Think writing a children's book will be easy? After all, even Madonna has written several, right? You might want to think again. My coworkers and I couldn't even begin to tell you the number of times we've heard the words, "I have a great idea for a children's book!"

One of the biggest mistakes many would-be writers make is not being careful enough with their words. You think, 500 words? That's easy! I can whip that out in an hour! This may be true, but the shorter the book, the greater the attention that is focused on each and every one of those words. Each word must be perfect, down to the subtle nuances of meaning. At the same time, the language must be simple enough for your target audience to grasp. Throw in the rhyme scheme that so many children's writers rely on, and you will find that each word must have the exact right rhythm--nothing ruins a good story more than awkward rhyming.

With over 2,000 submissions per year being sent to our office alone, competition in the children's market is fierce. So, writers, look over your submission one more time before you send it out. Are you confident in every verb and adjective?

For more tips on writing for kids, check out this article from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.