How Hard Can It Be?

My dream is to publish a children's Christian picture book. It will touch young lives and introduce them to Jesus. I've seen my fair share of picture books...how hard can it be?

This desire prompted me to enroll in the Institute of Children's Literature course, Writing for Children and Teenagers. After just a couple of lessons my writing had already taken a turn in a different direction. I was developing a desire to write for teenagers. After all, I had two teens at home...how hard could it be? By the end of the course, things changed again and visions of writing for intermediate readers bounced around in my head.

Creating My Box

Two years after graduating the course, I still felt led to focus on the intermediate age group sticking with magazine articles and Sunday school curriculum. But one day the urge hit me to write a poem for adults. A local community newspaper seemed a good prospective and soon my poem was in print. Through different avenues I soon discovered that there was much more out there to write, especially in the children's magazine market. I was ready to "step outside the box" and try my hand at rebus', puzzles, cumulative (step) stories, crafts, riddles, and jokes. Some of these have even landed me some publishing credits.

Your Own Box

If you're happy with what you've been writing there's no need to fix something that's not broken. But if you want to break through that box and explore other possibilities, let your creative juices flow. Take a chance that you have it in you to succeed in other types of writing.

How to Begin

You must now become your own research team. Let's say you have decided to try your hand at riddles and jokes. After all, you think you're pretty funny so surely children will. Read lots of books to learn about different formats. Read sample copies of magazines you are interested in submitting to. There's more out there than just "knock-knock" jokes. Seek the advice of other authors who have had riddles or jokes published. Most will be happy to share their words of wisdom with you. Join a writer's group for easy access to other writers. This has opened many doors for me.

Study markets that you are interested in. See how many different writing opportunities they have. Most children's magazines are always in need of crafts, puzzles, and activities. Create one specifically suited for a particular theme for a greater chance of acceptance.

Jump on In!

Trying something new can sometimes be scary. Lack of confidence has hindered me in my writing career several times. Do your research and write or produce your piece in a professional way following the writer's guidelines. Breaking into print is not easy but perseverance and variety will pay off as you earn more publishing credits and income. Sometimes just knowing you have stepped outside your box and tried something new is enough. This deserves a pat on the back, even if you have to do it yourself.

My Future

I've recently submitted my children's Christian picture book. Although it now sits in my "sorry this manuscript does not fit our current needs" pile I still have dreams that someday it will reach the hands of a child. Stepping outside of my box has already been worth it all.