How to Write a Children's Book

Many people enjoy telling bedtime stories. In a way, writing a children's book is just telling an elaborate bedtime story. Children's books are defined as any books written for readers under 18 years old. Learning how to write one may be more difficult than telling a story, but here are some steps to get you started.

Instructions

Plan

1. Choose the age category of the book you wish to write. Some examples are board books, picture books, easy readers, chapter books or young adult novels. Be aware that each category has its own style, length, complexity, language and voice suited to the age group you are targeting.

2. Choose a genre within your category. For example, this may be a book about numbers, a mystery or a family story.

3. Have a general idea of plot or set of characters you wish to start with and begin building a storyline. Research any topics you need to learn more about.

4. Create character sketches. Decide how best to do this for your category. You may find it best to produce note cards or pages devoted to details of your characters: physical description, age, likes and dislikes and his or her role in the story. You must also decide the relationships of the characters as they interact with each other.

5. Create an outline, a step-by-step account of your story. This should include characters, plots, changes in viewpoint, the climax and the ending.

Write

1. Write the beginning. This is often the most difficult part to write but also the most important. The beginning should introduce the characters and give some insight into the plot of your children's book.

2. Write the middle, or body of the story. Focus on the challenges the characters face and the choices they make. This section is also where the plot really develops and the main story flows. Anything you introduce in the beginning-such as characters, theme and tense-must follow into and be addressed here. Any deviations from beginning to middle must make sense.

3. Create a climax. Keep your writing strong throughout the entire story and especially into the climax. This is the most exciting point of the story-everything that has happened in the beginning and middle leads up to this moment of truth and resolution.

4. Write the ending. Know when the story is finished. This is often very shortly after the climax occurs. Once the situations have been resolved, find a way to sum up any learning experiences and thoughts and finish writing.

Tips & Warnings

• Go to the library or bookstore and read books in the category in which you are writing. Be familiar with what is out there and what is currently selling.

• Think of ideas for pictures and graphics, if necessary. Most publishing houses will connect you with an illustrator but ideas could help sell your book.

• Try different tenses and viewpoint perspectives for your story to see which will work best.

• Use characters the same age or slightly older than your target audience.

• Avoid clichés and stereotypes when writing. Be original with plots and characters. If a book is already out there, why duplicate it?