Have you ever known you wanted to write for children but had no clue what to write about? Well you’re in good company, because lots of writers find themselves in this situation. In case you’ve ever felt this way, here are 3 tips to help you decide.
3 Easy Tips to Decide What to Write About
Tip #1: Start with a Message
Tell me if I’m wrong, but I believe every writer has some kind of message they want to share with the world.
For children’s writers like you, odds are you want to either make a child smile with your fun story or leave a positive impact on their life with an empowering message.
To decide what to write about, dive deep into why you want to write. Think about what kind of message you want to share.
Then weave that message into a relatable story, and you have a children’s book!
Tip #2: Fill in a Gap in the Shelves
Another thing that motivates writers is when they can’t find the book they’re looking for in stores. This is exactly what happened to Cindy Crosby, one of my Publishing Mastermind authors.
Cindy was searching bookstores for a children’s nonfiction book about cultures across the world. But no matter how hard she looked, she couldn’t find it!
So, she wrote it.
Maybe you find yourself in the same situation — you desperately need a specific message, but can’t find it in stores.
It’s time for you to fill the gap and supply shelves with the story they’re missing. Then you’ll know exactly what to write about!
Tip #3: Use the Story to Carry the Message
As you’re writing, you might struggle to convey your message on the page. You might think, I know what to write about, just not how. If you’re struggling with this, you need to use the story (or plot) to carry the message.
When I wrote I CAN Believe in Myself, I knew I wanted my book to teach children they CAN do anything as long as they keep trying.
I had my message, but I didn’t know how to turn it into an entertaining story.
To figure out what my plot would be, I simply outlined the opposite of the message and handed it to my main character for them to handle.
Since I wanted my book to teach children how to believe in themselves, I wrote about a main character who didn’t believe in herself. Then, I brainstormed ways she could gradually absorb more self-confidence.
You can do the same! Take a look at your message, figure out what the opposite is, and force your main character to work it out.
Then you’ll know exactly what to write about.
Who can help you get started, navigate your biggest questions, and celebrate your success?
