| Writing a children's book might seem like an easy | | | | Write When You Want |
| thing to do but there are certain things you need | | | | Some people love to spend a whole day with |
| to know before you even get started. There are | | | | their head down and getting the job done there |
| lots of rules like 'make your characters believable' | | | | and then. Others prefer to write for a morning |
| and 'don't over complicate the plot' but before | | | | and spend the rest of the day away from it. |
| you even lay pen to paper, there are many | | | | Whatever your method, write when you want to. |
| factors you need to consider. | | | | But going back to my first point, you have to be |
| Be Committed | | | | committed. Obviously don't force yourself to |
| First off, you need to enjoy it especially if you're | | | | write if you really can't bear to, but in the spirit of |
| writing in your spare time after work or around | | | | being dedicated, you need to be quite regimented |
| other jobs. But, you need to be committed to | | | | about when you write. |
| finishing. Read lots of children's fiction before you | | | | One thing to keep in mind is that if you write |
| start. Learn about it and maybe even take some | | | | sporadically, that the flow of your story could be |
| recommended courses on it. | | | | at risk. When you sit down for three or four |
| You have to practise. Writing is like any other skill, | | | | hours at a time, your mind will generally be in the |
| you have to practise over and over again. Take | | | | same place. If you only write for a short space |
| criticism constructively and always look to | | | | of time and then stop and come back to it, your |
| improve yourself. | | | | mentality could have shifted. |
| You also need to detach your ego from your | | | | Enjoy your writing space |
| writing. If when it comes to publishing, you take | | | | If you enjoy writing in bed, do it. If you enjoy |
| criticism or rejection personally, you won't learn | | | | writing outside, do it. Don't coup yourself up |
| from the experience. Take any bad news you | | | | somewhere you don't want to be. You are more |
| get as a learning curve. It will help you in your | | | | likely to be dedicated to the outcome of your |
| next attempt. | | | | book if you are writing it somewhere you enjoy |
| Set Achievable Goals | | | | to be. |
| When setting goals, think about what you could | | | | The best tips I've come across are in Robyn |
| do in your allotted time and then half it. I know | | | | Opie's How To Write A Great Children's Book. It |
| this sounds dramatic but it means that if you do | | | | combines attitude and mind set with great tips |
| more than you have anticipated, you will feel | | | | about plot, characters and even publishing. I highly |
| prouder than if you set a high target and didn't | | | | recommend it to you as it has taught me that |
| achieve. By setting unachievable goals, you are | | | | there is a lot more to writing a children's book |
| likely to feel disappointed if they are not met and | | | | than first thought. |
| the joy of writing is taken away again. | | | | |