Denise Vega – Writing for Children and Young Adults
You can have fun writing for children and young adults, but you should also take it seriously. Why? Because they deserve it. Honor their experiences by following a few simple rules:
Respect Your Reader/Listener. Readers and listeners are smart. They need you to challenge them, give them layers, let them figure things out for themselves. Picture books are meant to be read by an adult to a child so use that lyrical vocabulary. In books for older readers or picture books that are character-driven, use the language and vocabulary of your character(s). Don’t worry about whether the words are too hard or too easy for readers—they’ll figure it out!
Keep your agenda to yourself. The story comes first. Any “lesson” or “message” that may be there should rise organically from your story. If your character grows and changes, makes a realization, forgives, or is forgiven, these are wonderful things readers will take away from your story. But avoid hitting them over the head with a lesson–they get enough lessons at school and at home! Give them something that makes them laugh or cry or perch on the edge of their seats; if you can do that, your readers will go anywhere with you.
Know the world of kids today. Talk, listen to and observe children and teens. If you want to write for older readers, get online. Live in their world of social networking, texting, iPods, IM and email. Meet them where they are. Even if you are writing fantasy or science fiction or historical novels, it’s important to know your audience.
Writing for children and young adults is an honor and a privilege, but it’s also a blast. Enjoy it. Respect it. And hopefully one day you’ll have the joy of hearing your readers say, “Read it again!” or “I couldn’t put it down!”
Award-winning children’s and teen author Denise Vega teaches “Keys to Writing and Selling Your Children’s Book” (course #2006) and “Find a Publisher for Your Children’s Book: A Hands-on Workshop” (course #2007).