Creating Characters Kids Will Love by Elaine Marie Alphin

Have you always wanted to write for kids, but had trouble creating believable characters? Maybe some of the characters even in your best stories seemed a little flat.

Creating Characters Kids Will Love, in the Writer's Digest "Write for Kids Library," shows you how to develop characters with whom real kids can identify. The detailed text and practical exercises in this book show you how to use your memories, the kids you grew up with, kids you observe, and even your own children as the basis for your characters.

Some stories need more than kid characters to work, and you'll find out how to create believable adults who know their place as well as realistic animal characters and quirky aliens. Sometimes you even want to use inanimate objects as story characters, or talking animals to draw small children into the world of your story. Creating Characters Kids Will Love will help you create your entire cast.

Characterization is important in writing nonfiction, also, and chapters will show you how to interview kids and adults and bring them to life on the page, as well as how to research and write exciting biographies that will help kids get to know real people from the past whose lives and accomplishments impact on kids today.

"The Ultimate Writing How-To Book!"

--Audrey Baird, Editor, Once Upon A Time

I drew on my own experiences writing and also my reading experiences to write this book, and I'll show you how to read critically and write creatively as you work through Creating Characters Kids Will Love. In every chapter you'll find numerous "Read the Pros" pointers that recommend specific children's books whose authors exemplify the techniques you've just been reading about. Then you'll be invited to "Try It Yourself" through a variety of hands-on exercises - everything from brief motivation ideas through character sketches to actual scenes and even short stories.

Click here to read an excerpt from Creating Characters Kids Will Love, and try some of the writing exercises you'll find in the book.

If you're interested in learning how to write the first draft of your own novel, and fill your pages with compelling characters, find out more about my One-Day Writing Workshop and my Weekend Writing Retreat by clicking here.

 

If you want to write for kids, start by creating colorful characters kids will love.