Writing the Right words
Recently, while at a book signing event, I talked with a person who was interested in writing for children and had a manuscript written, but wasn’t sure what age group her content would be targeted for. I didn’t know how to respond; as this is something that should be researched even before the ideas reach paper.
I see so many authors who have an idea and are so excited they just start writing the best and biggest manuscript possible without even doing any homework. While this enthusiasm is commendable, it can create problems afterward when trying to publish the manuscript, unless one goes through a tremendous amount of editing and revisions, which the publisher most likely won’t have the time for.
In my book, How To Write for Children, An Easy Three Step Guide To Writing Children’s Books, I discuss the steps necessary to begin a writing project. An author should first determine which age group they are writing for given the story idea and age- appropriateness. This can be done by visiting bookstores and researching the types of books available to certain age groups. The other option is to visit a local library and take out different types of books for kids from board books, to chapter books for teens. Study the word choices, paragraph lengths, plot, story, chapter lengths, and word counts.
Doing the research will help a writer determine the age group for the idea they have in mind. There are word limits for age groups. No toddler would sit long enough through a thousand page book. Their limit is up to three hundred words. Also, publishers put limits on middle grade fiction word counts too.
Researching further, you can determine if your word choice and content is suitable to a certain age group. It’s pretty tough to sell horror to a young audience. Middle grades love action and adventure.
Even though we live in an age where the internet provides a wide-eyed look at the world and recess language could make a sailor blush, publishers are still taking a conservative role with moral issues in the works they are publishing. Better to research and see exactly what is available to children and teens before sinking hours and hours of writing time into a project and realizing there is no market for it.
Patricia L. Atchison, Author
