Earlier this year, I wrote a post about a book club that I
started with a few other people. We read
books on the craft of writing. The club has been beneficial so far.
The first book that the members of my book club decided to
read was Creating Characters Kids Will
Love by Elaine Marie Alphin. It was
published by Writer’s Digest Books in 2000. CCKWL
is more for those who are writing books for middle grade, but I think that one
will find some useful information on writing books for other age groups. Since CCKWL
contains a lot of information, we divided the book into sections to read and
discuss. I read Part 1. (In the future, I think all of us should read the
entire book, regardless of the length or content.) This is not a full review of
Elaine’s book, but I will share something that made an impact on me.
Elaine suggested recalling your own childhood and drawing
from those experiences to create your characters and stories. Diaries, journals, scrapbooks, and photos
from your youth may help you remember your life and provide ideas. Talking to
friends and family can also offer some insight into your early years.
Throughout the book, Elaine included exercises to help
inspire the writer. One exercise in particular, really hit home for me. This exercise
concerned emotions that a character might feel. The reader was asked to make a
list of possible emotions, situations and sensations. An example that Elaine
gave was the emotion of fear. A very common emotion of course, but it was her
example of a situation that jumped right out at me. She mentioned an unleashed
barking dog. Whoa!
When I was a child, I had a fear of dogs. Elaine’s exercise
brought up some old memories. I don’t remember the initial incident, but I was
told that a large, friendly neighborhood dog wanted to play. I was little and frightened
by this animal. As a result, I grew up with a fear of dogs. Whenever I saw one,
I tried my best to avoid it. I can remember screaming, I was so scared. I was
never bitten or attacked, but the emotion that I felt was very real. I felt
this way around most dogs. As for dogs I knew (ones owned by friends for
example), usually I was fine and could even make friends with them. However, in
most cases, the fear would overtake me and ultimately, I would have nothing to
do with the dog.
Eventually I out grew most of my fear. However, I continue
to avoid dogs. I make friends with very few of them. I do not like dogs jumping
up on me or trying to sit in my lap. When encountering a dog I do not know, I
freeze, and those old feelings come rushing back.
I wasn’t expecting all of this from reading a book on how to
write a children’s book!
Writing can help one resolve old issues. My fellow club
members suggested I use my childhood fear as a basis for a story. Perhaps then,
I can better come to terms with these long ago experiences.
I recommend Elaine’s book. I borrowed a copy but will
probably purchase one eventually. Even if the book you are writing is not for children,
you may still find “CCKWL” helpful.
I wonder what the next book on the craft of writing will
bring forth!
Debbie A. Byrne has a B.S. in Mass Communication with a
minor in History. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and
Illustrators (SCBWI) and is working on her first children’s book.