Read it; Learn it

by Leni Checkas

I read at least a dozen children’s books a month, even though I was born before the moon landing. Some might question why a grown woman would read books that her youngling enjoys. Well, when you write books for children, you can learn a lot by reading the competition.

I can already hear the moaning and complaining in response to this statement. Well, I can at least guess the excuses anyway, because I’ve used them all myself.

• “I don’t want to accidently steal someone else’s work.”

Aside from copying word for word, you won’t be stealing; you’ll be gleaning ideas and making them your own characters, situations, and scenes.

• “I don’t want to be influenced by other people’s writing.”

Yes, you do. Rock stars aren’t asked in interviews, “How did you do that all by yourself?” They’re asked, “Who were your influences?” There’s always a long list in response. As a writer, you need to build your own list of influences.

• “I want my work to be 100% unique.”

Good luck with that one, because Shakespeare already used all of the ideas, quite a few of which he borrowed.

• “I don’t have time to read.”

A great time to read is when you are stuck, especially between re-writes. I particularly like to tackle books on tape while I handle my most detested household chores.

A few years back, I reached a point where I got past the excuses. I picked up one of the Newbery books, and I learned. I picked up more and more variety of kids’ books, and kept learning, things like:

• The difference between modern kid’s novels and classic stories that might not make it past a slush pile today.

• How to analyze books to discover what works and how the author influences my reactions.

• What’s unique about my manuscripts and what is formulaic.

• Great examples of how to show and when to tell.

• How and when to create a scene.

• Real instances of that elusive “voice.”

Most importantly, I’ve learned what kind of books I like to read. Knowing this fact will help me write the kind of book I would buy myself.

So, try it out for yourself. Go to the kid’s section at your local library. Don’t worry if you are older than the first appearance of the Beatles on Ed Sullivan. Pick out a bunch of kids books, set aside the ones that you didn’t like, analyze the ones you love. Discover your internal editor through this simple exercise. It will help your writing, guaranteed!