Storybook Japanese

Emoni

先輩

20 Sep 2003

1,779

67

• 24 Jul 2008

• #1

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

もちもちした食感

19 Feb 2008

2,220

84

• 24 Jul 2008

• #2

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

先輩

20 Sep 2003

1,779

67

• 24 Jul 2008

• Thread starter
• #3

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

便利屋

1 May 2004

692

25

• 24 Jul 2008

• #4

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

変わってる

23 Jun 2008

594

3

• 24 Jul 2008

• #5

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

一切皆苦

8 Jan 2004

7,842

200

• 24 Jul 2008

• #6

orochi said:

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.

Click to expand...

I second that. Maybe doing a Google search for 童話 would be a good place to start. おそらにいちばんちかいペンギン may be a good story to start with.

[Edit] I just found 白雪姫 on 青空文庫.

 

Last edited: 24 Jul 2008

Emoni

先輩

20 Sep 2003

1,779

67

• 24 Jul 2008

• Thread starter
• #7

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

もちもちした食感

19 Feb 2008

2,220

84

• 24 Jul 2008

• #8

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

先輩

22 Apr 2003

9,839

135

• 24 Jul 2008

• #9

Emoni said:

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.

Click to expand...

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...

 

P

pipokun

先輩

4 Feb 2005

2,559

46

• 25 Jul 2008

• #10

Gongitsune, a masterpiece
@aozora bunko
ごん狐 (新美 南吉)
@wikipedia
Gon, the Little Fox - Wikipedia
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

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.