Step by Step Guide to Writing a Children's Book

May 27th, 2020

1. PERFECT THE PLOT
If you start with a bang, you wonʼt end with a whimper. – T.S. Eliot

Perfecting the plot of your story is vital. It must have a defined beginning, middle and end. No matter the size, one must be able to pinpoint the rise and fall of events like a rickety rollercoaster ride. The beginning is the ascent of the rollercoaster. It is here that the writer must catch the readerʼs attention and interest. The middle consists of the highest point on the ride or a series of loops. At this point, the story must reveal one or more climactic events as they take place. These can be as perilous as a runaway roller-coaster or as subtle as a shift in perspective, as long as the reader is left clinging to every word, like he would to a runaway rollercoaster cart. The end is the final descent of the ride whereby it comes to a neat and not-entirely perilous end. Here, the writer must resolve the main climactic events in a satisfying and conclusive way.

2. SHOW, DONʼT TELL

Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass. – Anton Chekhov

If Monty is a magnificent magician, donʼt simply write Monty is a magnificent magician. This is telling. Instead, show the reader that Monty is a magnificent magician through description. Let the reader hear the cheer of the audience and feel Montyʼs confidence. Take us into his mind as he expertly produces a card out of thin air. Take us into the mind of the audience as they try to spot hidden doors in the floor. Show the reader. Donʼt tell.

3. AVOID CLICHÉ … LIKE THE PLAGUE

Easy writing makes hard reading. – Ernest Hemingway

Think about the words you write and try to avoid clichéd expressions and descriptions. It may take a little longer to formulate your sentences, but you will find using your own words beneficial as a writer, and a marked improvement in the quality of your written work.

4. ADD METRE TO YOUR RHYME

So the writer who breeds more words than he needs, is making a chore for the reader who reads.– Dr Seuss

Rhyming texts must have metre. A story that rhymes but lacks metre is akin to singing off key. Each line should have a pattern of stressed and unstressed beats. Be sure to count the syllables when constructing your rhyming text and avoid the easy rhyming word. The words you use should also move your story forward.

The Commissioning Editor's Storytelling Tip

Treat your story like a thriller. No matter what it is about, or how long it is, there must be something in it that a reader will find thrilling.

Resources and Networking

There are so many great resources available for aspiring and working writers within the industry. Why not get involved today? They are also great environments for networking.

Need some extra support?

Get involved in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and write an entire novel in a month. Track your progress and meet other professional and amateur authors online at www.nanowrimo.org

Set yourself some writing challenges and get inspired at: https://thewritepractice.com.

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Step by Step Guide to Writing a Children's Book

1. PERFECT THE PLOTIf you start with a bang, you wonʼt end with a whimper. – T.S. Eliot

2. SHOW, DONʼT TELL

Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass. – Anton Chekhov

3. AVOID CLICHÉ … LIKE THE PLAGUE

Easy writing makes hard reading. – Ernest Hemingway

4. ADD METRE TO YOUR RHYME

So the writer who breeds more words than he needs, is making a chore for the reader who reads.– Dr Seuss

The Commissioning Editor's Storytelling Tip

Resources and Networking

Alliance of Independent Authors:

The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators:

Federation of Children's Book Groups:

The Society of Authors:

Need some extra support?

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1. PERFECT THE PLOT
If you start with a bang, you wonʼt end with a whimper. – T.S. Eliot