10 tips for writing children's books

Here are 10 tips from Pat Mora for writing children's books that I loved, the rest can be found here.

• Remember your child-self, your feelings, childhood memories, worries and pleasures. (Most picture books are for 3-10 year olds.) 
• Be welcoming of your writing. Welcome your ideas as you would welcome a guest. Resist thinking negatively about your work.
• Visit bookstores and libraries. Become acquainted with the person in charge of children’s books who may know about workshops, writing groups, school visit opportunities.  
• Many books are available about writing children’s books. Read at least one and read books on creativity.  
• Cultivate the habit of revision. The many books about writing help this essential habit. 
• Know your goal. If publication is important to you, learn about the field. Some writers find it helpful to know what’s being published. They read reviews of picture books and browse in bookstores.  
• Be prepared for rejection. Editors receive thousands of unsolicited manuscripts. Have I ever gotten used to the rejection? NO. 
• Never underestimate the importance of supportive friends and family.  
• Share your work. This will give you and others pleasure and will encourage you to write more. 
• Love your work. Care about the process of writing and the honor of writing for children. Be committed to that. Having a book published probably won’t change your life, but being committed to writing and children can change your life and the life of your readers.

Hope you find these tips as helpful as they were to me! Keep writing.