Tips for Writing for Kids: Top 5 Myths about Writing Fairy Tales

Are you looking to write a fairy tale for children?  Watch out for these common misconceptions.

1.  Rewriting an Existing Fairy Tale is Easy

It may be easier to write a story when you already have the plot, but the plot is only part of what makes a good story.

Go to your local library or bookstore and read retold fairy tales that actually got published and consider what about them makes them stand out from the thousands of other versions.  For picture books it is usually the illustrations, so if you are not an artist, you would be wiser to write a chapter book or novel inspired by an existing fairy tale.

2.  Fairy Tales + Zombies = Fame and Fortune

If you want to add a twist to the original fairy tale stories, don't just copy the latest trends - the trend will be over by the time your story could even be published.  Start your own trend by coming up with your own spin to the story.

3.  All of the Good Fairy Tales Are Already Taken

Don't limit yourself to the Grimms' fairy tales.  There are thousands of stories from cultures around the world just waiting for you to discover them.  Even better, try writing an original story.

4.  All I Have to Do is Make it Modern  

Your first instinct may be to retell a fairy tale in the present day, but be warned that this has been overdone. Having Cinderella going to the prom in an orange limo instead of going to the ball in a pumpkin transformed into a carriage is just a gimmick and doesn't substitute for good writing.

And think carefully before giving your Little Red Riding Hood an ipod to listen to on her way through the suburb.  Adding modern technologies can quickly date your story.

5.  You Don't Have to Worry About Copyright

While the original version of Snow White is not copyrighted, the plot to the movie "Snow White and the Huntsman" is.  Similarly, you cannot use characters that others have added to the story, such as Sebastian and Flounder in Disney's "The Little Mermaid".

Therefore ensure you read the original stories you want to retell so you can tell what elements of the story are fair game. Also make sure that the story is indeed old enough to be copyrighted.

Children's Book Writers - Don't Make These Top 5 Query Mistakes

Ready to submit your children's story to an agent or publisher?  Don't make these common mistakes:

1. Mentioning that you read the book to your children (grandchildren, nieces/nephews, students, neighbour's children, etc.) and they loved the book.

They may have loved you reading them the book (or just told you the answer they could tell you wanted to hear), but that doesn't mean the book is publishable.

Advice: If you are an elementary schoolteacher or have other relevant experience with children, mention this briefly in your bio.

2.  Claiming your book will be the next "Harry Potter" or other outrageous comparisons to bestselling books.

This is a sure-fire way to end up in the slush pile.  It tells the editor/agent that you have very little understanding of how publishing works and have likely only read that one book.

Advice: Write something unique and make comparisons sparingly, preferably to books published by that publisher.  

3.  Not researching the agent/publisher and not following their guidelines.

Don't think your manuscript is so special you don't have to follow the guidelines, especially the ones that say they don't accept unsolicited manuscripts.

For example, if they don't accept email submissions, send it by mail like everyone else.  Also, many publishers will state they don't publish picture books - don't waste your time sending your picture book manuscript to such a publisher.

Advice:  Carefully read and follow the agent's/publisher's most recent guidelines, which you should be able to find on their website.  Preliminary research can be done using market books such as the 2015 Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market.  Also read books the publisher recently published - would your book fit in with their list?

Bonus tip:  Write concisely and to the point.  If your query is more than one page, it is too long.

4.  Saying your book will "appeal to children of all ages."

This is impossible, and will make the editor/agent suspect that in fact your book will not appeal to anyone.

Advice:  Have a particular age range in mind when you are writing the book and write the book accordingly (i.e. reading level, subject matter, length etc.).  Read at least 20 books in the same genre aimed at this age range.  Mention the age range and genre of your book in the query letter.

5. Making spelling and grammar errors in your query letter (and your manuscript).

This is a common pet peeve of editors and agents.

Advice:  Don't just rely on Spellcheck to catch your errors. Brush up on your grammar by reading books such as The Elements of Style and have many trusted people review your query letter.

Bonus tip: read sample query letters online and read advice found in books (e.g. 2015 Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market).  There are even books dedicated to query letters that may be worth the investment if they help get you out of the slush pile.

Fun at the Beach! 5 Summer Books for Little Kids

What books for toddlers do you recommend for summer?  Here are 5 suggestions:

1. Hide and Seek Harry at the Beach



2 .Daniel's Day at the Beach (Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood)



3. Baby Loves Summer!: A Karen Katz Lift-the-Flap Book 




4. Duck & Goose Go to the Beach



5. Mouse's First Summer (Classic Board Books)

Top 5 Free eBooks for Middle Grade Kids!

Have you and/or your child read any of these free ebooks?  If so, which one(s) do you recommend for reluctant readers?

Click on the images for more information about each book.

Top 5 Tips for writing for reluctant readers

Interested in writing a children's book for reluctant readers? Improve your chance if success by following these tips:

1.  Choose a high-interest subject. For example, dragons or robots, or even better, robotic dinosaurs.

2.  Keep the plot moving.  Descriptions and details should be kept to a minimum, and should generally tie to the plot.

3.  Know the age level of your target audience and use tools available in Word (or other software) to ensure the reading level of your story is a step below the average reader.

4.  This is true for any writing, but don't be patronizing or preachy.  Be entertaining instead, and while there can be a moral to the story, it should not be blatant.

5.  Less is more.  Keep sentences, paragraphs, chapters and the book itself short.

Top 5 Summer Books for Teens who are Reluctant Readers

What teen books do you recommend for teens who are reluctant readers?  Here are some suggestions (click on the titles or icons for more info):

1.The Cage by Megan Shepherd



2. The Rule of Three by Eric Walters



3. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart



4. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher



5. The Eye of Minds  by James Dashner, author of the Maze Runner.



Search for more teen reads:

Five Summer Reads for Early Readers

Looking for  summer reads to encourage your early reader?

Here are some suggestions.  What books do you suggest?


1.Pete the Cat's Train Trip (My First I Can Read) - I just can't get enough of Pete the Cat!




2.Frog and Toad Quartet: The Complete Collection - an old favourite.



3.Pinkalicious: Fairy House




4.Amelia Bedelia Makes a Friend - a new twist on an old favourite.

 
5.
Splat the Cat: I Scream for Ice Cream