Children’s Book Week 6 – Reading Others

[cs_section parallax=”false” separator_top_type=”none” separator_top_height=”50px” separator_top_angle_point=”50″ separator_bottom_type=”none” separator_bottom_height=”50px” separator_bottom_angle_point=”50″ style=”margin: 0px;padding: 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_video_embed no_container=”false” type=”16:9″][/x_video_embed][cs_text]It’s week 6 and we’re cruising along. After having decided to pursue being a children’s book author I am now focusing on learning all I can about the profession. That means researching the business side of thing including the publishing process, investing time in attending a children’s book writers conference, and even means reading the works of other children’s book authors.

Why Read Other Authors?

One of the more obvious reasons why to read others works is to see how they write. Looking at what they are writing about, what kind of characters, settings, and story lines can help inspire. And good works are inspired. Yet, the idea is not to copy others but to be inspired. The idea is not to write another story about a kid wizard how has to battle through trials to face to person who killed his parents. It is rather to look at the principles in the writing – structure, the style of language, the overall feel of the book. Knowing what resonates with the audience is crucial.

This is why I have been reading several kids books, both popular and less popular. I am examining how others write, the structure, the word choice, patterns, rhythm and rhyme. I am not looking to copy others but I am looking at structural patterns that resonates with kids. I am looking at the story line to see if it’s a book about being silly, a book that teaches lessons or other things.. The biggest thing I am looking for is finding out what resonates with kids – if the book I’m writing doesn’t resonate with them then I have no audience and I don’t really have a kids book.

What’s Next?

My next step is to start editing the book with everything I have learned so far. The editing process is one of the hardest parts to writing a book. While the first draft is written from the heart the second from the head. I have to keep that in mind when I start going through the book and fine tuning it. It may be hard but in order to have a book that kids will want to read it may entail taking out parts that I personally like. I will find out this coming week how hard it is. Until then get out there, find your passions and interests and get to them!

Attempt it. Chance it. Try it. Get to It![/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section]