The Untold Secrets of Writing Best Selling Children's Books
Ever wondered how the most successful children's book writers
get their ideas? The answer may surprise you.
Most children's books are based on the same exact story - good
versus evil.
Ex. Harry Potter vs Voldomort. Cinderella vs her wicked
stepmother. Pinnochio's conscience vs. outside influences.
Next we add a protagonist and an antagonist.
Ex. Don't we love it when Harry Potter and Malfoy get into it?
Or when Hansel and Gretel turn the tables on the witch?
Finally a best selling story needs conflict and a big problem
that the main character needs to overcome.
Ex. If Harry lets Lord Voldemort come back without a fight, the
fate of the magic world could be at risk.
Ex. If Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire don't outsmart Count
Olaf then their fortunes and their lives might be at risk.
Most inexperienced writers spend so much time thinking about the
setting, the scenery and the color of their characters hair that
they forget that the plot is what editors and their audience is
looking for.
Hogwarts is a wonderful school. But who would care about it
without Harry Potter and his friends.
The castle in Sleeping Beauty would just be another castle in
the middle of nowhere without the princess and her prince.
And the three little pigs houses could have been made of snow,
cotton or peanuts for all we would care without three clever
little pigs and a wolf.
Kids love it when good triumphs over evil. Give them a story
they can cheer over.
Also spend time really getting to know your characters. Create a
history for each character, even if most of their histories will
never see the inside of your book.
Your characters must seem real. Your audience must be able to
relate to them and really care about what happens to them.
That in a nutshell is how you write a best selling children's
book. The editing, minor scenic details and hand wringing
anxiety can come after you finish the book.