The Best Part of Writing for Young Readers (According to Our Authors)
Thinking about writing a children’s book but haven’t scribbled down your first words yet? Here’s the exciting news: The writing process began the moment a story started bouncing around in your brain! From the first spark of an idea to the first read-aloud story time, every stage of writing a children’s book is uniquely magical and rewarding. But don’t just take our word for it. Here are eleven feel-good reflections from our authors on their favorite parts of the writing process, from dreaming up characters to finally sharing them with young readers!
Isis Mesa-Rubin, author of Welcome to the World: A Doula’s Guide to the Magic of Birth: “My favorite part was envisioning the book before I even wrote a single word. I loved sitting with the dream, imagining what I wanted to create, how it would feel, and the impact it might have. Holding that vision close made it possible for me to take the first step. The dreaming stage, when anything is possible and your heart leads the way, was really special.”
Tully Minoski, author of Monsters in My Belly: “I genuinely loved the challenge of taking a hard situation (putting a newborn to sleep) and framing it in a way that recognized the hardship but was still entertaining and uplifting. It’s also fun to try to create something that, like a good Pixar movie, resonates with both parents and kids.”
Kathy Akopov Guillory, author of The Adventures of Belle Bear: “I love creating a new world, one with its own rules, rhythms, and magic. There’s something thrilling about building a place from scratch and deciding how it works, what it looks like, and how it feels. It’s like being part author, part architect, and part dreamer. With Belle Bear, I got to imagine an Arctic country called Mount Bearia and a cape that reappears when you remember who you are. That’s the fun for me—building a world kids want to step into, and maybe carry a piece of with them when they leave.”
Nicholas Manning, author of Angel Among Us: “During the writing process, I love the revision stage! I am a lover of powerful, descriptive words, and I see them as the ingredients that can make your story into a thoughtful masterpiece. I have the most fun enhancing my sentences, clarifying my ideas, and crafting lively, vivid imagery for the reader!”
Brittany Henning, author of Pleasant Dreams, I’'ll See You When the Sun Comes Up: “My favorite part of the writing process is when the idea first starts to take shape on the page. There’s something special about watching a simple thought or memory slowly turn into a story. In the early stages, the possibilities feel wide open, and it’s exciting to see how the setting and message begin to come together.
I also really enjoy the revision stage, when you refine the language and rhythm. With a children’s book in particular, every word matters, and shaping the story so it flows gently for bedtime reading is a really fulfilling process.”
Tara Atkins, author of Found: A Potcake Puppy Story: “I believe the best part of the writing process is the excitement you feel when you come up with an idea and get your creative juices flowing. But I also love when you first share your idea with someone and they love it as much as you do.”
Jennifer Muse, author of What the Hey Hey: “I love that there’s no single ‘right’ way to do it. Every writer finds their own rhythm, and that freedom makes the process so rewarding.”
Ali Mejia, author of The Butterfly Studio: “I love the moments when the characters surprise me, when they say something or do something I hadn’t planned, and suddenly the story takes flight. It feels a little like magic, as if I’m just following where they lead.”
Lauren Vilbert, author of Little Lost Horse on the Currituck Banks: “I think my favorite part of the writing process is editing. In the editing process, characters come alive, scenes become vivid, and my words begin to shape into a real story.”
Theodore A. Adams III, author of The Man Who Owned a Plane: “My favorite part isn’t actually during the writing itself—it’s what happens after. I can draft a character and give them everything I can, but the real magic begins when readers encounter them. There’s this incredible moment when I see people take ownership of the character and start debating their motivations, their choices, their meaning. That’s when I know the character has truly come alive—when it’s no longer just my creation, but something that exists independently in readers’ minds and hearts.”
Dr. Kristen Kilroy, author of Henry Goes to Aquatic Physical Therapy: “My favorite part of the writing process was working with my wonderful illustrator to make my idea come to life! Since this was based on my real-life work, I had a specific vision for the art. I enjoyed working with the illustrator to make the physical therapist, Dr. Kristen, look like me to ease anxiety for kids when they show up. I wanted them to see a familiar character.”
If you’re feeling inspired to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), check out these five tips for creating a writing schedule you can stick to. But no matter where you are in the writing process, from playing around with an idea to polishing your final draft, a Blue Balloon editor is ready to help you keep the momentum going! Reach out today to take the next step in your writing journey.