Storybook Japanese

[Emoni]

Right now I'm attempting to write a story, somewhat childlike, but not too much. I'm doing it in Japanese for the practice. I have a few kid's books in Japanese, but not much. I also was told in a later Japanese class that te form changes to stem form in writing style, and of course the short form of words are used.

I'm curious. Does anyone know what other rules are important to follow? What words and phrases are often used and important for stories. Any recommended sites for written Japanese grammar and rules?

Thank you.

[ASHIKAGA]

I am not sure what you mean exactly by rules. Could you give a few examples that show the rules you have learned in class?

[Emoni]

That's a bit of the problem... I'm doing this with little knowledge. I consider it a rough run to see how well it goes.

As for rules I learned in class... what I listed was it.

Hence my problem.

[orochi]

You should read as many children's books as possible to get a feel for the style.
Then keep that in mind when you write your own.
Having as much input as possible is the key to success.

[tada]

I know that in writing, instead of です・ます, you use the である体 or だ体.

With verbs, that means end the sentence with plain form (i.e. no ます).
With adjectives, again, plain form.
With nouns at the end, である or だ.

[Glenn]

You should read as many children's books as possible to get a feel for the style.
Then keep that in mind when you write your own.
Having as much input as possible is the key to success.

I second that. Maybe doing a Google search for 童話 (http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=ja-jp&q=%E7%AB%A5%E8%A9%B1&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8) would be a good place to start. おそらにいちばんちかいペンギン (http://www.keiai.ac.jp/gekijyou/story01/story01p01.html) may be a good story to start with.

[Edit] I just found 白雪姫 on 青空文庫 (http://www.aozora.gr.jp/cards/001091/files/42308_17916.html).

[Emoni]

I see, thank you guys. That helps quite a bit. Most of all it was that I didn't know where to start. I only have maybe 3 children's books to start on and that gave a limited impression.

[ASHIKAGA]

You should just go ahead and write something and post it so everyone can rip it APART!!!! I am kidding about the last part, of course. However, I do believe that you should just write without being too concerned about the "rules" or paying too much attention to the styles that are popular in children's books out there.

[Elizabeth]

I see, thank you guys. That helps quite a bit. Most of all it was that I didn't know where to start. I only have maybe 3 children's books to start on and that gave a limited impression.
The best way do this in my opinion is by spending some time with the age of the child you are writing for. If that isn't a live possibility, then, yeah, try catching up on your reading...:relief:

[pipokun]

Gongitsune, a masterpiece
@aozora bunko
http://www.aozora.gr.jp/cards/000121/card628.html
@wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gon%2C_the_Little_Fox
If I remember correctly, it was in my textbook when I was 8 or 9 years old.

Following is also a masterpiece (I believe), but not copy-right free yet or no English wikipedia article.
For kids aged 10 to 12
冒険者たち ガンバと15ひきの仲間 (http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%86%92%E9%99%BA%E8%80%85%E3%81%9F%E3%81%A1_%E3% 82%AC%E3%83%B3%E3%83%90%E3%81%A815%E3%81%B2%E3%81% 8D%E3%81%AE%E4%BB%B2%E9%96%93)

Others
Three basic principles of Weekly Shonen (Boys) Jump, a weekly manga magazine, no matter how time and kids change (decrease of the number of kids is more critical, though)
Effort
Friendship
Victory

I have no idea for the principles for girls, but they are more matured than boys as you can tell in shojo manga or Boys Love manga.