How Picture Book Authors Break These Common Writing Rules
- Chelsea Tornetto
- Jun 23
- 4 min read
Never underestimate a picture book writer.
We are the rebels of the writing and publishing world. We do things differently.
Which is why whether you are a multi-published novelist wanting to try your hand at a children's book, or a first time author just getting started, it's critical that you take the time to learn the genre and it's unique expectations before you dive in.
Here are 5 ways the writing rules are different for picture book writers.
Picture book story arcs are different.
A typical story arc or plot line looks like this.
Novelists spend pages describing the setting and introducing key characters - grounding the reader in the story. In novels, vivid descriptions are important so that a reader can visualize everything clearly.
At the end of a novel authors often take a whole chapter (or more!) to tie up all the loose ends and arrive at a satisfying resolution.
Having a solid story arc is one of the most common writing rules out there.
But in a picture book? Well, watching a 5-year-old tear through a stack of picture books is a little like watching Thor tear through drinks... They don't have time to wait for long, drawn out ending! They want to get on to the next book!
In a picture book, we want to get to the inciting incident FAST and wrap things up even faster! So our story arcs look more like this:
Notice how the exposition and resolution are super short? The focus of a picture book plot is almost always on the rising action. That's what keeps our young readers engaged and wondering...what's next?
Here's a video all about how to write an engaging story arc, specifically for picture books.
Vivid imagery and description aren't always necessary.
One of my favorite young adult authors, John Flanagan, frequently spends whole paragraphs describing a meal the characters are cooking and eating in vivid detail. In a novel, this allows me to feel like I’m right there at the table. I can see the smoke, smell the dripping meat…Yum!
But, in a picture book…a wordy description does little to add to the reader’s experience…because they can SEE the food on the page in the illustrations! Too much description can actually cause them to be frustrated…."Yeah, I know the cake was covered in thick, gooey icing…I can SEE IT!"
The same goes for descriptions of characters, settings, and more.
It’s not that we picture book writers don’t use ANY description or imagery…but we are always asking ourselves, “Could the illustrator show it better?”
If the answer is yes...then we let them!
Sub plots and layered themes are NOT strengths.
Novels are often praised for their layered themes and complex subplots. That’s why book clubs have so much to discuss!
But picture books - with their 4-8 year old audience - have to keep it CLEAR. In a picture book, a subplot doesn’t add interest…it’s distracting! Two intertwined themes don’t add deeper meaning…they can cause deep confusion!
A novel is written for a reader who has already mastered reading and literary analysis. It’s constructed like a maze with lots of things to explore. But a picture book is written for a reader who is still learning to read and understand a story. So it’s written like a carefully planned, but simple scavenger hunt, with lots of clear clues to keep the reader on track.
In a picture book, we strive to select one important theme. One clear conflict. And make sure that every detail in the story directs the reader toward a deeper understanding of that one big idea.
Page turns are tools to be used.
A novelist might occasionally end a chapter at a really tense moment to build tension and create a cliffhanger moment for the reader. But aside from that, they pay little attention to the end of each page. In fact, when a novel is formatted for print, the page breaks frequently move around depending on the font and text size.
Picture book authors, on the other hand, have to be aware of and carefully utilize every page turn. And where we place those page turns can have a big impact on the pace at which the reader experiences the story.
Want to speed things up and create a sense of urgency? Put fewer words on each page. Want to slow the reader down? Put a larger block of text on the page.
Want to really build the tension…put half of a sentence on one page…
And the other half on the next!
Picture book authors are running a three-legged race.
While a novelist is all on their own, a picture book author is one half of a creative team.
A picture book author can't get to the finish line without the illustrator! And the illustrator doesn't have anywhere to go without the author. So, like a team running a three-legged race, we have to work together. If we don't....we're going to end up on the ground with our legs tangled together!
Because of this unique dynamic, picture book authors have to be good at visualizing the possibilities of a particular scene…without clutching too tightly to their own specific vision. We have to leave room for the illustrator to work their magic.
The Bottom Line
And I can tell you with certainty, writing a picture book is NOT easy!
So many new children’s book writers approach writing a picture book as if it’s any other piece of writing. But, as you can see above, writing a picture book is a unique art form in the literary world.
So, if you're just getting started as a picture book writer, what can you do to help yourself master this unique genre? Here are some tips!
Read a LOT of picture books published in the last 5 years.
Join an organization like SCBWI and attend webinars and conferences.
Get professional critiques and edits from pros who specialize in picture books - not just "children's books."
Join a critique group with other picture book authors.
Join our Profitable Picture Books program! You'll get access to our comprehensive course, as well as our supportive online community of writers.
