The Aiken, Joan 1924-2004 creator text New York St. Martin's Griffin 1999 1st St. Martin's Griffin ed., rev. and updated monographic 97 p. ; 21 cm ch. 1. Do you want to write about children or for them? Adults and children read in different ways -- ch. 2. Warning: writing for children may not be as simple as you think. Why do people write for children? What should a children's writer write, or not write? -- ch. 3. Different age groups. Small children's books -- ch. 4. Novels for children of medium age. Writing routine. voice. Your imaginary reader. your central character. Story-telling or describing. Assembling your story. Getting started -- ch. 5. Plots for the small to medium. How do you get your ideas? themes. Building the reader's interest. Beginning. Keeping them interested. Ending -- ch. 6. Character. How are characters created? Extending you characters. Depicting them. Villains. Dialogue. Dialect. Details -- ch. 7. Writing for television. Children's plays. Picture-books. Poetry. Teenage novels -- ch. 8. Myth and fantasy. Ghost stories. Humour. Historical novels -- ch. 9. Practical points. Moral message, yes or no? Taboos. Final advice Joan Aiken Children's literature Authorship 031220048X (pbk.) : 6954