Are you considering writing a children’s book? If so, then congratulations! You’re in the right place. You might not know quite what to expect, though. This article will help guide you on your journey, providing advice on how to get started and some valuable tips on crafting a story that will be cherished by kids and adults alike. Let’s get started.
Create A Plot
Before you can start writing your children’s book, you’ll need to figure out a plot. A plot will essentially provide the ‘framework’ around which your story will revolve. The plot should be a complete story in and of itself, which means you shouldn’t have to introduce it to the reader via a backstory or synopsis. Some authors refer to this as ‘building on the bones of the story’. The bones of the plot are the significant events that make up the story’s main points. Think of a plot as the skeleton of your story. It should be easy to follow and logical in its sequencing of events. The main points of your plot should serve as the ‘hook’ to reel your reader in and keep them engaged.
Choose A Genre
It’s crucial to determine the right genre for your story before you start writing, especially if you want to market it to children. Knowing what genre you’ll fit into will help you decide what sort of characters to include in your story and how to write them. Bear in mind that only certain genres are suitable for children. Action-adventure, fantasy, and horror are all popular options when it comes to kid’s books, for example. The main points of your plot should serve as the ‘hook’ to reel your reader in and keep them engaged. Action-adventure is a broad genre, which means there are many possibilities when it comes to what sort of story you can tell. Your story could feature a boy who travels to a distant land and has to fight against monsters or a giant spider. It could be an exploration story where the main character travels to new places and learns new things. Perhaps they’ll meet other characters along the way and team up to save the day! Think outside the box and have fun with it. Don’t be afraid to try new things.
Thought To Impress Your Reader
With any written piece, whether it’s for adults or kids, you have a chance to impress your reader with your vocabulary, usage, and tone. While your story might not necessarily need to be filled with fancy vocabulary to be engaging, it can help. Kids might not always be paying attention to your every word, but their parents might. Using words that are commonly understood will help them relate to what you’re writing, regardless of their age. It’s never a bad idea to use big words or literary phrases when writing for an adult audience, but keep things simple when writing for a younger audience.
Make Sure Grandma Is Coming
If you’re writing a picture book for kids, then you might want to consider including some of their favorite characters. This can help make the story more digestible for younger readers while also humanizing your story. It’s a great way to gain some authentic readership and connect with the audience more deeply. Make sure to confirm with your grandma that she’ll enjoy the story before you start writing it. If she doesn’t like something, then it’s not going to happen. Even if she loves the story, she might not like certain characters or events, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. Remember, writing is a collaborative process, and you don’t have to do it all alone. If you have questions, then don’t hesitate to ask other writers or people with experience in the field. You can also get feedback from readers regarding your story’s structure and content. This way, everyone can share in the process and ensure the story is something special.
Find Your Voice
If you’re writing a children’s book, then it’s important to find the right voice for your story. Regardless of what sort of story you’re writing, be it fiction or nonfiction, finding the right tone is vital. You don’t want to write in a way that will turn off your child’s reader, but you also don’t want to write in a way that will bore their adult audience. When it comes to writing for kids, it’s important to find a way to both entertain and educate your reader. After all, they’re the ones you’ll be inspiring to write books for in the future. Start by trying out different fonts and layouts before committing to anything. Also, consider using a child-friendly language or simplifying difficult words and phrases. Finally, don’t be afraid to add fun and exciting elements to your story.
Find The Perfect Name
A name is everything, which is why it’s extremely important to choose one that’s both relevant and memorable. It might not be easy to find the perfect name, but make sure you do your research before making a decision. There are plenty of naming conventions out there, so be sure to familiarize yourself with them before deciding on one in particular. Once you’ve found a name that seems fitting, make sure you use it consistently throughout your story. There should be no confusing the character with other similar characters. If you’re having trouble coming up with a name, then try out different synonyms and see which one resonates with the best. You can also ask your friends and family for help, or even the internet. Just remember, names might not be as easy to come by as you think. It could take a lot of trial and error before you find the perfect name. If you do find a suitable name, be sure to put it in bold and strike it off with a capital letter so it instantly catches the eye.
Make Sure Your Characters Are Fuelling The Story
Every story needs a protagonist, and in a children’s book, this is usually a young hero (or heroine) who’s battling some sort of villain. For the sake of your story, you’ll need to decide which one of your characters is going to come across as the protagonist. Once you’ve found this character, you can work on fleshing out their backstory and developing their motivations, both internal and external. As hinted at previously, your main character should be someone your grandma will enjoy reading to. Since this is the target audience you’ll be writing for, make sure to choose a character with whom they can easily identify. This doesn’t mean that your character has to be a traditional ‘good guy’ or ‘bad guy’. Instead, think of a hero as someone who is doing the right thing, even when no one is looking. Your protagonist doesn’t need to be perfectly ‘good’ or ‘bad’ to qualify as a protagonist. After all, this is a story about growing up and learning to be a better person. It might not be a simple process and your protagonist might make mistakes, but they will learn from these mistakes and become a better person for it.
Create A Relationship Between Your Characters
Creating a relationship between your characters is one of the best ways to bring life to your story. This doesn’t necessarily mean that your characters have to like or respect one another, but it can certainly help. If you can find a way to make your reader care about the relationships between your characters, then you’ll be able to create an emotional connection between them. This is going to make your story that much more engaging to read (and hopefully, write!). It can help to simply show the interactions between your characters without ever explicitly saying what they are. For example, if your main character is arguing with another character, don’t just label them as ‘being angry’ or ‘fighting’, but explore what has led to this argument. You never know – it could be something as innocent as a misunderstanding or it could be that one character has truly offended the other. This sort of exploration will help flesh out your characters and give your story some depth.
Once you’ve got your plot, chosen a genre, and made sure grandma is coming, it’s time to start thinking about the actual content. What will your story be about?