Post by FangedSmile on Sept 11, 2007 18:30:09 GMT -6
Needs when Writing for Children Part I
I covered some of these ideas in different ways before, but this week we'll consider them from the perspective of false ideas (not-to-dos) that keep circulating about writing for children. Here the first seven of fourteen not-to-dos with suggestions for what-to-do.
Idea 1. Never write "cutesy." You are writing for children who are more clever, discerning, and shrewd than most adults were when children. Television, computers, and Internet have opened the world to today's children. Cutesy will not interest them. They want and deserve substance and excellent writing.
Idea 2. Never talk or write down to children. No one likes to be patronized or to have anyone be condescending. Baby talk is a major "no-no." According to Eugie Foster, in "Ten Myths About Writing for Kids," writers shouldn't underestimate the ability children have to learn new words. "The best way for kids to expand their vocabularies is by encountering new words in an engaging context." Writers should use interesting language that creates strong visual images and in such a manner that children can understand words from context or easily from the person reading the story.
Idea 3. Never preach. Children read for entertainment, not to have another lesson used to beat them over the head. If a story or book has a moral or lesson for children, it should be evolve from the plot and character conflict. The "moral" should be never have to be spelled out. The writer's first duty is to create a good story that's exciting and entertaining. Any lesson should be delivered subtly.
Write4Kids.Com states, "Your job as a writer: to entertain. If your story has a message, tell it through the plot and characters, not by a 'moral' tacked on to the end."
Idea 4. Never write a book without a plot. Even young children like a story to have a beginning, middle, and end; they like the tale to make sense. Even Dr. Seuss' rhyming stories had a plot.
Idea 5. Don't avoid serious or controversial subjects. Children are bombarded with serious subjects every day, many times without understanding them. Television and video games, as well as web sites surfed, smoother kids with tragedy, even if death and violence hasn't touched them personally. A story that introduces tops such as death and handles the subject in realistic, sensitive ways actually help children cope with the realities of the world. Often the plot of a book will open the door for parents to answer questions that disturb their children.
Idea 6. Don't allow adults to "carry the day." Plots need to empower the young protagonist. Of course adults are needed, and their help may be required. However, the solution shouldn't be an adult making a miraculous save, but the character or characters solving problems.
Idea 7. Never use talking animals incorrectly or write in clichés. Originality is needed when writing anything, and that means when writing for children. Any character, especially talking animals, must be three-dimensional, with animals as fully developed as human ones. Quirks, failings, motivations, and personalities should be seen, not flat, clichéd speaking creatures.
Many times when a novice writer incorporates animals as characters in a story, clichés pop up: the ugly duckling that turns into a swan, shy creatures that suddenly become bold enough to save the day, apparently moral-filled stories that show it's okay to be different.
According to Write4Kids.com, using talking animals isn't all bad. "What's important is that your animals have completely developed, unique personalities and characteristics." Children will not be drawn to characters that are stereotypes, even if they are animals.
Next week I will return with the other seven ideas: Don't think all children's stories must include a child; never use rhyme unless used correctly; don't illustrate your own book; never think writing for children is easy; don't believe that research isn't necessary for children's books; and never write before knowing how to write.
www.writing.com/main/view_item/user_id/vzabel
I covered some of these ideas in different ways before, but this week we'll consider them from the perspective of false ideas (not-to-dos) that keep circulating about writing for children. Here the first seven of fourteen not-to-dos with suggestions for what-to-do.
Idea 1. Never write "cutesy." You are writing for children who are more clever, discerning, and shrewd than most adults were when children. Television, computers, and Internet have opened the world to today's children. Cutesy will not interest them. They want and deserve substance and excellent writing.
Idea 2. Never talk or write down to children. No one likes to be patronized or to have anyone be condescending. Baby talk is a major "no-no." According to Eugie Foster, in "Ten Myths About Writing for Kids," writers shouldn't underestimate the ability children have to learn new words. "The best way for kids to expand their vocabularies is by encountering new words in an engaging context." Writers should use interesting language that creates strong visual images and in such a manner that children can understand words from context or easily from the person reading the story.
Idea 3. Never preach. Children read for entertainment, not to have another lesson used to beat them over the head. If a story or book has a moral or lesson for children, it should be evolve from the plot and character conflict. The "moral" should be never have to be spelled out. The writer's first duty is to create a good story that's exciting and entertaining. Any lesson should be delivered subtly.
Write4Kids.Com states, "Your job as a writer: to entertain. If your story has a message, tell it through the plot and characters, not by a 'moral' tacked on to the end."
Idea 4. Never write a book without a plot. Even young children like a story to have a beginning, middle, and end; they like the tale to make sense. Even Dr. Seuss' rhyming stories had a plot.
Idea 5. Don't avoid serious or controversial subjects. Children are bombarded with serious subjects every day, many times without understanding them. Television and video games, as well as web sites surfed, smoother kids with tragedy, even if death and violence hasn't touched them personally. A story that introduces tops such as death and handles the subject in realistic, sensitive ways actually help children cope with the realities of the world. Often the plot of a book will open the door for parents to answer questions that disturb their children.
Idea 6. Don't allow adults to "carry the day." Plots need to empower the young protagonist. Of course adults are needed, and their help may be required. However, the solution shouldn't be an adult making a miraculous save, but the character or characters solving problems.
Idea 7. Never use talking animals incorrectly or write in clichés. Originality is needed when writing anything, and that means when writing for children. Any character, especially talking animals, must be three-dimensional, with animals as fully developed as human ones. Quirks, failings, motivations, and personalities should be seen, not flat, clichéd speaking creatures.
Many times when a novice writer incorporates animals as characters in a story, clichés pop up: the ugly duckling that turns into a swan, shy creatures that suddenly become bold enough to save the day, apparently moral-filled stories that show it's okay to be different.
According to Write4Kids.com, using talking animals isn't all bad. "What's important is that your animals have completely developed, unique personalities and characteristics." Children will not be drawn to characters that are stereotypes, even if they are animals.
Next week I will return with the other seven ideas: Don't think all children's stories must include a child; never use rhyme unless used correctly; don't illustrate your own book; never think writing for children is easy; don't believe that research isn't necessary for children's books; and never write before knowing how to write.
www.writing.com/main/view_item/user_id/vzabel