Writing a Children’s Book – Your First Draft
December 19th, 2009
When writing a children’s book, once you have decided on the book that you want to write, you should start on your first draft. This may change by the time the book is completed, although chances are that you will keep some of the information in the final book that you have in your first draft.
Everyone writes in a different way. There are those who rewrite as they are going along in a book and those who complete the first draft before attempting any rewriting. It is best to write the first draft and get it all on paper, or computer, before you start any rewriting. This can allow you to see the direction that your book has taken and how it looks. You should not get discouraged if your first draft is less than magnificent – this is only your earliest version!
Obviously you’ve got to try what works for you, but these are just a few suggestions. Whatever you do exactly, when writing a children’s book, getting your first draft down on paper is arguably vital.
Many writers who write fiction like to get that first draft finished before they start any research into the book that needs to be finished. Having the first draft competed does not mean that you have completed your book, but that you have completed a rough draft of a book. The average book is about 80,000 words, although a rough draft of a book may be less.
In some cases, writers will sketch out a first draft that is mostly narrative. It contains only sparse dialogue, to be put in later when re-writing. If you are writing a fiction book, this is a good way to get the book down on paper, see if the plot makes sense, and make sure that you present a conflict and resolution to the conflict.
Posted in Writing Children's Books