Children’s books – I’m a huge fan, because I’ve been reading them all my life. I still remember two of my favorites from the 20th Century: “Bobby and His Airplanes” and “Come Visit My Ranch.” What makes them special?

(1) They tell a simple story. (2) They generally have only one main character. (3) The character must solve a problem or figure out an answer.

And, most of these books emphasize a POSITIVE MESSAGE. They present new information to the child, or they teach a lesson that will be useful later.

Sadly, we adults often forget these basic ideas when we sit down to write a story. Next time you’ve got to write something, can you convey a positive, easy-to-understand message?

For more little stories with interesting ideas, subscribe to Rix Quinn’s blog. Here’s the link: www.quinnminute.com