 For Authors: September 12, 2007 Issue [#1941] |
  For Authors
This week: Edited by: Vivian  
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Last week I gave you the first seven of my needs and fallacies when writing for children: Never write "cutesy"; never talk down to children; never preach; never write a book without a plot; don't avoid serious or controversial subjects; don't allow adults to "carry the day" (which means that adults shouldn't be able to step in and make everything all right); never use talking animals or write in clichés (which means any talking animals must be fully developed characters and used correctly, not that talking animals should never be used).
Now I'll continue with part II.
Viv
Next week's editor will be phil1861
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Needs when Writing for Children Part II
As with any advice, common sense needs to be applied generously. As with the point last week of never using talking animals, that was paired with writing in clichés. Often novice writers do write in clichés when using talking animals rather than developing the characters and plot as needed. Also, not allowing adults to step in and make everything all right doesn't mean that adults can't be part of the story and maybe even the solution. However, adults shouldn't unravel a problem without the child's input and major help.
Now for the other seven points:
 8. Don't think all children's stories must have a little kid in it. Children prefer reading about a child (or animal) who is a bit older than they, rather than a younger child as the main character. A children's story can even have character several years older as long as the story is told from a child's perspective and level of understanding. According to Eugie Foster, "Ten Myths about Writing for Kids," "When in doubt, err on the side of older, more mature, and more sophisticated."
9. Never use rhyme unless used correctly. Children enjoy rhyme, alliteration, and rhythmic sentences in books, but using any of those devices not proficiently is a major no-no. Writing any story in poetry is not as easy as using prose. If rhyme requires convoluted lines or awkward wording, the story will not be a good one. Remember, stories for children MUST be well-written.
10. Don't illustrate your own book. This point is valid because of the requirements for illustration to be the correct quality for printing. Certain forms of art don't reproduce as well as others. The illustrations not only need to be of high resolution, they need to be colorful and engaging. Most publishers will not accept a children's story that is already illustrated. They prefer to use their own artists for the job.
11. Never think writing for children is easy. Sometimes people believe they can write for children because they have children. My having a heart doesn't mean I can do open heart surgery (yes, I know the example is extreme, but perhaps the idea can be understood). Just because a writer has children doesn't mean he automatically knows how to write for them. Writing of any kind takes training, starting with reading the type of literature to be written, studying how to write for a certain audience, and the ideas in number 13 below.
In fact, writing for children is harder than writing for adults. One reason is the story (plot, characters, conflict, and action) has to be concise and precise since the length of a children's story is shorter than for an adult.
12. Don't believe that research isn't necessary to write children's books. If writing about anything factual, a writer needs literally to have his facts straight. False information in a children's story is as bad, or worse, than if in a story or book for adults.
Another type of investigation writers need to do is to research current children's books. Lots of time should be spent in the children's sections of libraries and bookstores, not only looking at the books, but reading them.
13. Never write before knowing how to write. I've mentioned several times that children's stories should be well-written first. Anyone wanting to write for children needs to know first how to write. Some ways to learn include taking courses, reading books, joining a writing group, and attending conferences (even professional on-line conferences are available). Chasing a publishing contract comes at the end of a long journey.
14. Don't submit manuscripts that aren't ready. After the story is well written, the work begins. Any story, or book, should be error free: spelling, grammar, sentence structure, verb tenses, etc. Mythical editors do not go through any manuscript noting or correcting problems for the author, unless she pays an editor to do so or unless the author is someone already famous. A writer should proofread and revise multiple times before asking anyone else to do so. Then she should revise again after others (who know and understand what is needed) have given suggestions.
The manuscript should be formatted correctly. Before submitting, the author must be sure that the publisher's guidelines are followed exactly.
Producing a children's story ready for publishing is possible, but the end product is a result of hard work. Getting one published is another story, maybe one for another newsletter another time.
Here are the links to a couple of my children's stories: "Why Bessie Ann Won't Fly Any More" and "Ralph's Unexpected Trip" .
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Comments from Readers
monty31802
Always something to learn in your Newsletters Viv, thank you.
I'm glad you find something to learn in my newsletters. I try to help.
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emerin-liseli 
Wonderful newsletter, Viv. I sincerely enjoyed it and think that all your points are valid and true. No one, not even children, like to be talked down to.
-Emerin
You are so correct: No one likes another to patronize him or her.
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each
Helpful hints indeed!
Currently dwelling on few ideas for children's book and am glad to see you promoting a better treatment of children and not to baby them too much. This generation is indeed far more advanced and exposed to a lot of learning avenues. Plus, it's good to know that so far I've got the seven tips covered.
Looking forward to the next part.
I hope you found this part as helpful.
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likenion
Hello! Good newsletter. If I start writing for kids, this shall be my initial guide. Good job!
Thank you.
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dogfreek21
Thanks for this great newsletter, Viv! This came the same night I watched a classic kids Disney movie, and speculated about writing for kids in my blog. The entry: "Invalid Entry" . It's a long entry, no need to read the entire thing, but I'm getting more and more interested in younger kids' fiction... and I'm gonna have to some more of it soon. I've only written one or possibly two stories (I'm really not sure) particularly for younger kids.
I read your blog entry. I think you have some good insight.
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earlybird
love it. Very informative and useful. Hope more to come. I have no stories for kids yet, will someone is wiling to help? Like a pass key to that story...
I'm not sure what pass key you're asking for.
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billwilcox
That's some good advice, Viv. To me, children's stories MUST be entertaining, characters fully developed, and of course a great plot line. I like to use kids in my story writing. They are always a truth serum measuring the adult characters.
If anyone ever tried to read a boring story to a child, he would know that not entertaining isn't good. 
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Thank you for joining me this week. I hope I've been able to help you be an even better writer.
I'll be here again next month.
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