Kev2012
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Writing for Children (chapter 1)
Childrens Writing (potential pitfalls)
Aaahh…Kids, the most honest of our society, but wait the best critics around, they are a blessing in disguise! They tell you how it is, where to improve, and although it can be patronizing, you should really try to listen and take in what they say, kids can improve your writing endlessly.
The first thing you should take into consideration when writing for kids is that their mind is impressionable, what they read can, and probably will, guide them in how they choose to approach life and the complex issues it throws up for them. That taken into consideration, it doesn’t mean write heavy and deeply touching novels teaching them the way of life, nor does it mean to avoid doing this, it means you should be subtle in your writing, make it a joy to read while throwing in the odd moral issue. Mask these morals within the sort of stuff that they enjoy reading, killing two birds with one stone, so to speak. That is the key to a successful children’s author.
It is a common notion within publishers that the majority of manuscripts they receive are poorly written and inappropriate for the market they are being aimed at. Basically you can avoid this pit fall if you take the time to learn the basic ins and outs of writing in this deceptively delicate market. Writing for children can be made hard mainly because children have short attention spans, yet have a wide range of reading abilities. Coming at it from a certain way it is harder to write for children then it is to write for adults, you need much more than a good story to impress a child. Hopefully I’ll try to attack some of these issue over the coming chapters.
All chapters written by Kevin, Martin Copyright 2005: -
(Information is in the opinion of Kevin, Martin.)
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Jan/14/2005, 11:18 pm
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Kev2012
FWU
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Re: Writing for Children (chapter 1)
Basic Tips
One of the easiest ways of improving your writing for Children, is to interact with as many other Children’s authors as you can. Don’t be afraid to share ideas, giving honest feedback and partake in general chat can do you the world of good. Also the most obvious step, interact with Children in a literary sense, find out what they like reading, what they don’t like reading and even go as far as read what they do, and see for yourself why they might enjoy it.
One good bit of advice is to “age” your protagonist when you write. For example if you are writing at an audience specifically of 10 year olds, aim to make you character a 12 year old. And NEVER talk down to your audience, they will pick it up and put your book down! Don’t intentionally simplify your style; you need to challenge younger readers much the same way as you would challenge an older one. You have to remember kids aren’t as unintelligent as we think and as they are perceived, treat them as intellectual human begins and you writing will mirror this.
Another simple way of making writing for Children easier, and probably much more fun, is for you to draw on the best bit of research you have, something we all have, and that is our own childhood. Remember what it was like to be 5, 7, 9 a teenager, how you thought when you were that age, what life meant to you, what life was about. Draw on specific instances that are rife in your mind and convey that same emotion in your writing.
When writing, much as you would have your mature protagonist overcome, or be school hero has to do similar. Also if you have adult characters in your piece; they must interact with your younger character as they would in real life. An Adult is never wrong when talking with children, and feels embarrassed when a child confronts them in public and will defend themselves rancorously, often trying to belittle a child. You have to ensure your young character wins and loses on their own merit, even if portraying a sense of defeat to an adult in order to gain an overall sense of victory in certain confrontations.
All in all the easy step is to reminisce books, movies and times that shaped your life, and now think about the lives that your book might potential shape. Ensure you do your best, don't cut corners and ultimately give the best to your, and other, children, because they deserve it. Being a kid can be hard, remember that, your book might become a child’s release from the real world.
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Jan/14/2005, 11:58 pm
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