Tips for Writers & Illustrators

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For ongoing conversations and deep dives into the craft and business of writing and illustrating for kidlit, check out the Kidlit Survival Guide, hosted by my critique partner, Christine Evans, and myself!

To get you started, I’m sharing some high level tips here. I’m keeping this light with the most important points, so up first…

WRITING PICTURE BOOKS

Who doesn’t love picture books? This is where many kidlit authors start, and I have a few suggestions for those of you looking to write picture books!

1. Join SCBWI
2. Read this guide by Josh Funk
3. Join 12×12 – this is a wonderful community of supportive kidlit creators, with ongoing open conversation about craft and business
4. Consider a class like Making Picture Book Magic or with Storyteller Academy
5. Study craft books, such as Writing Picture Books by Ann Whitford Paul
6. If you want to write in rhyme, take Renée LaTulippe’s Lyrical Language Lab course
7. Read lots of picture books!

WRITING CHAPTER BOOKS

I know how it goes… you start with a picture book idea and then somebody tells you it should be a chapter book. Or maybe you read a chapter book and realize one of your ideas is perfect for this category! This is how I got started writing my first chapter books series, Layla and the Bots. But whenever I start writing in a new category, I always start with mentor texts. And I recorded this video for Storyteller Academy explaining how I do:

WRITING EARLY READERS

Early readers are for young readers who are just starting to read. They’re fun to write and a growing category. They are often heavily illustrated, either as full on graphic novels (like my Friendbots series), a mix of narration and speech (like my Best Buddies series), or fully narrated (like Laura Gehl’s Cat Has a Plan.) They’re like little word puzzles where you’re trying to create a fun vignette with limited word count and vocabulary. I usually just try to use the most simple words I can think of, but if you want help determining reading level, you can use something like the Children’s Writer’s Word Book by Alijandra Mogilner. I did a mini-class for Storyteller Academy all about writing early readers. Check out my list of mentor texts for ideas in this category!

WRITING BOARD/NOVELTY BOOKS

Board/novelty books can be a challenge, but I love focusing on simple concepts and I love the possibility of novelty formats. Both my I Can Code series (Sourcebooks) and my AlphaBot mix-and-match book (MIT Kids Press) use interactive elements to bring ideas to life. Sometimes, submitting these means getting creative in how you explain your idea. [Coming soon: Check out the video I submitted to editors to pitch AlphaBot.]

ILLUSTRATING

I did not start as an illustrator, but I’ve just signed on for my ninth illustrated book! It started with simple concept sketches that became “illustrator-optional” submissions. My Friendbots editor at HarperCollins, Andrew Arnold, took a chance on me and the rest is history. But how did I ramp up my skills and what tools do I use?

1. SVS Learn – great classes for learning the fundamentals of drawing and beyond!
2. Procreate – great drawing app on iPad with the Apple pencil, which I love because I can draw anywhere and everywhere
3. Domestika – short, inexpensive classes to play and get your inspiration flowing
4. Adobe Photoshop (for drawing/painting), Illustrator (for graphics), and InDesign (for layouts)
5. Admire illustrations and practice! Follow illustrators on Instagram, pin art on Pinterest, watch creators on YouTube, and keep on making art.

STAYING HEALTHY!

FOR ILLUSTRATORS: For illustrators, I have a few recommendations regarding physical health, thanks to my illustrator friends:

1. Read Draw Stronger by Kriota Willberg
2. Use a silicone grip if you’re using an Apple pencil
3. Consider buying a Sketchboard Pro if you’re using an iPad (be sure to get the right size for your iPad!)—I use this when I’m having pain in my arm (which is probably too late) so that my hand and arm have resting areas while I draw
4. Consider a two-finger glove for drawing on digital surfaces—I also only use this once I have hand pain, but it helps to let me rest my hand on the surface
5. The thing that has helped me most of all with illustration pains is doing yoga!

FOR AUTHORS: For me, writing involves more mental health challenges. Here are a few tips:

1. Don’t feel obligated to write every day. My creativity comes in waves. Ride the wave and trust that it will come again—even when it feels like it won’t!
2. If you’re feeling stuck, read a book, go for a walk, or check out some of these inspirational writing books: Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, On Writing by Stephen King, or Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert.
3. Go on a retreat. Though not always possible, this is my favorite way to make space in my brain to think and write! I love going to the Highlights Foundation or just booking a stay somewhere with writing friends.
4. Most importantly, find your people! I never would have survived this long as a writer if I hadn’t found amazing people along the way. Find critique partners and communities to keep you going!

Okay, I’m going to stop there! I have more to say on each of these topics, plus thoughts on marketing, launch groups, author visits, etc. but that will have to come another day!

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About Vicky Fang