For Christians writing stories for kids and teens

Dear Writers for a Reason,

Over the last few weeks I’ve been sending you 5 quick writing tips every Monday. Nothing detailed – a bit like proverbs, perhaps! I hope you’ve found them useful.

So, as promised, here are all 25 Quick Writing Tips, in a nice neat list for you:

1. Write every day if you can, even if it’s only 10-15 minutes. This will keep your story flowing, and always top of mind.
2. Write rubbish if you need to, to begin with – you can always improve it, but you can’t edit an empty document.
3. Write at the same time every day, if you can, so it becomes a habit you won’t miss. If you tie it to another habit, it helps cement the action. For example, after making your breakfast coffee, you sit down to write.
4. Write at other times, too! Enjoy the flexibility and a bit of extra time, whenever you can grab those minutes or hours.
5. Have your own writing space where you can write without distraction. It doesn’t have to be a desk – make it your own space where you feel comfortable and at peace with your story. Apparently Mark Twain wrote in bed!
6. Keep a journal to hand to write down anything you think of while away from your ‘desk’. Jot down ideas for dialogue, characters, setting, chapter headings… that way you won’t forget these great ideas!
7. Be observant. Look out for tips from real life. Snatches of conversation you hear on the bus, the way a child shrinks from a stranger, the joy as a dog runs up to its owner… the grinding of the brakes on the bus… it’s all useful for a writer.
8. Use strong words. Keep a thesaurus to hand. Did your character walk into a room? Could they run, skip, march, sidle or creep instead?
9. Avoid adverbs most of the time. Find a show-not-tell way of bringing life into the action if you can.
10. Don’t have too many characters, especially similar ones – it can get confusing. Confused readers tend to put the book down, and may not pick it back up.
11. Freewrite your first draft before going back to edit. Make sure you get to the end of your story before going back to the beginning. You have no idea how much difference this will make to the flow of your story. Honestly.
12. Show, don’t tell, as much as you possibly can. Take your readers right there to the action, so they can see what is taking place, rather than simply giving your readers the information.
13. Do a writing course. As long as you pick a reputable one, you will learn so much more than you could possibly imagine. I’d love to see you in the Write for a Reason Academy!
14. Join a writers’ group. We all have blind spots, and other writers can help us sort those out before we get too far. Online or in-person groups can be equally good – find one that suits you. I run a writers’ group on Zoom – you can find more about it on the write-for-a-reason website.
15. Read, read, read and keep reading – every day if possible, even if it’s only one chapter of a book. The best thing to read (apart from your Bible, of course!) is books that fit in with your own target audience. But all reading is good. You will glean so much about grammar, sentence structure, characters and so, so much more.
16. Use all the senses – don’t just describe what the scene looks like, but add colour, scent/odours, sounds and touch, too – plus add a bit of atmosphere. Is it dark and creepy? Or dark and peaceful? Take your readers there with you!
17. Check your grammar and spelling, and make sure your manuscript is neat and tidy. I know it sounds obvious, but make sure your punctuation is perfect.
18. Reading your story out loud will help you see when the flow of your sentences isn’t quite right.
19. Leave your phone in another room while you write, so you don’t get distracted.
20. Plan your story carefully before you start writing. The more planning you do, the easier and quicker you will write your book. Knowing what the end will be, means you will always be writing towards that finale.
21. Include animals in your stories. They can add lots of fun – kids love them. Unicorns, bears, dogs, parrots – it’s up to you. But they definitely add a little something!
22. Keep up the pace of your story. You will need slower moments and times when you need to pick up the pace, but make sure it never gets dull.
23. Get good at social media, so you will have a platform ready for when your book is finished.
24. Don’t let imposter syndrome stop you from writing. If you feel the Lord has called you to write, better get on with it, because someone is waiting for the story that only you can write.
25. Write for one precious child – a grandchild, niece, nephew, or the child next door. That way, you won’t get overwhelmed about having to get a publishing contract. You can always get your story spiral-bound and give it to them, and if it blesses that one child, wouldn’t it all be worth it? And, of course, it might lead to something bigger!

So there you go – one nice neat list of 25 quick writing tips.

And if I get round to it, I’ll add to it another time. Or perhaps you can think of something that has helped you? Feel free to send in your ideas!

Every blessing,

Janet