Any writer will agree that it is a lot harder than it looks. Some see a job that involves getting up and sitting around in your pyjamas all day, watching a bit of TV, reading online newspapers and blogs for a few hours before settling down to write a few thousand words as a bit of a skive. But half the battle is to get yourself in that chair and in ‘the zone’ that will allow you to focus on your work properly and efficiently. Plus there isn’t really anyone who can help you until you have a first draft, as it’s all locked up in your head. You only have your brain
and a keyboard to work with, which can be particularly daunting if you have decided to write an epic novel.
That’s why you might be better off writing a children’s book. Here’s why…
Shorter
One of the fundamental reasons why it is easier to write children’s books, is the fact that they are normally way shorter. You can write a children’s book that has less than 100 words in it and still sell a million of them. It only needs to have a basic narrative and some characters and you are sorted. Instead of writing a 400 page monster that takes a couple of years to write and a couple of days to read, you could knock out a children’s story book in a day.
Simpler
Most of this speed and length comes from the fact that children’s books have to be simpler. Children’s brains can’t normally handle anything more than a couple of characters and one storyline. Sub-plots are confusing, lots of characters are confusing and developed themes other than a basic thinly-veiled moral message, will not be appreciated.
Big Business
Not that adult novels aren’t big business, but children’s books are equally lucrative. If you are at all sceptical about the chance you have of making good money with kid’s books, just look at J.K. Rowling.
Pictures
Another reason they are easier to write is the fact that most of each page will probably be taken up by a picture. You can dictate to the illustrator exactly what you want the image to be, but this does mean overall you have less pages to fill.
Freedom
One of the best things about childrens books is that you can be incredibly abstract and inventive with your characters and storylines. This freedom, for most people, makes it a lot easier for them to write, knowing that they can use any random invention they like and it will still work. Pop up books can be especially creative.
Sam Qam collects childrens books. He even has the biggest selection of pop up books and puzzle books in the UK.
Read More From Sam Qam
|
