by Jeanine Gilbert

Created on: April 27, 2009

Children love exploring new world's that are so compelling, and different from their own, and then fighting off the dastardly dragon saving the planet from complete destruction with the power from his magical flashlight, with the extra powerful ultraviolet beams . Which can obliterate the enemy before it comes down to destroy earth. All before lunch!

Writing a children's book is in a way becoming a child ourselves. We created that perfect world of our own, to be the master controller of every character. Every time we write, we enter into this new world and forget about the real world for just a little while.

It is a good idea to check bookstores to see how the marketplace is selling the type of book you want to write. You might find several similar books, and realized you need to change your plan.

As far as research, I only need to if I need to know something about a character or story line, usually the Internet will surpass my needs. I only write Fiction, so I can use my imagination, and do what I please.

One book I wrote "A war in her town" about the Civil War in Gettysburg, I had to do a lot of research. The book was still fiction, as far as the characters, but everything that happened in those horrifying three days really happened.

Always bring a recorder, pen, and paper with you wherever you go. You never know when a fantastic Idea will come your way, and you need to be prepared, so you do not forget it. You will be surprised while living life, and watching, and hearing things around you, may trigger an idea for a perfect storyline.

When you have an idea, try to write a few paragraphs to get it started. As your mind flows with ideas write them all down. Try to get the skeleton part of the story down on paper, the more you write the better.

When you cannot think of a thing to add, or take away, just put the manuscript away. In time, ideas will come to you, but not worry about it.

Once you get the backbone or skeleton on paper, then you are ready to fill in the meat and potatoes, and add some carrots and onions, and lots of spice, but do not forget the dessert at the end! Try to write with excitement on the first page, to hook the reader. Make your book at page turner!

The dessert is the interest in your plot, as well as the spice. You never have too much! The meat and potatoes are the storyline, to create well-defined characters that are very different from each other. To develop them so distinct, that you can fall in love with, or hate, and sometimes to despise them so much you want them murdered.

Once you start pounding away on the pages, you will find that the story starts to take shape and a new life seems to emerge from the papers. Like I have somehow lost control, and the characters are now telling me what to write.

From that idea I once had, the story is nothing like I had imagined, it is amazing when this happens. An energy that flows through your body, and mind, and you cannot stop writing.

Once your story is finished, put it away for a month or so, then take it out and edit, edit, and edit some more. Have a friend read your book, for good feedback. Any class at school would love a story told to them, and then ask them what they think.

Teachers are a wonderful source of information. In addition, would love to help, and give you their opinions, to make the story better, or not. Make sure she is in that same grade level that you are writing for.

Find a topic and start writing! Enjoy!

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