We explain step by step how to write a story to publish it successfully.

Indeed you have thought about writing a book. You love reading, and you finally want to make that dream of writing your book come true. However, writing can be pretty complicated if you don't have certain essential aspects in mind. For example, developing a routine, being aware of the most problematic days, reediting all the texts you have already written, and so on. Nevertheless, writing work is one of the most satisfying experiences we can have as literature lovers. In this case, we are going to deal with the elaboration of a children's book.

Used Source:

1. https://www.paperhelp.org/

2.https://westmont.instructure.com/eportfolios/1239/Home/5_Tips_for_Better_Writing_by_PaperHelp

The children's book

We speak of a children's book when it is a reasonable length, which usually aims to reach an early age audience. However, this should never affect the subject matter but rather the treatment of the book.

How to write it is one of the difficulties we will try to solve for you, since you must bear in mind elements such as creating attractive characters, plots following the readers to whom they are addressed, scenarios conducive to arouse interest, etc.

Likewise, the key to making up the book's essential body is not to think about how long it will take us, the number of pages we will write. All this would be a mistake. We must keep in mind what we will tell, how we will say to it, and whom it will address.

Research comes first

As a first step, it is essential to know what we will write about—the what and the how are equally important when we write. Therefore, we must ask ourselves the following question: What are we writing about? Being an avid reader helps a lot since it is necessary to have an excellent base to know which books work in the market or the genres and plots that most attract the average reader.

Next, we have to know our target audience and, consequently, know the genre to which we will adapt to carry out our children's work. All this to speed up the writing process. For example, if we are familiar with science fiction novels, it will be easier to write than any other of a different genre.

If we have already decided on the genre, it is time to address the target audience aspect. In this case, children's books are usually aimed at children and pre-adolescents. In this sense, we are dealing with a group of potential readers who are constantly facing intense experiences and tend to be quite rebellious by the nature of their age.

Therefore, we need to think about what we can offer to this group of readers. With this in mind, we need to ask ourselves the following questions: What books do they read? Will they buy my idea? How can I make my children's book attractive? The answer to all these questions can be indispensable for us to find the key to our work. You should also ask yourself why a particular book was read by a child close to you.

Every story starts with an idea.

If we want our children's book to be a story worth reading, we will have to find one or more significant ideas that will attract our readers. However, simple statements are never enough; writers must know how to approach the work in all its dimensions.

The idea itself is the beginning or the basis of every book. However, we are talking about an arduous task, the composition of which will force us to fail, again and again, sometimes leading us to despair, but we must not succumb. It is a standard process for all writers who, after resolving their doubts, can write the book. 

In this sense, it will guarantee us greater success chances if there is a passion for the idea we develop. Thus, we will be able to enjoy the pleasure of writing our plots and characters. Likewise, such facts will provoke mutual feelings between writer and reader, which will make the book a much more enjoyable product.

Plot and denouement

We are not discovering anything with these concepts, but they are fundamental to achieve a quality children's story. The first chapters introduce what we want to tell, the reasons we give to the audience to get their attention and get them hooked on our story. 

However, since first impressions are unique, there is a significant risk, so if we fail to achieve good sensations, the children's audience's impact will be less. It could lead to catastrophic results for our book or children's story. Therefore, the beginning has to be fluid, engaging, and captivating. 

Having done this, we can now begin the body of the story. If we do not follow a strict and detailed order of chapters, we run the risk of getting lost in an amalgam of pages. Therefore, it is plausible to make outlines that guarantee the correct development of the children's book plots we are writing.

For example, we can take the famous red threads of detective novels as a reference. In any case, it is essential not to go overboard with this, but we have to mark the basic guidelines to maintain a constant and fixed course to reach a coherent and logical ending.

 The bulk of our book

As we mentioned, each chapter will constitute the development of the work, from the very approach to the outcome that we consider. Logically, there is no rule book with the necessary extensions for each one. However, we can say that they should not be too long since we are dealing with a reader with a limited attention span. 

Based on the plot that we develop, we will have a determined total length. Thus, with the chapters, we will present all the conflicts and plot twists that our characters experience. Likewise, we cannot use these resources excessively since losing the readers is possible.

Following this dynamic, it should be noted that the cohesion between chapters is crucial. In certain books, we appreciate techniques such as flashback and flashforward, which are based on moving us to a point in the past and the future, respectively. However, we do not recommend them to our target audience.

On the other hand, it is necessary to consider all the data that we are providing to the readers. In this aspect, we should not be too exhaustive but limit ourselves to the strictly elementary regarding the characters, situations, or scenarios, just as we have to select the precise moments to mention them.

How to design good characters

They are the essential part of the story. The plot's development is embodied in their figures since they carry out all the actions we narrate in our pages. Due to their enormous relevance, we must think about the characteristics of each of our characters.

Thanks to the book format, we can have more freedom to design characters. If they present enough details, they will always be valid, but remember that large quantities are not usually beneficial for our children's book. In this way, the reader has to know who and what characterizes him/her within the story we have built.

On the other hand, we recommend that the protagonists respond to the same profile as your readers, making it easier for them to connect. Remember that we are talking about very young people whose lives are marked by their first experiences and strong emotions.

Internal structure and narrative rhythm

We have to go back to the elaboration of the outline. Clarity about what and how we will tell the story will be a great help to prevent the reader from getting lost in what we are narrating. The beginning, middle, and end structure usually work because of its simplicity, but it is not obligatory to use it if it does not fit our story.

On the other hand, dialogues are a valuable tool for establishing relationships between characters and developing their conflicts. In a children's book, they are indispensable to show the characters' true personality, but we must always keep in mind narrative coherence.

Regarding the rhythm of the work, we have to be clear about several elements. On the one hand, keeping the balance is fundamental since any kind of chaos in a children's book can be disastrous. On the other hand, the pace must be fast-paced and exciting, although our book's genre will determine whether it has to present more suspense, action, etc.

We must always keep in mind what is most appropriate for our audience. Reading enjoyment is our goal, so we should not overload or fatigue readers with multiple plot twists or too much tension. There is no magic formula to achieve this, but we must pay attention to what the plot demands at any given moment.

How do I publish my children's book?

You already have everything you need to start writing a children's book. Please don't despair, as it is a long and tedious, though rewarding, process. Don't be afraid to reedit and always try to finish your work with all the care you need.

In case you have already achieved it, you will ask yourself: What now, what do I do next? The answer is easy; go to the publishing house that most convinces you among the many that exist, but which one can it be?