Did you do last week’s writing exercise? Yes? Well done! Did you enjoy making up your dream world? Did you learn anything? Or have you not got round to it yet? No problem: it’s still on the blog! Why not go back and do it now? 🙂
This week I thought I’d remind us all of something I mention every now and then, and that’s the importance of humour in children’s stories. Not every story has to be laugh out loud funny, but most books gain hugely from having some lighter moments.
Here are seven reasons to add humour to children’s/teen novels:
- Unless they are bribed by parents to read a book (I know it happens!), or forced to read a book at school (I know that happens, too!), children and teenagers read novels for pleasure. If your novel is too serious, you risk your readers putting down your book to do something more fun.
- Humour can bring relief from stress. Goodness knows, there are enough stresses on our children these days – laugh they should.
- Laughter improves mood. Parents and carers will thank you for this wonderful effect your novel has on their charges!
- Humour helps readers engage with your story – they will love the plot and characters so much more if it makes them smile.
- We remember better with humour. If the preacher tells an amusing story, we are more likely to remember the sermon! Same with the message in your story.
- Humour can help make your book stand out above the crowd, and get a reputation as an enjoyable book to read.
- If you are writing a harrowing, scary, or serious story, you need to add humour to allow your readers to escape from these negative emotions for a while. Don’t forget, your readers will be feeling what your characters are feeling.
Do you agree? Can you think of any more reasons to add humour to children’s stories? I look forward to hearing from you!
Have a wonderful week,
Janet