So You Want to Write Children’s Picture Books?
It looks so easy.
Less than a thousand words and some accompanying pictures. How difficult could it be to write a children’s picture book?
Actually, more difficult than most people think!
Perhaps you have a story you’ve told to your children or grandchildren for years. Everyone who hears it encourages you to “Write a book!” God may, indeed, be prompting you to write a children’s picture book.
Unfortunately, many people begin the process like the character in this video clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-l68L0h-go&feature=youtu.be
Here’s a glimpse of what writing a children’s book entails:
First, it’s important to research in at least three ways:
– Study the market. Read other picture books. Is your story similar to other published books?
– Study your audience. Are you familiar with their likes and dislikes? Are you comfortable using vocabulary appropriate to their age?
– Study the publishing industry. Attend writers’ conferences and join associations such as the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Which publishers are pursuing picture books? What are their writers’ guidelines? Do they prefer characters who are people or animals? If it’s a Christian book, does the publisher have a particular doctrinal focus?
Second, it’s important to understand your own motive:
– Are you writing the book to become rich and famous – to be another J.K. Rowling? If you are, stop now and pick another career. Rowling is the exception, not the rule. Besides, God’s definition of success is not the same as the world’s definition. Will you be content to be successful in God’s eyes alone?
– Are you writing the book because everyone has told you what a gifted writer you are? The ability to write, like any gift or talent the Lord gives us, should be used to glorify Him and serve His people, not to make a name for ourselves. Second Corinthians 10:17-18 tells us, “But, ‘Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.’ For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.” Even if you’re writing for the secular market, your motive can still be to honor the One who gave you this gift!
Third, as you write:
– Pray! Depend on the Holy Spirit, not your own perceived abilities, no matter how good people have said you are. Ask the Lord to show you what He wants you to write. I’ve learned, often the hard way, that my falls are the most painful when I depend on myself!
– Carefully handle God’s Word. Don’t take verses out of context to make your point. Guard against teaching error in efforts to simplify Bible truth for young children.
– Persevere! Don’t be content with the first, second, or even third draft. Evaluate your rhythm and rhyme. Don’t settle for good work – make it great!
There’s nothing more satisfying that fulfilling the purpose for which God has created you. If that purpose is to write for Him and His people – or whatever it is – go for it!
For you writers out there, what else would you add to this list?
