8 Embarrassing Mistakes When Writing Child Characters

Summary

This video provides crucial tips on writing believable child characters in adult novels. It highlights common mistakes such as portraying children as overly precocious, too well-behaved, or speaking like adults, and offers practical solutions. The video stresses the importance of capturing the complexity of children's emotions, avoiding rigid archetypes, and incorporating age-appropriate dialogue. It also covers the significance of understanding generational differences in culture, slang, and technology use when writing modern kids. The advice is essential for writers seeking to create authentic, relatable child characters in their stories.

Takeaways

• 😀 Writing children in novels for adults requires understanding the nuances of their age and behavior, not just the way they speak or look.
• 😀 Avoid creating an 'accidentally precocious child'—if a child is acting much older than their age, make sure it’s acknowledged by the adults in the story and has some consequences.
• 😀 Don’t write overly well-behaved children; instead, balance good and bad behavior, reflecting the complexity of real kids.
• 😀 The 'tiny adult syndrome' occurs when a child character thinks and speaks like an adult—this can be funny, but if it’s not intended as a joke, it’ll feel unrealistic.
• 😀 Children are often illogical, imaginative, and ask deeply inappropriate questions—these behaviors should be used to make child characters feel authentic.
• 😀 Avoid rigid archetypes for child characters (e.g., spoiled child, innocent, genius) by adding unique traits that make them feel like individuals.
• 😀 Children’s emotional lives are complex and fluctuate rapidly. Avoid oversimplifying their feelings, and allow them to express a mix of emotions.
• 😀 The 'old soul' complex can make children seem too wise or knowledgeable. Kids are often naive, which can make a story more touching or humorous.
• 😀 Be mindful of diction: children’s language should reflect their age. Avoid making them sound too sophisticated or too babyish. Use real-world observations to guide authenticity.
• 😀 Be aware of generational differences when writing child characters. Kids today have different cultural references, slang, and expectations than older generations.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video script?

The video script focuses on common mistakes authors make when writing child characters in adult novels and provides practical advice on how to make child characters more believable and well-written.

What is the first mistake to avoid when writing children in novels?

The first mistake is writing a child who is accidentally precocious—acting far older than their age without any mention of it or repercussions in the story. To avoid this, the precocious nature should be acknowledged by adults and result in social consequences for the child.

What is a good example of a precocious child in literature?

A great example is Meg from 'A Wrinkle in Time,' who is very gifted but struggles socially because she doesn't fit in, which reflects the challenges of being a precocious child.

How can an author avoid writing a supernaturally well-behaved child?

An author should avoid making a child character too perfect or obedient. Children in real life often mix good and bad behavior, so it's important to create balance rather than relying on overly obedient or misbehaving children for conflict.

What does the 'tiny adult syndrome' refer to in writing children?

The 'tiny adult syndrome' refers to child characters who think and reason like adults. This mistake can be avoided by incorporating child-like logic, imagination, and inappropriate questions that reflect how children perceive the world.

How should a child character’s emotional range be portrayed?

Children have complex emotional lives, and authors should avoid oversimplifying them. Kids may feel contradictory emotions at once, and their emotional states can shift rapidly. Showing this dynamic can make the character feel more realistic and relatable.

What is the 'old soul complex,' and why is it a mistake in writing children?

The 'old soul complex' occurs when a child character is too knowledgeable or sophisticated for their age. While children can be wise or insightful, they should still have the innocence and naivety typical of their age to maintain authenticity.

What advice is given for writing a child's diction accurately?

Authors should ensure the child's dialogue reflects their actual age and development. Spending time with children or researching how kids of specific ages speak can help make the diction more believable. It’s also okay for a child to sometimes speak in a sophisticated way, but it should be selective and reveal moments of maturity.

How can an author handle generational differences when writing child characters?

An author should be mindful of generational differences in beliefs, technology, and language. Kids today may have different career aspirations, celebrities they idolize, and social media habits than older generations, so incorporating these elements is important for accuracy.

Why should an author be careful about rigid archetypes when writing children?

Rigid archetypes, like the spoiled child or the innocent child, can make characters feel one-dimensional. Authors should strive to give child characters unique traits and development, ensuring they feel like individuals rather than falling into predictable categories.