Finding Success by Tapping Into the Fun Zone
Lauren Hoffmeier Lauren Hoffmeier

Finding Success by Tapping Into the Fun Zone

The roller rink was alive with energy, filled with people of all ages ready to have fun! Tommy noticed the fearless attitude of the kids on the floor. They zipped around without a care, their confidence building with every glide. “Who cares if I fall? I’m just gonna go for it!” That mindset seemed to be their secret weapon. With that sense of fearless fun, they spun faster dancing to ABBA, carving figure eights like tiny, disco-inspired Olympians. (And yes, they were wearing knee pads—safety first, my friends!)

This experience got me thinking about writing. When we write, we need that same fearless fun. That sense of “who cares—I’m just gonna go for it” unleashes creativity and lets ideas flow naturally. Writing becomes a joyful dance instead of a struggle.

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Tools I Can’t Live Without as a Children’s Author
Lauren Hoffmeier Lauren Hoffmeier

Tools I Can’t Live Without as a Children’s Author

As a writer of children’s stories , my essential tools aren’t found at an office supply store or in the latest journaling app. Sure, pen and paper are part of the job, but what I rely on to spark my creativity are the experiences that fill my soul—those little joys I get out of belting a song in the shower, the thrill of auditioning, or the magic of watching a story come alive on stage.

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Magic Lessons: How to Find Magic When Writing for Kids
Lauren Hoffmeier Lauren Hoffmeier

Magic Lessons: How to Find Magic When Writing for Kids

Children’s books inspire magic. That’s why we read them well into our old age. Just like a warm cup of cocoa or a feel-good movie, we cling to the simple elegance of a picture book because of the effortless magic they present no matter how old we may be. As a children’s writer, asking for magic over and over again is a big ask, but that’s the job. So how do you do it?

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The Theta Brain for Peak Writing Performance: Capturing Your Dreams…Literally
Lauren Hoffmeier Lauren Hoffmeier

The Theta Brain for Peak Writing Performance: Capturing Your Dreams…Literally

Every person, no matter how old they are, has had that "aha" moment before dozing off. It’s a clear moment in our daily lives when the brain disengages from the rigorous flow of busy activity and routine. When the prefrontal cortex slows down (an area of the brain which includes areas of logic and reason). This is a time when the brain makes space for ideas to flow without judgment, intuition takes over, and creative sparks fly. This is the Theta brainwave state.

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Get Comfortable with Solitude: Advice for Writers
Lauren Hoffmeier Lauren Hoffmeier

Get Comfortable with Solitude: Advice for Writers

As writers, I guess you could say that we’re idea people. However, the distractions of everyday life can easily bog us down. But we’ve got to show up and kick those distractions in the butt. And a key way to do just that is by getting comfortable with solitude.

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How Studying Theater Improved My Writing
Lauren Hoffmeier Lauren Hoffmeier

How Studying Theater Improved My Writing

As a children's author, it's crucial for me to develop characters that are interesting, engaging, and relatable to young readers. Drawing on skills learned in the theater helps me infuse an atmosphere of fun and play into the process - another essential quality for children’s stories.

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5 Tips for Writing a Children's Book: Get Started with These Strategies
Lauren Hoffmeier Lauren Hoffmeier

5 Tips for Writing a Children's Book: Get Started with These Strategies

Writing for kids is a weird and wonderful journey. You've got to dive right into the deep end of that rainbow-sprinkled, slime-filled, squiggle-shaped pool of imagination. Writing for kids can feel like hours of fun-filled character creation, but it can also be daunting if you don't plan ahead.

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