How to Understand the Young Reader

There is an important difference between writing about a child’s world and writing through the view of a child’s eyes. To write effectively not only means writing about what a child is doing but also seeing a child’s world. If you write about a child’s world through adult’s eyes it may appear unrealistic to the child reader but if you share a child’s view you will allow your reader to share it too.

Have you forgotten what it feels like to be a child? Try to imagine being dependent on another person in order to move around as a small baby would. Things look a little different from the floor don’t they? Now imagine you see a toy you want on the table. How can you get it? You can’t walk or talk. How does the world look from this position?

Next get up on your knees and look around. How has your world changed? Finally stand up and walk around the room. Have your feelings about your world changed? Try to remember how you felt as a child. Following are ten questions you can ask yourself as you explore your inner child.

1. What was my favorite book when I was a child?
2. What was the scariest thing that happened to me as a child?
3. What was my greatest happiness as a child? Why?
4. What was my greatest fear? Why?
5. Where did my monsters live? In the dark? Under the bed?
6. What were my monsters like?
7. What made me feel most secure as a child?
8. What was my best school experience? What was my worst?
9. Who was my best friend when I was growing up? Why did we like each other?

10.What were my ambitions/hopes/dreams as a child/teenager?

Begin studying the work of other children’s authors. Do they write from an adult world view or that of a child world view? Listen to their voice. Do they speak as an adult or as a child?

Find out what children worry about or what a key issue in their life is. Think about the realities of life. There are many issues children have to contend with such as bullying, making friends, school exams, attending a new school, environment, and so on.

Authors who live with young children or exposed to them on a daily basis have a wealth of research available. If you do not live around children but have fond memories, hang out at a library after school. Listen to what children have to say. Also try to remember how you felt but don’t write about past experiences. Write about the reality of life today unless of course you are writing a historical piece.

Have you ever visited a place from your past like a house or school? Did you notice that the image does not fit your memory and somehow everything is much smaller now? It feels kinda weird and is a good example of perception from two different view points.

Put some of these suggestions into practice and your writing for children will take on a whole new language.

Write it down
Carma

Do You Write for Reluctant Readers?

I have not always loved to read. When I was in the fifth grade I distinctly remember hating to write book reports because I would have to read. However, fifth grade was also a pivotal year because I read a book all the way to the end. Before that crucial moment all of my book reports were based on jacket flaps. I can’t remember the author or the name of the book that piqued my interest in reading but I do remember it was about a girl my age who knew how I felt and liked what I liked. The author did a wonderful job leading a reluctant reader down a path of adventure.

Fast forward to 2008. Young reluctant readers (also known as Hi/Lo readers) are on the rise and there is a great need for authors to write in this unique genre. Reluctant readers read both fiction and non-fiction. According to Elizabeth Kennedy of About.com in her article of Resources for Reluctant Readers there are several different types of reluctant readers according to the experts.

*Children who are intelligent and interested but don’t read well.
*Children who have no interest and are at risk of failing.
*Children who deal with specific learning problems.
*A child who reads well but has little interest.

Are you a writer who would like to help this type of reader? I found a helpful article by Lori Jameson and Paul Kropp on Reading Rockets: Hooking Struggling Readers. Writers of controlled-readability materials must be aware that the interest of a book must be held all the way through. Authors of regular novels can spend more time describing characters, scenery and background but an author of a Hi/Lo book has to keep the plot spinning to keep a reluctant reader’s attention.

To find out the science behind books for reluctant readers and free materials for teachers and parents go to H-I-P (High Interest Publishing) and visit Lori Jameson and Paul Kropp at HIP-Books. This information is a great start on researching how to write for reluctant readers of all ages.

An author needs to make the reader care what happens to the characters. Making connections from one's own experience to the text is an important reading strategy and a basic literacy skill. It is a challenge but that is what writing is about. Creating and challenging. If you can help a child relate to experiences in a book they may be able to stretch their reading curve up a grade level or two.

Write it down,

Carma

Monday: Writing Links For the Curious Writer

Here are some direct links to some articles I know you will enjoy. However, don't try to read them all in one day. Spread it out over several days then apply what you learn.

Writing-World.com is a fabulous website and is for writers of all genres.

Editing Secrets by Laura Backes will help you make your work shine if you want to get it in front of the editor's eyes. This article has the low-down.

Writing for Young Readers by Eugie Foster is also an eye opener.

Check out the FAQ's that will take the mystery out of some misdirected rumors.

Writing-World also has departments for Beginners World, Business World and I really like the Freelancer’s World. Tips Queries, submissions. Everything you need to get started.

Verla Kay is a veteran children's author and always has a wealth of information on her site. I ran across a character chart she developed that works for her, she says. Go here to see it. It's detailed right down to the TV shows they watch. Now that's developing.

Have fun.

Write it down,

Carma