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

I’ve written poems, short stories, and even songs from childhood through my twenties. Although, I had never thought of publishing my work or making it a career until around 2007.

Not knowing any better, I thought it would be a breeze – easy peasy. How difficult could it be to write simple children’s stories?

Since I always felt comfortable writing, I thought it would be a natural transition. Writing was my go-to when in awe, when inspired, or during struggles. I was always able to think of things to write about.

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

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
-Having the protagonist solve the problem, not the parent or grandparent
-Understanding that showing is a must and telling must be limited
-Proper sentence structure, good grammar, and punctuation
-Age-appropriate plots, themes, dialogue, and situations
-Watching for blind spots in your writing – spots where you know what you intended to conveyed, but the reader won’t
-Only one point of view, one main character when writing for young children
-And understanding and utilizing words such as tighten, good voice, focus, point of view, hook…
-It goes on and on

You also need to know what children’s editors and the current market 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.

Since my Bachelor’s degree, I’ve taken several online college courses as well as other online courses, and I can tell you that learning a subject in a classroom with an instructor is much easier.

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

Why is it so difficult?

The reason for the difficulty is that thousands and thousands of websites and blogs offer children’s writing information.

You’d think this is a good thing, but not everyone online knows what they’re talking about. For this reason, it’s important to use common sense when searching for information.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR?

1. Make sure the site is current and posts content regularly. And research the blog owner. Make sure she’s qualified to offer the information, whether in blog posts, ebooks, courses, or other.

2. Does she have professionally published books?

3. Is she in the business of writing or a hobby writer?

If possible, get recommendations from other authors or in your writing groups.

SO, WHAT CAN YOU DO TO EASE INTO WRITING FOR CHILDREN?

1. Join the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI); you can get helpful tips and advice there.

2. Join a children’s writing critique group. You can find a group at SCBWI.

3. If possible, attend a children’s writing conference, online or offline.

SCBWI Annual Conferences
The Highlights Foundation Workshop Retreats
Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference
Northwestern Christian Writers Conference

You can search for others. Just be sure to look at the dates. Many sites list events that are outdated – by years.

4. Take advantage of sites that offer free videos and webinars.

5. Take advantage of writing workshops and webinars.

JaneFriedman.com
WritersDigest.com
GoodStoryCompany.com

Again, do an online search.

6. Check out online courses from Gotham Writers Workshop, the Institute of Children’s Literature, and my e-course, How to Write Fiction for Children (a guided self-study mentoring program).

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

Find reliable and well-established sites. Below are a few:

Good Story Company
Steve Laube Agency
Caitlin Derve
Truby’s Writing Studio
Children’s Book Insider
The Write Practice
Writer’s Digest
Writers Helping Writers.net
Writers on the Move

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

9. Read helpful books on writing for children. Below are a few:

“How to Write a Children’s Fiction Book” by Karen Cioffi
“The Magic Words” by Cheryl Klein
“The Business of Writing for Children” by Aaron Shepard
“How to Write a Children’s Book” by Katie Davis and Jan Fields
“Yes! You Can Learn to Write Children’s Books” by Nancy I. Sanders

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

10. Read, read, read. 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.

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

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.

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.)