Jill Morris, author and publisher - tips on writing for children. There is a children's writer in all of us. We have all been children and we understand children's joys and concerns. It is hard work. Don't be misled by the simplicity and brevity of much of the best children's literature.
Simplicity is hard to achieve.
It is often the result of dozens of drafts. Brevity means the author has got rid of thousands of words to achieve the kernel of a story which will entice, intrigue and excite children. Don't be distracted by the rubbish which is published for children. Writers often make this mistake, which I call the 'I can do better than that' syndrome. You have to do the best you can do.