Learning to Write for Children – It’s More Than Just A,B,C

I have been writing poems, short stories, and even songs since childhood. I never thought of publishing my work or making it a career until around 2006.

Not knowing any better, I thought it would be easy.

I felt comfortable writing and could always think of something to write about.

Then, I started the process of actually writing children’s books with the intent of having them published. This opened another world, one filled with roadblocks and rejection letters, and a lot of hard work.

While I minored in English Literature in college, it had been many years prior, and it was not the background needed specifically in writing for children.

To write for children, you need to know techniques such as the Core of Threes and having the protagonist solve the problem, not the parent or grandparent. You need to understand that showing is a must and telling must be limited. You need to have the proper sentence structure, good grammar, and punctuation. Your dialogue must be age-appropriate, and you must watch out for blind spots in your writing. You need to understand and utilize words such as tighten, good voice, focus, point of view, hook…it goes on and on and on.

And you need to know what children’s editors are looking for.

So, how do you learn all the information needed to write for children, especially if you don’t want to get a degree in children’s literature or are unable to enroll in a school specifically geared toward this subject?

The answer is the internet. Sounds easy. Right?

Well, think again.

I’ve taken several long distance college courses, and I can tell you that learning a subject in a classroom is much easier.

Using the internet to learn on your own is much more difficult and time-consuming.

First, there are thousands of sites and blogs that have information you need. Use common sense and be careful to ensure the information you’re reading is valid. The time spent searching for this needed information is so great it can easily keep you from actually writing.

So, what can you do to ease into writing for children?

1. Your first order of business is to join a writer’s group. This group should include new and seasoned people in the business of writing who are willing and able to help. This is also a good place to network.

2. You should also join the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators; you can get great tips and advice there.

3. Next, you should join a children’s writing critique group.

4. If you are able, you should make it a priority to attend a children’s writing conference, either online or offline.

5. There are also a number of sites that offer free videos, webinars, teleseminars, and teleconferences; take advantage of as many as you can.

6. Check out online courses from Gotham Writers Workshop and/or the Institute of Children’s Literature.

7. Other sources are editors’, publishers’, and agents’ blogs. Often, you will get great tips and information.

8. Don’t forget about children’s writers’ blogs like this one. They have tons of valuable tips for writing for children.

9. Read, read, read. Read about children’s writing and read children’s books. In fact, do more than just read them; study them and learn from them. Try to figure out what makes them work.

10. Persevere. It’s not always the best writers who succeed; it’s the writers who persevere.

There are also helpful books such as “The Little, Brown Essential Handbook,” and “The Children’s Writer’s Word Book.”

The world of children’s writing can feel overwhelming, but it can also be very rewarding.

Remember to pace yourself. Create a time management plan and prioritize. With hard work and perseverance you’ll be writing stories soon enough.

I’m a working children’s ghostwriter, rewriter, editor, and coach. I can help turn your story into a book you’ll be proud to be the author of, one that’s publishable and marketable.

OTHER HELP I OFFER:

HOW TO WRITE A CHILDREN’S FICTION BOOK
A DIY book to help you write your own children’s book.

PICTURE BOOK AND CHAPTER BOOK COACHING
Four to ten-week coaching programs.

WRITERS ON THE MOVE PRESS.
Self-publishing help for children’s authors.

You can contact me at: kcioffiventrice@gmail.com. Or give me a call at 347—834—6700. (Please leave a message- I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.)