To think I could ever write some books?

[starrychime]

I think I could do it, I really do, kid's books that is. Have loads of ideas flying about in my head, actually typed out some stuff on computer. Am I living a pipe dream - my reasoning is, someone's got to do it I know it's difficult to get into, have done a fair bit of research on t'internet etc but do you think it's worth a try?

why don't you put a link on here and ask other MNers for their opinions?

Course you can

It sounds really exciting, there has to be a string of new authors to keep childrens books up to date.

Only if you write it here first...

Couldn't possibly post a link for folk on here - don't mind rejection via the mail if I send anything off to publishers but immediate mockery would be hard to take Actually that sounds like I don't have any confidence the stuff is any good bt I don't really mean it that way IYKWIM?

What you mean is you want objective people reading it rather than a nest of vipers

Children's books are harder than adult books.

Trust me, I have done both.

Every bugger with a computer seems to think they can write for kids. Cos it's kids, innit, gotta be easy.

There is a reason people do this for a living. It's a proper job requiring proper experience. I wouldn't presume to say I've always fancied doing a bit of accountancy, and that I had some really good accounts ideas if only I could sit down and write them out...

But you had to learn how to do it at some point didn't you unquietdad?

I did. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound as if I was biting the OP's head off. I wasn't really. Apologies if it came over that way.

It's just a hot button. Writing, especially for children, is one of those things which some people approach in a terribly dilettante manner - "ooh, I fancy being a writer." They never do the same if they fancy being, say, a plumber or a lawyer.

Watching this thread, DH and I have written a couple of drafts.

But how do you go about it - I'm not brilliant at illustrating, though DH insists I am (bless him) - I don't think they'd be good enough pictures.

Would a publisher actually be interested in a simple picture book story without pictures (ie so they'd have to commission another illustrator for it)?

Any advice welcomed

I know Dad, the first thing I've written I put to 'sleep' for a week or so and ended up changing just about every 2nd line so it read a bit better and changed characers' names etc. Trying to imagine listening to it from the POV of a 5/6/7 year old and deciding which bits they would enjoy hearing. DD loves it but she is not objective

There are some very good how-to books out there.

I don't presume to be able to say how to write picture books, as I write for older children (9-12).

But I do know it is rare for a writer to be as good at drawing/painting as they are at writing. You usually send the text in and, if they like it, then an artist is assigned.

Fredian, get the Childrens Writers Yearbook. Don't worry about drawings, advice is publishers choose their own illustrator.

Brilliant. I really like our main idea, DH actually dreamed the main concept (apparently he was on the Apprentice and the task was to design a book LOL) and we worked on it.

Have been avoiding it though, so that is really good news that a lack of illustrations won't necessarily put the publishers off. Cheers :)

Do it! It's how I have made my living for nearly 20 years. Publishers still take on new writers. Slush piles are read. You don't need illustrations- the publishing house will have a list of artists they regularly use (I write for all ages between approx 4 and 15- the younger end are illustrated but never by me).

Good luck!

Hehe Freudian, report back here in a few months to compare progress and results

Wow barbarian that's awesome :)