| Children love books. Whether it's sitting down in | | | | and conflict to suit those ages. You have board |
| mommy's lap or curling up in a quiet corner to | | | | books, picture books, early readers, beginning |
| read, a good book gives them a grand adventure. | | | | chapter books, and young adult books. If you're |
| However, writing for children is a lot more | | | | not familiar with these formats, you might want |
| challenging than you think. Typically, children's | | | | to do a little research. Read books in the targeted |
| stories are shorter and use simply language, but a | | | | age range you want to write in. Talk to kids |
| short story may not be a good story. There are | | | | about what they like to read or don't like to read. |
| several elements in crafting a children's story that | | | | Another element in crafting a good's children's |
| you, the writer, should be aware of. | | | | story is characterization. Children have to be able |
| One of the elements needed for a good children's | | | | to relate to the characters in the story. What |
| story is plot. It should be fun and engaging. | | | | helps is to keep the dialogue as natural as you |
| Remember, today's children's books compete with | | | | can. (If you use any) Tailor your dialogue towards |
| TV, video games, Wii, and movies. Take children | | | | the developmental age range you're writing for. |
| on an adventure in your book. Don't be over | | | | Another thing to remember is that a children's |
| simplistic. The story should follow a logical | | | | story doesn't have to tell a moral. It should first |
| sequence of events that children should | | | | be fun and engaging to read. Also, a children's |
| understand. Keep in mind your plot should have | | | | book doesn't have to rhythm. Some writers |
| some conflict as well. The conflict should be aimed | | | | haven't mastered rhyming and they may come |
| at the age level you're writing for. Conflict in | | | | up with a poor rhyme scheme. Don't force it. |
| children's writing doesn't need to be complicated. It | | | | Remember a good book doesn't have to fit into a |
| can be an escaped cat, a move to a new town, | | | | series. Let a series be an outgrowth of a good |
| or the first day of school. | | | | character. Overall, writing for children can be very |
| Just remember to bring the conflict down to a | | | | rewarding, especially if you craft a story with a |
| level that children can understand. Also remember | | | | dash of adventure, a pin of fun, and a tablespoon |
| there are different age ranges and audiences in | | | | of character. |
| children's literature. You want to gear your plot | | | | |