How To Write Like A Rockstar:
8 Features Of a Great Children's Story
It's sad, but true: none of us are born masters of anything, not even of something as simple as telling a story. Otherwise we'd be living on a planet full of Leo Tolstoys.

Some people are good at telling stories, others have to work especially hard to keep up. The thing is that top storytelling skills aren't just something for writers, but also for parents. Remember your childhood, how your parents read you tales and told you bedtime stories? Just think of how much you learned through these stories!

Considering how important storytelling is for parents, a lot of attention should be paid to this kind of writing. You may not believe it, but with a good story you can share important values and lessons in just under 10 minutes instead of wasting weeks, or maybe even months, on imparting some serious lessons in vain.

Over the centuries, much thought and research has been devoted to story structure and about how it's being perceived by different audiences. We dove into a particular part of storytelling research – the one that's devoted to storytelling for children – and picked up a few tips that will help you make your stories real game-changers.

By keeping these tips in mind when writing, any parent will be able to improve his or her story, make it easier for a child to perceive and understand and, most importantly, teach values and convey information as efficiently as a TED speaker!

So, when writing a story for your child, keep these important features in mind:
1. Length
For a child, a story should contain about 300-400 words. Each brain has the capacity to remember things, and children's brains are obviously not able to remember and process as much as an adult brain. Also, information is easier to remember in chunks, so be sure to divide your story in small paragraphs, each about 1 or 2 sentences long.



Be careful not to write a story that's too short. By trying to keep the story short, you risk leaving out important facts or details or explanations that may be necessary for the child to understand the idea and the moral of your story. On the other hand, don't make it too long. Don't devote too many words to secondary information, as it will only distract your child and overload him or her.

If you're afraid you might get carried away while writing, or on the contrary – forget something, you can use storytelling/writing apps to help you. For example, StoryTold can help you stick to a story length that is best to your child's age and behavior. Just start writing, we'll take it from there.
2. Simple Language
To keep the story age-appropriate, watch your language. If your children don't understand what they read, they will lose interest very fast. Simple words and stories are always easier to remember for people at any age.

Don't use scientific or work-related terms, adult talk or vocabulary from something beyond your child's interest span. Use plain language and short simple sentences that are easy to read.

We're sure you'll do your best, but StoryTold will also help you use a vocabulary appropriate to your child's age and level of education.


3. Positive over Negative
Stress the positive in your story. Positive emotions are always the ones we want to keep. Subconsciously, the child's brain will push away bad things and keep the good ones, so be sure to write in a positive tone.

Don't write about tragic memories or bad accidents. Write about the good things that can happen as a reward for a certain action, but not about a punishment caused by a wrong move. This may make your story sound intimidating.

StoryTold will help you avoid negative vocabulary and stay on a positive track! The world is already filled with so many discouraging things. Let's not generate more negativity.

4. Personal Level
Your story should contain names, places, and detailed facts instead of generic information. Your story should be one that no one else can tell. Uniqueness is what counts!

Don't write a story with nameless characters and mundane events – your child won't be able to relate to them or remember the story. Be specific and precise. We know that it might be difficult to remember every detail, but we're there to help you. Our algorithm, hints and questions will guide you down the winding road of writing and help you remember the small things. This way, your kids will feel that this particular story was written just for them.
5. Appropriate Illustration
A good story is great, but children are visual creatures. They need images, videos, animations, whatever you can find to illustrate your writing! Before kids learn to process large amounts of text, they think in images.
Help them better understand your story and remember it by adding photographs from your personal archives. Alternatively, use animations or videos. If you don't know where to find them or don't have time to look, StoryTold will provide you with a selection of illustrations you can use.
6. A Gripping Story Structure
Literature scholars have been researching this subject for ages and have identified several models of how a story can be built. For example, if you want to tell about an adventure you and your friends had when you were kids, you can use the concept of the monomyth. What caused you to embark on this adventure? What happened to you? How did it change you after you returned?

No matter which way you go, your story has to follow a certain logic. Don't just name events and facts that are all over the place. If you do, your child won't be able to remember the story and understand its teaching moment.

By giving you hints about story structure, StoryTold will make sure you stay on point.
7. A Relevant Topic
In order for the child to understand and relate to your story, you should choose a topic that is not only relevant to you, but to your child. For example, think of what bothered you at your child's age. What useful advice did you get from your family at that time?

Avoid topics that are unfamiliar to a child. This can be for many reasons – modern kids have more luxury than your generation did at that same age, so your childhood memories may not always be relevant. A story related to your child's interests and problems will resonate better and remain in his or her memory a lot longer.

Don't be afraid of running out of stories. StoryTold has an endless stock of story prompts that will steer you in the right direction. Moreover, our machine will suggest topics according to the interests of your child, as stated in your profile.



8. No Morals and Teachings
Don't forget to put your heart and soul into whatever you're writing.
Your story should be teaching in itself, and not overfilled with eloquently stated teachings. The described event or adventure should be the teaching.

Don't spoon-feed your child with morals. Children are sensitive to things like that, and they will just ignore you. If you do your story right, they will learn from it without you overburdening them with your arguments.

We put together these recommendations to serve one goal: so your child can enjoy your story and learn from it. Just don't forget to put your heart and soul into whatever you're writing. If you let us help you write your story, we'll do our best to help your child hear exactly what you have to say.