Sources of Ideas for Writing Children's Illustrated Books: Exploration (Part 1)
Are you considering writing a children's story but unsure where to start? Fear not, for there are numerous ways to generate captivating and engaging ideas.
Draw Inspiration from Everyday Life
One effective method is to draw inspiration from your everyday life and personal experiences. Adapt these experiences to be child-friendly, with a happy ending, rather than heavy or traumatic content. For instance, a writer once came up with an idea for a children's book while observing squirrels in a city park.
Explore Popular Children’s Books and Themes
Exploring the children’s section of libraries or bookstores can also yield valuable insights. Note themes or topics that catch your interest, and identify what children currently enjoy reading.
Engage Directly with Children
Asking children directly about their interests and favourite story topics can provide authentic insights into what engages them. Their responses might surprise you!
Use Brainstorming and AI Prompts
Utilise brainstorming techniques such as listing themes (friendship, adventure, learning) or feelings you want to convey, then think of characters or situations that embody those ideas. Additionally, creative prompts or AI tools can quickly generate story concepts or personalised stories based on daily events or morals you want to teach.
Reimagining Old Stories
If you're looking for a fresh twist, consider reimagining old stories. Instead of three bears, the story could feature three raccoons, and the protagonist could be a mischievous boy instead of a pretty golden-haired girl.
Research and Selection for Non-Fiction
If you're writing a children's non-fiction book, the story will be based on real-life things or people, requiring research and the selection of a suitable subject.
Imagination and Fiction Stories
The focus of this article is on fiction stories, specifically using your imagination to concoct narratives. As demonstrated by Angela Carter in "The Bloody Chamber," reinterpreting old stories in unique ways can lead to captivating results.
Yvonne Blackwood, the author of this post, is an award-winning short story writer, columnist, blogger, and retired banker. She has published adult books, including "Into Africa a Personal Journey" and "Will That Be Cash or Cuffs?," and has contributed to the anthology "Canadian Voices."
Proven methods for generating story ideas include brainstorming, mind mapping, book-storming, using visual prompts like photographs, and even musical prompts. These approaches help create ideas that are relevant, engaging, and suitable for children’s storytelling.
Remember, the key is to be passionate about your "big idea" and to make it suitable for children. With these methods, you're well on your way to crafting a compelling children's story!
[1] https://www.writersdigest.com/articles/publishing/book-marketing/how-to-write-a-childrens-book-10-tips-for-writing-a-childrens-book [2] https://www.wriote.com/blog/how-to-write-a-childrens-book [3] https://www.writersdigest.com/articles/editor-blogs/guest-blog/how-to-write-a-childrens-book-3-brainstorming-techniques [4] https://www.writersdigest.com/articles/publishing/book-marketing/how-to-illustrate-a-childrens-book
Tending to your home-and-garden or observing everyday life at home could provide the foundation for a captivating children's story, as ideas can be transformed from personal experiences into child-friendly narratives, complete with happy endings.
Evaluating the children's home-and-garden section of libraries could spark new ideas, as the themes and topics that appeal to children might inspire your own story.
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