Write a Children's Book Starring Family Members
How Authors Can Include Their Own Children in Juvenile Fiction
Nov 9, 2009
While it is certainly possible for authors to model the characters in a story on their own children, problems can arise. By all means use family members or friends in a cast of characters – but abide by a few common-sense rules.
Problems With Using Family Members in Stories
The story has too many characters. A common reason for rejection is that the story has far too many people in it. Readers get confused about who is doing what. This problem arises when everybody in the family decides they want to be in the story – and the author doesn't know how to say 'no'.
The author is constrained by what the real person would or wouldn't do. Time after time, editors read manuscripts that portray dull, plodding characters. If they suggest a twist or a new development to liven things up, the author shows reluctance. Why? "Because Johnny wouldn't do that/behave like that/say that." In other words, the author has lost sight of the fact that this is fiction.
The story is built around a funny family situation that doesn't translate to the page. Something that seems hilarious around the family dinner table may fall completely flat as part of a story. This usually happens because it's too hard to translate everything that makes something funny.
These factors can include various facial expressions, a quick comment, the inflection in someone's voice, or simply the way that the people involved bounced off each other when the incident occurred. All of this can be extraordinarily difficult to transfer to a print medium (even if the book will be illustrated). Similarly, stories constructed around a family catchphrase rarely work.
How To Use Family Members in Stories Successfully
- Use names, but don't attempt to faithfully reproduce the whole person. Most kids are thrilled just to see their names in a story. They're not going to be particularly concerned if every detail isn't correct.
- Think 'character traits', not 'photograph'. Take the time to analyse and list the character traits that make family members unique. Give these traits to different people in the story. As the story unfolds, think about how each character's personality will influence the way the scenes play out.
- Don't assign unpleasant traits to a character with a family member's name. Nobody wants to be the bad guy! An author who unthinkingly names the antagonist after one of the family may get a chilly reception at family get-togethers for years. Don't do it!
One of the perks of writing for children is being able to name characters after family and friends. Just be careful that the family doesn't hijack the story. Planning and writing a children's book is hard enough, without having dozens of characters trying to elbow their way in.
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