Writing for Adults vs Children: Two Very Different Genres

Last week, we talked about taking those first steps toward becoming a writer. But before you dive into setting up your perfect writing space, there’s a crucial decision you need to make: Who are you writing for?

As someone who writes both steamy romance novels and middle-grade adventures, I can tell you — choosing your audience isn’t just about picking an age group. It’s about understanding how to craft stories that will resonate with your chosen readers.

Let me share what I’ve learned about these two very different writing worlds, so you can make the choice that’s right for you.

Let’s be real. I’m probably the last person who should write about word count. Because if you’ve read any of my books — for adults or kids — you’ll know that my books are longer than average. I write the story till the story stops. (That’s just my way of saying I don’t limit myself to “appropriate” word counts.)

However, if you’re just starting out, it’s good to know the typical expectations. Adult novels typically run 70,000–100,000 words. Romance often sits comfortably around 80,000.

But children’s books? Middle-grade stories stay under 50,000 words, and picture books are typically under 1,000. Length isn’t arbitrary — it’s about attention spans and reading levels.

Though I’m happy to say there is a trend of writing longer middle-grade stories. (“Happy” because my The Adventure in the Magical World is a healthy 513 pages — so my gang is right in there with the Potter and Jackson stories.)

If you’re trying to decide which audience to write for, ask yourself: What stories do you naturally gravitate toward? What books fill your shelves?

Writing romance lets me explore complex emotions, relationships, and, yes, even intimate scenes. But I don’t write to give my readers gratuitous thrills. I write the content I do because I believe I’ve been called to do so.

But children’s books require a different kind of creativity. You’re crafting stories that entertain while teaching valuable lessons, all without talking down to your young readers.

And don’t think, “I can write for adults. How hard could it be to write for kids?” Because I can tell you. It ain’t easy. You can’t use the same vocabulary you normally use for adults. And sometimes trying to find simpler words or less-complex descriptions for scenes can be frustrating to the point of hair-pulling!

Oh, and here’s some best-practices advice. If you’re going to write adult romance and children’s stories, do so under different pen names. The last thing you want is for a middle-grade kid to see the same name that’s on the cover of her adventure story gracing the cover of a steamy romance!

Before you choose your audience, consider this: Adult novels can handle complex plots with multiple subplots. My romance novels often weave together love stories with mystery or adventure.

Children’s books need clearer, more straightforward plotting. Every scene must move the story forward directly. And every scene must be entertaining to engage young imaginations and retain youthful attention spans.

If you love crafting intricate plot twists and layered storylines, adult fiction might be your path. If you excel at telling focused, impactful stories, children’s literature could be your calling.

Your approach to characters will also differ greatly depending on your chosen audience.

In adult books, characters can be deeply flawed and complex. My romance heroes and heroines often struggle with past traumas or current challenges. Good guys don’t always have the best pasts. Bad guys can often do “good” (but there’s usually a catch somewhere that will come to light down the line).

For children’s books, characters need to be relatable but inspirational. Their struggles are age-appropriate but still meaningful.

I try to keep the line between good and evil less blurred. There are good guys, and there are bad guys. Good guys may start off shaky, but they never fail to live up to their “good guy” moniker. Bad guys… well, they’re always bad and never fail to inflict “bad” wherever they go.

My reason for the overt Good vs Evil treatment? Kids don’t need subtlety. They need to learn right from wrong right away. They’re growing up in a world of blurred lines and supposed “gray” areas. They need to understand how to examine right and wrong now so they can battle and defeat it when they’re grown.

Beyond plot and characters, one of the biggest differences between writing for adults and children lies in how you actually tell your story.

This isn’t just about using simpler words for kids. It’s about choosing the right words for your audience.

In my romance novels, I can use sophisticated language and emotional nuance. For children’s books, clarity is key, but never at the expense of engaging language.

Adult books can take time to build atmosphere and develop relationships. Children’s books need to grab attention quickly and maintain it. Every chapter, every page needs to keep young readers engaged.

Now that you understand the key differences, let’s talk about what to avoid with each audience.

Knowing the potential pitfalls can help you decide which challenges you’re better equipped to handle.

With all these differences in mind, how do you decide which path to take?

Be sure to consider:

Once you’ve made this crucial choice, you can start thinking about how you’ll approach your writing process.

Next week, we’ll explore different writing methods — plotting versus “pantsing” — and how these approaches work for different types of books and audiences.

Whichever audience you choose, remember this: Your unique voice matters. Whether you’re writing steamy romance or middle-grade adventure, authenticity is key.

Don’t write children’s books just because you think they’re easier. (I must reiterate, they’re not!)

Choose your audience based on the stories you want to tell and how best to tell them.

So, which age group are you leaning toward? Or are you considering writing for both? Share your thoughts in the comments below — I’d love to help you explore your options!

Related Topics: writing for different ages, age-appropriate content, book length guidelines, story structure, writing romance, children’s literature, multi-genre writing, writing styles