Actually, Tolkien specifically said that he keeps his writing simple and free from too much description as well. He believed that the reader will use images from their own life, and therefore that too much description is actually a detriment.
I can see it. Seems like that takes away from children exploring their own vast imaginations, and creating the characters themselves. That's such a skill to learn. But it's so beautiful.
Izzy, you seriously rock. This advice plus your other videos have had me rewriting, changing words and story booking my manuscripts and reminding me why I started writing them. Thank you for this.
Awesome tips. Thank you! Now if i could only get help on this one thing- i keep getting ideas for other books before i finish the one im working on. Im mid 4 to 5 stories lol i did get one out and published though! Thank God for that! Love your books! 🎉
This is a GOOD problem to have. The alternative is writers block. So don’t fret! Give praise for an active brain that is passionate about what you’re doing. I get this 100% and sometimes it’s straight up work to finish a story just so I can move on to another
This is freaken AMAZING! The best tips ive ever come across in the childrens book field!! Thank you so freakn much! im so pumped! Im about to order the word book :) Cheers! I've found you on tiktok so im following you here and tiktok! cant wait to watch more content from you whooohooo!
So helpful, thank you! I am in the middle of a children's book series project and write and illustrate the stories. Storyboarding is so helpful! It's one of my favorite things to do. I make my thumbnail sketches and try to be consistent with each book. For example, I have two to three very large ocean creatures that stretch across the spread in the first two books. I am making sure I include larger-than-life creatures in books 3 and 4 as well because I've noticed that is something I've seen people really respond to when I've shown or sold the book in person. Can't wait to check out more of your videos and books!
I love your videos - so entertaining and you give the message in a straight forward way. Would like videos about - marketing and email lists, producing merchandise to go with books (t-shirts, stuffed animals, bags and whatever would be popular with kids), making activities books to go with the picture book. Big thank you for offering all your wisdom.
Izzy, I can’t tell you how glad I am that this video was recommended to me. Not just for the video but for your way of teaching as well. Subscribed before I even finished half of the video
I think a great comic for you to review or at least read is unicorn knights of monokeros it is targeted at children and it is better than where the wild things grow.
Great video! I am a book illustrator already and aspiring author working in my own book series. Do you think the writing format should be “normal” or when is it (if at all) good or best to use rhyming couplets? Trying to decide the writing style and would love to hear your opinion. Thanks! 😊
I would only suggest using rhyming couplets if you're confident in this style. It can be difficult to master. My first book that did well was a rhyming book. The cool part about this is I turned the story into a song that you can play on all major listening apps (like Spotify). I love telling my Alexa to play my book! BUT picture books are meant to be read out loud. If you're book doesn't flow well (and lacks out loud readability) it won't go over well. So this is my advice. If you're uneasy about rhyme then study up on it and get a good foundation before attempting it. I will also say that I play around with rhyme even when writing a normal story. It's just a fun way to have my words dance around the page. Would a video on writing in rhyme be helpful?
@@IzzyBBooks yes, it would definitely be helpful to have a video about this! Found you in one of the Facebook groups by the way Another question (and video idea) is how to get an agent for illustrators, or for author/illustrators. Or how to get in with traditional publisher (as an illustrator or author/illustrator). Another video idea is how to best market kids picture books. There’s a lot for novels but not much for picture books (that actually convert to sales) I’m sure I have more ideas, haha! Give me time 😂
I'm definitely going to do a video on marketing. It's actually something I'm pretty decent at. At least at marketing myself! I think marketing has a lot to do with the individual too. I like to think outside the box when it comes to this. I focus a lot on spreading my brand because if people know me, then eventually they'll find my books.
IzzyB - I've got a children's book story I've had in the hopper for about 10 years (wow...I guess it's been a while) and which I really want to finish. However, it's kind of taken on a life of its own and it just keeps going and I can't figure out how to end it. So, it's over that golden 500 words number. It's so long - just under 2,000 words! - you'd probably call it a children's book novel. It's also a rhyming book, which is probably part of the issue (at least for me, anyway...you gotta fit everything in there and still match the rhyming pattern - ugh!). How do I hack this thing down to size and actually wrap it up with an ending? Probably need to find myself a good children's book editor or mentor.
It rhymes too! Sounds impressive. Can you make it a long picture book with chapters? Nothing wrong with that at all! Have you read Wonder Struck or Hugo Cabret? Check those out. Your book can be long as long as you stress that’s the purpose of it.
@@IzzyBBooks Oh, okay! I'll have to look at those two you suggested. I was thinking that picture books had that sub-1,000 word limit with the 500-700 word sweet spot. But I also know that several of Dr. Seuss's picture books are quite long...so.. I guess there are exceptions out there. Not sure how chapter picture books work - don't know that I've seen one - but are they similar to "regular" 32-page-spread picture books with illustrations on every page? I think my story is more conducive to a format with an illustration on every page, but I don't know now. Maybe a chapter picture book would work. Thanks, IzzyB!!!
Once one has the children’s book written … does one send it to a particular publisher..? Which one do you recommend for a series of stories about Midwest families doing Midwest things .. a family called the Peppernoodles with six red headed children .. Thanks
This sounds like a BLAST! If you’re going traditional publishing I’d check out query tracker and start hunting for an agent. But get ready to wait…. Patience is the name of the game. Big publishers take their dear sweet time. I’m a small publisher in this game. But even still, the work we do looks different than most.
What's the illustration to word ratio? Should I write with the idea that the illustration will take up most of the page? Or can the illustration be less than half the page? I've never written a children's book before, but I think I can spin a few from the fantasy world I am building for my novel, which will be geared more or less for adults ( think LOTR not GOT). Thanks for the input!
Hmmmm honestly less is more in the children’s book world. Your illustration should tell WAY more of the story. Not the writing. We don’t need to know story details in a children’s book. Can you let us understand what’s happening in a sentence or two? There shouldn’t be a paragraph a page. Now… obviously there are books that do this! And it’s okay. But keeping a reader involved in your book takes practice.
So, about including the illustrator, what do you want to see in a manuscript? I've been warned about writing too much instruction to an illustrator, stepping on toes and restricting what they do, Is there anywhere I can find an example of a manuscript with the right level of instruction for the illustrator?
@@IzzyBBooks okay, if I can follow up a little. What kind of thing is useful? And how much. Are we talking about a summary of the vision, storyboards, page-by-page annotations? You'd still think the more the better? The other thought here is whether that belongs in a submission to a publisher, or would that come in later when collaborating with an illustrator?
When working with an illustrator should I give them direction art style or samples of books I like how they are illustrated, or is better to just go with giving them a manuscript and letting them be creative with it?
This is a really awesome question. I’ll be making some videos on hiring an illustrator. I love it when authors send me an idea board full of what they envision for their characters and the story itself. The more you communicate what you’re seeing for your book the better the outcome. NOW!! What doesn’t work is when someone hires me and asks for me to create something that isn’t like my style at all. That doesn’t work. If you hire me and ask for a non whimsical water color then I’d be spending all my time trying to make something I wasn’t skilled with in the first place. So when hiring an illustrator make sure they match what you’re wanting first.
You're such a character! I enjoyed every bit of your video! Thank you Izzy! I have been sitting on my books for years. I will implement these and complete what I started!
It’s just additional notes I write next to the page to help the illustrator see the story in my head. I am the illustrator, but I added these when I sent off my stories to be reviewed by agents.
Izzy, what if I have a great concept for a book but absolutely no experience in writing and may need help figuring out the story? Are there resources or people to help with this process? Thank you, in advance.
Thank you. I liked the humor commercials. Some of the other videos I've watched are too pompous, or boring and downright snoring. .... Anyhoo, I'm subbed.
Awesome - love the video and the tips and this WILL be a great channel for new and seasoned authors. Very entertaining. I have a great tip on juggling haha!! Loved it, congrats and I will be following
I definitely need to practice my juggling. Okay… what do you think of this idea? I practice juggling throughout all the videos as a side note and see my progress 😂
I was expecting something bigger with the last tip... It doesn't apply to me, though, since I would be the author AND the illustrator. I can't forget myself. xD
You’d be surprised how many illustrators make this mistake too. Let the illustration tell the bulk of the story. But most often artists who weren’t writers will OVER write thinking they need to compensate. Keep it simple
@@IzzyBBooks Good advice. I’ve been watching a lot of videos on this. I now understand how difficult it is to actually simplify the writing. My mind wants to get down and dirty into details then I remember that kids are just learning how to read and would just want a more straight foreword story. No riddles and long descriptions. It’s been a challenge thus far but I’m having fun with it.
I would like to do my own illustrations and I have an ability to draw, but I just have a total block on doing it. Is there anything you recommend to get me unblocked and going?
I have a great idea for a childrens book audience 3-5. The story is focused on my dog, mt idea is unique and I believe would be a best seller, I HAVE NEVER written a book. Can you help?
I have a manuscript of 1000 words, and it's meant to have images spread on both pages with a few comics here and there. Need to know if I'm creating a picture book. I think it's for ages 5-8.
Hi Izzy. thank you for the great content! I am an aspiring author AND Illustrator. Currently trying to teach myself digital illustration as I had such a clear idea of what I wanted my book to look like visually. I am working on my first book at the moment - exciting times!! No real question - just a thank you for sharing and keep the content coming!! ☺️😋
I will be releasing videos on how to illustrate. I believe in you! Guess what… I 100% taught myself as well! And now it’s my full time job! If you need any help just hit me up. Is there an illustration video that would help you out most? I’m making one soon on how to format books.
@@IzzyBBooks oh amazing!! At the moment I am really struggling with positioning of people and consistency of facial features throughout a book and expressions. I know this will come with time and practice but I am impatient lol, especially when I am determined and have a goal to work towards haha. Any tips in that space would be very much appreciated!!
My ? As someone writing, illustrating for myself I plan to self publish. So Im researching on RU-vid how it all comes together but no one ever seems to talk about isbn numbers. Meaning where do you get them, and when do you use them because they need to be made apart of the pdf to publish correct? Also I hear it’s better to get your own rather than be given one so you keep more profits from your book. And buying them in bulk etc. thanks
Thank you Izzy for all the advice. I am a new writer and trying to figure out publishing, copywriting, and putting it all together. I am creating a series, the first story and illustrations are done. I am working on the next two. Help please!
I wrote a 4100 word story in one night. Its for age 7-8. I haven’t wrote a book before but the idea came to me so I went with it! How can i get this published?
I’m so glad this helped. Page turners are definitely something I make sure are in all my books. My book A Tighty-Whitie Wind is FULL of them, and I think that’s why it’s my most popular book.
Wow, at this stage I thought I had my book almost ready, now I am going to revise many of the things based on these great tips! Thanks. I would LOOVEEEEEEEEEEEEE to see a video on books that use rhymes and tips on that subject (not sure if you already have any as I have just landed on you channel), but if you don't, please make one! ;-)
@@IzzyBBooks thanks for the reply! I'd also love to know how to tackle the translation of your children's book (I work as a professional translator from several languages into Spanish) regarding the translation itself and the KDP process. What are some important things to look for? Are they considered different books? Etc. Thanks!
To make chapters books profitable you have to write a lot of them. Unless you mean novels. There’s a big difference between chapter books and novels in the world of books
I'm finally looking at making my childhood dream of writing books come true. This video is only the 3rd one I've watched on writing children's books and is so helpful 🎉 thank you Izzy! I wish we could meet, you seem to be a wellpool of writing wisdom ❤
I appreciate the advice! I am an inspiring illustrator who is interested in children and fantasy themes! I thrilled to see someone give real advice besides just follow by our dreams videos.
Hello - I've been watching many of your videos- thank you . I have written and illustrated 5 books now and a few people have asked if I can illustrate their books. Question - I don't want to under or over charge . In the music business I would know the going rate for whatever job - but have no idea what it is for illustrating . I don't want to undercut others, and don't want to overcharge the client . Any thoughts on this ? Joe
Figure out what you’d charge per page. Time yourself and see how long it takes to illustrate a page. Go with an hourly rate based off how long it took.
I think you have made too many children's books. Its affecting how you speak. You sound like you are talking to little kids. If its unintentional, i think you gotta hang out with adults more often. But if you are intentionally speaking like that. Stop. It can come off sounding patronizing, if you speak to adults like that. For me it was distracting. Most of the video, i kept thinking: "is this video meant for little kids?"
Is this question in reference to keywords for Amazon Ads? I plan on making a video on how to use Amazon Ads effectively because it can be tricky. BUT I usually tell people that before you worry about sending traffic to your book make sure your book page is looking top notch. Amazon now allows full customization through Kindle Direct Publishing. Would a video on customization be helpful? I did this for my book A Tighty-Whitie Wind.
I'll make a video for this! It's definitely something that (for some odd reason) Amazon doesn't make very user friendly. I had to do some research, so I'd love to share what I've learned.
