How to Write Children's Books
Writing children's books is a rewarding endeavor that requires a unique skill set
When writing for children, remember to stay focused on speaking to children on their level in order to create engaging stories that resonate with your young audiences.
Some Key Elements of Writing Book for Children
Speak to children on their level. Use language and themes that are appropriate for your target age group.
Create compelling characters. Develop characters that children can identify with and who are, or will become, memorable.
Craft a captivating plot. Build a story with some form of conflict. Conflict refers to a disagreement or clash between opposing ideas, interests, or forces. It can occur at various levels, from within an individual to between groups or nations, and encompasses a wide range of situations, including arguments or disputes. Be sure to show some degree of change and resolution that keeps young readers engaged.
Make sure to write realistic dialogue. Your dialogue has to sounds authentic and moves the story forward. Utilize active language that keeps the story moving with engaging language. Engaging language is clear, meaningful, and actionable. It invite participation and connection with your audience. It is also relevant, open, useful, and inclusive. This makes the message relatable and understandable. Effective language is also familiar, concrete, concise, precise, and constructive. It moves beyond the simple transfer of information to being able to inspire action and build relationships.
When writing a picture book, think in terms of how your story can be visually represented by illustrations. Character design and illustration layout are key.
At the start of the writing process
Brainstorm ideas which cause you to think about what you love and what you are interested in. Then decide on the type of characters you want to bring to life in your story.
Decide on a format for your story. Consider the age group you are writing for then pick the appropriate format such as a picture book, chapter book, or young adult novel.
Outline your story and develop a rough outline to map the flow of your narrative. Your outline should include a beginning, a middle, and the end.
Write your first draft using freestyle. Focus on getting your ideas down without aiming for perfection. You can, and should, edit later to refine your story.
Rework your story, revise and edit while paying attention to word count and clarity. Get feedback from others, especially those in your target demographic. Be open to constructive criticism. Constructive criticism is feedback that is specific, actionable, and focused on improvement. It is not about simply pointing out flaws. Constructive criticism provides clear, practical suggestions on how to make positive changes and is delivered in a positive and supportive manner.
Here are three ways to Publish Your Children Book: Self-publishing; Traditional publishing; and Hybrid publishing
With Self-publishing, you retain control over the creative and business decisions but are responsible for the entire process. This include editing, design, formatting, and marketing.
Traditional publishing is where you submit your manuscript to publishers. They have agents who handle the publishing process, if they accept your work. This typically takes longer than self-publishing. You will need to research publishers that accept unsolicited submissions or find a literary agent.
Hybrid publishing combines the elements of both self-publishing and traditional publishing.
Resources
Books on writing children's books can provide valuable learning opportunities and networking connections. There are many books and resources available as well as Children's book writing workshops and conferences.
How To Self-Publish A Children's Book: Everything You Need To Know To Write, Illustrate, Publish, And Market Your Paperback And Ebook
Have you always wanted to write a children's book, but thought you couldn't? Or maybe it's already written, but you don't know where to go from here?
Are you looking for a blueprint that can guide you from story idea all the way to published book, without feeling lost and overwhelmed - even if you don't have much time?
In How To Self-Publish A Children's Book, Y. Eevi Jones outlines the precise path to fulfilling your dream of becoming a published children's book author. You will find everything you need to know to write, illustrate, publish, and market your paperback and ebook.
Plus, you will find:
- Templates and Swipe Files of emails to hire Editors and Illustrators, plus how to ask Influencers for reviews you can feature on your cover.
- A Hand-Selected List of highly qualified Editors, Illustrators, Book Formatters, and Marketing Strategists you can hire, without it costing you a fortune.
- Lists of Blogs, Book Festivals, Awards, and Groups specifically for marketing children's books.
- BONUS: valuable Insider Tips from bestselling children's book authors. What do they wish they'd known before they worked on their first children’s book?
How To Self-Publish A Children's Book will help you write a magical story tailored to specific age groups.
How To Self-Publish A Children's Book will empower you to bring your characters to life.
How To Self-Publish A Children's Book will turn you into a published children's book author.
Take the first step. And this book will show you the rest.
How To Self-Publish A Children's Book: Everything You Need To Know To Write, Illustrate, Publish, And Market Your Paperback And Ebook Paperback – January 23, 2018 by Yvonne Jones (Author)
Writing Prompts for Kids: A Creative Writing Workbook To Inspire Young Writers
Paperback – January 19, 2022 by Sheryl Green (Author)
Could your child be the next J.K. Rowling? These incredible Story Starters unleash Kids' writing talents and help young imaginations soar.
Writing stories is one of the best ways for children to give focus to their creativity while learning and having fun. With this fabulous book, your child will find all the guidance and help they need to hone their writing skills and create amazing original stories.
Packed with ingenious and inventive writing prompts, this guide inspires kids to channel their inner author. Every child should be encouraged to give free rein to their imagination... These story starters give them the help they need to put pen to paper and create something truly magical.
From tutu-wearing squirrels to mysterious genies, from time travel to battered birthday cakes. This book is packed with inventive prompts. Potter-heads will love the fantasy story starters. Science geeks will dig the sci-fi themes. Love Marvel films? Write a superhero story all of your own! And there are plenty more genres to choose from.
But that’s not all... This in-depth guide provides tons of practical advice on how to plan, structure, and polish a story.
Your child will learn how to:
- Fire up their imagination with exercises and creative writing games that will give them inspirational ideas to start their own stories.
- Look deeper into their interests and experiences and use them to fuel their creative writing.
- Cook up a 'word soup' to unleash a wealth of ideas for themes and settings for their stories.
- Ask themselves questions as they start a story, so they have insight into how their tale will unfold.
- Overcome the dreaded ‘blank page' and get their stories up and running with our writing prompts for kids.
- Create an interesting world and populate it with fascinating and heroic (or villainous!) characters.
- Polish and perfect their story writing by checking grammar and spelling, and getting feedback from friends and family.
- Borrow ideas from their favorite authors and novels and put their own unique spin on famous stories and beloved characters.
Kids aged 8-12 will pick up valuable skills and learn how to write fiction that will impress family, friends, and EVEN teachers.
Want to unlock your child's creative genius and send them on a fantastic voyage into their own imagination? Writing Prompts for Kids is the key.
Give them a copy - and let's get this story started!
