Five Tips for Writing a Great Children’s Book
This is a quick tutorial on writing a great children’s book. Fast!
Use these ideas to get a story or work of nonfiction started. Editing comes later.
1.- Make a Decision about Characters.
The characters in children’s literature can be portrayed as real people or as animals. Articles have been written describing the advantages and disadvantages of each. Where sensitive topics are concerned some authors prefer animals. Instead of using child characters, animals provide emotional distance so lessons may be conveyed.
2.- Describe the Characters.
To quickly get an idea of each character, write a WWWWW & H Biography. Tell the Who? What? Where? When? Why? and How? Some authors create extensive character profiles. Do this later. Write the story.
3.- Pick the Type of Book You Want to Write.
There are different types of books for children: There are board books, picture books, independent readers, chapter books, middle grade, young adult novels, graphic novels, manga, nonfiction, and poetry. Unsure of what to write? Talk to a librarian to ask for the best books in each genre.
4.- Rhyme and Rhythm.
Many children’s authors like poetic storytelling. I suggest poets consider generating word lists using found poetry. Found poetry uses words, phrases, and punctuation discovered in newspapers, books, other poems, online resources, and the like. Make the word list, trim it by removing words that don’t fit, add more words. Bring any story to life using words on the list.
5.- Read, Read, Read.
Learn what sells. Learn what children will read again and again. Read the kinds of books you want to write. In these books, you will find clues about reading level, plot lines, and character arch. Also, read books about the writing life by published authors.
6.- Bonus: Research and join the Society of Children’s Book Authors and Illustrators (SCBWI).
Dennis is a member of SCBWI and recently signed a contract with Elk Lake Publishing, Inc. for his series of seven children’s books. He is a Fellow of the National Writing Project.
As a professor for Barstow Community College he taught public speaking, interpersonal communication, and English.
Dennis and his wife, Diane, spent ten summers teaching English as a foreign language in Kazakhstan, South Korea, and China. Dennis’ Author Profile is on the Elk Lake Website (elklakepublishinginc.com/dennis-conrad/).
