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WRITING PICTURE BOOKS

How do I start writing on the blank page?
Try these and see what works for you. There are no hard and fast rules.

What is the story about?
This may be the original idea e.g. first day at school. There must be dramatic tension to keep the reader turning the pages.

Who are my characters?
They can be anyone or anything. Animals that are truly animals or animals that behave like humans. Characters need to come alive for the reader. They must be interesting and original. Most stories only have one or two main characters so they don’t crowd each other and stop the real story from showing.

What is the structure?
Picture books for the young usually maintain the structure of a beginning, a middle and an end.

Where is the story set?
Is this important? The story could be set on a farm, near a river, at the beach or in a castle. Some writers use a sea of white space so the setting is left to the imagination of the reader.

Who is telling the story?
If it’s the narrator, then third person is used such as in the traditional story. Modern stories are often told by one of the characters. This is writing in first person and events are from the point of view of this character Is it written in the present or past tense? Most modern stories are written in the past tense. Verb forms are written in past tense

Who is my audience?
Know your audience. What are their interests? Remember the book is competing against computer and video games, movies, sport, schoolwork and the busyness of daily life.

What kind of language will best suit this story and the characters?
Don’t underestimate the intelligence of your readers or write down to children. Your story can help readers explore new words or familiar words used in a new context so that their vocabulary is expanded. The writer must be prepared to confront complex issues and create worlds that are not always safe and cosy. Decide if there is to be repetition of words, phrases.

What is the tone or mood of the story?
Is there wit, humour or a serious tone to the story?

What about the illustrations?
Leave the description of people and places and even parts of the action to the illustrator. The illustrator will view things from a very different perspective and see problems and offer solutions that the writer would never envisage.