When it comes to writing a children’s book it can be difficult to know where to begin. After writing and illustrating my first book The Scruffy Dog Story there are some lessons I have learned a long the way.
What questions to ask yourself when writing a book
The main questions to ask yourself when writing a book is what makes a good story? For a children’s book think about your audience. How old are they? Children have crazy imagination and will love to pretend to be the characters. Perhaps they wish to be the hero of the story. Usually there is a plot, or some sort of problem that the hero has to overcome.
For me, as the writer and illustrator of the book, I decided to write the story first and then move on to doing the illustrations. Some worked, and some didn’t. The front cover for example was ruined when I spilt ink on the paper, just as I had finished the last part of painting it. I must admit I felt like crying, after spending days and days on drawing and painting it.
Probably creating the front cover of the book was the hardest part. For example, the cover was destroyed when I spilt ink on the paper, just as I had finished the last part of painting it. I must admit I felt like crying, and this was the lowest part I felt in bringing this book to life. I really felt so low at that point, that in fact the book would never come to fruition. After spending days and days with drawing, sketching and painting to see it ruined in a second was quite heart wrenching.
Still, it has been quite a journey and one that in the end I have loved. As it is World Book Day today, I thought it fitting to write this blog. I am on to the next book about a mouse who follows his dreams. Here’s hoping I get it launched by Easter….this year