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Writing children's books can be a challenging and rewarding task, but it's not uncommon for even experienced authors to fall into common pitfalls and make mistakes along the way. In this article, we will delve deeper into the top 10 most common mistakes that authors make when writing children's books.
1. Researching but never writing the book
One common pitfall that aspiring children's book authors often fall into is getting caught up in researching and planning their story without ever putting pen to paper. While research is undoubtedly important, it's essential to start writing and not get stuck in the planning phase. When I was in grad school, there was a woman there who had an entire binder dedicated to her book. She had color swatches for all her character's clothes, layouts of the apartments and homes, a family tree, a spreadsheet of costs and bills. It was all there--except the book. She hadn't written a word and while she certainly knew her characters inside out, the binder was holding her back from actually putting words to page.
According to a survey conducted by the Independent Book Publishers Association, 61% of authors struggle with writer's block, and one of the reasons for this could be overthinking and overplanning. "The best research is the kind that you don't put into your book. It's the background information that you have in your head, and it informs everything you do. But you have to be careful not to put too much into the book, or you'll end up with a dry, dusty tome that nobody wants to read," says Kate DiCamillo, author of "Because of Winn-Dixie" Obviously, there is a certain amount of planning that needs to go into a book. If you are planning on writing a series, for example, you may want to plot out your series so that things that happen in book 1 are reflected later in the series. However, at some point, you just have to start writing.
2. Thinking the first draft has to be perfect
Another mistake that authors often make is trying to make the first draft perfect. It's important to remember that the first draft is just a starting point and that the real magic happens during the editing and revision stages. Terry Pratchett is famous for saying,"The first draft is just you telling yourself the story." A study conducted by the Authors' Licensing and Collecting Society found that the average number of drafts that authors go through before their work is published is five.
If you write something and thing, wow, this is terrible. That's okay. You are going to fix it later. If the prose feels off or the dialogue unnatural, you can fix it. I've seen books with faulty premises, no plot, or flat characters morph into something readable a few drafts later. So write that crappy first draft, because you can't edit what you haven't written.
3. Not considering the target age group
One of the most critical aspects of writing children's books is considering the target age group. Failing to do so can result in a book that is either too advanced or too simplistic for the intended reader. According to a study published in the Journal of Children's Literature, books that are written at a level appropriate for the intended audience are more likely to be enjoyed and remembered. I once edited a book that, while the author claimed it was for teens, felt entirely too young. The characters were fifteen and sixteen, but spoke more like young children and the book's problems were more middle grade appropriate. This shocked the author who was just avoiding curse words, but ultimately made her characters feel incongruous with the setting.
The same can happen the other way too. A young child who sounds too much like a teenager. Or the teenager who sounds like a world-wise adult with quick witty comebacks that only the most confident adult would use. Remember, what type of book you are trying to write and keep your characters, subject, and age-appropriate content in mind. The best test, is to get a child from your target age range to read it or give some feedback. My nephew was eight when I told him my idea for a middle-grade book. He also, very quickly, pointed out two very large plot holes that I hadn't considered because I wasn't adding in enough complexity for that age group.
4. Using clichés and stereotypes
Using clichés and stereotypes in your writing can often detract from the story. But how do you add surprise to a story that's already been told, in some way, a thousand ways? - Karen Hesse, author of "Out of the Dust" says,"Don't let the familiarities and the clichés of the world keep you from writing what's unique and different in yourself." I often tell authors that what makes their book unique is them. They have their own unique background, experiences, and ways of looking at the world. While the story may be similar to something else, only you can tell it this way.
However, you don't want people to pick up your book, roll their eyes, and think great, another Harry Potter clone. Make it different. Change the 'what if' question. What if, there were various schools for magic, but these private schools cost a lot of money that only the wealthiest wizards can afford? What happens to those who can't afford it? Are there scholarships? Do they have to go to a regular public school and hide their magic? Can they be homeschooled? Write something different and surprising. Leave the cliche sayings at the door. Make the descriptions interesting and unique.
5. Writing for adults instead of children
One of the biggest mistakes that authors make when writing children's books is forgetting that children are the target audience, not adults. Writing for children requires a different approach than writing for adults, and it's essential to keep this in mind throughout the writing process. As author Maurice Sendak says, "I don't write for children. I write. And somebody says, 'That's for children!'" A survey conducted by the Children's Book Council found that parents and caregivers are more likely to purchase books that they believe will be enjoyed by their children, rather than books that they themselves enjoy.
I've also seen far too many stories in which the writer, who clearly sees themselves as a loving parent or grandparent, creates unrealistic adult characters that are often stand-ins for the author themselves. For example, a picture book that is centered entirely around grandma. Everything is through the lens of the grandmother and she is, essentially the main character. It didn't surprise me when I got to the end of that submission and read that the author was...you guessed it...a grandmother and she wrote this book for her grandchildren, forgetting entirely to make the grandchildren the main characters.
A word of caution here: Do not write down to your reader. Children pick up on the fact that they are being talked down to so fast. Children are little, they aren't dumb. A middle grade novel that is really just a didactic book about learning to be a better friend isn't going to make them want to read your next book and they certainly aren't going to recommend that book to their friends.
6. Forgetting about illustrations
Illustrations are a crucial part of children's books and can bring the story to life. It's important not to forget about illustrations when writing your book and to work closely with the illustrator to ensure that the illustrations complement and enhance the story. As author Eric Carle advises, "The story is the most important thing, and the illustrations should complement and enhance it, but not overpower it."
Obviously, as you write for older and older children, illustrators give way to prose, but even then, there is an important visual component that goes with writing. You do not need to be an illustrator in order to write and publish children's books, but you need to understand the marriage between the visual elements in picture book, early readers, and chapter books.
7. Not paying attention to pacing
Pacing is a critical aspect of children's books, and it's important to get it right. Failing to pay attention to pacing can result in a book that is either too slow or too fast-paced, which can be confusing or boring for the reader. As author Lois Lowry advises, "If a book has a slow start, I put it down. Pacing is so important in children's books. You need to keep them engaged and turning the pages."
I often find myself complaining about how adult books take 50-100 pages to get going. That is not the case with children's books. You have to get going write away. Line one, page one, and chapter one should have the action right out front. Children aren't going to wait until page 50 to see if they relate to a character. I highly encourage you to go read the first page of some children's books and take a look at how quickly the story gets going.
8. Neglecting to edit and revise
Editing and revising are essential parts of the writing process, and neglecting to do so can result in a book that is full of errors and inconsistencies. As author Beverly Cleary advises, "I rewrite and rewrite and rewrite. If I don't get it right, I just keep working at it until I do." Your friends and family may read your first draft and tell you how absolutely wonderful it is (more about this in a moment). They are wrong. It may not be bad, but it does need editing. Neil Gaiman says, "The best advice I can give on this is, once it's done, to put it away until you can read it with new eyes. When you're ready, pick it up and read it, as if you've never read it before. If there are things you aren't satisfied with as a reader, go in and fix them as a writer: that's revision."
Going through a draft can look different for everyone. Steven King has said that he revises by re-reading the last 6 pages he wrote and then writes 6 new ones, editing as he goes. Others finish a complete first draft and then dive back in, fixing things like sentence structure, dialogue, word choices, characterization, plot, info dumps, worldbuilding, and more. Even a picture book, with its limited text, will need editing. I often think of picture books more like poetry, where every word counts and needs to be perfect.
9. Not seeking feedback
Another mistake that authors often make is failing to seek feedback on their work. Getting feedback from beta readers, critique groups, and editors can help identify areas that need improvement and provide valuable insights into the reader's perspective. As author Judy Blume advises, "It's so important to get feedback on your work. I learned this early on, and it's something I still rely on today." You should not be asking your friends and family to be your editors. Either they won't give you enough critical feedback or they could permanently damage the relationship with too harsh criticism. Remember, critical feedback should be kind but firm. If something doesn't make sense, you should want to know.
I once had an author submit a poetry book for possible publication. Our editing team very kindly told him that his poetry needed some work. The imagery was elementary and the poems were far too long. He needed to cut down. He wrote back to tell me that ALL his friends and family thought his writing was amazing and that no one had ever told him any different. He then accused me of not knowing what I was talking about and trying to make his book "commercial." Even if I knew how to make his book more commercial, that wasn't my goal. My goal as an editor is to help people create books that other people want to read. The book he sent me...was a book that only his friends and family would find interesting.
10. Rushing the process
Finally, it's essential not to rush the process of writing a children's book. Writing a good book takes time, and rushing the process can result in a book that is not up to par. As author Jerry Spinelli says, "Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go." According to a survey conducted by the Independent Book Publishers Association, the average time it takes to write a children's book is nine months, however some authors like award winner Gary Schmidt take 3-5 years to finish a book. I myself have been guilty of sending out writing before it was ready.
If this dream is to be realized, take the time to do it right. I think one of the greatest tragedies of writing are all the wonderful book ideas that never sell because the author didn't take the time to edit, revise, find a good illustrator, get the cover right, etc.
In conclusion, writing a children's book can be a challenging but rewarding experience. By avoiding these common pitfalls and mistakes, authors can increase their chances of success and create books that are engaging, enjoyable, and memorable for their intended audience. As author