Think back to the very first book you ever read. How did it make you feel? What captured your attention the most – was it the fantastical storyline or the colourful illustrations? Which character did you favour and why?
How to become a children’s book author: Expert tips from master storytellers from the Singapore Writers Festival 2024
We’re sure you instantly thought of the answers to all these questions, no matter your age – and that's the magic of children's books. They’re gateways to a world of adventure, wonder and endless possibilities. They’re often a child's first unforgettable experience with the power of storytelling, sparking creativity and shaping their imagination in ways that can last a lifetime.
This year, the Singapore Writers Festival offers an exciting opportunity to explore that magic even further. Featuring a diverse range of experienced writers, both local and international, the festival will host book launches, panel discussions and more that delve deep into the world of literature. Whether it's children's books, comedy or fantasy, there will be insights for every age group and genre, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the craft of storytelling.
And if you’re on the path to becoming a children’s book author, well, that’s a whole new ballgame. Especially in today’s world of iPad kids and TikTok Shorts, capturing a child's attention takes more than just a good story – it takes skill, innovation and an understanding of what resonates with young readers.
To better understand what exactly it takes to be a successful children’s book writer, Catch spoke to two masters of the craft from SWF 2024: Elisabetta Dami, the Italian author behind the iconic “Geronimo Stilton” series and Alan John, the Singaporean author known for his heartfelt tales inspired by adorable, real-life animals like “The One and Only Inuka”. Here are their top tips:
ELISABETTA DAMI (author of the Geronimo Stilton series)
EXPERT TIP: THE FIRST SENTENCE IS EVERYTHING
“The first sentence lets a publisher decide whether to buy the rights of a book for other countries, so whenever you start a book, you need to hook your reader straight away,” Dami shared. While there are many ways to go about this – either by using a personal anecdote, a meaningful quote, or creating a vivid scene that immediately pulls the reader in – Dami has a fairly simple approach…
“Very often, I start the book with a question,” she shared. This clever tactic of hers encourages readers to ponder, sparking their curiosity and drawing them into the story, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in the narrative as they continue reading.
Whichever introduction you pick, there’s one thing you must avoid at all costs: “Tell the story, never give an explanation,” said Dami. “Never give the reader information they already know or you risk boring them. The key is to trust your readers’ intelligence and curiosity. Give them just enough to spark their imagination, but leave room for them to piece things together as they go.”
EXPERT TIP: JUST KEEP WRITING
Perhaps you’ll find yourself stuck on the first line – not to worry! According to Dami, the important thing is to just keep the flow going – self discipline is of the essence here. “When you have to do something, you have to do it. You put yourself in front of the typing machine or the computer,” she shared.
“And if it does not come immediately to you, do not worry. Just wait five minutes, you will see that inspiration comes if you just try and engage.”
Another unique tip for overcoming writer's block is to imagine the story unfold in your mind, and write whatever comes to you first. “I know how the book starts, but I also know how it ends,” she explained. “Sometimes I start from the second chapter because when I start writing a story, I know more or less how it goes, so I just write the beginning later.”
EXPERT TIP: LISTEN TO YOUR AUDIENCE
Dami never runs out of story ideas. Her secret weapon? Listening closely to her publishing team and most importantly, to her young readers who provide brand new perspectives. Children often write to Dami as if Geronimo Stilton himself were listening, sharing their personal experiences from school, home and beyond. She takes these heartfelt letters and weaves them into her stories, infusing her characters with real emotions and situations.
Many young readers confide in Dami that they feel lonely, and see Geronimo as a true friend. To nurture this bond, Dami brings Geronimo to life, carefully crafting him to feel genuine and relatable. That’s why her books feature only his name on the cover – never hers – just the fun-loving, suit-wearing mouse, Geronimo Stilton. So, if you wish to create characters that will stick with your readers for years to come, this is one very good approach.
ALAN JOHN (author of The One and Only Inuka, and other children’s books)
EXPERT TIP: PAINT THE FULL PICTURE
On the note of working with a team, John (pictured on the left) attributes the success of his books to his illustrator Quek Hong Shin (pictured on the right) who brings his stories to life (along with his wife and daughter who provide constructive, and sometimes painfully blunt, criticism).
“I write the story but I also kind of sketch out what I think it looks like. I'll have this very rough storyboard of stick figures and funny looking creatures. You don't know what they are,” he quipped. “I'll show it to Hong Shin and then he works on it. And when he brings it back, it's just beautiful. He'll add so much value to what I had imagined and he adds secondary characters to the story that fit perfectly.”
Giving a face to your characters is the key to engaging young readers, as John shared. Children are visual learners, so strong illustrations are essential for capturing their attention and bringing the story to life. Visualising characters can also make them more relatable and allow children to connect more deeply with your narrative by reflecting their emotions and personalities.
EXPERT TIP: KEEP IT SIMPLE
As a journalist, John usually incorporates real news into his children’s books. One example is the heartwarming tale “Ubin Elephant” inspired by a remarkable event in the early 1990s, when an elephant unexpectedly appeared in Pulau Ubin. John transformed this real-life story into an endearing book about the elephant’s journey to reunite with its mother.
To make news like this one more accessible and engaging for young readers, John keeps his narratives simple and straightforward. “It’s about simplifying things and not using too big words, and having some element of fun to appeal to emotions along the way, because [in the case of the Ubin Elephant] some people were frightened and some people were happy.”
EXPERT TIP: MAKE A LIST, CHECK IT TWICE
Since there’s constantly something new happening – one moment there’s a python in a Toa Payoh swimming pool, and the next there’s a hornbill roaming around the high-rise estates of Tampines – John keeps a list of topics to cover in his following books.
Jotting down your ideas as they come to you is a simple but powerful way to capture new inspiration before it slips away. Ideas can strike at any moment – while you're out for a walk, in the middle of a conversation, or just daydreaming – and cultivating a habit of writing them down ensures you don’t forget them. These notes don’t have to be fully formed thoughts; even a few words or a rough sketch can be enough to spark your creativity later!
EXPERT TIP: DON’T BE AFRAID, JUST DO IT
Both Dami and Alan have felt anxious when writing or publishing their books. But they both assure you that if you never try, you never know – your book might just be a success! “It's very nerve-wracking doing these books. You never know whether people will like them or not like them, and if they think they’re a silly waste of time, but you just do them and you put the first one out,” said Alan.
“It doesn’t have to be perfect,” added Dami. Ultimately, you’ll only get better at writing with time and experience. So, grab a pen or your laptop and get started!
Image credits: Amazon, Straits Times Press Books, Singapore Writers Festival, day-to-day-notes, Time Out Dubai, Alan John
Loading your next catch.
Loading your next catch.