Writing children's stories requires a strong imagination and the ability to see things from a child's point of view. You may need to write a children's story for a class or personal project. To write it, start by brainstorming on a topic that the children find interesting. After that, write a story with a great opening, use a strong plot, and include a moral of the story. Also, make sure you refine your story after you've finished drafting it so that it can appeal to younger readers.
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Part 1 of 3: Getting Started
Step 1. Identify the age group your target audience is in
Children's stories are often written for a specific age group. Do you want to write stories for toddlers? Or older children? Try to find out if your target audience is children in the age group 2-4, 4-7, or 8-10 years. The use of language, tone/ambience, and style of the story will change based on the age group you are targeting.
- For example, if you are writing a story for a group of 2-4 or 4-7 year olds, you will need to use simpler language and very short sentences.
- If you are writing a story for an 8-10 year old group, use slightly more complex language and sentences that are longer than four or five words.
Step 2. Use childhood memories as story inspiration
Think about childhood memories that were exciting, weird, or amazing. Use these memories as the basis for the children's story you want to write.
For example, maybe you need to have a weird day in grade 3 elementary school. You can turn the experience into an entertaining story. You may also have traveled abroad when you were very young and got experiences/stories from those visits that children will love
Step 3. Choose an ordinary object and make it a fantastic thing
Choose a daily activity or event and add unique elements to the activity/event. Make one object fantastic by incorporating a whimsical or magical element into it. Use your imagination to try to see things from a child's point of view.
For example, you could choose something like a visit to the dentist and make it fantastic by turning on the machines used in the practice room. You can also use the first experience of visiting the sea as a story idea and make it fantastic by showing the figures of children exploring the deep ocean
Step 4. Choose a theme or story idea
Having a main theme in the story helps you come up with ideas. Focus on themes such as love, loss, identity, or friendship from a child's perspective. Think about the child's perspective on the chosen theme, then explore the theme further.
For example, you could explore the theme of friendship by focusing on the relationship between a girl and her pet turtle
Step 5. Create a unique main character
Sometimes, children's stories depend on a unique main character that children can relate to themselves. Think about the types of characters that don't appear frequently in children's stories. Create a unique character using interesting child or adult traits that you can find in the real world.
For example, you may notice that not many children's stories feature a dark-skinned girl (or from an ethnicity other than the majority ethnicity/race) as the main character of the story. You can create a main character to fill the void
Step 6. Give one or two traits / traits that stand out in the main character
Make the main character stand out to the reader by giving it a unique physical character, such as a certain hairstyle, type of clothing, or walking style. You can also give the main character a special personality, such as a kind heart, likes challenges, and tends to get into trouble.
For example, you could create a main character who always braids his hair and is obsessed with turtles. Or, you can also create a main character who has obvious scars on his hands from falling from a tree
Step 7. Create a story starter or opening
Make a storyline in six parts, starting with the exposition or the introduction part. In this section, you introduce the setting, the main characters, and the conflict. Start by displaying the character's name and describing a specific place or location. After that, you can outline your character's desires or goals, as well as the obstacles or problems he or she will have to face.
For example, you could write an introductory section like: Once upon a time, there was a girl named Asri who wanted a pet. Asri finds a turtle in a lake near his house
Step 8. Show the incident that triggered the emotion/problem (the beginning of the conflict)
This incident is an event or decision that changes or challenges the main character. This incident can be caused/come from other characters. If desired, incidents can also be caused by specific institutions/agencies (eg school or workplace), or nature (eg hurricanes or tornadoes).
For example, you could display incidents such as: Ibu Asri said that she shouldn't have pets because her responsibilities were too big
Step 9. Display the rising action stage
In this stage, you develop your main character and explore his relationships with other characters in the story. Show his life in the middle of the incident. Explain how to deal with or adjust to the incident.
For example, you could write: Asri finds a turtle and hides it in his bag. He took her everywhere secretly so her mother wouldn't know
Step 10. Show a dramatic climax of conflict or climax
The peak of conflict or climax is the highest point in the story. At this stage, the main character has to make a big decision or choice. This stage is usually full of “drama” and becomes the most interesting part of the story.
For example, you could write a story climax like: Ibu Asri finds a turtle in her bag and says that she can't keep it
Step 11. List the stages of conflict reduction
At this stage, the main character faces the outcome of his decision. He may need to change something or make a decision. The main character can also team up with other characters at this stage of the plot.
For example, you could write: Asri and her mother had a fight, and the turtle ran away. After learning that the turtle had run away, Asri and his mother immediately looked for him
Step 12. End the story with a resolution
This stage serves to close the story. Resolution serves to tell the reader whether the main character succeeded or failed to achieve his goal. Maybe the main character in your story has managed to get what he wanted, or has compromised himself (after a failure).
For example, you could write a story resolution such as: Asri and her mother found the turtle in the lake. They then saw the turtle swimming away
Step 13. Read sample children's stories
Get a clearer picture of this genre by reading examples of successful/famous children's stories. Try reading stories that focus on the demographic or age group of children you're targeting. You can read stories like:
- Onion and garlic
- The Story Series from the Carrot Garden by Neil Connelly
- Timun Mas and the Green Giant
- The story of the mouse deer and the crocodile
Part 2 of 3: Writing a Draft Story
Step 1. Create an interesting opening/introduction
Start with one sentence that can immediately grab the reader's attention. Use a unique description of the main character as an opening. Show the action the character is taking. The opening section should set the mood for the story and allow the reader to guess the story.
- For example, you can look at the opening part of the story “The Little One and the Crocodile”: “Once upon a time, the clever deer was sitting and relaxing under a tree. He enjoys the cool and lush forest atmosphere. Suddenly, his stomach started to rumble…”
- This opening section displays the nature, atmosphere, and unique elements of the "deer" character.
Step 2. Use language related to the senses and show lots of detail
Bring the main character to life by focusing on what he sees, smells, touches, feels and hears. Also use language that reflects these sensory experiences to keep readers interested in your story.
- For example, you could describe the setting of the story as “quiet and cool” or “hot and dusty”.
- You can also use words or sound effects such as “crack”, “explode”, or “whoosh” to keep readers entertained with your story.
Step 3. Add rhymes to the story
Get the reader's attention by inserting rhyming words into the story. Try making two sentences that rhyme, with a rhyme at the end of each sentence. You can also rhyme with the same sentence, such as, "She found a diamond" or "The girl saw the stars in the evening sky."
- You can use perfect rhymes. In this case, the two words that rhyme have matching vowels and consonants. For example, the words “love” and “sorrow” can make perfect rhymes.
- You can also use imperfect rhymes. In this case, only vowels or consonants are compatible. For example, the words “earth” and “sunyi” can be imperfect rhyming pairs because only the vowel sound “i” is appropriate.
Step 4. Use reps or repetitions
Bring out the language in the story by repeating key words or phrases throughout the story. Repetition helps readers to stay interested and remember the story being written.
For example, you could repeat questions like "Where's the pussy?" throughout the story. You can also repeat a phrase like "Gosh!" or “It's finally here!” to maintain the plot or "energy" of the story
Step 5. Include alliteration, metaphor, and simile
Alliteration figure of speech refers to the use of the same consonant in every word, such as in the phrase “Kumba the grubby cat” or “The tinkling of the strings of the Goddess”. Alliteration can be an interesting element to add rhyme to writing and make stories interesting for children.
- Metaphor refers to the comparison of two things. For example, you might include a metaphor such as “The stars are the eyes of a god that flashes in the sky.”
- Simile refers to the comparison of two things using the conjunction "like" or "like". For example, you might include a simile like "He is like a bird in a golden cage."
Step 6. Make the main character face a certain conflict
An important element in a good story is conflict. At this stage, the main character must overcome obstacles or problems in order to succeed in getting something. Show only one conflict that is concrete and clear to the reader in your story. The main character in the story may have to face problems of acceptance by others, family problems, or problems with his physical development.
- Another common conflict featured in children's stories is the fear of the unknown, such as learning a new skill, visiting a new place, or getting lost.
- For example, you could show the main character who has a hard time getting along with his friends at school so he makes a turtle as his best friend. You can also show the main character who is afraid of the basement or attic in his house and learns to fight that fear.
Step 7. Present the moral of the story in an engaging and inspiring way, without being "teaching"
Most children's stories feature happy endings and inspire with story morale. Avoid making moral stories that feel too "heavy" for children. The moral that is shown in passing is considered more effective and less “explicit” for the readers.
Try to show the moral of the story through the actions of the characters. For example, you can show the character Asri and his mother hugging on the edge of the lake when the turtle swims away. This action can reflect the moral of the story by seeking emotional support through the family, without telling the reader explicitly about the moral of the story itself
Step 8. Illustrate your story
Most children's story books are equipped with illustrations to bring the story to life visually. You can try to make your own story illustrations or hire the services of an illustrator.
- In many children's story books, the illustrations that are displayed have half an important role in conveying the story to the reader. You can display character details such as clothing, hairstyles, facial expressions, and colors in story illustrations.
- Usually, illustrations for children's books are made after the story has been written. This way, the illustrator can draw based on the content in each scene or story line.
Part 3 of 3: Perfecting the Story
Step 1. Read the story aloud
When you have finished writing your draft, read it aloud to yourself. Listen to the sound or story. Pay attention to whether any language usage is too complex or high for the target audience age group. Revise the story so that it is easy for children to read and follow.
Step 2. Show the written story to the children
Get feedback from your target audience's age group. Ask your younger siblings, family members, or children at your school to read the story you wrote and provide feedback. Adjust the story with the responses given so that the story is more interesting and easy to understand/associate with children.
Step 3. Revise the length and clarity of the story
Read the draft again carefully and make sure the story isn't too long. Usually, the most effective children's stories are short and straightforward. Most children's stories consist of very short text. Although short, the text in the story is put to good use to convey the story.
Step 4. Try publishing the story you wrote
If you like a written story, you can submit it to a children's book publisher. Write a children's story submission letter that you write and send it to the editor or publisher.
