Writing for Children? Make your Characters Memorable

When you’re writing a children’s story, it’s important that your characters are believable. You want them to have realistic personality traits because children realize that people have faults. We all have strengths and weaknesses.

·        The main character should be age appropriate:  If you’re writing a middle grade children’s story, I would suggest making the main character between nine and twelve years old so that your readers will feel connected to him/ her.

·        Don’t make your characters too perfect: If none of your characters had faults, it would be boring reading. For example, maybe Rory has a tender heart, but a quick temper. Emma might be painfully shy and withdrawn, but she has a talent that no one would suspect. Be sure that your characters are fully described and developed so they are realistic. Your readers should connect with them.

·        Are your characters true to their personalities throughout the story?

Proofread your story to be sure that each character is true to his/her personality. For example, you wouldn’t’ want Alyssa, who has terrible stage fright, suddenly getting up and dancing in front of hundreds of people. Or you don’t want Tommy, the class bully, suddenly becoming the friendliest, most considerate person in school.

·        Your main character should make a positive change: It’s important that the main character learns and grows throughout the plot. Perhaps Joey is the town bully, but he learns through experience that there are better ways to attract attention. Your readers will learn from the events that you discuss in your books. They’ll see that people can change for the better.

I hope you find these suggestions helpful for your next writing project.