Quiz - Who is your perfect Percy Jackson boyfriend? Show
Image creds @viria Take this test to find out which lovable demigod is your match! By Sophia Zhang Which Camp Half-Blood cabin do you belong in? What is your *ideal* guy? How would your crush ask you to a school dance? You've been chosen for a questâwhat's your role? Finally, what's a romance trope you just *can't* get enough of? Ever thought of dating a demigod? Well, even if you haven't, start now because we bring you the ultimate 'Who is your Percy Jackson boyfriend' quiz! Take your pick from amongst all the guys in Percy Jackson, one of them is gonna be your boyfriend and your answers will help us assess which demigod is the best for you. Remember to have fun and tell your friends and other Percy Jackson fans about this quiz! The Percy Jackson books were/are amazing! If you were part of the story,who would you date? Percy? Jason? Leo? Frank? You will probably never know,unless you take this quiz. Which of The Seven is your perfect match? Which guy will fall for you? How much do you have in common? Take this quiz to find out your demigod soulmate! If you've ever wondered what your Hero's of Olympus Boy is your soulmate, wonder no more! Take this simple quiz with random questions to determine your fictional boyfriend! Just answering these simple questions baste on your taste and style, I can accurately give you your Hero's of Olympus soulmate! Stay tuned for Percy Jackson themed quizzes! by L. Brooks Community Contributor Approved and edited by BuzzFeed Community Team
So, you want to know how to write a childrenâs book? You've got the right idea in mind â children and teenagers are some of the most devoted readers out there! But you should know that writing great children's literature is no easy feat, especially if you're brand-new to the game. Luckily, we're here to give you aspiring authors a boost. This post contains everything you need to know about writing a children's book â complete with advice from top children's book editors in the industry. Read on to learn how to write a children's book today... and potentially even become the next Roald Dahl or Beatrix Potter. How to write a children's book:
Ready to write the next kidlit classic? Read on to find out how 1. Find an idea that's relatable to childrenThough there's no secret recipe for commercial success, one thing that's true of children's books is that the most successful ones will please two audiences: the children, and the parents of that children. However, while adults may be the ones buying the books, kids are the ones who will actually be approving them (and treasuring them as they grow up). So children are the ones who you want to keep in mind as you write â they're the ones who will make this book worth writing. And to write a book for them, you'll need to come up with a great idea. Uncover a universal themeNow, children's book ideas might seem fantastical, elaborate, and original when you come across them at first. But when you strip the funny and creative dressings of a children's book down to its bare essentials, you'll see that the themes present in a children's book are entirely universal:
The best children's books are grounded upon ideas that inspire and connect with children. As children's editor Anna Bowles warns: âA lot of beginners write about children as we adults often see them: as cute and slightly comical little beings. But what children actually want is stories where they are the heroes, driving the action, facing challenges, and making choices.â Is your idea right for kids?To ensure that your idea is solid, go through this checklist:
If you're struggling to come up with a book idea, it never hurts to recall what you liked to read at their age. You also have the best critics around: kids! Bounce ideas off children you know to see what they like. Above all, don't be afraid to switch things up. You might think your plot is set in stone, but remain open-minded to suggestions and different creative avenues. 2. Choose an age group (and know its market)Before you write a single word of your children's book, you also need to determine your target audience. Children's lit ranges from baby board books alllll the way up to young adult novels, so your target age range may be anywhere from 0 to 18. It's important to know what your target audience's age range is so that you can speak directly to them. However, age isn't the only factor here! You also need to think about what your readers will expect in terms of topic, lengthy, style, and complexity. Understanding these things enables you to "write to market," so your book will actually sell. Let's take a quick look at the main types of children's books and their target age groups. We'll also provide some well-known examples, in case you're not quite sure what these books should look like.
đ¶ Picture Books (ages 0-6)In industry terms, a picture book is a book that relies on both illustrations and words to tell the story. Since picture books are meant for very early reading experiences, the word count is going to be quite low (500 words or fewer); board books for babies and toddlers are even shorter. But all picture books still need to have a strong story, so don't make the mistake of thinking they're easy to write. You can learn more in our guide to writing a picture book. Examples of classic picture books:
đ§đŒ Early Readers (ages 6-7)After picture books comes early reader fiction: books for children who have graduated to more-words-than-pictures, but aren't yet ready to tackle long blocks of text. The "early reader" word count ranges from 2,000 words to 5,000 words, though youâll still get your fair share of illustrations. These early readers also usually come in series, so kids can devour one after another to build their reading skills. Examples of early readers:
đ§đ» Chapter Books (ages 7-9)From early readers, children progress to chapter books, which we all probably remember from our earliest book reports! Chapters books are also pretty quick reads that tend to come in series, but their word count is slightly higher, around 5,000 to 10,000 words per book. You'll still see pictures in chapter books, but you'll notice they're less common and often appear as sketches rather than full color illustrations. Examples of chapter books:
đŠđœ Middle Grade (ages 9-12)Middle grade books are for kids who want something a little more advanced in terms of both prose and story. These fully independent middle-grade readers tackle books from 30,000 to 50,000 words, with even fewer illustrations than their predecessors â though there may still be some pictures, especially to accompany chapter headings. Examples of middle grade fiction:
đ© Young Adult (ages 12-18)Finally, juvenile readers reach young adult books: the last stepping-stone between childrenâs and adult literature. The typical word count in YA falls between 50,000 to 100,000 words â in other words, the same length as any other novel. However, the subject matter will be distinctly adolescent: often to do with navigating life-changing issues and discovering one's true self. Examples of young adult books:
Free Course: How to Write a YA Book That SellsLearn how to write a commercially viable Young Adult novel with this free 10-day course. Get started now. 3. Use a voice that doesnât talk down to readersA distinctive voice will set you apart from other children's books from the onset. Your authorial voice is what is going to speak to children (and we also mean that in the literal sense, as children's books are often read out loud.) You might be afraid that you won't be able to find your voice instantly, but don't worry! The good news is that, just as nobody has a voice like Dr. Seuss' or Roald Dahl's, nobody has your voice. And, like all other writing endeavors, it's a matter of practice and patient dedication. To discover it, dig deep to figure out what makes your words special â and where your strengths on the page lie. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you hone it. đïž Which famous children's author do you write like?Find out which literary luminary is your stylistic soulmate. Takes 30 seconds! Start quizUse age-appropriate vocabThere are many great places to show off your grandiose knowledge of language, but a childrenâs book is not one of them! Children won't be impressed by four-syllable words â they'll only be confused by them. It's necessary to remember that your target audience's vocabulary is different from yours, even if you're writing middle-grade fiction or YA. That said, you should never talk down to children. As children's editor Jenny Bowman says, âChildren are smarter than you think, and context can be a beautiful teacher.â The best way to navigate this delicate balance is to read other books for kids in your age group. This is by far the best way to get a sense of what language is suitable for them,. Harness the power of repetitionPicture books and early readers depend on the repetition of words and phrases, so children can follow them easily. Think about books like Chicka Chicka Boom Boom: it's so popular because they repeat an interesting phrase over and over. Repeating situations also tend to be very effective, even if they're only used as a plot device. For example, every Magic Treehouse book begins with Jack and Annie using the treehouse to travel back in time and/or to another part of the world. The setting is different in each book, but every first chapter gives kids a sense of familiar anticipation. And if you need any more examples, just think about Dr. Seuss and the overwhelming success that he found with repetition in his prose! Be careful with rhymeSpeaking of Dr. Seuss, reconsider rhyming in your children's book (unless you're him). It's extremely hard to rhyme well â moreover, children's editors and children's book agents will be able to spot a bad or derivative rhyme from a mile away. That said, there are exceptions! Children's book editor Judith Paskin describes one such instance when she couldn't write if it wasn't in rhyme:
4. Anchor your story with memorable charactersThink about the most iconic children's book characters that you've read. Names such as Matilda, Pippi Longstocking, Harry Potter, and The Cat in the Hat might jump to mind. How did their authors create such timeless characters? Your protagonist is a few years older than your readerWell, Jenny Bowman says that there's a golden rule for every children's book character. It goes a little something like this:
So, for example:
This goes back to the importance of knowing your target market. Slightly older characters provide role models and exciting adventures that intrigue younger audiences â like how kids often look up to their older siblings. Of course, the experiences of these characters should not be so different that they lose their relatability: Ramona still appeals to 7-year-olds because being in third grade is pretty similar to being in second. đ” Tell us about your book, and we'll give you a writing playlistIt'll only take a minute! Start quizEven kids characters need strengths and flawsNext, don't think that writing a children's book gives you permission to create less-developed characters. A truly great children's book character will come with their own fully realized strengths, weaknesses, conflicts, and motivations that make them compelling to their readers. Children want to connect to characters who they recognize. To help you get started creating memorable characters, we have some additional resources for you:
FREE RESOURCE Reedsyâs Character Profile Template A story is only as strong as its characters. Fill this out to develop yours. Download now Bland is badWe'll leave you with one last tip, which is to avoid making your characters so relatable that they're just bland. In the words of children's editor Brian Saliba: âRelatable doesn't have to mean identical. Challenge the status quo and subvert the default settings.â It's also worth remembering to provide representation in all forms. If you'd like to learn more about diversity in children's book literature, go here. 5. Write a messy first draft, then rewrite itNow it's time to put it all together and get your story finally down on paper! Here are some tips to guide you as you write your children's book: Don't be too precious about your first draftThere's a reason why people call first versions a 'rough draft' â one of the most paralyzing things for authors is the need to make a manuscript perfect from a get-go. Think of Michelangelo, chiseling statues out of marble: he didn't start by sculpting a life-like head, then an exquisitely rendered shoulder, and so on. The first stage would simply be to hack away most of the marble to create the vague shape of his design. As a writer, you should think of your children's book as your very own "David" â the fun details, characterizations, jokes, and themes will come later. Your job at the start is just to draft a manuscript that vaguely resembles the book you have in your imagination. FREE COURSE Understanding Point of View Learn to master different POVs and choose the best for your story. Enroll now Things to focus on in your rewritesOnce you've vomited up a shonky first draft, now is the time to crack out all your fine writing tools and finesse all the elements of your story. You'll rearrange, rewrite, or simply throw out a lot of your manuscript at this point â all in service of honing your story. Here are some things you may wish to focus on in your re-writes.
đž What will it cost you to hire a children's book illustrator?Find out here! Takes 10 seconds. Start quizNow, if you've managed to emerge from the sweat and tears with a manuscript you actually like, congratulations! Letâs see what you might need to do with that first draft. 6. Edit, edit, and editIf your book is only 1,000 words (or less), why would you need to edit it? Answer: because you only have 1,000 words, and every single one of them needs to count. Here are the most important things to know when editing a children's book. Be brutal in your self-editThe first thing you'll want to do is perform a self-edit on your children's book. That guide is actually perfect for middle grade and YA authors, who have more complex plots, characters, and themes. However, if you're editing a picture book or early reader book, you really only have to do one thing: cut it down to the bare essentials. âBut my book is so short! Do I really need to cut it down?â In short (no pun intended), yes. Your children's book may be short â but that's not the same as every detail being ESSENTIAL. Kids have short attention spans, and even one irrelevant detail can derail the story for them. If you already have a short manuscript, the best way to do this kind of edit is to simply remove lines one by one. Each time, ask yourself: âDoes the story still make sense without this line?â And if so, you can delete it. FREE COURSE Show, Don't Tell Master the golden rule of writing in 10 five-minute lessons. Enroll now Share with other readersTo perfect your children's book, share it with friends, family, and childrenâs writing communities (such as Childrenâs Book Authors on Facebook or a writing group in your area). Make sure that actual children are included in your test readers, especially children of your target age group. Kids are usually pretty honest, so their feedback will be the most valuable you receive. Incorporate their suggestions are much as possible, and then send out your book for more rounds of feedback! Only once you have thumbs-ups from all your young beta readers should you begin to think about publishing. When in doubt, hire a proIf you've gotten feedback, self-edited extensively, and still feel your children's book isn't quite there, consider hiring a professional children's editor. Their years of high-profile experience will both improve your storytelling and make sure that your book is ready for the market. Fortunately, we have the best children's editors right here on Reedsy, many whom have worked with major authors like Daisy Meadows (author of the Rainbow Magic series) and R.L. Stine! Free course: How to Write a YA Book that SellsLearn how to write a commercially viable Young Adult novel with this free 10-day course. Get started now. 7. Pick your layoutA big consideration when moving into the design phase of making your childrenâs book is the layout youâd like for your book. Thereâs a lot of variety in the market, though youâll find that many books for kids under seven years old are often:
Since these trim sizes are so diverse, it's important to have a rough idea of the shape and size you want before you start adding illustrations to your book.
Here are the layout options youâll have to weigh up:
You will also want to consider whether you want your illustrations to be single sides, with facing text, or whether youâd like to do double page spreads â or a bit of both! If you arenât certain, an illustrator will be able to advise you.
Consider tactile elementsOf course, the fun doesnât stop here when it comes to kids' books. As well as different sizes and layouts, books for early readers can also include interactive elements. These will be more expensive to produce and may provide expert help, so you should decide early on if you want to include touches like pop-ups, sensory elements (think fuzzy textures or cut outs).
One final consideration is whether you want your book to be a board book, or a standard paperback or hardback. Board books are more common for the very young market, as theyâre more tactile and easier for little hands to hold. Youâll want to know early on if this is an option youâd like to pursue as it will affect other elements of the design 8. Team up with an illustrator, or go it aloneNow itâs time for the exciting part â getting your book illustrated! Unless youâre very confident in your artistic abilities, itâs best to turn to the pros at this point, but weâll share some advice here for both possibilities. If you are going to be hiring a pro, you can find more more in-depth information in our handy guide on how to hire a childrenâs book illustrator, but weâll cover some of the basics here. Identify the visual style for your bookWhat style do you think best captures the mood and world of your story? Perhaps your book is for very young readers, who will enjoy bright, bold, and graphic illustrations. Perhaps youâre aiming at a slightly older audience, whoâll appreciate whimsical characters and a more muted color palette. Whether youâre doing your own illustrations or teaming up with a professional, itâs important to gather a range of references before you start, to make sure you have ample inspiration and âmentor textsâ to refer back to.
Browse through your favorite kids books, or the portfolios of some professionals, and identify what you like â and, perhaps just as importantly, anything you definitely donât like. This post on 20 childrenâs book illustrators will be a helpful jumping off point in finding visual references and the vocabulary to describe what youâre looking for. Make sure your text is illustration-readyIf you have a particular vision for how your book should be illustrated, itâs important to leave notes on your text to help an illustrator figure that out. You can leave page-by-page illustration notes for your artist, describing what you envision on your page, or leave them a little more creative freedom by only breaking down key images, and allowing them to do the rest.
Look for artists whose work already aligns with your preferencesWhile some artists might welcome a challenge, and enjoy trying out a new style, the best way to guarantee results that you like is to find an artist whose style already matches your vision fairly closely â rather than asking them to fit a square peg into a round hole. The best way to figure out if this is the case is to take a look at their portfolio. Browsing the Reedsy marketplace, youâll find experienced cover artists who have already shared examples of their work, along with reviews from previous clients. This will give you a better sense of who they are as an artist and what you can expect from a collaboration. Know whatâs included in your dealWhile using a different interior illustrator and cover designer is the norm in some genres, kidsâ books generally get judged by their cover, so make it cohesive. Make sure youâre clear with your illustrator if youâd also like a cover illustration for your project, and factor that into your budget. Itâs also worth noting that, while some illustrators will also be happy to work on the overall layout of your book (fonts, text placement, etc), this isnât always the case. Establish early on whether your artist is going to be designing the entire book, or whether youâll also need to hire a professional for these elements. If youâre DIY-ing your images, check the requirementsYou can, of course, always do your own illustrations â but bear in mind youâll need high quality scans to recreate them in your book and meet industry standards. You will also need to check whether your POD service has any particular requirements for image resolution or file size, so you can be certain your images will come out just as intended. 9. Choose your perfect print serviceThere are a lot of options available for book printing, and it can be overwhelming trying to figure out who to go with. Weâve already put together some tips for kidâs book authors which you should check out in our guide to the cost of publishing a childrenâs book, but to summarize:
How expensive your book is to print, and which service you ultimately choose, will depend on a number of factors, including size, use of color, and paper type. The more specialized services like PrintNinja offer even more advanced print options like pop-up and board books, but bear in mind these will be charged at a premium compared to simpler formats. And there you have it! Once you've completed these steps, you'll have a completed children's book ready for publication. Make sure to check out the rest of our guide for more information on how to get your work out into the world. |
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