There’s no doubt that there is at least one book that you read as a child that had such a profound impact on your life that you still remember it with fondness today. You remember the message of that book and you recall how it made you feel; you may even remember where and when you read that book, or who read it to you.
There really is just something so magical about children’s books, and the best ones are those that you can recall well into adulthood – and even for the rest of your life. The best children’s books are inspiring, uplifting, and instill a sense of wonder and excitement. They make you want to learn more, they spark creativity and imagination, and get you to think critically either about yourself, the world as a whole, or both. In fact, the amazing books that you read and that were read to you as a child instilled in you a love of reading and writing, and have inspired you to become a children’s book author yourself.
As you begin your journey of becoming a children’s author, there’s no doubt that you find yourself reflecting on those books that touched you so deeply when you were a lad or lass. You’re also probably wondering how your own children’s book can hold a candle to your own childhood favorites. How did the authors manage to weave such amazing stories, complete with vivid plotlines and characters that came to life and really felt like they were your best friends? How can you do the same?
The truth is, there is no simple answer to these questions, because the fact of the matter is that the process of becoming a children’s book author is different for everyone. It’s a journey, and just like every other journey in life, it’s as unique as you are. That said, however, it’s important to note that the most well-known children’s authors achieve their success by combining their talent with dedication, hard work, persistence, perseverance, planning, and even a touch of luck.
If you’re an aspiring author who intends on writing and publishing a children’ book, the following tips can help to guide you on your path and lead you on your journey.
Set your own goals
Some writers aspire to create children’s stories for the special little ones in their lives; their own children, their grandchildren, their nieces and nephews, or even their students. Other aspiring children’s authors hope to establish a career for themselves and earn an income by writing and publishing children’s literature. It’s important to identify your goals before you get started, as they will influence the approach you take, as well as the decisions you’ll make, including all aspects of the stories you write, and even the proofreading and publishing process. If the latter group describes you – that is, you hope to establish a career as a children’s book author – you’re going to want to create books that will appeal to a wide audience so that you can achieve the success that you are hoping for.
Read children’s literature regularly
This step in the process of becoming a children’s author can be thought of as research, as well as inspiration. Look up a list of classics and titles that have received contemporary awards. Peruse the children’s section at your local bookstore, library, or even on your eReader store. Set the time aside to dive into a large pile of children’s books in a variety of genres and for a variety of age ranges (from picture books up to young adult novels).
While you’re reading, really immerse yourself in the writing, and notice how it made you feel. Pay attention to the themes, the plots, the settings, and the behaviors of the characters, as well as the main message. It’s very likely that you’re going to notice that several books shared many of the same elements (though those elements were modified, of course, by each author for each book). The reason children’s books have shared elements? It’s because certain elements make for good storytelling; they draw readers in, captivate and inspire them, and establish a connection. Additionally, pay close attention to how the text and illustrations work with one another on the pages. Take note of the creative elements you liked the most, inspired you, and that you think will help you create your own children’s story.
Focus on a sub-genre or niche
As an aspiring children’s book writer, there are several decisions that you’re going to need to make. Not only will you need to decide on a great plot, character names and backgrounds, and an attention-grabbing, yet meaningful title; you’ll also need to decide what genre and category your writing belongs to.
The genre refers to the style, form, and/or content of a book; for example, fantasy or historical fiction. Categories refer to the potential readers; their ages, their stages of mental and emotional development, and their reading ability. Before you even start putting pen to paper, you need to identify the genre and category you want to write for.
Know your audience
If you spend a lot of time with children, you have an upper-hand here, as you’ll be more aware of what their interests are, what language they use, and how to appeal to them. If you don’t spend a lot of time with kids, however, don’t just assume that you’re going to be able to know how to enchant them with your writing. As such, putting the time and effort into researching your audience is a must; heck, this would be valuable even if you are with children on a regular basis.
Try to determine what it is that makes the age group you intend on writing for tick. What captures their attention? How long does their attention span last? What makes them laugh or sparks their curiosity? Hang out with your own children or grandchildren, or if you have friends with kids, see if you can arrange to spend time with them. You could also consider volunteering to read to children at your local library. Also, take some time to reacquaint yourself with your own inner child.
The idea of becoming a published children’s author is certainly exciting; however, don’t just assume that you can jump right in. Becoming a successful children’s book writer requires time, patients, research, hard work, and persistence.