Classroom Teachers - Why Writing for Children Could Be the Perfect Summer Job for You!
By richpat1 | July 3, 2008
While most classroom teachers enjoy the summer break from work that a teaching position gives them, other teachers struggle to find part-time work during that time to earn a little extra income.
If you’re one of those classroom teachers who searches for part time work during the summer, writing for children just might be the job you’re looking for. Here’s why:
1. During the school year you’re in close contact with children and/or teens in your classroom. That means you know first hand what kids or teens think about, how they talk, and how they act. You can use this information to create believable child or teen characters and dialogue for these characters that rings true. If you read stories and books for children with your students during the school year, you also know the kinds of story lines that appeal to children and teens.
2. As a teacher, you have access to your school’s library. Talk to the librarian to find out what kinds of books students find most interesting. Also, what kinds of books seem to be in short supply? Does your school librarian think there needs to be more middle grade novels available for girls, for example? Or, is there almost nothing available on certain topics of interest to children? Use this information to create stories, novels, and nonfiction articles and books that will help fill these voids or shortages.
3. You know what kinds of materials you like to use in your classroom with your students. Why not try your hand at creating some of these materials for children’s educational publishers? Most of the best teaching materials are created by teachers themselves. Why not make some money from the types of materials you are probably already creating and using yourself in your own classroom?
4. Once you gain a few publication credits, you can continue writing for children or teens during the school year. You won’t have time for as much writing while you’re teaching, of course. Still, you can probably manage to work on at least one nonfiction article or short story for children or teens each month. Even if you don’t finish these pieces and submit them for publication during the school year, when school ends for the summer you will have plenty of writing projects to finish up and submit to editors.
5. Once your part-time children’s writing career is established, you won’t need to search for a part-time job every summer. You can immediately get to work once summer break begins. You might even manage to line up some regular summer writing assignments with one or two children’s educational publishers. Many full-time teachers manage to write a short nonfiction book for children or teens every summer and substantially increase their yearly income.
6. Should you ever decide to stop teaching, or when you retire from teaching, you will already have an enjoyable second career to fall back on. And this time, you can work from home in the comfort of your pajamas if you like!
These are just a few of the reasons that so many classroom teachers turn to writing for children as a part-time job or second career. If you enjoy writing as much as you enjoy teaching, then writing for children just might be the perfect summer job or second career for you, too.
|
Find out how you can get a free ebook called “Tricks of the Trade: How to Write for Children,” plus additional information about writing for kids, by visiting the National Writing for Children Center at http://www.writingforchildrencenter.com or Suzanne Lieurance’s website at http://www.suzannelieurance.com |
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How to Get Your Children’s Book Published
By richpat1 | June 30, 2008
How do you get a children’s book published?
I’m sure there are many varied answers to this question depending on who you ask. I can give you my experiences and advice.
I had been writing for five years before I had my first book accepted by a publisher. I joined a writers’ centre, completed several writing courses specific to children’s fiction, read many books about writing for children, and joined a writing group for children’s authors. I learned everything that I could about writing for children and wrote, wrote, wrote. I call this my apprenticeship.
One evening, I went to the writing group for children’s authors and one of the members had a letter from a publisher who was looking for submissions. She photocopied the letter for whoever wanted a copy. I almost snatched a copy from her hand, I was eager for an opportunity to submit, especially to a publisher who actually asked for submissions.
I sent off 31 little stories to the publisher. Then, like all good writers, forgot about the submission and went on with my next project.
Months later, I received that magical letter in the post. “We’d like to publish?” The publisher accepted 3 of my little stories. Of course, I did that little dance for joy. Then another one.
It helps to know what publishers are looking for at a given time. Writers’ groups and writers’ centre are useful sources of information. Publishing information and guidelines are often available on websites. A telephone call to a publisher can sometimes help but there are many publishers who don’t know what they want until it lands on their desk.
My next experience was a similar experience. I found out through a friend from another writing group that a publisher was looking for novels of around 4,000 words. I sent 4 off and had 3 accepted.
Not long after this, I found out from another friend from the same writing group that a publisher was looking for short stories. The big difference in this experience was that the publisher was known for commissioning 95% of his work.
Now writers are a stubborn bunch. Otherwise we wouldn’t keep writing. And we’re not put off by news that a publisher commissions most of their work after we find out that they’re looking for short stories.
My friend and I sent off a couple of texts. The publisher sent me an email that went something like this “I can see that you’ve done this before.” I’m now one of his commissioned authors and I have 40 published titles with this publisher.
Afterwards, we found out that the publisher had sent an email to his writers telling them about his project and asking for submissions. He’d received very little response, so he was desperate for new blood. We came along at the right time.
My experience provides several important points about getting published.
1. Learn everything you can about writing. And write as much as you can. Publishers receive an enormous number of submissions, so even when you know what they are looking for, you have to get your manuscript on their shortlist. Writing for children is a skill. You need to learn how to do it. Then you need to practise, practise and practise to do it well.
2. Read current children’s books. Reading helps you improve your own writing skills as you subconsciously take in the language and style of other writers. It also helps you keep abreast with what is being published.
3. Join writers’ centres and organizations, writing groups, chat groups, subscribe to newsletters. Check publishers’ websites, enquire about publishing programs. Go to writer seminars and conferences. Do everything you can to put yourself in the right place at the right time.
4. Learn about the industry and the market. Keep abreast with changes.
5. Be professional. Make writing your business.
6. Always submit your very best work. Have a manuscript assessment done on your work if necessary.
7. If you know that a publisher is looking for a certain type of story - i.e. a certain word length or genre - submit as many of your manuscripts that fit the bill. But make sure that they are your best work. Writing is a numbers game. The more you submit, the more chance you have of being accepted.
Persistence is one secret of success. Persistence means hard work and commitment. Another secret of success is being in the right place at the right time. Someone has to be there, why not you?
|
Robyn Opie. |
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10 Survival Tips For Taking Young Children Camping
By richpat1 | June 28, 2008
“Let’s go camping!” With those few simple words you are instantly a hero to your children. To ensure you remain that way during the camping trip, you better make sure you have planned well and are prepared for all types of contingencies. Along with lots of snacks and back-up rain gear, bring along these 10 activities and suggestions to keep your children occupied and happy while camping.
Scavenger hunt - Depending on the age(s) of your children this can be as simple or complicated as you would like to make it. For younger children that you want to keep close to the campsite, make sure you take a good look around before sending them off to hunt - make sure the items can be found close-by.
Nature book - Fold 5 sheets of construction paper in half and staple them together along the fold to create a nature book that your children can fill full of keepsakes. In a bag, put in a glue stick, tape, and some writing instruments and encourage them to find interesting treasures to put in the book or draw pictures of.
Baby wipes - Never stop buying baby wipes just because your kids are no longer in diapers. These little wonders make life a lot easier when out in the wilderness - or even around the house.
Getting to sleep - If your children are too excited or a bit nervous about sleeping in a tent, go for a slow drive around the campgrounds until they fall asleep in the car. And then execute the trick every parent must master - the transfer of a sleeping child into bed (or in this case a sleeping bag). Or you can lay down with them until they fall asleep and then make your escape.
Board & card games - Everyone needs down time, even when camping. Don’t forget to bring the classics along - Monopoly & Uno were always favorites in my family. Invite your camping neighbors over to join in and make some new friends.
Fresh Ice Cream - Yes, hot chocolate and smores are the traditional camping treats, but why not shake things up a bit with this recipe for homemade ice cream in a bag.
Disposable Cameras - Buy each child their own disposal camera. Give them an assignment to take pictures of during the trip (how many different birds, trees, or rocks can you find). Or have them take a picture of an object and then a really close-up picture of the same object for a fun game to have at home - having to guess what the close-up picture is of.
Flashlights - A flashlight is not just to scare away the dark, you can put on a shadow show with one from inside the tent or behind a tarp instead of telling spooky stories around the campfire.
Music - Bring a battery-powered CD player for night time. The sounds of nature are beautiful but if you aren’t used to them they can be scary. Soothing music will help mask all the sounds that might scare or wake-up the kids.
Toys - Most tent campgrounds have a foundation of dirt. Bring shovel and pails and any other outdoor toys that will keep the children busy right by the tent. Buy a bucket of dinosaurs and hide them in the dirt around the site and then send out the little explorers on a dinosaur expedition.
Along with these 10 ideas, have fun, let the kids run free and don’t forget the bug spray.
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Harmony is a Freelance Writer based in British Columbia, Canada. She is author of the blog Writer In The Making (http://writer-in-the-making.blogspot.com). |
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Teddy Bears Should Be Given To All Children
By richpat1 | June 25, 2008
All children should get a teddy bear when they are young. It is meaningful for children to have a bear they can sleep with or be with. Teddy bears should be given when kids are young enough to appreciate the bear.
Most children that are given a teddy bear when they are young keep them for many years. It means a lot to kids, when they are given something they can hold on to for years. Many times children have tattered bears on their bed and in their rooms. These are the bears that mean the most!
Some parents try to throw out the bears, but most children are upset by this. This stuffed animal means a lot to them and most if able will dig the teddy out of the trash. Tattered as they are and some with stuffing coming out, they still love them and sleep with them.
Some nameable teddy bears are Thatcher and Tennyson. These two bears are the perfect gift to give a small child. They are between fourteen and eighteen inches in length, a great size for them to hold and play with.
Thatcher is a smooth soft cuddly bear, while Tennyson has fur that looks to be curly. Tennyson is not quite as soft as Thatcher, but all in all they both are cuddly in their own way.
There is no greater joy than seeing a face of a child when they open a gift of a teddy bear. Teddy bears can be given any time. You do not need a reason to give a teddy bear. Giving a teddy bear as a ?just because? gift is the best, the surprise is greater on the face of a child.
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Author is Michele Rogers, owner of http://www.lilyputts.com Lilyputts Gift Baskets , an online gift basket retailer. Also hosted is a http://www.lilyputts.blogspot.com BLOG that reviews gifts and welcomes other comments as well. Please visit Lilyputts Gift Baskets for descriptions and product presentations. |
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Classroom Teachers - Why Writing for Children Could Be the Perfect Summer Job for You!
By richpat1 | June 23, 2008
While most classroom teachers enjoy the summer break from work that a teaching position gives them, other teachers struggle to find part-time work during that time to earn a little extra income.
If you’re one of those classroom teachers who searches for part time work during the summer, writing for children just might be the job you’re looking for. Here’s why:
1. During the school year you’re in close contact with children and/or teens in your classroom. That means you know first hand what kids or teens think about, how they talk, and how they act. You can use this information to create believable child or teen characters and dialogue for these characters that rings true. If you read stories and books for children with your students during the school year, you also know the kinds of story lines that appeal to children and teens.
2. As a teacher, you have access to your school’s library. Talk to the librarian to find out what kinds of books students find most interesting. Also, what kinds of books seem to be in short supply? Does your school librarian think there needs to be more middle grade novels available for girls, for example? Or, is there almost nothing available on certain topics of interest to children? Use this information to create stories, novels, and nonfiction articles and books that will help fill these voids or shortages.
3. You know what kinds of materials you like to use in your classroom with your students. Why not try your hand at creating some of these materials for children’s educational publishers? Most of the best teaching materials are created by teachers themselves. Why not make some money from the types of materials you are probably already creating and using yourself in your own classroom?
4. Once you gain a few publication credits, you can continue writing for children or teens during the school year. You won’t have time for as much writing while you’re teaching, of course. Still, you can probably manage to work on at least one nonfiction article or short story for children or teens each month. Even if you don’t finish these pieces and submit them for publication during the school year, when school ends for the summer you will have plenty of writing projects to finish up and submit to editors.
5. Once your part-time children’s writing career is established, you won’t need to search for a part-time job every summer. You can immediately get to work once summer break begins. You might even manage to line up some regular summer writing assignments with one or two children’s educational publishers. Many full-time teachers manage to write a short nonfiction book for children or teens every summer and substantially increase their yearly income.
6. Should you ever decide to stop teaching, or when you retire from teaching, you will already have an enjoyable second career to fall back on. And this time, you can work from home in the comfort of your pajamas if you like!
These are just a few of the reasons that so many classroom teachers turn to writing for children as a part-time job or second career. If you enjoy writing as much as you enjoy teaching, then writing for children just might be the perfect summer job or second career for you, too.
|
Find out how you can get a free ebook called “Tricks of the Trade: How to Write for Children,” plus additional information about writing for kids, by visiting the National Writing for Children Center at http://www.writingforchildrencenter.com or Suzanne Lieurance’s website at http://www.suzannelieurance.com |
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How to Get Your Children’s Book Published
By richpat1 | June 21, 2008
How do you get a children’s book published?
I’m sure there are many varied answers to this question depending on who you ask. I can give you my experiences and advice.
I had been writing for five years before I had my first book accepted by a publisher. I joined a writers’ centre, completed several writing courses specific to children’s fiction, read many books about writing for children, and joined a writing group for children’s authors. I learned everything that I could about writing for children and wrote, wrote, wrote. I call this my apprenticeship.
One evening, I went to the writing group for children’s authors and one of the members had a letter from a publisher who was looking for submissions. She photocopied the letter for whoever wanted a copy. I almost snatched a copy from her hand, I was eager for an opportunity to submit, especially to a publisher who actually asked for submissions.
I sent off 31 little stories to the publisher. Then, like all good writers, forgot about the submission and went on with my next project.
Months later, I received that magical letter in the post. “We’d like to publish?” The publisher accepted 3 of my little stories. Of course, I did that little dance for joy. Then another one.
It helps to know what publishers are looking for at a given time. Writers’ groups and writers’ centre are useful sources of information. Publishing information and guidelines are often available on websites. A telephone call to a publisher can sometimes help but there are many publishers who don’t know what they want until it lands on their desk.
My next experience was a similar experience. I found out through a friend from another writing group that a publisher was looking for novels of around 4,000 words. I sent 4 off and had 3 accepted.
Not long after this, I found out from another friend from the same writing group that a publisher was looking for short stories. The big difference in this experience was that the publisher was known for commissioning 95% of his work.
Now writers are a stubborn bunch. Otherwise we wouldn’t keep writing. And we’re not put off by news that a publisher commissions most of their work after we find out that they’re looking for short stories.
My friend and I sent off a couple of texts. The publisher sent me an email that went something like this “I can see that you’ve done this before.” I’m now one of his commissioned authors and I have 40 published titles with this publisher.
Afterwards, we found out that the publisher had sent an email to his writers telling them about his project and asking for submissions. He’d received very little response, so he was desperate for new blood. We came along at the right time.
My experience provides several important points about getting published.
1. Learn everything you can about writing. And write as much as you can. Publishers receive an enormous number of submissions, so even when you know what they are looking for, you have to get your manuscript on their shortlist. Writing for children is a skill. You need to learn how to do it. Then you need to practise, practise and practise to do it well.
2. Read current children’s books. Reading helps you improve your own writing skills as you subconsciously take in the language and style of other writers. It also helps you keep abreast with what is being published.
3. Join writers’ centres and organizations, writing groups, chat groups, subscribe to newsletters. Check publishers’ websites, enquire about publishing programs. Go to writer seminars and conferences. Do everything you can to put yourself in the right place at the right time.
4. Learn about the industry and the market. Keep abreast with changes.
5. Be professional. Make writing your business.
6. Always submit your very best work. Have a manuscript assessment done on your work if necessary.
7. If you know that a publisher is looking for a certain type of story - i.e. a certain word length or genre - submit as many of your manuscripts that fit the bill. But make sure that they are your best work. Writing is a numbers game. The more you submit, the more chance you have of being accepted.
Persistence is one secret of success. Persistence means hard work and commitment. Another secret of success is being in the right place at the right time. Someone has to be there, why not you?
|
Robyn Opie. |
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How To Write In The Children’s Market (Part 2)
By richpat1 | June 18, 2008
This is going to be my second article of many that I will be writing on how to break into the children?s writing market. This is going to be a considerably long series so keep checking back for updated posts.
Writing for kids can be one of the greatest ways to break into the writing field. You have such a wide range of readers from toddler to young adults. All you have to do is figure out what you want to write about and you?re on your way.
Chances are good that when you think of children?s books, picture books pop right into your mind. For the most part picture books are usually directed to kids from toddler to grade 4. One thing you have to keep in mind is that the book has to be appealing to the adults as well because they are the ones shelling out the money for them.
Picture books can range from a variety of different topics. You can have fiction, non fiction; they can be about animals, or about different people interacting with different stuff.
There is a basic format for picture books. Traditionally there 32 pages long. That includes every page from front to back. Because of the pictures your story usually has to be told in 14 pages of print. Another thing to remember is that you usually only has around 1000 words to use to write your story. So you have to get a good story in a small amount of space.
Picture books can be tough to write. So many people think that picture books are the way to go but soon find out that that?s not the case. You have to make sure that every word, picture and page has the most amount of detail that counts. You have no room for unnecessary content.
Just because you?re intended audience is youths doesn?t mean every word in your book has to be 4 letters long. Remember its going to be the parents for the most part that are reading the books to their youngsters. Also there is a misconception that all picture books must be rhyming. This is in no way true. As long as you develop a great story rhyming is nice but doesn?t really matter.
Chances are if you think about it then it has been written about already. That?s okay for you to go ahead but you have to find a fresh new way to present the idea. You have to make the publishers want to use it.
Don?t worry if you can?t draw. The editors want to first see if your book can stand on its own with out the pictures. If at that time they decide they like it they will hire an illustrator to help with the pictures. You have to remember that when you are writing a picture book it?s not only about the words. The colors and scenes have to be vibrant. They have to stand on their own.
Before you attempt to write your first picture book make sure you go to your local library or book store and read several different books by several different authors. No one wants you to plagiarize but by studying different styles you can than begin to develop your own style.
Dale Mazurek
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Dale is in the process of getting his first novel published and has been writing professionally on line for two years now. You can check out his ever growing blogs at http://stcajo-readshortstories.blogspot.com/ or http://relationshiptidbits.blogspot.com/ or http://fishingtutor.blogspot.com/ |
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Start Your Children’s Writing Career Today
By richpat1 | June 15, 2008
So you want to write a children’s book. Great! Writing for children is a wonderful hobby or occupation (as in my case).
But where does one start? What does one need to do to become a children’s author? How did I become a published children’s author?
Actually, I decided that I wanted to be a writer before I decided that I wanted to write children’s books. The first thing I did after realising that I wanted to be a writer was join our local writers’ centre. Then I joined a romance writers’ group. Writing romance seemed like a good idea at the time. At a meeting of the romance writers’ group I met several writers who were also writing children’s books.
I hadn’t read a children’s book in quite a few years. And I hadn’t considered writing for children. But the prospect interested me, so off I went to my local library. A visit to my library can take me a good hour (or more) as I study the shelves for books published in the past year or two.
While at the library, I also looked for non-fiction books about writing children’s books. I’ve read every book on writing for children that I could find in the libraries around my city. I’m a member of a lot of different libraries. It’s a joke with me that I collect libraries like some people collect stamps.
Next, I investigated a number of courses about writing children’s books. I settled on an eight week course run by a local college. It covered everything I needed to know about writing for children (well, almost everything) at a very reasonable rate. Later, I completed a picture book course run by an adult education facility.
I call all of this reading and studying my apprenticeship. A writer has to learn how to write a book just as a pilot has to learn how to fly a plane.
After all this learning and writing I was ready to send my work to a manuscript assessment agency, other writers or my local writers’ centre to gain feedback on my writing. I needed to know what I was doing wrong, as well as what I was doing right. This critical assessment of my work was part of my education.
It’s through the writers’ groups I belong to that I learnt about the publishing opportunities which lead to most of my books. Therefore I’m a big fan of networking.
I’m also a big fan of knowledge and practice, as my main publisher said to me in his first email: “you’ve obviously done this before”. Another publisher recently noted in an email to me: “someone who understands a lot about picture book structure”.
So, to reiterate, my advice is:
a) Join writers’ groups. Local and/or online writers’ groups. By joining writers’ groups you hope to network, learn about the publishing world, obtain feedback on your work and make friends with similar interests.
b) Read a lot of recent children’s books. Take notice of what you like and what seems to work. Study the writing. You’re reading for research first, pleasure second.
When I visit the local library I look for recent releases. It’s important to keep up with the market and what’s being published. If you’re writing a book about a comet hurtling towards Earth and a book with a similar storyline has been published in the last year, your story is unlikely to be published, no matter how good it is.
c) Read a lot of books about writing for children. It can help to read books about writing in general. But children’s books are a specialised field. For example, you need to know the different types of children’s books for the various age groups - the word lengths, language, style etc.
d) Write the type of children’s books you enjoy the most. Write every day if possible. Practice makes you a better writer. Practice/repetition is how we learn and master tasks.
e) Take courses on writing for children. The writing for children course I did, many years ago, involved weekly writing assignments. I wrote a picture book, easy reader, early chapter book and sections of longer novels, which were all marked by my tutor. Two of my first six published titles were written during this course.
f) Have your manuscripts assessed by a reputable manuscript assessment service. Due to the volume of submissions publishers receive and the quality of some of these submissions, many publishers are now requesting a manuscript assessment accompany every submission.
g) Write down your dreams and goals. Look at them every day. Break them down into small steps if necessary. Your writing activities should move you towards your writing dreams and goals.
h) Enter competitions. Write articles and short stories. Seek ways of filling your writer’s cv with publishing credits.
Now you’re on your way. From this point on, the secret to becoming a children’s author is persistence. I’ve read and heard quotes from many authors who claim that the secret to their success is persistence. They never gave up!
|
Robyn Opie. |
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How To Write In The Children’s Market (Part 1)
By richpat1 | June 13, 2008
In the next couple of months I will be writing a number of articles about how you can break into the children?s market of writing. This will be a considerably long series so I suggest you keep checking back for the newest post.
Writing children?s literature is a great way to break into the writing market. There is an opening for a wide range of topics because the readers range from toddler to young adult. It?s up to you to figure out what best suits your writing and your ideas. You just have to figure out what you want to write about.
Magazines
Magazines can be the perfect place to break in with your short stories. When you write in magazines it?s the perfect way to build your writing credentials and it also helps to establish you as a professional writer. You don?t just have to publish short stories either. You can publish poetry, verse, puzzles, fiction or non fiction. Books can take for ever to hit the market but with magazine articles you can have your work published in months if not weeks sometimes.
Magazines are a perfect place to get specialty pieces published. As we all know most magazines limit their focuses on specific content.
Magazines aren?t only limited in their content. The intended audiences of most periodicals are limited to particular age levels and genders. Babybugs intended audience is toddlers while the Keynoter is aimed at high school students. Boys Life is geared to boys and Hopscotch is a magazine for girls.
Some magazines devote entire issues to a focused topic or theme. It?s in your best interest to read a magazine that you intend to publish to. Make sure your familiar with the magazine and what kind of content it will accept. Make sure you understand the publisher?s contents. You also want to make sure you know when the magazine publishes. This way you can plan ahead with your stories.
Many writers have gotten their start by writing in magazines. Writing for children can definitely be the easiest genre to follow if you want to follow your dreams.
Dale Mazurek
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Dale is in the process of getting his first novel published. He is also a professional on line writer. You can check out 3 of his very popular blogs at http://stcajo-readshortstories.blogspot.com/ or http://relationshiptidbits.blogspot.com/ and http://affiliatemarketingfornewbies.blogspot.com/ |
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Writing Picture Books for Children
By richpat1 | June 10, 2008
Picture books look easy to write. They usually contain less than 1,000 words with stories that appear so simple that anyone can write one.
In fact, picture books are the hardest of all children’s books to write and do well.
That doesn’t mean you can’t write one. It means that you need to take time to produce your absolute best story and you need to know what you’re doing.
There are a lot of things to consider when writing picture books.
Picture books always have 32 pages. This allows about 28 pages of text. Every page has a colour illustration, either on a single or double-page spread.
The majority of picture books are targeted at children aged between 3 and 8 years old. However, there are a number published for the older audience aged from 9 to 12. The latter stories are more complex, as are the illustrations.
Even though picture books are short they still need to contain all the usual elements of a good story - a main character that readers can identify with and care about and a conflict that needs to be resolved by the end of the story. All picture books have a happy, satisfying ending.
The conflict of a picture book must be something that children of the targeted age group have experience with and therefore understand. It should also be something that interests them.
A general rule is that whatever appears in the illustrations doesn’t need to be mentioned in the text. Firstly, you don’t have to describe your characters in a picture book. The reader can see what the characters look like from the illustrations. Secondly, you don’t need to describe your settings because they also appear in the illustrations.
It is helpful for you to imagine the illustrations as you are writing your story. Of course, the illustrator will probably do something entirely different to what you imagined. But imagining each page helps you see whether there is enough variety in the illustrations and to also decide what to exclude from your text.
Adults read picture books aloud to children. It is important that your story reads well aloud, that it has a lovely flow and rhythm. Hence, sentences should be short and easy to understand. Repetition of a sentence (or sentences) is popular in picture books as it adds to the rhythm and children enjoy joining in.
Picture book texts take a long time to get right. Published writers of picture books spend a lot of time writing their story then perfecting it.
As you are working with a limited number of words, every word is vital. You should consider every word and make sure that it is necessary. You should also ask yourself if the words you are using are the best choices. Consider things like sound, meaning, interest, tension, page-turning cliffhangers etc.
After you are satisfied that you’ve written the best possible picture book, put it away for a week or two, even a month. This distance will allow you to return to it with fresh eyes. Make sure you read it out loud. As I mentioned earlier, picture books are read out loud. Yours must sound great.
I’ve heard many publishers suggest that writers of picture books avoid writing in rhyme. They say that it is extremely difficult to do well. The majority of rhyme-texts they receive simply don’t work and thus are unpublishable.
Another point on publishers is that they prefer to receive the text-only for a picture book - unless you’re lucky enough to be an accomplished illustrator and can write/illustrate your own books. You don’t need to find an illustrator for your story or send illustrations to a publisher. Publishers have a stable of illustrators and they are experienced in deciding who would be best to illustrate your book.
As you are working with a limited number of words and aren’t including in the text what should appear in the illustrations, it is sometimes unclear from your words what should appear in the illustrations. This makes it necessary to include an illustration note next to the page number in your manuscript.
For example, I have a picture book text about a dog. Some of the pages end with - CRASH! SPLASH! OOPS! I don’t explain what happens because it is evident in the illustrations. But a publisher probably needs to know what I’m thinking to get the gist of the story, so I include a note on how I envisage the illustrations.
My advice is that you visit your local library and borrow a huge pile of recent picture books. Take them home and study them. Ask yourself what makes them work and why they are popular with children (and adults).
And take a long time to perfect your picture book. There are no shortcuts to success.
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Robyn Opie. |
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