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Solving your writing problems since 1998! |
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Writing for Children
by Jennifer Reed Writing for children is both a craft and a huge responsibility. When people ask me how I became involved in writing for children, it always brings a smile to my face. It was and still is a humbling experience. Like anything you want to be good at, it takes practice, often years of practice before you even sell your first book or article. Like parenting, it is a responsibility; one a writer should not take lightly. After all, you may be shaping a child's thinking and outlook on the world. Most writers I know have been involved in some aspect of children's writing for many years and it has taken that long to sell a piece. When people tell me they want to become a children's writer I smile and listen to what they have to say. Their words speak volumes about themselves as a person and writer. Are they serious about writing for children? Are they knowledgeable in children's literature? Do they think it is easier to write for children than adults? Are they involved in writer's groups or are they taking a course? If they seem to understand the basics of the children's writing industry, only then do I pursue it further. Becoming a children's writer is a rewarding profession, but certainly not for everyone.
The Myth There is a nasty myth out there in the writing world. It is this: Writing for children is easy! Why? After all, children are easy to please. How many times have you read a children's book and thought, "I could write this! In fact, I could write something better!" Maybe you can, maybe you can't. The reason things seem so easy to us adults reading the book is because, well, the work is done. You don't realize the number of hours an author has labored, finding the right words, the right flow, the right feel. What you see is the finished, much edited version. Try sitting down and writing something equally impressive and you will find it is not easy. Editors are scrupulous about the words written for children. Even if you write the perfect story, selling it is an entirely different situation. Writing for children is an art form, a craft that must be worked over and over. Learning about the children's writing industry is labor intensive to say the least. As a writer, you must stay current and up to date. Getting Started The biggest question I hear is "How do I get started?" Many people have ideas and even stories written down. Many people think they can write children's book or at least want to. I say great, but are you serious about it? Serious enough that even after the 100th rejection you won't give up! I always ask, "Is writing your passion? Are children your passion?" You have to have a dream to be a children's writer first and foremost. Without that dream you will not set goals. Without goals you will not write. Without writing you will not create and therefore have nothing to show of your deep desire. These are some of the first things I encourage writers to do if they are serious about writing for children.
Writing for children and becoming a published children's writer are two different things. Anyone can write, but not anyone can get published. Start with the basics. Follow the guidelines above to start and don't put a lot of pressure on yourself. If you don't meet a goal, don't fret. Slip it onto the next day's list of things to do. Other Basics I encourage all writers to invest in the Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market guide.1 This book is invaluable because the only way a writer gets published is to know who is publishing what. This book lists many publishers, their writer's guidelines, how much them pay and what kinds of subjects they publish. Send away for their guidelines, theme lists and samples and keep good records. With all the writing you've been doing, you may find you have a good story for one of the publishers. Once you find that publisher, polish you story or article and make sure that it is error free. Have someone else edit it for you if you have to. Always send a professional-looking manuscript and cover letter - no colored paper, no funky fonts. Editors prefer white paper and the print to be in either Times New Roman or Courier. Once you have your professional manuscript and cover letter, submit it. So many writers never make it this far and they could very well have a publishable piece. Don't be afraid to submit! Don't let rejection keep you from your dream. I tell writers all the time to submit, one manuscript after another. Everyone gets rejections, even published authors! Expect this and expect to polish your story even more. Rejections are one way we writers can learn how to make our stories better. Rejections also build character (I know, do we really need more character building!), yes- they make us smarter and more patient. Hopefully, they make you a little mad and want to show that editor that you can publish your story. Hopefully, you'll send it back out until it gets accepted. But know this: Unless you submit, you will never be published! Do you still want to write for children? I hope the answer is yes. There is a constant need for good, quality children's literature. Your perspective on the world is completely different than anyone else's perspective. You could be the shining light in a child's world. The ideas I suggested are merely the basics. But to begin, start with them. As you study and research more, you'll come into contact with others who want to write for children too. Join a writer's group either online or locally. Visit writing websites. The Society of Children's Book Writer's and Illustrators2 is an excellent place to start. Attend conferences and most of all, get to know children and the books they love to read. Your local library is a great resource for doing just this! Most importantly, know why you want to write for children and if it is a true passion, never give up on it. Only those who persevere in this business become children's writers. Jennifer Reed is the author of over 100 stories and articles for children. She publishes Wee Ones E-magazine (www.weeonesmag.com), is an instructor at the Institute of Children's Literature, and writes nonfiction books for Chelsea House Publishers. She developed the website Writing4children.com to help and encourage people who want to write for children, but don't know where to start. You can email her at reedint@home.com. Copyright © 2001, Jennifer Reed.
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