Characters in Children’s Books

When it comes to writing children’s books, one of the most significant issues you may come across are your characters. Whether you’re new to writing or you’re a professional – if you don’t have relatable characters then you need to rewrite. I’ve found this article to be helpful.

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University: Doodle Character

Another doodle meant to inspire silly and daftness (can’t believe the spelling mistake).

University: Character + Idea

Another little gem found in my treasure trove of goodies.

Hmm, What To Do?

With changing the main character to a pig it means his love interest needs a change too.  Originally she was called Tilly Tissue Paper and was exactly that, a piece of tissue.  I need a good think on what animal to turn her into, I don’t know if I want another pig because a part of the story at the end would have gone like this:

Pig (name hidden) was so happy that he ran over to Tilly and was full of confidence he couldn’t stop smiling at her.  She was very excited to see him. ‘I did it Tilly!’ and in a quick burst he started to breakout into dance which the whole crowd rallied behind.  ‘Oh yeah, look at me bopping my feet, come and roll with me Tilly, come and roll’.  

It was such a strange thing to witness, a piece of ham and tissue rolling together but oddly enough it worked.

The last sentence helps add to the feel of the story and I’d like to keep it so I need to work out the love interest character and try and re jig the story a bit more. Must get my thinking cap on again!

Decision Time

Did I go to the gym? Yes. Did I think about the book? Yes Yes Yes!

So as much as I want my character to be a piece of meat (quite literally) I really must think about it’s audience (7-11 year olds) and from a writing course I did a couple of years ago the character must be relatable and children relate more with animal types than something as obscure as a piece of ham. That has to be the way this book will be written.

This changes some things that have been written but I can make it work logically, it’s purpose is still intact and it doesn’t affect the antagonist, which was the main worry.

I didn’t think about the inciting incident, just wasn’t in that zone tonight.