Writing fiction for children has a number of rules, the very basics of which are creating believable characters and adding conflict. However, there are many other elements that work together to create an effective and engaging story. Below are four simple tips to help you navigate the children’s writing waters. 1. Show the way to…
Author: Karen Cioffi
Karen Cioffi is an award-winning author and children's ghostwriter. She loves to help those who want to be the author of a children's book fulfill their dream. Contact Karen today to get your story started!
Writing Fiction for Children – Character Believability and Conflict
Writing in general is a tough craft, although many may not think so. The writer has to take individual words and craft them into: interest, suspense, romance, humor, grief, fantasy, other worlds… the list goes on and on. And, it must be done with clarity. While there is an abundance of information about writing and…
Rewriting a Folktale – Walking Through Walls
When a writer’s muse seems to be on vacation, she may be at a loss for story ideas. While there are a number of sites and tools online to help get the creative juices flowing, one tool that writers might overlook is studying folktales. Reading folktales is a great way to spin a new yarn,…
The Outlining Method of Writing (Are You an Outliner?)
Are you an outliner or a pantser? I don’t know if there has been a study on how many writers prefer each, but I know there are many in both camps. You know the saying, “different strokes for different folks.” But, before I go on, the definition of an outliner is a writer who creates…
Talking about A Caterpillar, a Bee, and a VERY Big Tree in the Classroom
“A Caterpillar, a Bee and a Very Big Tree,” written by brother and sister pair, Dicksy Wilson and D. B. Sanders. This rhyming picture book teaches cadence and rhythm and has a sing-song feel in places. The charming characters and illustrations will inspire young minds and immerse children in the action from the first page…
Learn to Write for Children – 3 Basic Tools
Updated February 2026 We all know how difficult it is to break into the business of writing for children. Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, it is a tough business and can be overwhelming for those just starting out. While all writing must adhere to specific guidelines, writing for children has additional principles unique to…
The Book Summary: Five Must-Know Components
After your book query, the book summary or description is the most important marketing element. You can think of it as number 2 on the book marketing ladder. Once your book query gets the reader to actually read it, the summary is what will entice the editor or agent to ask for more. If you’re…
Finding Age-Appropriate Words When Writing for Children
Updated February 22, 2026 Writing in general can be a tough business; writing for children is even tougher, with its own unique rules and processes. One of those rules is to use age-appropriate words. How this differs from writing in general is that the children’s writing arena is divided into specific age groups. There are…
Ingredients for the Perfect Picture Book
Writing for young children can be tricky. It’s not as straightforward as writing for adults. You can’t use your own vocabulary, and need to be careful of age-appropriate story lines. You also need to introduce your main character immediately. It’s also important to keep in mind that children don’t have the same comprehension level as…
Book Marketing and the Query Letter
If you are contemplating writing a book or you’ve already written one and intend to travel the traditional publishing path, you’ll need a query letter and a cover letter. This is true whether you’re an author, a writer, or a business owner who wants to build your authority with a book. Wondering what a query…