How to write children's fiction?

By LovelyBurns

Before writing

1. Read

This can be obvious or not at all. Read children's stories you find in libraries or bookstores. They'll help you get an idea of what children like to read. Talk to kids and try to find out what kinds of stories they enjoy.

The youth book department in stores/supermarkets can give you a good idea of the kinds of books that are popular with kids.

2. Story Content

Children's books offer a wide range of stories. You'll  have to adapt your story to your target age group.

Ask yourself what age group you are interested in as a writer. The term "children's book" covers everything from simple books with a single word per page for young children to more elaborate books and novels for older readers. The storyline, content, and theme of your book should be appropriate for the age of your readers (remember that parents always have the last word on what is appropriate for their kids to read).

Are you targeting young children or older children? Decide if you want to write for children from 2 to 4 years,  4 to 6 years, 6 to 8 years, 8 to 10 years, or from 10 to 12 years (these are the age groupings we use on this profile, but others are also possible).

The length of the sentences, the tone, and the style of the story will differ depending on the target age group.

For example, if you are writing for children aged 2 to 4 you will use simple language and very short sentences. If you write for children between the ages of 8 and 10, you can use more complex sentences.

3. Age

The younger the reader, the shorter the text and the more illustrations the story should contain. Illustrations should take the place of descriptive text in stories aimed at young children.

From the moment a scene is illustrated, you won't have to dwell on descriptions. But you still need a story to capture the child's attention and keep them hooked to the last page! 

Note that the layout of picture books differs from that of chapter books. Books for small children often contain an entire page of illustration in combination with a few lines of text on the page next to it.

If you know how to draw, you will certainly have a fairly accurate idea of what you want your illustrations to show. If you need to hire an illustrator, don't choose him or her randomly. His or her personal style must suit your story.

The younger the reader, the more familiar and simple the vocabulary should be. Pay attention to the setting and the objects you use, or your readers won't understand your story. It helps to depict familiar situations with everyday objects. 

Your readers are still in the age of magical thinking where anything is possible: nothing prevents dragons or flying saucers from appearing in an everyday setting. Still, the story should focus on problems that children care about.

Rhythm is important as well: the younger the readership, the shorter the sentences. Feel free to use rhymes at the end of your phrases to keep children's attention, but make sure your rhymes feel natural rather than forced.

Most stories for very young children are told in third person.

Children love collections of poems and short stories. So, for your first attempt, choose what seems easiest to write.

4. Illustrations or text?

Determine if your book will contain mainly text, illustrations, or a bit of both. If your book is aimed at young readers, illustrations with only a few words to build the story are appropriate.

If you are an artist, you can draw your illustrations yourself. Many authors of children's books choose to do this. If you aren't a gifted artist, you can always get someone else to illustrate your story for you. For older children, a few diagrams, drawings, or pictures may suffice. In some cases, no pictures are needed at all.

Before looking for an illustrator, sketch out your ideas for the pictures that you need the way manga authors do. You don't have to be an artist, simply sketch the idea of the scene. This will help potential illustrators understand what you want.

Illustrators have very different styles, so it's important to do research, be it on the internet, on Wattpad, or in real life before deciding to work with a professional. If you can't hire an illustrator, ask an artistically talented friend or a family member to create illustrations for your story.

Photography is another great option to add images to your book. If you like taking pictures, you can use real-life scenes or set up scenes with stuffed toys. You can also use a digital photo program to add items that you can't photograph easily.

Story Writing

For fiction, first determine the basic elements needed for a story: a main character, secondary characters, a plot that includes a central conflict, various smaller obstacles the main character must overcome (if the story is long enough to accommodate more than just the main conflict), a climax, and a resolution.

1. Theme

A central theme will give you something to focus your story around. 

You might focus on themes such as love, loss, identity, and friendship from the point of view of a child. Try to imagine how a child would see it and explore this idea.

2. Setting

Here, you'll  introduce the scenery, the main character, and the conflict. Start with the character's name and describe where he/she is. Address the character's desires as well as the problems that he/she must handle.

As with all stories, it's necessary to show and not to tell. The character must feel the elements around him. Try to describe what he/she sees, feels, touches, tastes, and hears. Onomatopoeic language (words like "boom" or "bang") makes the story more relatable and interesting for young readers.

3. Characters

Children's stories generally revolve around a single main character that children can relate to. Make this character special by giving him qualities that are found in children and adults and that you find interesting. Also, remember that children tend to gravitate toward main characters that are either their age or slightly older than them.

4. Central conflict

This is the event or decision that will change the main character or challenge him/her. This event may be triggered by elements of the child's environment. Always use situations that the reader can imagine clearly!

Limit your story to one concrete and clear conflict. For example, your main character might be struggling to be accepted by others or they might be dealing with family-related problems.

Develop the main character and explore his/her relationship with other characters in the story. Show how they live their lives in the midst of the disruptive incident. Describe how they respond to and adapt to the incident.

5. Resolution of the central conflict 

This is the part where the main character has to manage the result of his/her choices. He/she will have to make a decision. He/she could also team up with another character in this part of the plot.

The story will end with the resolution of the central conflict. The main character has succeeded or failed to reach his/her goal. They may have gotten what they wanted or may have accepted a compromise.

Try to teach the reader a lesson with the story, but avoid spelling the lesson out for the reader. Instead, let the story speak for itself.

Most children's books end on a happy and playful note. If the moral is well anchored in the story, you will succeed in teaching your readers a valuable life lesson that will stick with them long after they finish reading the story.