Revise with Confidence with Quick Fixes for Common Manuscript Issues

Discover practical, simple strategies to identify and resolve issues in your children’s book draft, ensuring it captivates young readers and aligns with today’s publishing standards.

As children’s authors, we carry the enormous privilege of shaping young minds through story. But transforming a bright idea into a polished manuscript that resonates with children isn’t always smooth sailing. For this final guest post, I wanted to share some practical ways to help you troubleshoot your manuscript and ensure it connects with readers in a meaningful way.

Finding Your Why

Every story begins with a spark, but sustaining that fire through the long journey of writing and revising requires a clear sense of purpose. Why this story? Why are you the one to tell it? And what do you hope your readers will take away?

Eyes That Speak to the Stars 
by Joanna Ho

Your “why” is more than just a guiding light—it’s the emotional core that keeps your story authentic. In the book, The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld, the heartfelt exploration of empathy and emotional resilience stemmed from the author’s reflections on personal grief. Similarly, in Eyes That Speak to the Stars by Joanna Ho (2022), the theme of self-acceptance is woven seamlessly into a narrative that uplifts Asian representation. A strong sense of purpose helps focus your manuscript and inspires young readers to connect deeply with your message.

Understanding Your Ideal Reader

Picture your ideal reader. How old are they? What are their fears, joys, and questions? Tailoring your story to a specific child ensures it has focus and emotional resonance. The eight-year-old who devours middle-grade adventures in Maya and the Robot by Eve L. Ewing (2021) differs from the toddler captivated by the bold imagery and sparse text of Peekaboo Farm by Camilla Reid (2020). Writing for a clear audience helps you create relatable, impactful characters and situations.

Crafting a Strong Main Character

A child’s connection to your book often hinges on your protagonist. Is your main character driving the story? Are they making decisions, solving problems, and experiencing growth? Children want to root for someone who reflects their dreams and struggles. In Amy Wu and the Warm Welcome by Kat Zhang (2022), Amy’s relatable desire to include a new friend while staying true to herself is a perfect example of an active and endearing protagonist.

Incorporating Conflict and Resolution

Big Feelings by Alexandra Penfold
and Suzanne Kaufman

Conflict is the beating heart of your story’s tension. Whether it’s internal, external, or a mix of both, the challenges your character faces should feel authentic and age-appropriate. Look at Big Feelings by Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman (2021), where the characters navigate complex emotions like anger and frustration in a way that’s engaging and comforting for young readers. Build suspense and drama, but always guide your readers toward a satisfying resolution. 

Balancing Text and Illustration

For illustrated works like picture books and graphic novels, the partnership between text and visuals is paramount. The words should complement the illustrations, leaving space for the art to enrich the storytelling. In I Talk Like a River by Jordan Scott and Sydney Smith (2020), the poetic narrative and evocative illustrations work together to depict the emotional journey of a boy overcoming his stutter. Let your illustrator—even if that’s you—carry part of the storytelling load.

Adding the Element of Surprise

The Barnabus Project 
by The Fan Brothers

Children’s books thrive on delight and discovery. Does your story contain twists or moments that catch readers off guard? The Barnabus Project by The Fan Brothers (2020) captivates with its unexpected turns in an underground world of failed animal experiments, keeping young readers guessing until the end. Surprises, whether they're humorous or poignant, enhance the story’s memorability and make it an enduring favorite.

Choosing Words Carefully

Every word in a picture book carries weight, and brevity is your ally. Are your sentences efficient and evocative? George Saunders’ advice in A Swim in a Pond in the Rain applies well here: “Every element should be a little poem, freighted with subtle meaning that is in connection with the story’s purpose.” Modern picture books like Outside, Inside by LeUyen Pham (2021) demonstrate how concise text can evoke complex emotions and vivid imagery. 

Showing, Not Telling

Bring your story to life by dramatizing events rather than explaining them. Sensory details and emotional cues invite readers into your world. In Blue Floats Away by Travis Jonker (2021), the gentle yet vibrant description of a melting iceberg’s journey immerses children in an environmental tale without overexplaining. Draft expansively, then pare down to essential, evocative language.

Leveraging Mentor Texts

The Year We Learned to Fly 
by Jacqueline Woodson
and Rafael López

Even experienced writers benefit from mentor texts. What five books resonate with your story’s tone, theme, or style? Recent works like The Year We Learned to Fly by Jacqueline Woodson and Rafael López (2022) or How to Catch a Clover Thief by Elise Parsley (2021) offer valuable insights into pacing, language, and narrative structure. Let these books inspire you as you refine your manuscript.

Pressure Test Your Prose By Reading it Aloud

The ultimate test of a children’s book is how it sounds when read aloud. Share your story with a trusted friend or a young reader. Are the rhythms engaging? Do the words flow effortlessly? Listening to yourself read can reveal clunky phrasing or uneven pacing, helping you polish the manuscript to perfection.

Diagnosing Common Issues

If your manuscript isn’t quite landing, step back and reassess. Are the stakes high enough? Is the theme clear? Are the language and concepts age-appropriate? Troubleshooting is about asking hard questions and being open to change. As you work, remember: every great book began as a messy draft once upon a time.

How to Ensure Your Story Has Heart

The art and craft of writing children's books that create lasting connections with readers

With Valentine's Day on the horizon, I thought I'd go a little deeper into the concept that's already top of mind for many of us kidlit folks this time of year: Heart.

Every story, regardless of genre or audience, has a core—a central truth that resonates long after the last page is turned. For children’s authors, understanding and amplifying that truth is the difference between a story that’s merely read and one that’s cherished. The heart of your story isn’t just its plot or characters; it’s the emotional core that ties everything together and lingers with your readers.

The heart of a story is what moves readers, captivates them, and makes them feel seen. It’s the universal theme or emotional truth that beats beneath every action, every decision, every turn of the page. Stories with heart aren’t necessarily sentimental, but they are always deeply felt. They have the power to connect across ages and experiences—something especially important in writing for children, where stories often become foundational in shaping a reader’s worldview.

What the Heart of Your Story Is (and Why It Matters)

I Love You For Miles and Miles,
by Alison Goldberg,
illustrated by Mike Yamada

The heart of your story is the "why" behind the "what." It’s the deeper meaning that drives the narrative forward and gives it purpose. Without heart, even the most intricately plotted story risks feeling hollow. The heart is what transforms a sequence of events into a journey worth taking.

When we talk about heart, we’re talking about what your story wants to say at its most essential level. Maybe it’s about the courage it takes to stand up for yourself, the bittersweet beauty of letting go, or the enduring power of friendship. Whatever it is, it’s the thread that ties your story together. For children, who often experience books on both an emotional and formative level, stories with heart create a safe space to explore big feelings and complex ideas.

Stories with heart aren’t just memorable—they’re meaningful. They give your readers something to hold onto and reflect on, long after they’ve finished the book. That’s why identifying and staying true to the heart of your story is so important. It’s your north star, guiding every choice you make in your writing.

Finding the Heart of Your Story

Identifying the heart of your story begins with asking the right questions. Start by digging into your character’s journey. What is their deepest struggle? What do they long for, and what stands in their way? Look beyond the surface of your plot to uncover the emotional truths driving your story forward.

1. Examine Your Character’s Arc: Every story has a character who changes—maybe in small ways, maybe in big ones. What is your protagonist learning? How are they growing? These internal shifts are often a direct reflection of your story’s heart. If your main character discovers the courage to be themselves, your story’s heart might center on authenticity or bravery.
2. Consider the Central Conflict: Look at the challenges your character faces. Conflict isn’t just about external events; it’s often a mirror for the emotional stakes of the story. For instance, a quest to find a lost treasure might also be about finding self-worth or discovering the value of connection.
3. Ask Yourself "Why": Why are you writing this story? Why does it matter to you? The stories we write often come from a deeply personal place. If you can identify what drew you to this idea, you’re already on the trail of its heart.
4. Think About Your Audience: What do you want your readers to feel when they close the book? How do you hope your story will resonate with them? Whether your readers are toddlers, teens, or somewhere in between, your story’s heart should offer something that feels true to their world.

Writing With the Heart in Mind

Pokko and the Drum,
by Matthew Forsythe

Once you’ve found the heart of your story, the next step is weaving it into every element of your writing. Think of it as an invisible thread that holds the narrative together. Every scene, every character decision, and every word should serve this central truth.

Anchor Your Plot: Make sure your story’s heart drives the action. If your story is about belonging, each plot point should reflect your character’s struggle to find their place.
Deepen Your Characters: A story with heart requires characters who feel real. Their actions, decisions, and even mistakes should all stem from the emotions at the core of the story.
Refine Your Language: Choose words that carry weight. In picture books, every word matters—lean into language that amplifies the emotions you’re trying to convey. For longer works, like middle grade or YA, take the time to create moments of emotional resonance within the narrative.
Revisit and Revise: As you revise, keep the heart of your story front and center. Ask yourself: Does this scene strengthen the emotional core, or is it pulling the story in a different direction? Revision is where the heart of a story often emerges most clearly, so don’t be afraid to cut what doesn’t fit.

Why Heart Matters Most of All

Children’s literature has the unique ability to nurture empathy, curiosity, and connection. When we write stories with heart, we’re giving readers a mirror to see themselves and a window to see others. Whether it’s the simple, powerful message of a picture book or the layered complexity of a young adult novel, a story with heart is one that readers carry with them.

Your story’s heart is something you return to again and again throughout your writing process. It’s what makes your story yours. It’s what makes your story matter, not just on Valentine's Day, but every day of the year.

Cara J. Stevens is a writer, editor, and book coach with over 20 years of experience in children’s publishing. Based in Los Angeles, she specializes in helping writers craft their stories across genres, offering services in developmental editing, book coaching, and creative workshops. Cara served as the 2023 SCBWI-L.A. Mentor, and contributes frequently to Kite Tales, the SCBWI Southern California blog. Her most recent children’s book is the Mean Girls Little Golden Book, illustrated by Viven Wu and Chivaun Fitzpatrick (Little Golden Books). She has been an SCBWI member since 1996. Her podcast, Picture Perfect, features interviews with kidlit professionals and quick writing tips, and can be accessed on most podcast streaming platforms. Learn more at carajstevens.com.

 

From Spark to Story

Finding Picture Book Ideas in Everyday Moments

The world is brimming with inspiration for stories—if you know how to spot it. Writing for children isn’t about chasing trends or trying to guess what the market wants next. It’s about tuning in to what young readers need: connection, curiosity, and a bit of magic to make sense of their world.

But where do those ideas come from? Sometimes, they start with a tiny spark—a single moment, image, or question that lingers in your mind. The trick is learning to recognize those sparks and follow where they lead.

Why Do You Write for Children?

Before you dive into a story, it’s worth asking yourself two important questions. A story needs two “whys” to resonate:

    Your Internal Why: Why are you writing this story? What does it mean to you?

    Your External Why: Why are you writing this story? Why will it matter to your readers?

Answering these two questions ensures your story has depth and authenticity. It also helps you connect more powerfully with your audience, making you the right person to tell this particular story.

Learning from the Classics: Disney, Wicked, and Reimagined Tales

Many Disney movies find their origins in classic fairy tales, like Beauty and the Beast and Sleeping Beauty. These stories have stood the test of time, but Disney always seems to find a way to infuse them with fresh perspectives to make them resonate with modern audiences.

Similarly, Wicked—based on Gregory Maguire’s novel, which itself reimagines The Wonderful Wizard of Oz—takes a familiar story and shifts the lens. By exploring the perspective of the so-called Wicked Witch of the West, it reframes her as misunderstood, expanding our empathy and understanding while staying true to the spirit of the original.

Children’s literature is full of similar examples. Eric A. Kimmel’s The Runaway Tortilla reimagines The Gingerbread Man with a Southwestern twist, infusing new cultural elements and humor to make the story fresh and engaging.

What classic tales have left you with unresolved questions? For me, it’s characters who have a mysterious wisdom surrounding them, like the three Mrs. in A Wrinkle in Time, or like the Cheshire Cat. Why are they so wise? Where do they go when they disappear? Or Merlin—what’s his backstory, and what drives him? Exploring these questions can open up entirely new stories that honor the originals while offering something fresh.

Mining these unresolved questions can be a powerful way to generate new ideas. Look for characters or moments that captivate you and imagine the story told from a different angle. This approach not only honors the original but also allows you to address themes and questions that resonate with today's readers.

“Use your imagination.  If your story doesn’t go the way you want it to, you can always stretch the truth.  You can. ask, ‘What if?’  and make up a better story.”  - Nothing Ever Happens on 90^th Street, Roni Schotter

Living the Questions: Mining Your Life for Stories

Rainer Maria Rilke once wrote, “Try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. Don't search for the answers... Live the questions now.”

This advice relates to storytelling in such a deep way for me. Instead of seeking fully formed ideas, I like to start with questions. What would make a child care worry about a balloon? What if the ducks in the local pond had a secret? How does soap make things clean? 

Write down any questions that come to you as they happen, even if they seem small or incomplete. Questions are richer than answers because they lead to exploration, discovery, and originality. The stories that arise from them are often the most authentic.

Noticing Sparks in Everyday Life

Finding sparks doesn’t require grand adventures. It happens in ordinary moments—on a walk, in a conversation, or while observing children at play.

Pay attention to what catches your eye or makes you wonder. That little moment might hold the seed of a story only you can tell. And once you have the spark, start asking, “What if?” 

Carry a journal to capture these sparks or keep an open note on your smartphone. Not all sparks will have the power to become stories, but they’ll train you to notice the world in ways that fuel your creativity.

Picture book ideas don’t come fully formed—they start as sparks, small and fleeting. By staying curious, asking questions, and reflecting on your own “whys,” you can turn those sparks into stories that resonate with young readers.

“The joy of writing is that my way-too-many feelings, fears, and dreams often weave their way into stories,” celebrated children’s author Roni Schotter told me in a recent conversation about finding story sparks. Her most recent book, Dragon Dreams, which is coming out on January 28, 2025, by Astra Books For Young Readers, came from a combination of sparks over time that included sibling rivalry and revelry between her granddaughters as well as her own childhood dreams. “I’ve always wished to fly. As a child, I’d race down the sidewalk—arms extended--hoping for take-off.  Sadly, I failed to fly, but in my writing, I can easily imagine flying on the bumpy back of a dragon to a ‘Secret Gathering’ in the sky.” 

Roni shared her sparks for some of her other books as well. The Boy Who Loved Words, which has a treasured place on my own family’s bookshelf, was inspired by her love for the sound, feel, & power of words. And another favorite, Nothing Ever Happens on 90^th Street, was sparked by her realization that stories are all around us, just waiting to be told, and by her deep love of community. In fact, her next book coming out in the summer of 2026, called Step out! Step Up!was also inspired by that same love of community. The take-home here is that sparks are a reusable and a renewable resource and can be used in different ways across different stories, so don’t cross a spark off your list if it keeps igniting ideas!

Your next story might be waiting in a park, in a question you’ve carried for years, or in a moment that feels too small to notice. Pay attention. Ask, “What if?” And follow the spark wherever it leads.

The Power of Less

Write Picture Books with Impact Using Fewer Words

Writing a picture book is a bit like packing for a trip in a tiny carry-on bag. You have limited space, so every item you choose—every word—has to earn its place. The challenge isn’t just about keeping the word count low; it’s about making those words powerful enough to carry half the story while leaving room for the illustrations to shine.

Picture books today are getting shorter. Most traditionally published picture books land somewhere between 500 and 700 words, spread over 32 pages less front and back matter. That’s around 16 words per page—just enough to guide the reader while sparking the illustrator’s imagination. And, just as important, enough to hold a young child’s attention without asking too much of their developing focus.

So how do you make those few words count? Here are a few tricks.

Less is More--Why Fewer Words Matter

If you’re used to writing longer forms, the word count for a picture book can feel cramped. You might be used to describing every detail or be tempted to explain every action. But here’s the truth: your words and the illustrations are partners in storytelling. Words don’t have to do all the work—they need to do just enough to move the story forward, set the tone, and spark emotion.

The illustrations can handle the heavy lifting of description and mood. For instance, a sentence like “Max crashed through the tangled branches, his face red with fear” might be reduced to just “Max ran for his life.”The illustrator can show the tangled branches, the panic in Max’s expression, and the movement of the moment.

“The writer that prunes ruthlessly is the one who becomes published.” 

– Margot Finke, How to Make Editors Eager to Read Your Picture Book

Cross-Examine Every Word: Be the Bouncer at Club Story

Here’s a tip from writer George Saunders that I love: treat every word as if you’re a bouncer at the door of Club Story. If a word isn’t contributing—if it doesn’t move the plot forward, deepen the emotion, or delight the reader—it’s out. No exceptions.

Picture books thrive on rhythm and economy. Sentences with multiple clauses? Split them. Big, abstract words? Swap them for simple, concrete ones. 

The result? It’s cleaner, more rhythmic, and leaves space for the illustrations to tell the rest.

Pro Tip: Keep an eye out in your manuscript for sentences joined by “and”. That could be a sign that your sentence could be shortened and condensed.