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Blogs by Deanie Humphrys-Dunne
Beginners Guide to Creating the Pefect Children's Story
7/19/2012 6:28:57 AM
Let’s imagine that you’ve worked very had to create a children’s story. You think this is the one, the story of your dreams. How do you know what elements you need to include? How do you know what the editors prefer? Here are some suggestions of things you should check before you mail your manuscript off to the editor.
•Does your opening have a “hook?”- A “hook” is something that will peak your reader’s interest and make them want to know what happens next. It’s very important because without an interesting opening, your readers won’t want to finish the story.
Typos: Have you proofread your manuscript for typing errors? Have you checked for correct grammar? These things are very important. They help show the editor that you’ve carefully reviewed your work.
•Conflict: Does your main character have a problem to solve? Did you create enough suspense so your young readers will keep turning the pages?
•Is the story age appropriate? Is the language in your story correct for your age group?
•Dialogue: Does the dialogue move the story along? It needs to advance the plot. You don’t want dialogue included that doesn’t have a purpose in the story.
•Have you done enough revisions? From my own experience, as the author of 4 children’s stories, I find it’s most important to read through your story. It took 13 revisions before I was pleased with my first book,"Tails of Sweetbrier."Think carefully about revisions. What would you like to change? Maybe you have too many of the same word in one section. Maybe the language is a little boring in one part. These things are all important to check so that you present your best work.
•Finally, are you proud of your story? In my opinion, it’s vital that you present a manuscript that reflects your best efforts. Your readers deserve nothing less.
I hope these little hints are helpful to you so that you can create the story of your dreams.
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More Blogs by Deanie Humphrys-Dunne
• Important Hints on Writing an Outstanding Query Letter - Sunday, April 28, 2013
• What is theme? Do you Need Ideas? - Monday, March 04, 2013
• Looking for the Key to Success? Here it is! - Friday, March 01, 2013
• Writing for Children? Will Someone Steal your Work? - Saturday, December 29, 2012
• Writing for Children? Adding Conflict - Monday, November 19, 2012
• Writing for Children? Be Sure your Character Grows - Monday, October 15, 2012
• Another Amazing Olympian, Hiroshi Hoketsu - Tuesday, July 31, 2012
• Interesting Happening from the Olympics - Monday, July 30, 2012
• Kieran Behan, A Winner Against All Odds - Sunday, July 29, 2012
• The Opening Ceremony - Saturday, July 28, 2012
• Go USA Olympians! - Friday, July 27, 2012
• Who Should Publish Your Story? - Thursday, July 26, 2012
• Five Important Truths About Rejection and Your Children’s Book - Wednesday, July 25, 2012
• A Look at the Inspiring life of Children's Author, Carla Burke - Tuesday, July 24, 2012
• Making your Characters Memorable - Monday, July 23, 2012
• Bored with Writing? What to do Next - Sunday, July 22, 2012
• We're bored, now what? - Saturday, July 21, 2012
• Where do you Find Ideas for Your Children's Stories ? - Friday, July 20, 2012
• Beginners Guide to Creating the Pefect Children's Story - Thursday, July 19, 2012
• What is conflict and why is it Important to your Story? - Wednesday, July 18, 2012
• Have you Ever Heard of Easton, CT? - Tuesday, July 17, 2012
• Conquering "Pikes Peak" - Monday, July 16, 2012
• Keys to Success in your Children's Story - Sunday, July 15, 2012
• Why Setting Goals is Important - Saturday, July 14, 2012
• Reaching Beyond Your Goals Through Therapeutic Riding - Friday, July 13, 2012
• Top Three Reasons why you Should Persevere - Thursday, July 12, 2012
• Random Things About Me - Wednesday, July 11, 2012
• Cody Jackson, Pint Sized Patriot - Tuesday, July 10, 2012
• A Shout Out to my Readers! - Monday, July 09, 2012
• Themes and Morals, What's the Difference? - Sunday, July 08, 2012
• What Should you Write About? - Saturday, July 07, 2012
• Overcoming Writer's Fright - Friday, July 06, 2012
• It's P. T. Barnum's Birthday-Let's celebrate! - Thursday, July 05, 2012
• Happy Birthday, USA - Tuesday, July 03, 2012
• Consistency-Why is it Important for Your Childrens' Story? - Friday, June 29, 2012
• Creating Memorable Characters for your Children’s Stories - Wednesday, June 13, 2012
• When your Ending Meets the Beginning of your Children's Stroy - Tuesday, February 07, 2012
• Why is Dialogue Important to your Children's Story? - Saturday, January 07, 2012
• Do you Remember the First Story you Published? - Saturday, August 27, 2011
• How was Tails of Sweetbrier Created? - Saturday, August 27, 2011
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