The Way to Write for Children [Paperback]

Joan Aiken (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1983

Revised and updated, this essential and practical guide by an award-winning children's author explains how to write books for children, from where to look to inspiration to practical advice on how to create characters and structure a plot.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Nearly everyone who has curled up with a child and a book has had the thought that he or she, too, could write a children's book. Joan Aiken, in a revised and updated version of her Way to Write for Children, cautions that it's not so easy. While books for the youngest readers may be simple, the best ones are far from simplistic. In this slender volume, Aiken alights on topics relevant to the writing of books for tots, 'tweens, and teens. And, as Jiminy Cricket is for Pinocchio, she acts as a conscience for children's book authors. "Since each child," she intones, "reads only about six hundred books in the course of childhood, each book should nourish them in some way." And if you're writing for teens? They are under enough pressure as it is to partake in adult activities, says Aiken. "Let not the fiction they are offered add to the pressure."

Aiken is adamant about what children's books shouldn't do (they cannot be boring, they must not condescend, and they shouldn't include bridge passages or flashbacks) but not prescriptive about how they should be written. Just keep in mind, she says, that reading, for children, is serious business, and "it is the writer's duty to demonstrate to children that the world is not a simple place." As for subject matter, says Aiken, there are enough alphabet books and animal stories to go around. Instead, she recommends, try to observe small children and their interests with the same intense concentration that they employ. "Stairs, cupboards, blankets, sinks, ovens, soap, shoes, clocks, knitting, paper-bags--all these can be full of mystery, excitement, and beauty." --Jane Steinberg --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Review

"Hopeful authors exploring 'the way to write for children' could ask for no finer guide than Joan Aiken."--Lloyd Alexander, Newbery Award winner

"Joan Aiken has a very clear and unique voice which she brings to the Matter of Children's Books. Any writer who wants to learn the business--of writing--can learn much here."--Jane Yolen, Caldecott Medal and Skylark winner

"The Way to Write for Children is unquestionably bound to become the definitive practical guide for anyone wanting to enter a genre that looks so easy and turns out to be such a mine field for the unwary. But what I cherish in the book is Joan Aiken's passion . . . Whether or not you hope to write for children, this is a book for the permanent shelf of every thoughtful writer."--Peter S. Beagle, author of The Last Unicorn and The Innkeeper's Song

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: St Martins Pr (January 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031285840X
• ISBN-13: 978-0312858407
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,048,204 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Joan Aiken (1924-2004) was the daughter of Pulitzer prize winning poet Conrad Aiken and started writing herself from the age of five. During her lifetime she published over one hundred books for children and adults, including the acclaimed Wolves of Willoughby Chase series. In the UK she received an MBE from the Queen for her services to Children's Literature.

This year sees the publication of a brand NEW story collection - The Monkey's Wedding - with previously unpublished material that shows Aiken on top form. This collection of funny, spooky, unexpected but classic Aiken stories has received wonderful reviews and will delight her readers. See below for details.

Her work continues to be adapted for film and television; she is established as a consummate storyteller,and recognized as one of the best loved authors of the twentieth century.

"The Wonderful World of Joan Aiken" is at www.joanaiken.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just my cup of tea., March 21, 2002

By 

"kaia_espina" (Quezon City, Philippines) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Way to Write for Children: An Introduction to the Craft of Writing Children's Literature (Paperback)

A friendly warning to readers: Even though "The Way to Write for Children" is very precise about what SHOULD NOT be in children's books, it is quite the opposite about what SHOULD be in them.

On the very first page of the text, Joan Aiken bluntly informs readers that "there is no _one_ way in which to write for children." In another chapter, she explains the futility of dividing child readers into age groups and trying to target a single age. Throughout the book, she gives examples of what she considers poor children's literature--and not without good reason.

Aiken is not a writing teacher who says, "Do this and this and this, but not that." She is more like a mentor whose gut instinct about these matters is so finely developed that she can tell what will work and what will not, even though she may not be able to explain why. Yet she does try! Those who like their writing manuals well organized into clean-cut sections and subsections will not appreciate her attempts, but those who understand that she is truly sincere may dig deeper and find unexpected treasure.

You'll enjoy this book more if you have read as much children's literature as Aiken has and are familiar with the authors and titles that she liberally "name drops" throughout the text. I bought my copy three years ago and understood about 10% of it. Then I started studying some of the books she used as examples: "Daddy-Long-Legs", "Poems of Childhood", "The Chronicles of Narnia", "The Hobbit", "I Am the Cheese", etc. With that, her words took on new life for me.

I can compare reading "The Way to Write for Children" to listening to a wise and remarkable friend speak--but not lecture--about children's literature. It is definitely not writing school, but the education I receive is superior.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a rare treat for writers, December 12, 2000

By 

Mark Siegel (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Way to Write for Children: An Introduction to the Craft of Writing Children's Literature (Paperback)

Beautifully written and full of real insight, this astonishing little book will do more for the creative flow of aspiring writers than most books in the field. Its focus is on children's writing, and it offers the wisdom of an outstanding and very succesful author. Her love of children's writing is contagious, her advice is sound, and this excellent help will inspire many generations to come. In a league of its own.

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Information, August 24, 2010

By 

Zoraida Cespedes - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Way to Write for Children: An Introduction to the Craft of Writing Children's Literature (Paperback)

This book has useful info. Although it was written in the 90's the information is still relevant today 2010.