KidLit Writer Confessions

I'm sorry to hear that. The fog is hard to see through sometimes. Try small steps like:

Making a map

Just outlining a scene

Talking about your work with another writer

Reading (I find audiobooks very helpful when the fog comes on)

It's important to take breaks. I'm sure the thought has crossed your mind that you might never return to the work and that can be frightening, but if you try to force yourself to go back to it that will almost surely happen.

Don't worry about taking breaks from your work. It'll be okay.

I think we all share this fear and I feel a deep level of camaraderie with you. But I think you know, if you let this fear stop you, your work will never be out there. You might be missing out on a huge opportunity because of it.

Sometimes, I feel like this is an easy answer. If your story is about a concept (this is the color blue, or rhythms, etc) then it's clearly for younger children.

But as things get older, this gets harder. Dating, crushes, drugs, death, violence, and all that is for older kids. A lot of people think that's only for adults.

I decide mostly on the age of my characters. So if I'm thinking of a 12 year old whose best friend died, then I'm going to present that story in a way I feel is okay. The friend probably dies off screen and not in front of them. If the friend does horrifically, then the details will be kept minimal and brief.

But if I move that to YA. We're going to watch that friend died in real time.

The decision to write for older or younger kids is equal parts the age of the protagonist and the content you want to write.