Guide your child through writing a book
The only one who doesn't make mistakes is the one who doesn't do anything. -V. I. Lenin
If your child loves to read, he or she may also have the talent to write, too. Children who relish books have a higher tendency to write, and look for opportunities to write and share their work..even get published. Your child may be interested in writing a book, journalism, prose or more. This article will be a guide that supports you support your child writer.
For more information, visit KidPrentice.com.
If your child loves to read, he or she may also have the talent to write, too. Children who relish books have a higher tendency to write, and look for opportunities to write and share their work..even get published. Your child may be interested in writing a book, journalism, prose or more. This article will be a guide that supports you support your child writer.
For more information, visit KidPrentice.com.
Contents at a Glance
Teaching or guiding kids to write a book
Easy Steps to Writing
Keep it simple. Keep it fun. Most importantly, encourage your child to just start writing.
If you don't allow yourself the possibility of writing something very, very bad, it would be hard to write something very good. - Steven Galloway
Beyond knowing and teaching the basic structures of writing, where do you start? There are no secrets to writing and publishing a book, but there are many resources that will tell you how. Just like a good story, we'll keep this guide simple.
Read on as we recommend these simple steps to guide your children in writing a book.
Beyond knowing and teaching the basic structures of writing, where do you start? There are no secrets to writing and publishing a book, but there are many resources that will tell you how. Just like a good story, we'll keep this guide simple.
Read on as we recommend these simple steps to guide your children in writing a book.
Brainstorm Ideas
What do your children want to write about?
I recommend using a new journal for each story/book that they write. But consider freeflow on a piece of paper, white board or chalk board.Ask them... is this a fictional or non-fictional story? Is it a real-life event, or something you imagine?
What is the story's genre? Science fiction, fantasy, biography, history, romance, etcetera?
Is this story going to make the reader feel happy, sad, inspired, excited, loved, more knowledgeable, etcetera?
Who is the main character of the story? Is this a person, animal, made-up character? Describe the main character.
Who are the other characters of the story?
What is the setting of the story - at home, on the beach, in France, at school, at a made-up place?
What happens at the end of the story? This can certainly change, but it gives a young writer direction - developing their story for the end.
Start writing
Outlining vs. Free writing
Your child may outline the plot of their story or write freely. The most important thing for you, as the parent, is to not get in their way. Most parents are the lids to their own children's creativity and expression.
Don't recommend an outline if they would rather start writing. Don't recommend that they start writing if they want to plan out their writing (outline). Less of US means more of their own creativity to shine.
Never edit during the story-writing process. Be there only to answer questions - the guiding part of the process has already passed. The more we guide them through the writing process, the less creative they are. Remember, this is their story. Not ours. Amazing stories come from their imaginations.
During their writing, recommend the following actions:
1. Illustrate or draw during the writing.
This helps them imagine and create the setting, character, expand on the story and plot.
2. Write down some titles.
The Title can help guide your child in the second draft of the story. It frames the story, though it can change several times before the story is final.
A few questions to ask that can guide them in creating a title:
1. What do you want to name your book?
2. What title would have readers want to read your book?
Don't recommend an outline if they would rather start writing. Don't recommend that they start writing if they want to plan out their writing (outline). Less of US means more of their own creativity to shine.
Never edit during the story-writing process. Be there only to answer questions - the guiding part of the process has already passed. The more we guide them through the writing process, the less creative they are. Remember, this is their story. Not ours. Amazing stories come from their imaginations.
During their writing, recommend the following actions:
1. Illustrate or draw during the writing.
This helps them imagine and create the setting, character, expand on the story and plot.
2. Write down some titles.
The Title can help guide your child in the second draft of the story. It frames the story, though it can change several times before the story is final.
A few questions to ask that can guide them in creating a title:
1. What do you want to name your book?
2. What title would have readers want to read your book?
Proofreading and Sharing the Story
Wait until after your child is done writing their 1st draft.
It's time to proofread the book and get some feedback.
1. Grammar and spelling
2. Is the beginning of the story intriguing? Does it motivate the reader to continue reading?
3. Is the middle of the story convincing? Do you learn about the character or the plot in the middle of the story?
4. Does the end pull the story together?
Ask their peers
The best critics are the readers themselves. Ask kids their age to read the story. Gauge their reactions to the story - facial and vocal. Expressions don't lie.
Make sure your child understands that every writer also has an editor and relies on reviews. It's part of the process to becoming a writer or novelist.
Also let your child know that everyone has their favorite genre or story type. Not everyone may like science fiction or biographies, etcetera. Distinguish an opinion vs. criticism.
1. Grammar and spelling
2. Is the beginning of the story intriguing? Does it motivate the reader to continue reading?
3. Is the middle of the story convincing? Do you learn about the character or the plot in the middle of the story?
4. Does the end pull the story together?
Ask their peers
The best critics are the readers themselves. Ask kids their age to read the story. Gauge their reactions to the story - facial and vocal. Expressions don't lie.
Make sure your child understands that every writer also has an editor and relies on reviews. It's part of the process to becoming a writer or novelist.
Also let your child know that everyone has their favorite genre or story type. Not everyone may like science fiction or biographies, etcetera. Distinguish an opinion vs. criticism.
Illustrating
Children can also illustrate their own books or ask others.
Illustrating can help with their writing for their second and subsequent drafts. Enlisting the help of other children can also open up their ideas in their following drafts.
Here are some other Book Illustrators to review, as well:
Children's Illustrators:
This unique online community currently counts 743 illustrators, 18 agents showcasing 22666 illustrations and 1824 published books!
Here are some other Book Illustrators to review, as well:
Children's Illustrators:
This unique online community currently counts 743 illustrators, 18 agents showcasing 22666 illustrations and 1824 published books!
Publish your child's book
Here are some great resources for publishing.
KidPub.com Highlights:
-Your book professionally printed in paperback format
-Copies delivered to your home
-Your book sold on Amazon.com, the world's largest bookstore, and on KidPub
-Press release announcing your book sent to hundreds of newspapers and magazines
-Earn royalties on every sale
-Extra copies available to you at a discount
Tikatok.com Highlights:
Where kids write, illustrate and publish their own books.
-Create your story right on the website
-Upload your drawings or photos
-Buy as many copies as you want
-Your book professionally printed in paperback format
-Copies delivered to your home
-Your book sold on Amazon.com, the world's largest bookstore, and on KidPub
-Press release announcing your book sent to hundreds of newspapers and magazines
-Earn royalties on every sale
-Extra copies available to you at a discount
Tikatok.com Highlights:
Where kids write, illustrate and publish their own books.
-Create your story right on the website
-Upload your drawings or photos
-Buy as many copies as you want
Kids under 13 publish their books
Tikatok, a unique, free online community where kids under 13 can write, illustrate, publish, and print their own books
Kids and Teens Writing in the News
- Writers Collaborative plans Westboro reading Jan. 29
- 29, six WWC authors will be reading from their books for adults and children. Another eight WWC authors will be on hand to sell their books and answer questions. The group has two goals: Connecting writers to each other, and connecting writers to ...
- Best-selling fantasy novel was born of theater training
- "I wouldn't like everything I wrote, but I might like one page every 10 pages or so, and that was sort of how I taught myself to write." The seeds for The Night Circus were planted not in her first couple of years participating in NaNoWriMo, ...
A young writer's book
They won awards. Your child can, too, with your guidance.
Writing tools
KidPrentice Features Kid Writers
We want to feature your kids' books and stories on our website.
KidPrentice.com is an online resource for children and teens looking for workshops and apprenticeship opportunities.If your child or teen has written a book, we want to know. We'd be happy to feature and promote your child's book online.
For more information, visit KidPrentice.com.
Special offer: Get a FREE Work-at-Home Success Kit worth $50 when you sign up to find hundreds of freelance jobs.
New Text module
New Text module
SCBWI
Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators
- Jane Yolen and SCBWI Create Grant for Mid-List Writers
- The first grant was given to Mary Whittington, author of Carmina Come Dance, The Patchwork Lady, Troll Games, and Winter's Child, at SCBWI's 13th annual conference last month. Honorees were authors Ann Whitford Paul and Barbara Diamond Goldin.
- SCBWI's Who's Who of Children's Book Writing
- Now they're entering the young adult market, which is why they were at the Hyatt next to Grand Central Station in New York City to attend the 2012 International SCBWI Conference. SCBWI stands for Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.
- Grant for Midlist Children's Book Authors Established
- This grant is to say: SCBWI honors you, we recognize you, we are paying attention to your work.? The first grant was awarded last month at SCBWI's 13th annual conference to Mary Whittington, author of Carmina Come Dance, The Patchwork Lady, ...
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Norma_Budden
Jan 4, 2011 @ 6:47 pm | delete
- This is an excellent idea and resource. My daughter is 16 now but she is interested in writing and has been for years. My youngest daughter is 11 and loves to draw. Who knows where inspiration may lead and if she'll choose to write a story to accompany her drawings. Thanks for this great resource.
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