Sitting at the computer with a blank word document in front of you may be intimidating for a writer You just finished one manuscript and need to start on another, or you've hired out to ghostwrite a story, whatever the reason is, you need to begin writing a children's story
Hmmm What should it be about? You think and think You gaze out the window You draw a blank
Alexander Steele wrote a short article in the October 2010 issue of the Writer, "Where can you find the seeds of a good story?" It was interesting to read that Herman Melville, author of Moby-Dick, had his own whaling adventures which he used to create a wonderful, everlasting story Steele advices, "Probably the most fertile place to look for ideas is right inside the backyard of your own life "
You might be thinking that you don't have close contact with children, so you don't have any experiences to draw on Or, you may be so busy living your life and raising your children that you don't have time to stop and see all the amazing story opportunities that are right in your own backyard Well, even if these scenarios fit, you can take steps to rectify the situation
Finding Story Ideas if You Don't Have Close Contact with Children
1 Turn on the TV Yes, this is an excellent source for story ideas, as well as watching children's behavior While it may be in the confines of a scripted show, the writers of these shows try to keep it as real as possible Take note of the situations, the attitudes of the characters, the scenes, and everything else Even children's cartoons have engaging storylines It may be just the spark you need
2 Go to a playground with notebook in hand Watch the children play and listen to them talk If you're a professional writer or ghostwriter, or you're already published, consider asking your local 'age appropriate' school if you could sit in the lunchroom during lunch periods A useful way to get a positive answer would be to first ask if you could give an author or writing presentation to the students The principal would need to be sure you are a legitimate writer Please note though, there may be legal and safety aspects a school would need to consider
Note: If you do go to a playground or other area where there are children, be sure to inform parents/guardians of what you're doing It'd be a good idea to bring a copy of one of your published books with you, so they feel comfortable that you are indeed a writer It's a crazy world, always take precautions, and keep the safety of our children at the forefront
3 Read newly published children's books, and reread ones you enjoyed as a child then reinvent a story You can even read fairy tales or folktales to get story ideas or inspiration
I was recently reminded of this story idea source by multi-published talented children's author Margot Finke During a teleclass she presented, she advised to study books you like; pay attention to why they work, then create a completely new children's story She explained that, "quirky and fresh" wins publishing contracts today
Finding Story Ideas if You Do Have Close Contact with Children
1 Study the children you do have contact with, whether your own children, your grandchildren, or other relatives Children are an amazing source of inspiration and ideas They have an innate ability to make you feel: just looking at a picture of children may make you smile; hearing a baby laugh can actually make you laugh
Watch the children, notice their mannerisms, body language, movements, attitudes and emotions, speech, and their interactions with other children and adults You'll not only get story ideas, you'll also get dialogue and 'showing' descriptions
2 If you have regular contact with children, you really shouldn't need any other steps, but if the characters' ages of your new story differ from the ages of the children you see, use the steps noted above
Source:
Finding Children s Story Ideas
Article By:
Nicholas Washington
Source: http://www.internet-marketing-cafe.com/Art/381728/375/Finding-Children-s-Story-Ideas.html
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