How to Write a Children's Book on Taboo Subjects

Taboos are subjects that are socially prohibited. Subjects may be forbidden due to the possession of a sacred nature or they may be restricted due to prejudice. Taboos can rise to the level of law or merely be punished by social disapproval when they are expressed. Actions, objects, behaviors, people, words and discussions that are taboo are often those that appear to violate the restrictive religious belief structures that prevail within a culture or community. The assumption of moral right is often at the center of the restriction process. Frequently, taboos emerge when people feel unsafe. By responding fearfully, they will attempt to oppress that which makes them feel uncomfortable and insecure in their environment. Traditional taboo subjects for children's literature include: divorce, contraception, abortion, mental illness, reproduction, menstruation, puberty, death, suicide, physical or emotional abuse, substance abuse, sexual orientation, non-traditional romance, multiple partner marriages, racism, sexism, ageism, religious issues, obesity, the occult, physical illness or disabilities, bullying, money, intravenous drug use, incest and more.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Library access
• A reference guide to word choices appropriate for children

How To Write A Children's Book On Taboo Subjects

1. Understand the age of the child for whom you are writing. Because taboo subjects are particularly sensitive and are likely to use word choices that may be problematic, it becomes even more important to check to make sure your word choices are appropriate for the group to which you are directing your message.

2. Write to your audience. Do not dumb down your story or the issues. Place your character in a believable, candid situation and allow the story to unfold as naturally as possible. Children's books are noted for their high level of specificity as children frequently pay more attention to small details than macro-type ideas.

3. Be concrete. Write directly and avoid veering into the safety of abstractions. Do not be afraid to get dirty. Taboo subjects are awkward and inconvenient and the child needs the author to be truthful.

4. Be sensitive with how much to share. Do research using some of the children's development and psychology websites and books to determine what a child is capable of understanding at the age for which you are writing. Shape your story so that you inform at the level that is appropriate.

5. Avoid moralizing or telling the child what to think. The objective is to present information in a way that is appealing and interesting but also allows the child to problem solve and draw their own conclusions. Avoid clichéd language.

6. Be objective and show both sides of the issue fairly. Children instinctively understand if a story is grossly one-sided. Stories are more effective if both sides have substance. Children's stories are often quite sophisticated and complex.

7. Write actively. Show, do not tell. The character in your story should encounter the taboo subject through story action; they should not be told about it.

8. Resolve your story in a way that the reader will find satisfying. Do not avoid the hard stuff, and do not believe that everything has to come right in the end. Life can sometimes be messy, and good stories reflect life and assist the reader in developing the skills to deal with challenges.

Tips & Warnings

• Actively engage in networking with other children's writers. Collect resources for criteria and publishing that best suit your style of book. Educate yourself on how to produce the highest quality book that will be of the most interest to a publisher and to children.
• Children's books are just as hard to write as novels for adults. Children's books are just as hard to get published too. Read as many top, award-winning children's books as you can in order to better understand how other writers approach difficult issues.

References

• The Essential Guide To Children's Books
• Love A Librarian