Think like a child…….
This is one which scarily is all too easy for me - it is thinking like an adult that I struggle with. Revisit childhood haunts, catch up with your childhood friends or hang out with some 3 years olds and make dens - these are all good ways to release your inner kid. I find this very rewarding as the 3 year olds will at least laugh at your jokes and give you stickers when you have done well - which is great for self-esteem.
A Tale of Ted
Keep things simple.
Children are very black and white. Sarcasm and irony are lost in the early years - however you soon find out when they have found them - when they come out with comments that hit you round the face like a shovel. But at least at the start they either love or hate - so if your main character is a child then bear these emotions in mind as a child needs to identify with him or her. And also bear in mind that they are borderline schizophrenic and will have probably changed their minds before I have even had the chance to finish this sentence.
What did you like as a child?
This is actually quite hard - it is probably easier to remember what you specifically didn't like as a child, as negative emotions seem to transcend a little deeper in to the psyche. Some people may find it easier to recollect these things by speaking to their parents or guardians. This is lost on me as my folks tell me one thing - and then immediately say - 'Oh actually maybe that was your brother or your sister, I forget which - but one of you definitely hated mushrooms'. Great thanks guys - really insightful…..
Road test the character
This is one of the most terrifying experiences, road testing your story on actual children and gauging their reactions…. I would sooner stand up in Court and take on a judge than be subject to the critique of the short people. But it is invaluable… You can judge whether you need to cut back on emotion (the giveaway here is if they burst in to tears) or if you need to up the excitement (the tell-tale sign is if they are all asleep). But their initial impression is the key to success so don't ignore it - take it all in and adjust your story accordingly.
Make sure that your story has a happy ending.
This is more for me - I am still scarred from Lassie dying.
Just write it.
Get it all written down - whatever it sounds like - do not put it off. You can trim, tweezer, and shave it within an inch of its life when it goes for publishing but unless you have something that you and the publisher can work with - then there is not much scope to improve. Remember the old Chinese proverb - 'You can't polish a turd' - it will stand you in good stead.
Limit the amount of TV that you watch.
I find that seeing things all played out on TV stops me using my mind so as a family we do not have a television. I know it sounds odd but it saps creativity, at least it does for me, as we get lazy about using our imaginations, having conversations and sharing experiences. With working lives as they are - our time together as a family is so precious - so we really try and make the most of it. Since we made this decision, my creativity has gone through the roof and it is amazing what you come up with if you just allow your imagination to work - it is like a muscle - it has memory - so reconnect with it.
Join the dots.
Whilst I am a firm believer in pushing a child's vocabulary and teaching them more challenging words and their usage, through the medium of books - be mindful that you still have to provide some linkage for children. They don't necessarily join the dots seamlessly in a story to 'get' the ending - so don't leave out vital sentences to aid their understanding otherwise you will lose them and worse still - lose their interest.
Like your story
Let's face it - you are going to have to read this numerous times so you really have to like it. Children love hearing the same story over and over again and it helps their learning the language and words - so they need to like it to want to hear and you need to want to read it to them. If it bores you then that will transpose to the children - however good an actor/actress you are - the children will suss you out in seconds.
Think of writing as a treat
For me it is like an enormous chocolate cake that once I have eaten all my greens (i.e. done all my work) then I will be given the treat of some cake - or the chance to indulge in a bit of storytelling. You will write more enthusiastically than if you are dragging your feet and procrastinating. If you do feel like the latter - then don't write it as it will undoubtedly be flat and one dimensional - and just give it some time…. It will come. I promise.