Children’s Writing 101: Five Common Misconceptions
by Michelle Medlock Adams @INWriterGirl
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| 5 Common misconceptions when writing for children. |
Every time I teach “Writing
for Children” at a writers conference or teach a “Children’s Writing 101”
class at a university, I'm asked some of the same questions, so I’ve decided to
address five of the most common myths surrounding this genre.
They say “the truth shall
set you free,” so get ready to experience some freedom in this blog.
Number one:
MYTH: Writing books for
children is much easier than writing books for adults.
TRUTH: Good writing is tough
no matter what genre we’re talking about; however, writing for children can be one
of the most difficult to master and one of the most difficult to break into—but
you can do it!
MORE TO PONDER…
- You have to say a lot in so few words—must make every single word count!
- You must be selective in word choice so that each word matches grade level. (Get a copy of the “Children’s Writer’s Word Book” by Alijandra Mogilner, published by Writer’s Digest Books.)
- t’s highly competitive! (The average national publisher receives 6,000 -15,000 unsolicited manuscripts a year, and of those, they publish 2-3. The rest of the books they publish come from agents, from authors they’re already publishing, and from other authors they meet at conferences.) But, you can do it!!!
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| Is there really such a thing as a slouch pile? |
I recently read an
interview with a children’s book editor at Bloomsbury Children’s Books in NYC
and the interviewer asked her, “Is there really a slush pile? If so, how many
manuscripts would you estimate are in it?”
She replied, “It is many
piles. It is huge! And I have no idea—maybe a thousand manuscripts in it.”
Then she was asked, “What
percentage of manuscripts from the slush pile do you estimate get published?”
She answered, “Less than 1
percent but that’s still a real number—we get thousands of submission a year,
and every year, we find one or two great things in it.”
So, you could be in that 1
percent!
FAST STATS: GOOD NEWS!!
E-books are giving
children’s writers more opportunities to publish their work! In fact, 11
million parents have purchased an e-book and 19.6 million parents plan to buy
an e-book in the future, according to recent stats.
Number two:
MYTH: Children’s stories
should always teach a lesson.
TRUTH: Children (as well as
children’s book editors) dislike preachy books.
MORE TO PONDER…
- Good children’s books usually have a message woven throughout the text, but the story is what drives the text. Of course…there is an exception to every rule.
- Good example…Veggie Tales books teach good morals, but they are fun, silly and kid-friendly while doing so!
INTERESTING FACTOID…
Want to see a list of
best-selling children’s books? Read this article at: http://www.timeout.com/new-york-kids/things-to-do/the-50-best-books-for-kids?cmpid=ppcaw-Kids-Books
online.
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| Any adult in the story is simply a sidekick, NOT the problem solver. |
Number three:
MYTH: The adult in the story
should solve the problem.
TRUTH: Actually, any adult
in the story is simply a sidekick. The main character must be the child, and
that child must solve the problem. He can certainly take advice from an adult,
but the child needs to do the problem solving.
MORE TO PONDER…
Through our books, we want
to empower the child, not tell the child that an adult must always solve every
problem. We want to instill the message of “I can do all things through Christ
who strengthens me”—in a sneaky, funny, kid-friendly way!
Number four:
MYTH: After I write my
children’s story, I need to find an illustrator to illustrate my story before
submitting it anywhere.
TRUTH: Unless you are a
professional artist yourself, it’s not wise to send pictures with your
manuscripts. In fact, it might even hurt your chances for publication.
MORE TO PONDER…
- The editor might really love your words but despise the artwork that your sister did to accompany each page. Her yucky artwork could nix the whole deal for you.
- Editors at publishing houses already have a list of talented illustrators that they love to use, so let them choose your artist.
- Especially if you’re a first-time children’s author, the publisher will try to pair you with a better-known illustrator to improve your chances for better book sales.
Number five:
MYTH: Writing my book in
rhyme will give my book a better chance.
TRUTH: Actually, it could
hurt your story’s publication chances. Some editors despise rhyme because they
receive so many poorly written rhyming books; therefore, they are prejudiced
AGAINST rhyme. However, if you can write rhyme well, go for it!
MORE TO PONDER…
- FYI: I have sold more than 40 children’s books to publishers such as Zonderkidz, Simon & Schuster, Ideals Children’s Books and Concordia, and all but my non-fiction library books are written in rhyme!
- Rhyme isn’t a crime, as some editors would have you think— it sells well! (Just get yourself a rhyming dictionary for help!)
Now it's your turn. Share an questions you have for Michelle in the comments section below.
And don't forget to join the conversation!
TWEETABLES
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Michelle Medlock Adams is an award-winning journalist and
best-selling author, earning top honors from the Associated Press, the Society
of Professional Journalists and the Hoosier State Press Association. Author of
over 60 books, Michelle has written more than 1,000 articles for newspapers and
magazines since graduating with a journalism degree from Indiana University.
Recently, her book, God Knows You, won “The SELAH Award” for best
children’s book in 2014, as well as “Book of the Year.” Also, her children’s
book, My Big Book of Prayers, won “The SELAH Award” for best children’s
book in 2012, and Michelle’s book, Divine Stories of the Yahweh Sisterhood was
named a Family Christian Bookstores Premiere Pick in 2006.
Michelle is also a blogger for Guideposts, writing twice weekly
for “Deadlines, Grocery Lines, Laugh Lines.” When not working on her own
assignments, Michelle ghostwrites books for celebrities and some of today’s
most effective and popular ministers. She helped pen a New York Times
Bestseller in 2008. Michelle is also a much sought after teacher at writers
conferences and universities around the nation. In fact, she just finished
serving as an adjunct professor at Taylor University last year, teaching “Writing
for Children Boot Camp.” Michelle also loves speaking to women’s groups, youth
groups, and congregations, encouraging others to discover their destinies in
God. Michelle is married to her high school sweetheart, Jeff, and they have two
college-aged daughters, Abby and Allyson, as well as a small petting zoo. When
not writing or teaching writing, Michelle enjoys cheering on the Indiana
University Basketball team, the Chicago Cubbies, and the LA Kings. www.michellemedlockadams.com
https://www.facebook.com/#!/michellemedlock.adams
Twitter and
Instagram: INwritergirl
Really great post! I've sent the link to a friend who is writing children's books. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteReally great article. I am thinking about entering this genre and the information was very helpful.
ReplyDelete