The Process of Creating a Children's Story

Every writer has a personal writing style - it's unique. I'm sure the same if true for the writing process. If you ask ten authors their process for writing a children's story, odds are you'll get ten different answers. Writing is a very personal journey. While a writer may have a different style and use different processes, within those processes are common formulas. I would venture to say that the most popular formula is creating an outline. But, there are also writers who use the seat-of-the-pants formula. Each of these two formulas will bring you to the same end result, they just use different means. But before discussing them, the first thing on the agenda is the idea. Every journey begins with the first step; the writing journey's first step is the idea.

The Idea

So, you want to write a children's story, but what will it be about? Ideas and inspiration are all around us. Children you know, children on TV or movies, children at a playground, at the beach, anywhere you can see or hear children can be a source for an idea. Watch their actions, their interactions and reactions; if you can hear them listen to their language. All of this will help you later on as you're actually writing your story.

It might be helpful to make a list of all the ideas you come up with and then do a process of elimination. Choose the one you feel most inspired about. Be sure to save the other ideas for possible future stories.

Many writers keep pads or notebooks with them all the time, incase they come across something that sparks an idea and might make a good story. Rather than leaving it to remember, they quickly write it down.

The Outline Formula

With your idea in hand, you will now let it blossom like a flower; let it open, one petal than another, each bringing more detail and beauty. First the beginning unravels, then onto the middle, and next the end. Create these three sections, then, open each of them up - let them blossom. Pretty soon you'll have an entire outline for a story. Next, you'll use the outline to create a story.

This process offers a sense of security. It's like having a roadmap in front of you: go to Exit 5, then head north to Lincoln Street. You know where you're going, it's just matter of how quickly you can get there, maybe there's a traffic jam, or you get a flat tire. Whatever obstacle gets in your way, you have a definite destination.

An outline is like having stepping stones in place, one leads into the next. This structure helps you to craft the beginning to meld into the middle, and the middle into the end. There is comfort in knowing where your next step will be. Even if you need to change pertinent aspects in the story, such as adding a character, or even the basic structure somewhat, you still have a rough roadmap to help you get to that final destination.

The Seat-of-the-Pants Formula

This formula may be a little scary, staring at a screen with just an idea at the top, waiting for something to appear. But, while it's a little intimidating, it offers a sense of the unknown and adventure. You stare at your idea and them suddenly you have a sentence or two that automatically take you into another sentence or two, and then another, and yet another. Before you know it you're typing away. To witness the creation of characters, personalities, and even worlds born from your imagination is thrilling.

I have used both formulas to write stories for children and I find the outline formula more comfortable. I like having a clear direction to head in and knowing where I need to turn. But, again, the writing process is a personal journey; you'll have to determine which one works best for you.