How to write a children’s book

Have you ever fancied penning a children’s novel? It’s probably easier than you think, says Lorna White

We have many fond childhood memories of reading favourite books such as The Famous Five, Malory Towers and The Railway Children. Writing your own children’s book can be incredibly rewarding, from letting your imagination run wild on paper to creating a personalised book for your grandchildren. Here’s everything you need to know:

Finding your inspiration

Ideas can come from almost anywhere, whether it’s a pet, your grandchildren or even the wildlife in your garden. It’s very important to read and research a range of books before writing to give you a good idea of the kinds of tales that have been written before. Best-selling children’s author Julia Donaldson, believes research is very important.

“If you seriously want to write for children it’s important to be clued up on what’s out there. A lot of people just churn out stories they liked as a child – equivalent to Thomas the Tank Engine – but you need to be aware of the different genres.”

Who are you writing for?

When thinking up ideas, keep in mind who you are writing for. Will your book be aimed at four to fiveyear-olds who are just starting to read for themselves, or is it aimed at older children aged nine or ten who can confidently read longer books? For a younger audience, the story should be more picture led, so it’s

important your story can be played out very visually. If an older audience is reading, you could venture into a more emotional, grown-up subject.

Developing an idea

Put yourself in the shoes of the child you are writing for. Create a strong lead character that your reader can easily relate to. From here, you can decide on how the story will flow. Will it be set in the past or present tense? Will the story be from the main character’s perspective or narrated?

Try not to overcomplicate the plot of your story, even when writing for older children, as youngsters can often give up on books with a confusing plot, but ensure you include plenty of action to draw in younger readers and keep them excited about where the story is going. Children’s author Julia Donaldson advises up-and-coming writers to give the main character a quandary,

“Give your character a problem and make it get worse before it gets better.”

Have a go at illustrating

Did you know that Beatrix Potter illustrated all of her own books? It can be exciting to bring your story to life exactly how you picture it in your mind. Start by sketching out some character ideas. Painting is often the best way to create illustrations. Once you’re happy with your artwork you’ll need to scan it onto a computer, ready to be published.

If you’re not keen on illustrating yourself, you can commission an artist to help you for a fee. Search online to research different illustration styles, or contact your local art college to ask if any students might be interested in a commission.

How to self-publish

Giving a copy of your book to your grandchildren as a gift is a lovely idea for any occasion and publishing a small number of copies has never been easier if you have internet access. All you’ll need is your copy and illustrations to create your book, with prices starting at £1.99 for a small, 24-page softback black and white book ranging to a large, 24-page hardback colour book for £15.99.