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Ask About Writing for Children

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Conflict & Resolution

What is Conflict?

Think of conflict as your story's "problem" - the thing that makes readers want to keep turning pages! It's what your character needs to solve, and it should be something kids can relate to.

Classic Example (Winnie the Pooh): "Pooh's tummy rumbles, but the honey pot is empty. He must find food, but he's too round to climb the tree where the bees live."
Pro Tip: Kids love stories where the main character can solve their own problems - it makes them feel capable and brave!

Types of Problems Your Character Can Face

  • Character vs. Self: Being scared, learning something new, building confidence
  • Character vs. Character: Friend troubles, sibling squabbles, playground drama
  • Character vs. Nature: Storms, lost pets, growing a garden
  • Character vs. Society: Following rules, standing up for what's right
From "The Tale of Peter Rabbit": Peter vs. Mr. McGregor's garden rules - a classic "following the rules" problem that every kid understands!

How Your Character Grows

The best part of any story is watching your character learn and grow! Your hero should end up a little braver, smarter, or kinder than when they started.

From "The Velveteen Rabbit": "The Rabbit learned that being Real isn't about how you are made, but about being loved."
Fun Fact: Stories where characters grow and learn are the ones kids ask to read again and again!

Characters

Creating Characters Kids Will Love

Your main character should feel like someone kids would want to be friends with! Give them clear goals, fears, and dreams that children can understand and root for.

From "Alice in Wonderland": "Alice was beginning to get very tired of sitting by her sister on the bank, and of having nothing to do: once or twice she had peeped into the book her sister was reading, but it had no pictures or conversations in it."
Pro Tip: Make your main character a little older than your readers - kids love reading about someone they can look up to!

Watching Your Character Grow

The magic happens when your character learns something new or becomes braver! Show how they change from the beginning to the end of your story.

From "The Little Engine That Could": "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can" - the engine learns that believing in yourself makes all the difference!
Fun Fact: Stories where characters grow and learn are the ones kids ask to read again and again!

Friends and Family

Every great character needs great friends! These are the people who help your main character along their journey - they teach kids about friendship, family, and helping others.

From "Winnie the Pooh": "Christopher Robin was the only one who could get Pooh's head out of the honey pot. He was a very good friend."
Pro Tip: Memorable supporting characters can turn your story into a whole series of adventures!

Setting

Where & When

Establish the time and place where your story happens. This helps readers imagine the world.

Example: "Sarah's bedroom at night, with shadows dancing on the walls."

Atmosphere

Use sensory details to create mood. What do characters see, hear, smell, feel?

Example: "The room was quiet except for the sound of rain tapping on the window."

Setting as Character

Sometimes the setting itself can create challenges or opportunities for your character.

Example: "The dark bedroom becomes Sarah's biggest challenge, but also where she finds her courage."

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