When you set out to be a writer, you have to not only learn how to string words, sentences, paragraphs together, but pick a genre–and then abide by the rules of that style. You can’t call yourself a fantasy writer without an unusual life form and you can’t write science fiction without a good knowledge of cutting edge inventions.
Same applies to children’s writers. You may think all it takes is simple words, uncomplicated plots, and pictures, but you’d be wrong. Here are some tips if your goal is to become a successful children’s writer:
- Children’s writers must enjoy children. Sound obvious? Not really. Thriller writers don’t love murder and mayhem. But to succeed with children’s books, you must be comfortable with and respectful of children.
- Know what books today’s kids buy. And understand: That changes quickly.
- Be very clear what age group of ‘children’ you are writing for, then be age-appropriate in topics, characterizations. Elementary age students read different literature than middle school.
- Decide if you’re writing for children’s leisure reading or school. If you want the backing of teachers and parents, this will be important.
- What made you laugh as a child? What made you cry? What made your heart beat faster? Write for the emotions.
- From Jo Linsdell: “Writing a children’s book may, at first, seem like an easy task but it’s not. The skill of being able to tell a captivating story in such a limited number of words, the ability to combine the written story with the visual story, creating a simple text that flows smoothly…”
- Use illustrations and sketches, even if you think you may not need them. They help you understand where you are going.
- Setting in the story should be clear, as should time.
- Story should include one strong character who solves the problem himself/herself (no parent stepping in to fix it–not in this genre).
- it’s best to stick to one POV for early readers.
- Plot has to be bigger than ‘wallflower new student finds the answer’. Avoid cliche story lines and characters. Be original.
- Teach a lesson as part of the story. This will be important to access the education market.
- Use short sentences, short paragraphs, short chapters.
- Don’t preach or talk down to them in your writing style.
- If you use long words, make sure meaning is conveyed in the writing. Children will love the challenge.
- Bad guy comes to a sticky end, and little kids are never sorry for him.
- One more bit on the ending: Make it strong. Children don’t like ambiguity.
- never talk down to readers. They are children, not stupid. Treat them with respect.
- Rachna Cchabria suggests children’s writers include animals, humor and plenty of dialogue. Click for a few more hints from this Bangalore, India writer.
What tips do you have that have helped you succeed in this genre?
More genre-specific tips:
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Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy. She is webmaster for six blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice book reviewer, a columnist for Examiner.com and TeachHUB, Editorial Review Board member for Journal for Computing Teachers, Cisco guest blog, and a monthly contributor to Today’s Author. In her free time, she is editor of a K-8 technology curriculum and technology training books for how to integrate technology in education. Currently, she’s editing a thriller that should be out to publishers next summer. Contact Jacqui at her writing office or her tech lab, Ask a Tech Teacher.
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I have written for children, though am not published. More, I love kids, and thoroughly enjoy reading kids’ lit., both picture books and longer works with few illustrations.
A few extra tips:
Your critique group needs to be familiar with writing for children. Cross over from adult crit groups doesn’t serve the children’s lit writer well.
The hero must be a child or teen, as you’ve stated, but the child/teen should overcome a personal fault or challenge in order to conquer whatever foe stands in his way. Usually this is true in adult books as well.
Unless you are one super talented artist, use your own art to assist you in writing the book, but let your editor choose a professional artist to illustrate your book.
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Great tips, Shari. I like your ideas about the artistry.
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Oh yeh! I love it Jacqui a keeper for me and all good reminders .
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Thank you, Kath. I was hoping for some insights from you. You’re my resident children’s writer. I can’t wait to hear about the wonderful WIP I read of yours!
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Jacqui still learning as I go, I listen to my children they know best! Have just begun the real illustrations for Sugar Goes to the Fair….a long slow event and am in your debt for assisting me with the writing process of this story.
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Reblogged this on richardstephensblog and commented:
Children are not stupid. Don’t write down to them. Make them think.
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I often get some of my most wonderful thoughts from children. I just have to listen outside the box.
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I do not write for children, but I thought this was excellent. I especially liked No 18 which is the heart of good communication with everyone
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I don’t write children’s lit either–but I teach them. They are fascinating creatures!
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