Writing for Fun and the Art of Childrens Books

by Danielle Bruckert
(Al Ain, UAE)

The Art of Writing Childrens Books

Writing Kids Books for Fun and Contribution

I read an entry in a writers guide about publishing books for children, it said something like “ask yourself, are you writing children's books because you think it might be easier than writing for adults?” The thought never before crossed my mind, but now it had, I wondered how many people actually take it up writing children's books for that reason?!?

It also made me think how many people there are out there that do not appreciate the magic of a great children's book, and why there are so many poorly written children's books on the market. I can't say that mine are any better, but I guess at least I am writing for the right reason, to contribute to the education and entertainment of children.

I took up writing children's books as a hobby, because I thought it was one of the most fun and potentially rewarding things I could do with my writing and a great way to relax and take a break from the text books I write commercially.

I found that although I had absolutely no time between my full time job, running a business, a community project, and spending time with my family, children's books was my way to wind down, like playing music, it took me into another world. The world of fun and fantasy that normally only children get to live in.

I still remember my favourite childrens books, Dr Seuss, Miffy, Peter Rabbit, and the perhaps less well known My Cat Likes to Hide in Boxes. I feel that a really great children's book is a work of art. Writers such as Dr Seuss and Beatrix Potter should be in league with Nobel laureates, not just for having written great books, but to have contributed, and to continue to contribute to worldwide literacy standards. If I could just achieve a small part of what they had done, then it would be a worthwhile use of my spare time.

I started one or two stories, without much success, but it had been a long time since I wrote non-fiction, and the cogs were very rusty. One day, arriving home from a tiring flight to trip over my large German Shepard who had parked himself in the middle of my kitchen, I sat down and immediately managed to finish my first draft of 'Mac and Dipper, The Stair Case'.

Before I was willing to release it to the public, even for free, I needed some small critics to conduct a review. Small critics were not hard to find, since most of my friends had children, however before I could give it to the small critics, I first needed some pictures.

Unable or not wanting to find an illustrator who may not share my image of the dogs or my non-commercial motive, eventually, after a long process of practice and trial and error, two years later I finished the illustrations (as I said not much spare time!)

I received some positive feedback from the small critics and encouraging words from their Mums, and so, feeling slightly more confident, I put the story online for free download.

My experiences with the non-fiction books we sell meant that I had already completed all the background research required for the next step in the process. I had found places like Lulu and, later Createspace, an Amazon subsidiary, where I could immediately place the book in the market at no cost.

I recently finished the second story about Mac and Dipper, which my editor says is far better than the first, the pictures have definitely. improved - a really important part in the appeal of a children's book. Both are available for free download.

I have been fortunate to write these books in an age that POD technology and the internet can make any book available world wide at very little cost, so that the readers can decide. However before the readers can decide, they need to find the book amongst the growing clutter online.

In writing this, I hope to obtain some more honest reader feedback from the stories, that I may keep improving and perhaps gain more confidence to begin marketing. But most of all I hope one day my own small critic might read and enjoy the books too.

Please feel free to email me directly from Red Sky Ventures.