8 Brainstorming Tips for Children's Book Writers

Brainstorming can be a frustrating task for any writer, especially fiction writers. And while children’s book authors may be able to think of several different story ideas right off the top of their heads, when it comes to developing characters or brainstorming for specific plotlines, it can be hard to narrow down your ideas to make the right choices. Keep reading for 8 tips for better brainstorming, and more fascinating children’s stories.

Surround yourself with children: It’s the most obvious tip, but it’s also the most effective. Visit with your nieces and nephews, children’s friends and own kids, and eavesdrop on conversations that kids have in public. You’ll quickly pick up on their games, interests and dialog.
Have a goal in mind: Give yourself a specific goal for each brainstorming session so that you have more of a focus. You can devote different sessions to brainstorming about a scene, the main character’s back story, or the setting.
Organize your work: While scratching sudden ideas onto scraps of paper when they come to you is helpful, work on a laptop or in an official notebook that you can keep track of when you sit down for a brainstorming session. If your notes are organized on paper, you’ll be able to see them more clearly in your own mind, too, as you formulate the story.
Write everything down, even if you think it’s stupid: As a children’s book writer, you have free range to use magic, fantasy and even talking animals in your stories. That flexibility applies to your brainstorming too, so write down every imaginative idea you have.
Use metaphors: Use metaphors to describe your characters, concepts, setting and anything else that applies. Compare them to objects, foods, animals and seasons to inspire creativity.
Consider the illustrations: You may not be the illustrator as well as the writer, but thinking about how your story will translate visually can help you develop characters and create scenes.
Think in opposites: Make lists that describe the different elements in your story and write down the opposites. This brainstorming strategy will help you understand the complexity of your story and any conflicts that your characters may face.
Work every day: You’ll lose momentum and progress if you only write when you feel like it. Even if you don’t think you’re feeling very creative or inspired, sit down to brainstorm for at least 30 minutes and to write out a few sentences. You never know when the most important ideas will hit you.

This guest post is contributed by Alvina Lopez, who writes on the topics of accredited online colleges. She welcomes your comments at: alvina.lopez@gmail.com.