Writing a relatable story is an art that involves weaving a narrative that resonates with readers on a personal level. Whether you're a seasoned writer or a novice drafting your first tale, the ability to create characters and situations that children, or adults for that matter, can connect with is crucial. Below is a guide on how to write a relatable children’s story that will captivate and engage your audience. 1. Start with a Universal Theme Begin your story with a theme that transcends cultural and individual boundaries. Love, loss, friendship, resilience, and self-discovery are themes that resonate universally. In children’s writing, themes also include diversity, inclusion, acceptance, individuality, self-esteem, coming of age, good versus bad, adjusting to new environments, and bullying. Establishing a common ground from the start makes readers feel an immediate connection to your narrative. Key point: The theme must be conveyed subtly. Kids don’t want to be lectured. 2. Develop Multidimensional Characters Characters are the heart of any story. Craft your protagonist with a blend of recognizable strengths and flaws, making the protagonist more human and relatable. Allow readers to see themselves in the characters. Let the readers see the character’s motivations, fears, struggles, and so on. Provide enough details about the character's background, personality, and motivations to make them three-dimensional. The more authentic and relatable your characters are, the more invested your readers will become. 3. Relatable Settings Create a setting that feels familiar yet intriguing. Whether it's a bustling city, a small town, or a fantasy realm, provide enough details to immerse readers in the world you’ve created without overwhelming them. This is especially important for young audiences. Use a specific time and place for clarity. And add descriptive language and sensory details to evoke vivid imagery and emotions. You might also include real locations for added authenticity. In Walking Through Walls, the setting was in the neighboring areas of the Lao Mountain in China. 4. Point of View (POV) As this article deals with writing for children, it’s important to address the POV. POV determines who the story is about. The story is told through that character’s point of view. If the POV character, the main character, can’t see, hear, smell, taste, or touch it, the scene can’t exist. From picture books to simple middle grade, there should be only one point of view, that of the main character. Your young readers need to quickly and easily assess who the story is about and be able to relate to that character throughout the story. Focus and clarity are essential when writing for children. 5. Start with a Strong Opening Begin your story with a hook that immediately grabs the reader’s attention. It’s in the story beginning that you’ll introduce the main character and the conflict that character will face. Your beginning should also set the scene and establish the story’s tone. This should quickly spark interest and curiosity thus motivating the reader to keep turning the pages. Here’s an example of Walking Through Walls: Wang bound the last bunch of wheat stalks. The sun beat down on the field. Sweat poured from the back of his neck drenching the cotton shirt he wore. I hate doing this work. He hurled the bundles on the cart. “Father, the bales are stacked. I am going home; it is too hot.” Twelve-year-old Wang longed to be an Eternal. He craved wealth… and power. […] The wheat fields might be good for some, but not for Wang. He had higher goals. The setting is established within the first two paragraphs of the story. The reader learns that Wang is the twelve-year-old protagonist and doesn’t want to work in the fields like his father – he wants more. This sets the conflict off. The reader also learns that this is a different period. They don’t use contractions in their speech. The reader should be hooked and motivated to move on. 6. Create Common Ground Conflicts Introduce conflicts and challenges that mirror real-life struggles. These could be internal battles such as self-doubt, lack of self-esteem, or wanting more. Or it may be external obstacles like societal expectations or strata. Readers relate to characters facing challenges similar to their own. This fosters a deeper connection. 7. Show, Don’t Tell Establishes an Emotional Connection Emotions are the conduit through which readers connect with your story. Show, don't tell, by describing the main character’s feelings and reactions. Immerse readers in your storyline by engaging their senses. Describe sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures to create a rich and vivid experience. Dialogue is another tool that will help you to show rather than tell. Dialogue gives the reader an immediate, no-bars-held view of the characters, their feelings, and how they act or react in situations. The sensory details anchor the story in reality and make it more relatable. 8. No Kid is an Island – Authentic Relationships Incorporate genuine and relatable relationships between the main character and secondary characters. Whether it's friendships, family dynamics, team dynamics, or other relationships, explore the complexities of those connections. Realistic dialogue and interactions add depth to relationships, allowing readers to see themselves in the situations. Keep in mind that characters don’t behave the same across the board. For example, a boy would interact and talk differently with his friends than his parents or a girl he likes. 9. Go for Common Experiences Identify and incorporate experiences that the majority of readers can relate to. Whether it's the excitement of a first love, the pain of a loss, or the joy of a personal triumph, tap into the shared experience to create a sense of camaraderie with your audience. It’s about making that protagonist-reader connection. Common experiences allow the reader to become invested in the story. 10. Provide a Satisfying Resolution The ending should offer emotional closure with children’s stories through middle grade. It should be a happy ending, one that leaves the reader satisfied. Along with a happy ending, be sure to tie up all loose ends. For example, in Walking Through Walls, Wang, saw a black raven flying above him on several occasions. The reason for this was brought to light by the end of the story. Some authors write an open-ended conclusion. This is done to lead the audience to their next book. This strategy may work, or it may annoy the readers or leave them dissatisfied. I’m not a fan of open-ended conclusions for children’s books. Along with this, ensure the resolution feels authentic to your character’s journey. Summing It Up As with all manuscripts, your story must be carefully edited and proofed. When writing for children always aim for clarity, along with age-appropriate words and storylines. Blending universal themes, authentic characters, and emotional connections will help you create a relatable story. And tapping into shared human experiences allows you to craft narratives that connect deeply with readers, leaving a lasting impression long after they've turned the final page.
I’m a working children’s ghostwriter, 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.
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Deep Point of View 5 Common Themes in Children’s Writing Sensory Details in Your Writing How to Make Your Story’s Setting Come Alive
