Fiction is not just for those who can read. Many infant books fall into the fiction category. We will explore fiction for different age groups and then explain how to get started.

Picture Books

Picture books are mainly for those that can't read, infants and preschoolers. The picture tells a part of the story so words are few. Some words are harder to read words then you'll find in an early reader book because an adult or older child will be reading this book to the infant/preschooler.

Early Reader

This book is for those who are learning to read. There will still be a picture to help the early reader along. The words used to write this type of fiction are easy and repetitive.

Childrens Book

These books may have a picture now and then throughout the book or none at all and there will be chapters. The words are harder and the plots are more complicated.

Adult Books

There are a couple of types of adult books. There are special types of books written for adults who have had a hard time learning to read. These are much like the early readers but with a story line for adults. Then there are the regular adult books. They have no picturesbut do have complicated plots, subplots and complex charaters.

Getting Started

The first thing you need to know is the age group you are writing for. After you have selected your age group then it is time to get started.

Here are some things to keep in mind when writing:

1) All fiction has a beginning, middle and an end. (Plot)

2) From whose view point is the story being told.

3) Stay away from over used phrases.

4) Nothing is ever said in your story that doesn't lead you somewhere.

5) Try to find a fresh way of telling a story.

6) Know your market.

7) Know how to punctuate properly.

Ok, its time to break it all down. Regardless of the age you are writing for all these things apply so we will not be speaking of one certain age but of all ages.

Plot

Start your story at the point that something happens to change it all. Give your characters a problem. It must be a worthwhile dilemma. A girl who has a closet full of dresses trying to figure out how to get another one when her parents refuse to buy it is not an interesting problem but a girl who only has one dress trying to figure out how to get another one is a more interesting problem. Give your audience a reason to support your main charater.

Your story should progress toward the middle, the climax of your story. The problem should climax or come to a head.

From there you need to let the readers know how it was satisfactorily resolved.

Here is a quick example of a plot from a childrens book.

Beginning (Problem) Mama duck has a problem making one duckling listen.

Middle (Climax) An alligator was waiting near by.

Ending (Resolution) The duckling decided to listen to Mama.

This is a simplistic example but I think it gets the point across. There is a problem worth caring about. It climaxes in a dangerous situation and is resolved with a positive result.

Viewpoint

Who is telling the story or through whose eyes is the story being related? Is it a narriator, the main character, a secondary character. Once you start with a viewpoint stick with it. Do not switch from character to character.

Phrases

Over done phrases are a no no. Describing something 'as black as night' is too predictable. Look for a different way of saying the same thing. Using a thesaurus is a very helpful tool here. How about black ink dark or all encompassing black. Make a list of all the over done phrases you can think of and then practice saying them a different way.

Leading Words

Never throw in information that does not lead your story forward. Here is an example.

Roy is trying to make the baseball team but his skills are not exactly adequate. Telling us his Aunt Jenny knows how to knit does not lead your story forward and in fact has nothing at all to do with the story. Now telling us his aunt knew how to knit because she kept practicing and practicing and that is where Roy got his inspiration leads your story forward.

Say It Again But Differently

If everyone is writing about pirates it can get pretty boring after awhile if the use a similar plot line. Find a fresh way of telling the same story. Maybe from a captives point of view or how someone became an unwilling pirate. Use the phrase what if. Ask what if such and such happens what would be the result and if this happened what would be the outcome. This is the time to use your imagination. Get creative and see where it leads you.

Know Your Market

Take the time to see what is out there in the age range that you want to write for. If the current rage is spaceships and outerspace themes then writing about cowboys just won't cut it unless the cowboy is somehow swept into outerspace. A good way other then going to a bookstore and buying a bunch of current books is to get a book called The Writers Market. It will tell you what publishers are looking for.

Punctuation

Last but not least know how to use punctuation. It will make all the difference to a readers understanding of what you are trying to say.

A few other thoughts on getting started. If you can afford it take a class on writing. Many colleges offer these. You don't have to get a degree in it to take a class or two. Another alternative is to take a course online. This can be cheaper and more convinent to your schedule. Then there are many books out there that are a great help to the beginning writer. Build up a library and study on your own if that is the only alternative.

Make an outline of your story line. Give your characters a history. Yes literally write a history for them. You may use some of these things in this history or you may just use it to keep facts straight. Ok, start writing and don't stop to edit until you are done.

Here is a list of books I have collected and found useful.

Not shown, Roget's Thesaurus

Errors in English and Ways to Correct Them by Harry Shaw

Writing for Children by Lee Wyndham, Revised by Arnold Madison

The Forrest for the Trees by Betsy Lerner

How We Talk by Allan Metcalf

Creating Character Emotions by Ann Hood

Writing Dialogue by Tom Chiarella

Description by Monica Wood

The 38 Most Common Fiction Writing Mistakes by Jack M. Bickham

You Can Write a Mystery by Gillian Roberts

Webster's New World Thesaurus