When you sit down to write, one of the first things you should know is your audience. Who are you writing to? That can influence how you write and the type of language you use as you write. I know a lot of children’s authors who write picture books and board books. These authors have an audience that falls in the 0-10 age range. At first, you may think writing for kids is incredibly easy. After all, picture books are way shorter than novels and follow much simpler storylines. At second glance, however, you will find that this kind of writing comes with its own challenges. All writing is difficult, and all writing is equally worth it when you have a completed draft. Writing for kids takes a certain mindset and use of language. It requires paying close attention to word count and getting across a message in a short amount of space. It requires being concise and is often one or more of the following: entertaining, playful, educational, whimsical, off the wall, or sweet. So, you want to write for kids? Well buckle up, we’re going for a ride. 1. Know Your Audience Most of us who write for kids are a bit distant from our childhood years. Unless we have kids, nieces, or nephews, it can be hard to remember what it was like to be a child. We grow and mature, and we tend to put childish ways behind us. Which is why it’s important to find your inner child again. A child sees the world in a very different way than we adults do. They see the magic in the ordinary. The carpet turns to lava, and chairs turn to thrones. Their imaginations run wild, and they have no problem being silly or absurd. Abstract things are hard to grasp, whereas the concrete things they’ll readily accept. Kids are also less self-conscious and more willing to try new things or go on an adventure. Do the things you write about reflect this perspective? Are your characters truly kids or just mini-adults? Surround yourself with some young people if you’re stuck or lacking inspiration. Know what they like to talk about and ask them questions. What do they want to know or learn? What do they fear? What do they want to be when they grow up? When you know your audience, you’ll be able to find a topic that resonates and matters to them. 2. Know Your “Stuff” What do I mean by stuff? Well, say for example you want to write a rhyming picture book. You need to know about rhyme, meter, rhyme schemes and patterns. Think about nursery rhymes. They stick in kids’ heads (and our heads) because they flow like a song. You need to be attuned to how poetry works otherwise the story will fall flat. I’ve seen too many board books and picture books that rhymed but had no rhythm. Kid’s books are meant to be read aloud, and if you take the time to read your story out loud, you’ll quickly find the parts that aren’t working or flowing well. Let the words sing on the page, not snag. And if you’re writing non-fiction or a more educational story, be sure you know what words are appropriate for the reading level of your audience. Make sure it’s understandable and clear. It’s perfectly fine to challenge kids a bit, but don’t overdo it. Be sure you have the right tools in your toolbox. Knowing your “stuff” is about paying attention to the details of the craft itself and making it as tight and clear as possible. 3. Know Your Market The children’s market is highly competitive, especially in fiction. Everyone thinks they can do it, and publishers are inundated with submissions. People can write them quickly, so why not? I encourage you to research the market before you sit down to write your story. Every time I walk into a Barnes and Noble, the first place I go is the children’s section. I love reading through the beautiful books there and finding what’s popular and trending. I also love finding stories that spin something in a new way. When I leave, I always have several ideas for new books. In fact, it’s a good habit to read before you start writing. I was in a children’s writing class once, and before we could write our own manuscript, we had to read and write down some thoughts on other children’s books. We learn best by example, right? Pick up some children’s books and learn what’s trending. Find a fresh angle on an old topic or idea. Publishers will always tell you they’re looking for something fresh and new. Study what’s being done, and take note of what’s not being done. It’s good to have passion projects, but you want to find the need in the market too. If you think you can just sit down and write whatever comes to mind, you might not get very far. It takes a lot of focus, research, and creativity to get the books you see on the shelves at bookstores. Feel free to unbuckle your seat belt now. The car has come to a stop. Hopefully, you feel more prepared to write for kids in all its vast complexities. It’s an honor to speak into the young minds of the up and coming generation. Messages we hear when we’re little can have a major impact on our lives. So, write for the kids you love, and write for the kid that still lives in you. If you’re interested in learning more about trends in the children’s market, check out the series 25 Trends in Publishing on Agent Cyle Young’s website. Until next time,
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AuthorI'm spilling the ink on all you need to know on the publishing industry. Stay tuned for more posts! Archives
May 2019
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