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This week's #WednesdayWritingTips is all about chapter books! Hope you find it helpful.
Chapter books are for around 5-8/9 year olds, with a word count of between 5,000-15,000 ish, depending on the age you're writing for.
Chapter books are for around 5-8/9 year olds, with a word count of between 5,000-15,000 ish, depending on the age you're writing for.
1) Chapter books work really well as series. Standalone chapter books are much harder to sell. Consider whether your concept and main character are strong enough to carry a series. If not, what could you change?
#WednesdayWritingTips
#WednesdayWritingTips
2) Humour works really well in chapter books. An entertaining book will be read over and over again. Even if your book doesn't sit in the 'humorous' genre, see if you can find ways to include funny moments in your story.
#WednesdayWritingTips
#WednesdayWritingTips
3) Characters can be explored in more depth. Most chapter book stories include an internal conflict for the main character - so think about what your character is struggling with. This should help steer the plot.
#WednesdayWritingTips
#WednesdayWritingTips
4) Keep the pace up. Newly fluent readers need to feel they are making progress through the book. Keep chapters short (usually around 500-750 words) and focused, especially opening and closing chapters.
#WednesdayWritingTips
#WednesdayWritingTips
5) Think about your sentence structure and layout. Use short sentences sometimes to draw readers' attention to important things. Or place important moments, or punchlines, on a separate line. Don't be afraid to play with the structure for maximum effect.
#WednesdayWritingTips
#WednesdayWritingTips
6) Try plotting your chapter book for a speedier write. Work out which end of the age range the book is aimed at, and vary chapter length accordingly. So 500ish words for younger age, 750 for older. How many chapters? What needs to happen in each section?
#WednesdayWritingTips
#WednesdayWritingTips
7) Chapter books are great fun to write. Shorter, snappier, pacier stories with an exciting main character, a fun setting and an interesting concept. Give it a go!
#WednesdayWritingTips
#WednesdayWritingTips
