Writing, Self-Publishing, Book Marketing

Tips on Writing for Children

March 9, 2010 at 2:31 pm mbutler22 Leave a comment

Rumor has it a famous neurosurgeon saw Dr. Seuss (Theodore Seuss Geisel) at a party. The neurosurgeon said to Geisel, “I write children’s books as a hobby.”

               “I too have a hobby,” replied Geisel. “Brain surgery.” 

We are at our most creative as children. Being an adventurer, explorer, innovator, and the new princess (or prince) of Fairytopia, a child has unlimited curiosity and creativity that extends beyond the ordinary. A child’s creative ideas are born from a simplified and nonconforming imagination that leads over rainbows to chocolate swimming holes and sometimes simply home.

Through imaginative play, children create stories and role play daily. Their creativity far outweighs that of any adult, even us writers. And as the adult writer, we have to simplify our perspectives for the honest delivery of a story that speaks to a child’s expectations and meshes with their outlook of the world.           

Writing a children’s story just became a little intimidating, didn’t it? When it comes to these little readers, the story is real. A story is an experience; and although it may not have happened directly to them, they experience emotion through the narrative … like that time when there was this lost bunny, that after a journey through connecting forests, found her way back to her family.

So before you begin writing your children’s story, make sure you understand two things:

1. Why You want to write stories for children. And you will probably come up with quite a long list — maybe you have children of your own, you are good at telling stories, you’re an elementary teacher. Remember, writing for children is not the same as writing about children. You must always write your stories from the child’s point of view so they can relate to the characters, situations, language and feelings. Children are curious in nature and want to know everything, so cater to this trait throughout your writing.
2. What Children want to read. Children want stories with valuable lessons about making decisions on what to do and the consequences of those decisions. Overcoming difficulty with a happy ending. At a younger age, children do not relate the story to their own life — it happened to someone or something else. But, they understand the lesson and learn by example. Think of your childhood memories — your feelings, worries and pleasures.  

 Perhaps the best reason to write a children’s book is to satisfy the child that is still inside of you. To write a story that color bursts from your mind, satisfying the eager questions of a young spirit. Among your inner-child and key writing resources are a love of stories and language, imagination and persistence, all of which will embed enthusiasm into your words appreciated by growing readers.

Melissa                                                                                                                                            

Tomorrow: Part 2: Where to find ideas for your children’s stories

Entry filed under: Writing. Tags: Children, Children Books, CHildren's Books, Children's stories, Self-Publishing, tips, Tips on Children's Books, Writing.