#Writing #Books for #children is not as easy as you think

Writing for children is an extremely challenging job, as you have to be an educator as well as an entertainer rolled into one. You have to be simple yet you should not seem to be talking down to them. 

So it makes sense to ask yourself a basic question.

Are you writing a children’s book because you love children and really want to write for them?

If so, do give it a go. But if you are in it for financial returns, be prepared for probable disappointment. There are a few exceptions like Roald Dahl, Ruskin Bond, Enid Blyton and J.K Rowling of course, but not many writers have made great money by writing children’s books.

There is a general feeling that writing a childrens’ book is simple. But no! Just banish that thought. Writing for children is not as easy as you think. In fact, I would say that writing for children is tougher than producing material for adults. However, the personal satisfaction that it affords the writer outweighs the financial negatives and is definitely worth the effort.

 Here are a few things to keep in mind, though, when you start your writing journey.

·         Children are innocent but smart. They see through deception very easily. So be honest with yourself. Think about what you enjoyed as a kid and not about some new sensational game that is the rage now, but about which you know nothing.

·         People generally tend to think that writing for children is a breeze as compared to other forms of writing. But be assured, that is not so. Writing for children requires skill as they have a very short attention span and a built-in boredom factor, and editors all over the world are aware of it. To wean them away from the distraction of visual media is almost impossible. So, your writing has to be captivating enough to capture their attention with the first few words. Otherwise they will just close the book. Even if you manage to make them read, the main challenge lies in retaining that attention till the last word.

·         If you are writing for a younger age group, make sure to include colorful illustrations, as pictures bring the characters to life for them and make them quickly comprehend what they read.

·         Children are imaginative. So give rein to their imagination by including characters who are powerful and daring enough to try something new. If the character makes mistakes and then emerges victorious, all the more better it would be, as kids are able to relate themselves with them. Especially with characters of their own age, they love it.

·         Never underestimate children. Yes. You have to keep your sentences short and simple. But a new word here and there is perfectly all right as that is how they increase their vocabulary. I have come across many kids who keep a pocket sized dictionary, which they would immediately refer to, in case they come across a new word. Most of the time, though, they are able to comprehend the meaning of a new word in the context of the sentence where it is used.

·         Read books of successful authors who write for children. The key to their success mainly lies in their story telling skills. They pack their stories with action, mystery, adventure or magic. This makes it fast paced and involuntarily holds the attention of the young reader.

·         And finally don’t be disappointed if you receive rejections. Rejections are common in the publishing world. Even J.K Rowling’s first book in the Harry Potter series was rejected a number of times before it was picked up by Bloomsbury and the rest, as everyone knows, is publishing history.  A rejection, therefore, does not necessarily mean that your writing is bad. It may be that you have approached the wrong publisher at the wrong time. Try another one.

So if you love children and believe in your writing, keep at it and you will find success tapping at your doorway.

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