{"id":435589,"date":"2018-05-13T06:55:09","date_gmt":"2018-05-13T06:55:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essaypaper.org\/writing-childrens-stories-groupon-customer\/"},"modified":"2018-10-24T09:03:56","modified_gmt":"2018-10-24T09:03:56","slug":"writing-childrens-stories-groupon-customer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/writing-childrens-stories-groupon-customer\/","title":{"rendered":"Writing childrens stories groupon customer"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Writing<\/div>\n

Published: 13:46 GMT, 12 March 2014 | Updated: 16:03 GMT, 13 March 2014<\/p>\n

Our meeting room at Brighton\u2019s Hotel du Vin, a stone\u2019s throw from the famous seafront, looks more suited to corporate suits than as a springboard for budding children\u2019s authors. <\/p>\n

I expect to hear those meaningless phrases that executives use to make themselves sound important: think outside the box, blue-sky thinking etc. <\/p>\n

But within an hour the room resembles a children\u2019s playgroup. A laundry bag full of Beanie Babies is deposited onto the table: kangaroos, penguins, rabbits, giraffes, zebras, eagles and dragons. <\/p>\n

Enthusiastic student: Max (centre) gets ready to learn the art of writing a children\u2019s\u2019 book with author Alan Durant (left) and illustrator Guy Parker-Rees (right)<\/p>\n

\u2018Choose an animal and create a character,\u2019 says our tutor, the successful children\u2019s author Alan Durant. He has 90 picture books and teenage novels to his name, so he must be doing something right. <\/p>\n

Durant asks us to come up with an idea for our own children\u2019s book, starting with a character name, right through to the story\u2019s ending. <\/p>\n

On this two-day course we hope to learn everything about picture books: illustration, design, production and the creative process from inspiration to publication, and of course, how to write one ourselves. <\/p>\n

\u2018Because you\u2019re writing for small children there\u2019s this impression it is easy, but it\u2019s really hard,\u201d Durant says. <\/p>\n

He\u2019s not joking. The sound of seagulls outside is soon joined by the noise of heads being scratched and our imaginations working overtime. <\/p>\n

\"Low<\/div>\n

All art is autobiographical, even children\u2019s picture books. Durant advises us to tap into our early memories.\n<\/p>\n

\"Writing<\/div>\n

Sensational setting: The course was hosted at the Hotel du Vin in Brighton<\/p>\n

\u2018Remember who you were as a child and what was important to you then. You want your story to be individual and unique but give it some universal appeal, so readers can identify with it.\u2019 <\/p>\n

Most of Durant\u2019s own books are based on events in his own childhood, or that of his children. Dear Tooth Fairy was inspired by his daughter losing a tooth. Instead of leaving it for the tooth fairy, she kept it in a pot at the end of her bed. <\/p>\n

\u2018In the book, the character Holly wishes to hold onto her tooth but also wants the money for it, so she tries to trick the Tooth Fairy by leaving some plastic vampire fangs under her pillow. My daughter\u2019s experience was the starting point for it.\u2019<\/p>\n

RELATED ARTICLES<\/h2>\n

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Able teacher: Alan Durant is a successful children\u2019s author<\/p>\n

Whereas, the inspiration for Always and Forever, Durant\u2019s touching book that deals with death and bereavement, was the sad suicide of a friend\u2019s brother-in-law in his early 30s. <\/p>\n

In the book, four animal friends live in a house in the woods. When one of them dies unexpectedly, they start the grieving process and how best to remember him.<\/p>\n

\u2018I wrote it because my friend wanted a book to read to his two young daughters about death that could help them with their grief,\u2019 Durant recalls. <\/p>\n

\u2018There were books about losing elderly relatives but nothing about people dying before their time. It\u2019s hard to find a more serious subject than death but you can deal with the big stuff in a picture book.\n<\/p>\n

\"Writing<\/div>\n

It\u2019s how you make it accessible.\u2019<\/p>\n

From inspiration and the creative process, he also offers publishing tips. <\/p>\n

\u2018There are so many factors involved in getting published. It can be who you know in the business, luck or timing. There\u2019s so many whims involved. I\u2019m sure there are brilliant children\u2019s stories out there that have never been published.\u2019 <\/p>\n

Durant advises his budding children\u2019s authors to monitor what kind of stories are selling and what books young people are reading. Then he gives us a surprising revelation \u2013 the author and illustrator never meet while the book is in production.<\/p>\n

\u2018Publishers like to keep authors and illustrators apart. We never talk to each other. Perhaps this way, they remain in control!<\/p>\n

\u2018If you want to be a children\u2019s author you have to cut constantly. Often you may have to lose your favourite bits. Is that line actually doing anything to move the story on? Every word needs to be doing something. Most picture books are only around 600 words so you don\u2019t have many words to tell a story.\u2019 <\/p>\n

A star is born: Alan has written nearly eighty books now and most of them started as stories he made up to entertain his three children<\/p>\n

We are quick learners. The seagulls outside are now drowned out by the scrubbing sound of pencils busily crossing out sentences. <\/p>\n

Durant started out writing teenage novels and didn\u2019t write picture books until he had children. <\/p>\n

\u2018I think it\u2019s very hard to write picture books if you haven\u2019t got children. Some authors can pull it off, and write from their memories of being five or six.\u2019 <\/p>\n

As our stories take shape, Durant steers us towards the all-important ending. He advises us to avoid ambiguous, scary or unhappy endings. <\/p>\n

\u2018It\u2019s vitally important to bear in mind how you want it to finish. If it suddenly falls flat, it ruins the whole book. What\u2019s that last line going to be? Is there a twist\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018Whatever subject you\u2019ve dealt with it\u2019s important not to leave children in the dark.\u201d He\u2019s talking upbeat endings, not leaving the bedroom light on. <\/p>\n

\u2018It\u2019s different as children get older. When you get to teenage books you can be as dark as you like.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u2018When real life kicks in? I ask. <\/p>\n

Laughter, too, is an important ingredient in any children\u2019s story. <\/p>\n

Regency flavour: The course is held at Hotel du Vin, includes a lunch and preferential room rates are also available<\/p>\n

\u2018Think about what youngsters find funny,\u2019 adds Durant. \u2018Don\u2019t be too sophisticated. Children\u2019s humour is incredibly basic. It\u2019s slapstick. There are many books about pants and bottoms.\u2019 <\/p>\n

He shows us a few examples: Father Christmas Needs A Wee, The Queen\u2019s Knickers, The Royal Nappy, The Giant\u2019s Loo Roll. Clearly children\u2019s picture books is one area where the bottom hasn\u2019t fallen out of the market. <\/p>\n

\u2018Always think of jokes adults may like, too,\u2019 adds artist Guy Parker-Rees, who joins us later. He has illustrated many children\u2019s books, with Durant and other authors.<\/p>\n

\u2018With a picture book you have to appeal to the parents, too,\u2019 he says. \u2018At bedtime, they\u2019re tired. They want to be entertained, too. <\/p>\n

\u2018I\u2019m very impressed with all these ideas you\u2019ve come up with,\u2019 says Parker-Rees. He clearly can\u2019t see the pools of blood, sweat and tears on the floor. <\/p>\n

\u2018There a magic that happens when you put words and images together,\u2019 he tells us. \u2018But as you write, always think about what\u2019s going to happen on the next page. Maybe create a surprise as you turn the page, like a big splash as characters fall into water. <\/p>\n

\u2018I much prefer drawing animals. They have a much wider appeal. Also, they\u2019re better shapes and just more interesting. They\u2019re funnier somehow, too.\u2019 <\/p>\n

Strangely, all our stories feature animal characters struggling with self-identity issues: a dinosaur who can\u2019t roar; a badger who wants to be a horse, a lonely eagle seeking a mate but scares everyone off; and my story, a short-sighted zebra who feels unloved. <\/p>\n

Speak to the reader: Alan Durant\u2019s books cover a wide variety of topics, from comedy situations to helping children deal with death and bereavement<\/p>\n

It\u2019s time to read out the first-drafts of our stories. Well, the first few paragraphs at any rate: <\/p>\n

\u2018Zack the zebra hated wearing glasses. They made him feel ugly. Often he could hear the other animals laugh at him around the watering hole. Even his family sniggered. Sometimes, when it was really hot, they slipped off his head into a pile of elephant dung. Then they laughed at him even more.\u2019<\/p>\n

The feedback is far more encouraging than I expected.<\/p>\n

\u2018I like the idea of a zebra wearing glasses,\u2019 says Alan Durant. \u2018Keep the idea simple. Don\u2019t make it complicated.\u2019 <\/p>\n

\u2018I love the glasses falling off into the elephant poo,\u2019 adds Guy Parker-Rees. \u2018There\u2019s a strong potential for some good illustrations here. Perhaps explore the practical problems of wearing glasses, like when they steam up in the hot savannah.\u2019 <\/p>\n

But I am struggling with my lacklustre finale until Parker-Rees suggests a brilliant one I hadn\u2019t considered.<\/p>\n

\u2018Maybe you could have a nice visual ending without any words. On the final page Zack returns to the watering hole to find every zebra wearing glasses?\u2019 <\/p>\n

It\u2019s clear all our stories have moved on, in just a short space of time. At the end of the course, my chest is puffed out, my confidence high. <\/p>\n

Afterwards, I am scratching my head again. But this time in wonder, not in search of inspiration. I had always toyed with the idea of writing a children\u2019s book, but until now never believed I could. How about that for an upbeat ending? <\/p>\n

TRAVEL FACTS
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The \u2018Write A Children\u2019s Book in Two Days\u2019 course is available from The Writers\u2019 Academy and costs \u00a3295 each including tuition, refreshments and one lunch. Visit thewritersacademy.co.uk. <\/p>\n

Discounted room rates for participants at Brighton\u2019s Hotel du Vin start at \u00a3160 per night including breakfast. Visit hotelduvin.com\/brighton. <\/p>\n

The next \u2018Write A Children\u2019s Book in Two Days\u2019 course will be held at Hotel du Vin Tunbridge Wells on 21st and 22nd March.<\/p>\n