Writing for kids 101
Mark Twain famously said: There is no such thing as a new idea.
While our ideas feel unique, they’re shaped by our interactions with the world. These interactions make our creative experiences both deeply personal and universally shared.
Twain’s quote continues: [A new idea] is impossible. We simply take a lot of old ideas and put them into a sort of mental kaleidoscope. We give them a turn and they make new and curious combinations. We keep on turning and making new combinations indefinitely; but they are the same old pieces of colored glass that have been in use through all the ages.
This truth leads us to an important realization: an original idea doesn’t matter.
So the question is… What does this idea mean to you?
In the world of children’s literature, this principle is especially true. It’s about breathing life into these ideas with your unique perspective and passion.
Yes, your concept may have been explored before, but here’s the key: What makes your version special? What makes it a story you can’t wait to share? When I approach writing a children’s book, I don’t focus on fitting into a niche or striving for perfect originality. Instead, I imagine the book I would have loved to read as a child—the one that would have sparked my imagination and stayed with me. That’s the story I set out to create.
Writing is a deeply personal process. Actually, it goes one step further - it’s totally selfish. It’s a solitary practice where we put our mind to paper, with the expectation that people will read it. Willingly.
See? Totally selfish.
So go with it! Be selfish! Write the thing that inspires you. Because in the end, the person who will read your book the most…is you! So, make it a story you absolutely love. If your passion shines through every page, that energy will inspire your readers, young and old, no matter how familiar the idea might be.
The roller rink was alive with energy, filled with people of all ages ready to have fun! Tommy noticed the fearless attitude of the kids on the floor. They zipped around without a care, their confidence building with every glide. “Who cares if I fall? I’m just gonna go for it!” That mindset seemed to be their secret weapon. With that sense of fearless fun, they spun faster dancing to ABBA, carving figure eights like tiny, disco-inspired Olympians. (And yes, they were wearing knee pads—safety first, my friends!)
This experience got me thinking about writing. When we write, we need that same fearless fun. That sense of “who cares—I’m just gonna go for it” unleashes creativity and lets ideas flow naturally. Writing becomes a joyful dance instead of a struggle.