In Part 1 of this three-part series on AI and children’s authors, I went over the growing role of AI in children’s writing, including the risks of relying on it too heavily.
The takeaway was simple: AI can be helpful, but it should never replace your voice, creativity, or understanding of young readers.
So where does AI fit in?
When used correctly, AI can act as a supportive tool in your writing process; think Grammarly and ProWritingAid, and taking it a notch up, ChatGPT. AI can help you generate ideas, stay organized, and polish your work. The key is knowing how to use it without losing what makes your story yours… the human element.
Children’s stories must be relatable, age-appropriate, and engaging.
The Right Role for AI in Children’s Writing
AI should be used as a writing assistant, not a co-author.
It can help you:
• Spark ideas
• Organize your thoughts
• Improve sentence clarity
• Offer scene suggestions (not write them for you)
• Help generate an effective book title
But it shouldn’t:
• Write your story for you
• Create your voice
• Replace your understanding of a child’s perspective
Children’s stories rely on authenticity, emotion, relatability, and connection. For example, a human might draw on their own childhood memories or use a real conversation with a child to bring the characters to life. Those are things only a human writer can provide.
Three other reasons why you shouldn’t want an AI-generated children’s story:
- It’s not fair to the children reading it because an AI-generated story may lack the emotional relatability and authenticity children need to truly engage and connect. Most, if not all, will sense that something essential is missing.
- It’s not fair to authors who are using AI as they should (responsibly) and are relying primarily on their own writing skills.
- It’s not ethical and unless it’s more human than machine, you can’t copyright it.
5 SMART WAYS TO USE AI (With Examples)
Here are practical, effective ways to use AI while staying in control of your story:
- Brainstorming Story Ideas
AI can help you get started when you’re staring at a blank page.
Try prompts like:
“Give me 10 story ideas about sharing for children ages 4–6.”
Use the results as inspiration or a guideline—not final concepts. Choose one and make it your own.
I used a similar prompt for generating blog post ideas.
- Developing Character Profiles
You can ask AI to suggest traits, hobbies, or challenges for your characters based on your theme .
For example:
“Create a character profile for a 12-year-old who is lazy.”
Then deepen and personalize the character based on your vision or an actual child you know.
- Creating Writing Prompts
If you’re stuck in the middle of a story, AI can help you move forward.
Ask: “What could happen next in a story about a tween in 16th-century China who runs into bandits on his journey to save a friend?”
You may not use the exact suggestion, but it can spark ideas or a new direction.
- Improving Sentence Flow (Editing Stage Only)
AI can be useful for tightening awkward sentences or improving readability. I use Grammarly and ProWritingAid for this.
However, always review suggestions carefully. AI doesn’t always get the gist of the scene and may make odd suggestions. Make sure any changes generated are appropriate, reflect your voice, and fit your audience.
- Generating Titles or Book Blurbs
Struggling with titles, blurbs, or back cover copy? AI can give you options to work from. It’s great at this function.
You might ask:
“Give me 10 title ideas for a children’s book about a lazy tween named Wang.”
You might use a summary of your story to prompt the title ideas. Then refine the best one to match your story’s tone.
A SIMPLE AI-SUPPORTED WRITING WORKFLOW
To help you keep AI in its proper place, here’s a straightforward process you can follow:
Step 1: Idea Generation (AI-assisted)
Use AI to brainstorm possibilities.
Step 2: Drafting (Human-written)
Once you have the idea, write the story yourself. This is where your voice, your knowledge of children’s writing and children’s genres, and creativity matter most.
Step 3: Revising (Human-led, AI-supported)
Use AI for suggestions or alternatives, but remember, you should be in the driver’s seat. Make final decisions based on your knowledge and judgment.
Step 4: Final Polish (Human decision)
Give yourself time to make sure your story feels genuine, engaging, and right for children. Trust your instincts.
COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID
Even with good intentions, it’s easy to misuse AI. Watch out for these pitfalls:
• Letting AI write entire scenes or drafts
• Accepting suggestions without questioning if they work
• Losing your unique voice by accepting too much of AI’s input
• Writing to ‘sound good’ instead of connecting with children
Remember, just because something is grammatically correct doesn’t mean it’s emotionally effective.
SUMMING IT UP
AI can make parts of the writing process easier… much easier. But as an ethical writer, it’s not meant to replace you, the human writer. Use AI as a tool to support your creativity—not as a substitute for it.
Your experiences, your perspective, your understanding of young
readers, and your children’s writing skills are what bring a story to life and what will make it a story children want to read.
In the end, the stories children remember aren’t the ones that were generated quickly; they’re the ones that make a child think, feel, and are relatable.
BUT WHAT IF…
Okay, what if you got carried away and let AI generate your story, or most of it, and you’re not sure how to fix it (rewrite it) so it’s more human than AI? So it will be a story kids will enjoy.
That’s where a rewriter (book doctor) comes in. If you’d like to discuss a project, just email me at kcioffiventrice@gmail.com.
AI and Children’s Writing: What Authors Need to Know (and Avoid)
Children’s Writing: 10 Critical Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Crafting Scenes: 7 Must-Know Elements
I’m a working children’s ghostwriter, rewriter (book doctor), editor. I can help turn your idea, outline, or manuscript 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 200+ page book that will help you write your own children’s book.
FICTION WRITING FOR CHILDREN eCOURSE
4, 8, or 12 Weeks / 9 Sections / Instructor Guided Self-Study Program
WRITERS ON THE MOVE SELF-PUBLISHING SERVICE
Self-publishing help for children’s authors (picture books and chapter books)
You can contact me at kcioffiventrice@gmail.com.
