sff #kidlitchat
If you aren’t active because you don’t have fans, maybe become active so that you get fans.
Harsh, but okay.
#WritingCommunity #kidlit #sff #kidlitchat
The gap between MG and YA books isn't a new problem... so I'm proposing a not-new solution:
More book series that grow with their readers.
What do I mean by that?
tinyurl.com/49xb5dkw
#MiddleGradeBooks #RaisingReaders
More book series that grow with their readers.
What do I mean by that?
tinyurl.com/49xb5dkw
#MiddleGradeBooks #RaisingReaders
September 9, 2025 at 1:14 PM
The gap between MG and YA books isn't a new problem... so I'm proposing a not-new solution:
More book series that grow with their readers.
What do I mean by that?
tinyurl.com/49xb5dkw
#MiddleGradeBooks #RaisingReaders
More book series that grow with their readers.
What do I mean by that?
tinyurl.com/49xb5dkw
#MiddleGradeBooks #RaisingReaders