Do you have what it takes to be a published children’s book writer?
All to often an adult reads through a children’s book and says, “I can do this. Writing a children’s story is easy.” I’m here to tell you that writing a children’s story may be easy, but writing a children’s story that publishers will love is a whole other ballgame.
First, you will need to research the market. Go to all your local libraries and take out as many new children’s books you can get your hands on. Read through each one, making note of the tone used, the subject matter, and even the words that children’s authors use.
Second, think through your own story. Is the idea original? Is there something new to your story? Most importantly, is there a point to your story?
Publishers don’t care if your kids love your story, and they don’t care if you got outstanding grades in English Composition back in high school. They do care, however, if your story is salable.
Other questions to ask yourself about your story: Are you using age appropriate words? Who will be reading your story? Is your story exciting or unusual?
Keep all these questions in mind when your look through your story. Rework it if necessary, and, I know this sounds painful, start over if your first story is missing that extra pizzazz.
Finally, when you think you have written the perfect children’s story, put it away. Just stick a hardcopy of your story away in a folder and forget about it for awhile. On your calendar, make a note one month from now to pull out the story and reread it, rework it, and proofread it. The last think you want to do is send a publisher a half-baked story riddled with inconsistencies and clichés.
