Making a Plan: How to Start Writing a Children’s Book 

You’ve decided to go for your dream of writing a picture book—that’s fantastic! But now you might be wondering... how do I start writing a children’s book?

It’s a great question. That very first step can often feel like the hardest one to take. So, one of the best things you can do? Make a plan. 

Easier said than done, right? Trust me, I know. Your plan doesn’t need to be perfect though. It just needs to be intentional. 

It’s all about creating one that works for you. 

When I first started writing my own children’s book, I had no idea where to begin either. So I did a little bit of everything—I took a course on writing books, went to a local bookstore, purchased books on how to write, and sought a mentor who had already done it. 

Little by little, things started to come together, my confidence grew, my progress began to show, and eventually, I was holding my book in my hands. 

You can get there too. 

The most important thing is that you find your starting point. Then keep going. 

Why a Plan Matters

Starting a children’s book can be overwhelming, which is exactly why having a plan matters.

It doesn’t need to be rigid or detailed down to the minute. It just needs to bring you clarity, structure, and a sense of progress. 

But without a plan, it can become easy to push things off to another week or even another year.

So, maybe your plan starts with just outlining your story by the end of the month. 

Or maybe it’s committing to write every Saturday for one hour. 

Whatever it is, it just needs to work for you. 

Every small step you take adds up and brings you closer to seeing your book published. 

6 Steps To Creating Your Own Plan

Make these six steps a part of your plan, and you’ll be that much closer to seeing your goals come to fruition.

1. Write Down Your “Why”

Your why is what will fuel your motivation. 

Who are you doing this for? 

What impact do you want your story to have? 

Why is this book on your heart? 

When you are clear about your purpose, the hard days, creative ruts, and moments of doubt become easier to move through because you know what you’re working toward.

Why do I do what I do?

My lovely family

My incredible team

The authors I mentor and support

The children their stories reach

Also? I honestly couldn't imagine doing anything else! That’s certainly not to say that every day is easy, but when I remember WHY I do this, I’m able to keep going. 

2. Set a Deadline & Reward

Think back to a time when you had a vacation planned. You probably didn’t pack the night before or book your stay last-minute. Most likely, you made a checklist, reserved your spot, and planned ahead. That way, when the trip was finally there, you could just enjoy it. 

Writing your book works the same way.

Instead of letting the process feel open-ended, try to think backwards. If your goal is to publish by the end of the year, what needs to happen between now and then? 

When will you outline your story? 

Start editing? 

Begin working with an illustrator?

Give yourself a target date—and then stick to it. 

To make it more fun, attach a reward to each deadline. Maybe it’s a trip to your favourite coffee shop or a new book you've been wanting to read. 

Deadlines give you structure. 

Rewards give you momentum.

Both help you get closer to your published book. 

3. Find Accountability 

Say it with me: Accountability increases follow-through. 

If you’ve set goals before and failed to meet them, take a moment to reflect on why that happened. Could a little support have made all the difference? 

The truth is, there is so much power in having accountability. 

Maybe that looks like asking a trusted friend to check in on your progress. Maybe it means joining a writing group or even hiring a life coach. The point is this: avoid doing the same thing over and over while expecting different results. 

The biggest thing that helped me stay on track when I started writing was the environment I was in. I was part of my own mastermind group where we regularly shared our goals and encouraged one another. Although we were all working on different goals, this sharing and accountability helped me stay focused and on track. 

Surround yourself with positive people who believe in you, and you’ll be amazed at how far you’ll go! 

4. Commit To Writing (& Reading) Regularly

Writing is a skill—the more you do it, the better you get. 

However, when you do it is up to you. This could be 15-30 minutes of writing each morning, or a designated day of the week that is devoted to it. The most important thing is that you commit to showing up consistently. After all, that’s how we grow in anything. Work on creating a system that works for you in this season of life. 

Oh, and don’t forget to read—especially picture books! Read books that are similar to the ones you want to write for inspiration. The more you actively read and write, the stronger your skills become. 

5. Make Little Commitments (Micro Goals) 

Sometimes, looking at the big picture can feel overwhelming. This is why I suggest breaking it into smaller goals (what I call micro goals). Making little commitments is what helped me accomplish the writing and publishing of my books. These little goals lead to big wins. 

Micro goals don’t just apply to writing, either. They can show up in your everyday life.

For instance, I once had a goal to read one book every month. This might not sound like something you’d need a plan for, but as a mom and entrepreneur, finding “me time” is rare. 

So what did I do? 

I made a plan. 

• I woke up half an hour earlier to have time to read before my family was up. 

• I brought my book everywhere so I could read in the car while waiting for my children. 

You see, your micro goals (whether personal or writing-related) don’t have to be complicated. They just need to work for you. 

6. Study How Others Did It

Read books.

Listen to podcasts. 

Take courses.

Find mentors. 

Put Google to work. 

Make notes. 

By educating yourself, you are empowering yourself.

For goals that seem out of reach, think about who has done something similar before. 

Do your research. 

How did that person drop 52 lbs? 

How did that author become a number-one best-seller?

I can tell you this, it wasn’t magic. 

Somewhere along the way, they made a plan and worked hard for it. It’s time you start to form a plan of how it could work for you. 

What’s One Small Step You Can Take Today?

Maybe it’s opening a blank document on your laptop and brainstorming.  

Maybe it’s outlining your story or sketching out your main character.

Maybe it’s simply saying, “I’m just going to write for 15 minutes today without it needing to be perfect.” 

Whatever it is, start moving forward. If the desire to write a children’s book is on your heart, now’s the time to take the first step. 

Need a little guidance on your plan? I’ve got something just for you.

*Available for a limited time.

You’ll learn three advanced strategies to:

See your draft with fresh eyes

Make simple, high-impact edits

 Think like a professional writer—even if it’s your first book