Write Fiction for Children

Do you want to write children's fiction? Maybe you think kid's are easier to write for than adults; I did. When I first began to write, it was for my grand-kids only. I used their names and invented cute, happy scenarios with very small 'mishaps'. There was absolutely no danger. They weren't bad for their purpose, but they definitely wouldn't be considered good. I thought they were, though. I was proud of them; I still am. Their purpose was to let the kids know I was thinking of them. They were the intended audience and they applauded. My goal was accomplished.

Now, years later, I know how difficult it is to write fiction for children. When I hear a remark about how writing kids-lit is easy, that anyone can do it, I want to sit that person down and let him show me.

I've heard comments that suggest writing for children is the simple'beginners genre'. I knew the speaker was a non-writer because nothing could be farther from the truth. It's not easy for an author to put himself inside a child's head and let him be and act himself. The voice, speech, tone, facial expressions - all have to be exact replicas of a child. Not a small adult. Children are quick to recognize an adult in child's clothing; they won't be fooled by simple language. Adults always want to get in the way and tell them what to do and say. It takes a good writer to let a child solve his own problems with no interference.

Most people read to escape reality. They want excitement, danger, heros and bad guys. This includes child readers. They don't want to read about boring everyday life. No, they want to see another youngster doing the things they only can dream about. They want to see someone their age successfully solving their problems with little or no, adult assistance. They need to struggle, work, almost fail - but win out at the end. They want exciting, but believable adventures!

The movie, Home Alone is a good example; also the books of Harry Potter.
Home Alone put the child in real danger and used his imagination to get the bad guys. The main character wasn't kept sweet and pleasant smelling either. He had a realistic personality which made money for his creator. His problem was believable. Harry Potter had magical help, so he wasn't really on his own, but, adults were scarce.

Kids fantasize about being on their own and able to take care of themselves. A plot that will allow a child to find his own way out with little or no adult help, and still be believable, isn't easy. They need to be able to relate to it fully. When the main character finally solves his problem, the moral is learned.

See the difference? In adult fiction, we can always bring the entire Army in if we have to. Kids are left to their and your creative imagination. They need to do it their self.

Harriet has reviewed over 8,000 new writers and written many newsletters and articles on the topic. She is a Moderator and author at http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Creative Writing which welcomes new writers. Her portfolio is found at http://www.Writing.Com/authors/storytime

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