Once Upon a Time: Myths About Writing Fairy Tales for Children

Are you looking to write a fairy tale for children?  Watch out for these common misconceptions.

1.  Rewriting an Existing Fairy Tale is Easy

It may be easier to write a story when you already have the plot, but the plot is only part of what makes a good story.

Go to your local library or bookstore and read retold fairy tales that actually got published and consider what about them makes them stand out from the thousands of other versions.  For picture books it is usually the illustrations, so if you are not an artist, you would be wiser to write a chapter book or novel inspired by an existing fairy tale.

2.  Fairy Tales + Zombies = Fame and Fortune

If you want to add a twist to the original fairy tale stories, don't just copy the latest trends - the trend will be over by the time your story could even be published.  Start your own trend by coming up with your own spin to the story.

3.  All of the Good Fairy Tales Are Already Taken


Don't limit yourself to the Grimms' fairy tales.  There are thousands of stories from cultures around the world just waiting for you to discover them.  Even better, try writing an original story.

4.  All I Have to Do is Make it Modern  


Your first instinct may be to retell a fairy tale in the present day, but be warned that this has been overdone. Having Cinderella going to the prom in an orange limo instead of going to the ball in a pumpkin transformed into a carriage is just a gimmick and doesn't substitute for good writing.

And think carefully before giving your Little Red Riding Hood an ipod to listen to on her way through the suburb.  Adding modern technologies can quickly date your story.  

5.  You Don't Have to Worry About Copyright


While the original version of Snow White is not copyrighted, the plot to the movie "Snow White and the Huntsman" is.  Similarly, you cannot use characters that others have added to the story, such as Sebastian and Flounder in Disney's "The Little Mermaid".

Therefore ensure you read the original stories you want to retell so you can tell what elements of the story are fair game. Also make sure that the story is indeed old enough to be copyrighted.

Tips on Making New Year's Resolutions for Authors

If you are an aspiring author, here are some tips regarding your writing resolutions for 2012.

1.  Your goals should be precise and measurable.

Don't make your writing goals something vague like, "To write more in 2012".  Instead, make resolutions that are specific such as writing a certain number of pages per day (or per week, or per month), revising a specific manuscript by a certain date or entering a specific writing contest.

2.  Make your goals realistic.  

Instead of resolving to write ten pages a day, resolve to write just one.   This decreases your chances of getting discouraged and giving up right away, and you will feel a sense of accomplishment if you meet, and even exceed your goal.   

3.  Achieving your goal should be something you can control.

Don't make your goal to be published in a book, literary journal or magazine in 2012 (unless you plan to self-publish) as you cannot control this outcome.  However you could resolve to send a query letter to a certain number of publishers, or make submission to a certain number of journals or magazines.      

4.  Put your goals in writing and put them somewhere you can regularly see them.

Putting your goals in writing makes them seem real, and you are less likely to forget about them if you are reminded of them daily.  Put your goals somewhere you will see them, such as on your fridge, or even have them as your background on your computer.  

5. Keep track of your progress on a regular basis.

Check every week, or at least one a month, to see what progress you have made (in some software such as Microsoft Outlook, you can even set up regular reminders).  If you haven't made any, what changes can you make in your life to put yourself back on track?

6.  Begin today.

If you keep putting off taking steps to achieve your goals, another year will pass without you getting any closer to your dreams.  

For example, if one of your goals is to take a course on creative writing, start researching ones in your area and sign up right away.  Or if you want to set aside a certain time of day for writing, decide on the time and place and start writing when the time comes (no excuses). 

Good luck everyone!  Feel free to share your writing goals in the comment section below.

Writing Tips: Top Ten Children's Book Query Letter Mistakes

Are you trying to get your children's book manuscript published?  Don't make these mistakes when writing a query letter to a children's book publisher:

1.  Don't ignore the publisher's submission guidelines.

2.  Don't make ridiculous claims. 

3.  Don't make spelling and grammatical errors.

4.  Don't say that your children, grandchildren, friend's children etc. loved it.

5.  Don't say that the book will appeal to all children.

6. Don't send artwork unless you are a professional artist. 

7.  Don't write more than one page.

8.  Don't say that your manuscript is copyrighted.

9.  Don't say that you are unpublished, or use bad publishing credits.

10.  Don't use coloured paper, fancy fonts etc.
 
For more details, click "Read More" below.

Tips for Choosing a Publisher for Your Children's Book

So you've written a children's book and want to try to get it published.  Most publishers post their submission guidelines on their website, but they can also be found in books such as Alice Pope's "Children's Writers and Illustrator's Market" (however these can quickly become outdated).

When choosing which publishers to submit to, ask yourself the following questions:

1.  Does the publisher accept unsolicited manuscripts?