Promoting Yorkshire Authors

 Tips for the Children's Author Group Session of 19th February - Writing Magic into Children's Stories

This session of the Children's Author Group will be different and take a page out of the Writers' Support Group's methods for we'll be writing something in ten minutes to the theme of 'Writing Magic in Children's Stories'.

Here are the tips for writing a magical story if you prefer to prefer one beforehand and bring it along (you don't have to, we'll have ten minutes to write it at the session and Linda will explain the tips).

Magic in children’s stories works best when it feels wonderful, not complicated. Here are some tried-and-tested tips, sprinkled with a little storytelling pixie dust ✨

Keep the magic simple (but meaningful)

Kids don’t need a rule book. One or two clear magical ideas are usually enough, for example;

• Everyone can talk to animals only at night
• A book that changes its story when you’re brave
• Shoes that take you where you need to go, not where you want
• Simple magic sticks. Complexity can come later.

Give magic rules (even soft ones)

Magic is more fun when it has limits, which creates tension, for example:

• Magic might be tiring
• It might stop working if the character lies
• It might only work once per day, or once ever

Rules help kids understand consequences and fairness.

Tie magic to emotion

The best children’s magic responds to feelings:

• A room glows brighter when someone feels safe
• Spells fail when a character is scared
• Magic grows stronger with kindness, honesty, or courage

This helps kids feel the story, not just watch it.

Let magic solve some problems, but not all

Magic shouldn’t replace effort or growth. Bad example: “She waved her wand and everything was fixed.”

Better example: Magic helps open the door, but the child still has to walk through it.

Children love seeing characters succeed because they tried.

Make magic visible and sensory

Show magic through the senses:

• What does it smell like?
• Is it warm, does it fizz, does it tickle, is it loud, or timid?
• Does it leave glitter, footprints, bent grass or something behind?

Sensory magic makes scenes vivid and memorable.

Keep it age-appropriate

Younger children: playful, safe, reassuring magic (talking animals, friendly spells)

Older children: mystery, small dangers, moral choices, magical consequences

If a spell is scary, balance it with comfort or humour.

Let magic reflect the theme

Ask yourself: What is this story really about?

• Belonging → magic that reveals hidden similarities
• Growing up → magic that fades as the child learns
• Confidence → magic that only works when the character believes

When magic supports the theme, the story feels deeper without being heavy.

Don’t over explain

Children enjoy mystery. It’s okay if:

• No one knows where the magic came from
• Adults can’t explain it
• The magic 'just is'

A little unanswered magic keeps the sparkle alive.