When a child replies to a question with an unexpected
answer, do you scribble that response in a notebook? When you overhear a belly laugh from
the other side of the library bookshelf, do you imagine gut
laugh-worthy situations? Do you choose to stand in the long line in the grocery
store simply to eavesdrop on the conversation between the teenagers?
If you answer yes to these questions, you might be a
children’s writer. Sometimes it seems like writers are a dime a dozen anymore.
What distinguishes a children’s writer from any other kind of writer is where
they find their inspiration. If you have children, then you already have access
to their friends, school, and members of any teams they may participate in.
Don’t underestimate the value of being surrounded by kids in any of these
situations. Listening to how they interact with each other and adults is
crucial in character building. Hearing their vocabulary, understanding their
hobbies, and seeing their wardrobe is all priceless research.
If you don’t have children of your own, or if yours are
grown, I urge you to volunteer in schools, the public library, or after school
programs—any place where you will be surrounded by the age of children you hope
to write for. You will learn what is important to children, while helping to provide
a safe and effective venue in which they can learn or play.
The semantics of writing for children isn’t too different
than writing for adults: strong
characters, compelling story, and good grammar. However, finding what to write
about and how to write it will be most effective if you spend time around your
target audience. Plus, you get the extra benefit of having some fun.
Kai Strand, author of:
King
of Bad, coming in 2013
What is a blog hop?
A blog hop is a linky list that is SHARED ON MULTIPLE BLOGS. When several blogs put the same linky list code on their blog, the exact same list appears on each blog. Blog visitors can submit their entries on any blog that contains the list. The entries will appear on each blog where the list resides. Blog readers see the same list on each blog, and can "HOP" from blog to blog seeing the same list of links to follow: BLOG HOP!
Book Lovers Blog Hop:
Make friends, share the love of reading and be entered to win a FREE book!
For the list of Hop Rules visit:
4 comments:
Great inspiration about inspiration! Surround yourself with the children that you are writing for. Great advice Kai.
I love talking to children and finding out about the things that inspire them. My two nephews make up silly characters and I write poems and stories for just them. My book Down The Plughole was inspired by my own children, they are now 22 and 20 and my nephews who are 3 and 8. I now write as much as I can. I absolutely love it.
Thank you for hosting me today! It is always fun to get to know new readers. If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask. I'm happy to answer.
An online kids book can be really interactive and different from a traditional book in many good ways. Children book has vastly improved over the time and many child psychologists too are taking active part in the designing and writing of the books. An inspiring childrens book can help the child go through the childhood crises. Kids inspirational book may have the stories that the child is seeking.
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