It's easy to pick up a children's book at your local bookstore or library and think, "I could have written this." After all, there are few words and the words and thoughts are simple. How hard could it be?
It's much harder than you think. Whether you're writing a picture book for toddlers or a novel for the young adult market, you have to have some knowledge and training in the profession of children's writing to succeed.
Like any profession, children's writers have worked at perfecting their craft. They have taken classes, attended workshops and joined critique groups. Then, they submitted their books to editors who worked with them even more. Being a children's writer is not for the thin-skinned.
If you're interested in writing for children, there are several steps you can take to help you achieve your dream.
Take a class: If you've never taken a writing class, this would be a good time to sign up. It will teach you how to organize your thoughts and how to perfect your grammar. Taking a class that focuses on writing for children would be even better. You can find these classes or workshops at your local library, community college or you might try looking online.
Join a writer's organization: Writers organizations hold local workshops, meetings, sponsor critique groups and classes. Look around your community. You might be surprised at how many writers you find.
Join a critique group: Sure, you think your writing is great. But have you shown it to anyone else? Before you submit it for publication have another writer read it and tell you what s/he thinks.
These steps can get you on the road to a successful career in children's writing.
For more tips on writing for children, visit Phyllis' blog at http://www.phyllisquigg.blogspot.com
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