As both an author and a book coach I know how easy it is to forget that your reader is a kid. Not surprising given that those of us who write for children are usually well beyond the years of childhood.
I’ve seen more than my fair share of wonderful story concepts that don’t live up to their promise because they are written from an adult point of view. It’s not enough to use kid-friendly language. We must also remember that kids see the world entirely differently than adults. Because, no, we are not writing for adult readers, not even for wonderful teachers and librarians. We must be fully present in kids’ lives to write children’s books.
Naturally, I have an exercise or two to suggest.
Creating a Reader Avatar
I’m borrowing this concept from marketing guru Dan Blank, who guided me through a view to my own marketing strategy. He suggests creating a reader avatar. This works well for marketing, and it also works splendidly for writing.
This exercise is much like creating a great character. If you’re serious about your writing, you wouldn’t craft an entire novel without a deep understanding of your character. I propose that you shouldn’t write even a picture book without a deep understanding of your reader.
Think of it like this.
Adult you, the writer, is sitting at a table across from a kid. That kid is the age of your intended reader. They are restless, kicking the table leg, tapping at the edge of the table, staring up at the ceiling from time to time as you pepper them with questions.
How old are they?
How do they identify their gender?
What’s their favorite thing to do? And least favorite?
Do they have any pets, or want them?
What about friends? Frenemies? Family? Siblings?
School – do they like it? Their teacher? Favorite subjects?
These are great things to know. But what else? Can you dig deep enough to really imagine them reading your book? If they wouldn’t read it, why not? If they might, why?
And, importantly, if they would love your book to pieces and rave about it, what is it they identify with? What things keep them turning the pages?
The greater depth you can give your reader avatar, the more you will think in terms of writing for that reader. Be sure to notice this: kids don’t like to be lectured to. They are smart and funny and want respect. Your reader avatar doesn’t want instruction, even if the adults around them do. Kids want entertainment.
Writing From the Child’s Point of View
The second exercise has to do with really putting your imagination inside a child’s. Here’s what I mean.
When I was a kid, I loved playing in the woods behind our house. I especially liked the hours I spent constructing very tiny houses out of sticks and rocks and moss. Flower petals became boats over dirt rivers. Landscapes were dotted with little branches as trees. I wove the whole through with trails made of pebbles. And then spent hours more imagining the tales that took place in my miniature kingdom.
With your reader avatar, what are they noticing as you sit there at that boring table? Do they run their hands under the table and find a wad of ancient gum, and do they go ew or do they begin to pick at it? When they look at the ceiling, do they see animal outlines in the ceiling tiles? What would they rather be doing than answering your questions, and how would they go about it?
Kids notice tiny things, and they relate what they see in the adult world to those tiny things. The younger the reader, the more you should use imagery that reflects their world view in miniature.
It really isn’t enough to write for the child inside you. You need to write for the child who would, indeed, love your book to pieces.
Help For Writers, Coming Soon!
Once again, if you’re looking for community, content, and support, I’m building a mentorship program that opens in early 2024 – but it’s limited enrollment, so please let me know if you’re interested and I’ll send you an application.
I would also love to know what else you’re looking for so contact me! Ask me a question, or two or more.
I made roads and tunnels in the sand for my little plastic army. And I tried to see how far I could launch myself off the swing, and wondered what would happen if I could swing all the way over the swing set.
Hey Happy J, another view is that we all all on multiple spectrums, height, years, skintone, agility, sexuality, manual skills, ability to perceive, more... All rooted in ones past,.... All imperfect labels anyway...... found in dictionaries, written by people who are all on multiple spectrums. Not one of us can be defined by a single concept, other than:-..... I am.......