I have been asked several times what writing a children's picture book is like. I have published two children's books and am still learning as I grow to become a quality author. Some people think it is easy because it is all pictures and minimal words, but this is far from how it is. Writing children's picture books can be a wonderful creative endeavour. Here is some information from my experience to help you get started: You need to choose a theme: Children's picture books often revolve around a central theme, friendship, adventure, or overcoming fears. Think about the message you want to share with young readers and choose a theme that resonates with them. My first two books don't teach friendship or overcoming fears as such but show characters in a fun light. My next book will have some teachings for my young readers. Keep it simple: Picture books are meant to be read and enjoyed by young children, so keep your language and writing style simple and easy to understand. Use short sentences, vivid descriptions, and repetition to help keep your young readers engaged. Rhyming stories make the story easy to remember and keep it fun for children. However, this is incredibly hard to achieve as to create a rhyme, you may end up going away from the storyline slightly, and it may need to be clarified for the reader. This is something I need help with. Create relatable characters: Children are more likely to engage with a story if they can relate to the characters. Create characters that children can identify with, and give them personalities and traits that children will find endearing and relatable. I am writing about Comet the Red Bus and his friendly bus driver Billie. Children often go on a bus for a school adventure or to get to school, so this resonated with some of my readers. Use illustrations to enhance the story: Picture books rely heavily on illustrations to help tell the story. While the writing focuses on the writing itself, illustrations play a crucial role in engaging young readers and bringing the story to life. Work with an illustrator or create your own illustrations that enhance and complement the text. Make sure your illustrations are colourful, bold, and eye-catching. Be careful when selecting an illustrator. You either need to pay someone to do the work, and you own the work, or you need to credit the illustrator in your book and then share the profits from your books with them as a contributor towards your book. Thousands of scammers are online, and they are only too happy to take your money and not deliver. Consider the age range: Picture books are typically aimed at children between 3 and 8. Consider the age range of your target audience when writing your book. Use age-appropriate language and themes, and make sure your story is engaging and entertaining for young readers. Read and revise: Like any writing project, reading and editing your work is essential. Read your story aloud to understand how it flows and where you will likely find improvements you can make. Share your work with others and get feedback, and be willing to revise and make changes as needed. Edit, edit and edit some more. Pay a good editor and proofreader. Don't be cheap; use a professional. I reprinted my entire first book as it needed to be edited correctly; I was ripped off by someone who had no idea what they were doing. Following these tips, you can create a fun and engaging children's picture book that young readers will love. Remember to have fun and let your creative side shine through!
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Public transport is a mode of transportation that is available to everyone, irrespective of their social or economic status. Public transport systems such as buses, trains, trams, and subways are widely used in cities and towns all over the world. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in public transport due to the environmental benefits and reduced traffic congestion it provides. In my blog today, we will explore the various benefits of using public transport. Firstly, public transport is an affordable means of transportation. The cost of owning and maintaining a car can be high, with expenses such as fuel, insurance, and parking adding up over time. Public transport, on the other hand, is generally more affordable and offers discounts for regular commuters, students, and senior citizens. This means people who cannot afford to own a car can still travel around the city without breaking the bank. Secondly, public transport is more environmentally friendly than using private cars. Cars emit harmful pollutants that contribute to climate change, air pollution, and health problems. Public transport, on the other hand, is more energy-efficient and produces less carbon emissions per passenger mile. This means that by using public transport, individuals can contribute to reducing their carbon footprint and help to mitigate some of the effects of climate change. Thirdly, public transport can reduce traffic congestion. With more people using public transport, there are fewer cars on the road, leading to less traffic congestion and a smoother flow of traffic. This means that individuals who use public transport can save time and money by avoiding traffic delays and finding parking. Fourthly, public transport promotes social inclusion. It provides access to transportation for people who may not be able to afford to own a car, such as low-income families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. Public transport can also help to reduce social isolation, especially for senior citizens or those who do not have access to a car. Fifthly, public transport can improve public health. By reducing the number of single-person cars on the road, public transport can help to reduce air pollution and improve air quality. This can lead to a decrease in respiratory illnesses such as asthma and lung cancer. Additionally, walking to and from public transport stations can help to increase physical activity levels and reduce the risk of obesity and other health problems. Sixthly, public transport can improve the overall quality of life for individuals. By reducing the stress of driving and avoiding traffic congestion, individuals can have a more relaxed and enjoyable commute. Public transport also offers opportunities for social interaction and can provide access to cultural and recreational activities that may not be available in one's immediate area. In conclusion, public transport provides a wide range of benefits to individuals, communities, and the environment. It is an affordable, environmentally friendly, and socially inclusive mode of transportation that can help to reduce traffic congestion, improve public health, and enhance the overall quality of life for individuals. By encouraging more people to use public transport, we can help to create a more sustainable and livable future. Hello, readers! I am thrilled to announce the release of my second children's picture book, Comet the Red Bus: Comet Goes to the Beach. After a year of hard work, I am proud to share this book with the world. In this blog post, I want to share with you my journey of self-publishing, the inspiration behind the book, and my appreciation for my employer's support. The Inspiration The idea for Comet the Red Bus: Comet Goes to the Beach came to me during a bus charter to Ocean Beach in Hawke's Bay, when I saw my shiny bus parked next to other buses on the Beach. The bus had a personality of its own, and I thought it would be fun to write a story about it. I wanted to create a book that would inspire children to imagine and dream big and teach them valuable life lessons. That's how the story of Comet the Red Bus came to life. The Journey of Self-Publishing Self-publishing has been a long and challenging journey for me. It takes a lot of hard work, patience, and dedication. Writing the story was only the first step. I then had to find an illustrator, editor, and printer and decide on the book's format and design. I also have to handle the book's marketing, distribution, and sales. But despite all these challenges, the satisfaction of seeing my book come to life has been worth it. Self-publishing has allowed me to express my creativity and share my stories with the world. It has allowed me to retain complete control over my work, from the story to the illustrations to the book cover's design. Self-publishing has also given me the freedom to get the book into the marketplace earlier than it would have if I had gone via a traditional publisher. I am proud of the book's quality, and I hope children will enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. The Support of My Employers I am grateful to Tranzit Group for their unwavering support of my writing. They have been supportive of my creative pursuits from the beginning and allowed me to take time off from work to focus on my writing. Their support has made it possible for me to pursue my passion for writing and publishing, and for that, I am truly grateful. In conclusion, writing and self-publishing Comet the Red Bus: Comet Goes to the Beach has been a labour of love. This book will inspire children to dream big, work hard, and believe in themselves. I also hope that my self-publishing journey will encourage aspiring writers to pursue their own dreams and never give up. Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy reading Comet the Red Bus: Comet Goes to the Beach as much as I enjoyed creating it. As you will no doubt be aware, I opted to self-publish my first book during the first lockdown. I opted to go down this avenue for publishing as traditional publishing houses were not open to submissions. I also found those that were open were overseas publishers and were more interested in raunchy adult books or teenagers books about vampires finding love. I've written some of the challenges and rewards that I have discovered on my self-publishing journey, and hope they are helpful to you. Self-publishing has become increasingly popular over the years, providing authors like myself with the opportunity to bring their work to the world without relying on traditional publishing houses. While self-publishing offers a lot of benefits, it also comes with challenges. In this blog post, we'll explore the challenges and benefits of self-publishing. Challenges of Self-Publishing: Editing and Proofreading: One of the most significant challenges of self-publishing is editing and proofreading your work. Without the support of a traditional publisher, authors must ensure their work is error-free before publishing. This can be a daunting and time-consuming task, and hiring a professional editor can be expensive. Cover Design: A book's cover is the first thing a reader sees and can significantly impact whether they choose to read it. Designing a cover yourself or hiring a designer can be a challenge, and getting it right is crucial. Marketing: Once your book is published, marketing becomes the next challenge. Self-publishing means that you are responsible for promoting your book to potential readers. Building a social media following, creating a website, and attending events can all help increase your book's visibility. Distribution: Getting your book into the hands of readers can be a challenge. While digital platforms like Amazon make it easier to self-publish, physical distribution can be more complicated. Reputation: Self-publishing can have a reputation for producing low-quality books. Ensure that you put in the necessary effort to make your book professional and polished to avoid negative perceptions. Benefits of Self-Publishing: Control: One of the most significant benefits of self-publishing is the control it provides. You have complete control over the creativity of your work, from the content to the cover design. Speed: Traditional publishing can take months or even years to get your work into the world. Self-publishing allows you to publish your work quickly without waiting for approval from publishers or agents. Profit: Self-publishing can be financially rewarding. You receive a higher percentage of the royalties, which can be a significant benefit, especially if your book becomes popular. Flexibility: Self-publishing allows you to work on your own schedule and make changes to your work as needed. Exposure: Self-publishing allows you to reach readers all over the world. With the internet, it's easier than ever to market your book and gain a following. Conclusion: Self-publishing offers many benefits, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. From editing and proofreading to marketing and distribution, self-publishing requires hard work and dedication. However, with the right mindset and effort, self-publishing can be an excellent opportunity for aspiring authors to bring their work to the world. |
AuthorAfter the outstanding success of his first children’s picture book, Comet the Red Bus - Around the City, Author Christopher Candy has continued to write the next book in the Comet the Red Bus series. Working full-time as a Manager for Tranzit Coachlines, Christopher has many years of bus-related experience that brings his characters to life. Christopher is based in the Tararua region and enjoys spending time with his partner, farm animals and pet dog, Tupance. You can see updates from Christopher, including new releases, giveaways and more, on his website or social media accounts. Archives
October 2023
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