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Take It From Me

My Daughter, My Co-Author
By Kathleen Rand
(Sept 2000)

Writing with kids around is never easy. But have you ever had your kid as your co-author? Think about it. It is hard enough working with a partner. When your partner is your kid, specifically, my co-author and partner is my 12 year old daughter, Chandra.

As a single parent of an almost 13 year old, life has thrown me for a loop. Chanda and I write children's books together. With one book under our belt, "Marianne's Magical Journey", Monterey Pacific Publishing, 1998, she and I began focusing on other books and I was freelancing in between.

No longer am I able to sit with my daughter and crank out a children's book while cooking dinner, helping with homework , writing AND watching the news. Now, when we write, my daughter has an opinion about everything and suddenly is more demanding in our writing style, therefore requiring more time. Sometimes, I look at her as if she is a changling!

"Well what about that character's feelings?"" she will ask.

Writing was NEVER this hard before. I just keep telling myself, ""this too shall pass.""

So what to do?
Here are some things I do that allow us to write, and still be a mom and deal with a co-author experiencing pimples. No CEO would ever be as prepared as those of us who write WITH adolescents! Having my daughter as my co-author gives us a unique perspective. I do not have to worry if kids will like our books. If my daughter likes it, I know it will be successful. If your are interested in writing with your child, here are some things you can do.

1. Find a topic that both of your like.
2. Work out an outline of the story you want to write so it is easy for the child to follow.
3. Set a specific time and place to write. Remember not to push your child's attention span.
4. Tap in to their great imaginations. Don't dismiss ideas that kids have as implausible. Some of the most successful children's books have the craziest plots; but kids love them!
5. When writing dialog, act out the parts and voices with your child. This is a great way for them to absorb the story and will let you know if the story needs changing or if certain parts are awkward.
6. When your story is finished, start trying to get it published and keep trying.

It took Chanda and I over three years to get published. Being a young author is a great experience for my
daughter, and while now I may not be the coolest person to hang with, I know that later in life she will appreciate it.

KATHLEEN S. RAND is a freelance writer living in Reno, Nevada. She has written in the book and magazine and Internet markets and just received her master's degree. Her latest book, "Virtual Affair" will be out in early 2001.

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