Writing the words.
Step 1 in the ‘How do I self publish a Children’s Book’ exploration.
(The words and opinions of this blog are that of the author and her experiences. This is not professional advice, and should not be used in lieu of that.)My first blog post was an overview, so lets get into the specifics.
Step one is writing the words. Without the story, there can be no book (except for the wordless picture books which are also important but not what we are talking about today). Here’s my breakdown on the writing the words part.
Writing for your audience.
A manuscript is a fancy word for the text part of a story (I’m sure most people know that but it wasn’t lingo I was up to date with myself initially). When writing a manuscript, you really need to have your ideal reader in mind. I recommend actually envisioning your ideal reader. Like really envision them, you could even write a character sheet (I have one in my free resources).
Ask yourself what’s the ideal age of your audience?
What are they interested in?
How would they talk? What kind of words would they use and connect with? (Is a children’s book the right place for a word like ‘superfluous’?)
What is the point of your story? I like to say you should be able to describe it in one sentence, for example: “My Brain is a Race Car is a story about understanding and accomodating for a neurodivergent brain.”
I read somewhere (oooh, the credibility I have set the following sentence up for, haha) that often the best children’s books have no purpose/point at all. What I am trying to get at with this unverified sentence is, that although I have really strong messages and purpose in my stories, that does not mean EVERY book needs to hold that kind of weight. A lot of books are just for entertainment purposes - as they should be! Story time is imagination activating, emotion capturing, connection enhancing - and books can do that by being entertaining.
Structuring your story.
A children’s book is commonly a shorter manuscript, averaging 25 - 35 pages and 1-2 sentences per page. These are not rigid rules, think them more as guidelines. You could absolutely write a 70 page children’s book thats 5 sentences per page, but…
Think about if your ideal audience will sit through that story length, and
The poor illustrator (be it you or someone else) will end up with carpal tunnel and have to retire.
Next, think if you want rhyming. Rhyming can be hard and stressful and frustrating… but it can also be impactful.
Rhyming gets the reader in a groove as they read, a flow happens with the words.
Rhyming also seems to catch young minds (and ears) for longer, so there’s a double benefit effect.
You do not have to have a rhyming book, some of the leading children’s books don’t rhyme! It’s just another point of choice, and something to think early to prevent a lot of rewriting. I usually have a site called Rhyme Zone (link to the site) open near me when I write, to help me when I get blocked or stuck.
Think of the book in its real life form.
A picture book talks to its reader in two ways simultaneously, through the words and pictures.
The art is there to enhance the story - to tell MORE, to replace words for little eyes. To fill the gaps that will be present in limited word counts, and give extra context. We are visual learners first and foremost, and imaginative too. I love the stories my youngest can create from just looking at the pictures.
It is so important that the relationship between words and art is harmonious, but so are the pages.
When I’m saying to think ahead of the physical book, think of the pages in sets of two - the ones that will face each other on an open spread. Do the pages connect and interact? Will the art span across both or two separate images? How will those images speak when placed next to each other? Do the words compliment that?
Does a small shuffle around or adding a filler page or compacting pages need to happen?
Write in sets of twos.
Ok, it’s time for the actual writing part.
How do you work best? That way is the best way for you to write your book.
For me, I actually have a few ways, all of them are beneficial at their own time and in their own way.
In my notes app.
Great for writing on the go and working in between the bigger moments.
In a Word Doc.
In my email, in Google docs, Great and easy to transfer, saved to my gmail so if my laptop or anything goes cactus, it will still exist and be accessible.
I’m actually shocked at the logic and genius behind this, shame it’s my least used form.
Post It Notes.
Post it notes are great for brain dumping, visual people and for stories that haven’t found their order or flow yet.
This is a deconstructed story, ideas just ideas slammed down on independent paper, with freedom to move up, down, it’s a great visual tool.
Whiteboard.
Writing on whiteboards hits different with that smooth surface, but it is also risqué as nothing is permanent. It’s a dance with fire.
If I’m in whiteboard writing mode, I take photos, LOTS of photos - they can be a life saver when pets or kids or you or others accidentally wipe away the gold.
This was back when I was writing My Feelings are Waves during a live stream on Instagram (I think). I would write, fill the board, TAKE A PHOTO, then clear and go again.
Keep a journal handy.
Or multiples. In the car, in your bag, on the table next to your bed. Where do your ideas spark? I bet its at the most inconvenient times - showering, right before you drift off. Ideas that disappear into the wind if you don’t grab them and make theme real.
All of these ways end in the same result, a manuscript. As long as it ends up in a digital format, then you’re good and ready for the next step. I know of another amazing Author Illustrator who says that she has to sit down and smash it out in one sitting.
For me, it brews - it continuously swirls in my brain for days, weeks, months… then it’s almost like a download from brain into a physical piece. It may be a partial download where it’s crucial pages of the book, the beginning, the middle, or the end - or a combination of all. This is how my brain works and my subconscious is a very busy place, so lean into how YOUR brain works to remove as much friction as possible to create.
To be creative in a world that does not offer space, time, is already a huge push back against society. We have to physically carve out time in a stressful schedule to be able to create - which is so counterintuitive to how passion and creativity work. So don’t make it harder for yourself, create YOUR way and don’t let yourself be told you’re wrong.
Time to go back to school…
Before you have a heart attack - I’m not talking literally, just in process. I personally love to NEVER reflect on my school days, but here we are going back to primary English (or your primary language class).
It’s time to proof read and edit.
I actually will close out from the manuscript for at least a week once I feel it’s completed, not look at it or do any edits. I feel it lets the words settle and my head clear, so I’m not caught up in that feverish inspiration that can have me breezing over simple mistakes. Once I am ready to revisit, I read it and then read it again. I read it out loud, to myself, to my partner, and then to my daughters. I read it so much I usually can recite it by the time I’m done.
Then, I share it with people I trust. I ask for editing feedback, spelling errors, and am open to their thoughts. As the saying goes, too many cooks spoil the broth. Take feedback and CONSTRUCTIVE criticism on, but if you truly feel it’s not of benefit to your story, I always believe to go with YOUR heart. You can hire an editor (if you want) but as with every industry, DO YOUR RESEARCH - don’t fall down the hole of charismatic people who can talk the talk.
