Over the past week, I’ve had several inspiring moms contact me, asking how I started my writing career and how they can do the same. I actually was honored that they wanted to hear my story, which isn’t a traditional writer’s path. And in today’s world, you don’t have to go to school to become a children’s writer. You just need a cute story idea, a basic understanding of writing a children’s book, a writing support group, and perseverance.

I still remember that one moment where my entire career path metamorphosed from being a corporate executive to a children’s writer. That day I was enjoying mommy time, painting a Madagascar mural in a room I was transforming into a playroom for my three babies. I dipped the paint brush into paint and as I lifted it, a splatter of paint fell from my paint brush, splattering onto the hard wood floor. Inquisitive mommy took a piece of paper, placed it over the splatter and carefully pressed down. When I turned it over, I saw a colorful friendly creature in the ink blot. I took a pencil and sketched what I saw, creating the first character of Splatter and Friends. From there, I drew him a girlfriend and then a baby brother and then a sister, until I created seven best friends and a dog.

As the day unfolded, a thunderstorm shot through the Chicago sky, leaving a beautiful double rainbow behind. I rounded up my two infants and toddler to share in its beauty. When we got outside, my oldest toddler son kept pointing to the rainbow and saying, “Look, look!” His innocent curious words triggered my imagination to see the seven colorful friends I sketched earlier winking at me. This was to become their home, their world!

So now I had characters and a setting—two of the most important pieces when writing a children’s book. But that is only the beginning. You also need a story and the characters need personalities and behaviors. Throughout my entire life, color and music has affected me. I even created a workshop and wrote a book called Get the Vibe based on how to use color and music to achieve your goals, improve your relationships and increase your productivity. I took what I knew about the psychological and behavioral affects of color and began creating the personalities, talents and weaknesses of each Splatter and friend.

Then I started to create their story—why do they exist and how can they make a difference in children’s lives? Simply, without them, there is no color. Without color, there is no white light. Without white light, there is only darkness. The world needs Splatter and Friends!

As a starting writer, take a moment and think about why you want to write a children’s book. Is it to share a story with just your kids? Is it to educate children? Is it to bring smiles and giggles to their faces? Is it to make money? Is it a marketing tool? Is it your passion?

Writing children’s books and creating characters that teach children about real life situations has become my passion. And if it is yours, start with the basics:

·         Create and develop your characters personalities, behaviors, talents, interests and weaknesses.

·         Define their world. Where do they live? Why do they live there? What does it look like?

·         Develop the story. What is the plot? What are your main (primary) characters trying to overcome, solve, or learn? How will the secondary characters assist them?

·         Understand who your target audience is. What is the target age for your story? Is the story written in age appropriate language for this age group?

Once you have the above created, then you need to decide if you want to go the traditional publishing route with sending out query letters or self-publish. Both paths require an investment in having a professional editor review and edit your work. When it comes to illustrations, the traditional publishing route doesn’t require illustrations to be submitted. They typically have their own in-house illustrators that they use. However, if you are self-publishing a children’s book that does contain illustrations, you have one of two options—either you can start teaching yourself how to illustrate (like I did) or pay an illustrator. Paying an illustrator can be expensive and they typically not only want their name on the book, but also royalty.

Have fun creating and developing your story. And if you have kids, include them in your journey. They can provide a fresh, blunt kid-friendly perspective.