The Secret to Writing for Children: Insider’s Tip
August 2009

This is genuinely the most useful ‘tip’ I can give you on writing for children, based on my own experiences.

Is there a particular time in your life that you remember vividly? Were you bullied as an 8 year old, after moving to a new school maybe? Did your granny die when you were 11, cutting you to the bone? Did you travel to somewhere amazing as a teenager and have an unforgettable holiday romance? How did it feel to turn 13 – sad, exciting, scary?

Do you remember? You have a better chance of writing good books for children if you do!

Think back. Something might jump out at you. When you remember your childhood, what exactly do you remember?

In my case I have almost total recall of particular events that happened to me as a young teenager – from 13 to 15. School, parties, boys, smoking my first cigarette (sorry, Mum), using make-up for the first time, my first ‘proper’ kiss, friendship bust ups, being mean to other girls, other girls being mean to me . . .

I went to a school called St Andrew’s College, in Blackrock, Co Dublin and it was a pretty interesting place. I was lucky to have friends from all over the world – Sweden, Africa, Iran, America – which is pretty unusual for an Irish school girl. Lots of business people and diplomats sent their children there as it did, and still does the IB, an international exam.

When I’m writing my young teen books – the Amy Green, Teen Agony Queen series – I try to remember just how it feels to be left out by your so called ‘friends’; to have a boyfriend who is ‘different’, arty, not ‘cool’; to have a boyfriend who is ‘cool’ (and the arty ones are the ones you remember the most, take it from me!) – in fact it all plays out in front of my eyes in technicolour. I guess I go back to being 13 again.

And if I need extra ‘remember-aid’ I just grab one of my teen diaries and start to read – while cringing! Friends, boys, family, boys, school, boys – I was obsessed!

So, to get back to the point – start off by writing about that time you remember the most, the time that made the most impression on you. Reach back.

Don’t write for children, write for yourself as a 5 year old, an 8 year old, or like me, a 13 year old. Write about how it really feels to be 13. Emotions don’t change, even if things like technology do.

Good luck!

SarahX