CAN YOU WRITE A PICTURE BOOK WITHOUT WORDS? by Clare Helen Welsh

 

Back in June, I wrote a blog post that asked if it was possible to READ a book without words. Now, here’s the sequel you’ve all been waiting for! Can you WRITE a picture book without words? Absolutely! You can! Can a story be told entirely through images? Can a picture book exist without words? Even if you’re the author only and not an illustrator? YES! Wordless picture books offer a unique and powerful way to tell stories. But for aspiring picture book writers, the prospect of creating a wordless story may seem daunting. In June 2024, my (almost!) wordless picture book, Moon Bear, published with Frances Lincoln. It’s about a girl called Ettie who is afraid of the dark. She meets a magical moon bear who is afraid of the light. I was not the illustrator on the project. I was the author only - my co-collaborator was the awesome Carolina T. Godina. Creating this book was an exciting and creative challenge, and because of that, I'd like to suggest to other writers that it's worth exploring. What I learned when writing a wordless picture book, is that all the usual picture book ingredients are needed – a strong hook, an interesting concept, compelling characters and a satisfying plot.  In this post, I’ll explore how to approach writing a wordless picture book as a writer only and offer some key tips to guide you in the process. Tips for Creating a Wordless Picture Book: 1. Plan the narrative arc A wordless picture book still needs a clear narrative structure. There needs to be just enough threads that the reader can interpret and co-create the story, and re-create it on subsequent reads, without there being so much going on that it’s impossible to pin down and follow one controlling idea.  To create a clear beginning, middle, try writing a mini synopsis, then write or sketch a storyboard of  key scenes like a film director would.  Here’s the short synopsis I wrote for Moon Bear. 2. Let the illustrations convey emotion In a wordless book, emotions need to be conveyed through facial expressions, body language, and colour. You'll need to dramatise the storytelling - show it, not tell it. Consider how you will emphasise the emotional highs and lows of the story in pictures alone. For example, maybe you’ll use darker tones and close-up compositions for scenes of sadness or fear, in contrast to bright and open happier and energetic moments. It might help to imagine an illustrator you'd love to work with. I imagined Briony May Smith when working on Moon Bear.  3. Create tension and resolve conflict Every good story needs conflict and resolution. Whether your story is about a lost animal, an exciting adventure or self-discovery, there should be a sense of tension that propels the story forward. The challenge in a wordless book is making sure that this tension is visible. Of course, much of this will become evident when an illustrator comes on board, but consider what you can do to strengthen tension and resolution in your written submission. When you present your wordless picture book, it will look like a collection of detailed illustration notes. Can you see how I helped my agent and editor visualise tension through the character's action? 4. Use repetition and pattern Repetition can be a powerful tool in a wordless picture book. By repeating certain visual elements, you can create rhythm and shape that helps the reader feel grounded in the story. It also encourages them to anticipate what comes next, adding depth and engagement to the reading experience. For example, in Moon Bear, Ettie’s bedtime scenes are repeated at the start and at the end. The first time she is afraid – she doesn’t want Mummy to leave. The second time, when she is no longer scared of the dark, she pushes Mummy out the door!   5. Play with page turns In a wordless picture book, the moment when the reader turns the page can be used to create suspense or surprise. Consider how you can use page turns to heighten, reveal, surprise or engage the reader at important moments. Here's a page near the end of Moon Bear that I think keeps the reader engaged and encourages them to predict what will happen next.  6. Use visual details to deepen the story Wordless picture books allow for rich layers of detail. Include scope for visual details that hint at backstory, character development, or future events. For example, have you spotted the cat in the opening spread of Moon Bear? And the clock that shows Ettie’s bedtime? It shows 7pm when Ettie is stalling, and 3:30pm when she is excited to meet Moon Bear again. These details invite readers to engage more deeply with the book and make new discoveries with each reading. 7. Share your story with critique partners One of the best ways to ensure that your wordless story works is to share it with critique partners. See if they are able to follow the plot. Do they understand the themes? Is anything unclear? Their feedback will be invaluable in refining your narrative. Wordless picture books are a challenge, a joy and a wonder. They can help children feel happy and confident to read at their own pace, making them an active participant in the storytelling.  Why not challenge yourself to write one? It’s a great lesson in showing, not telling. You’ll learn about pacing and what’s realistic in terms of page layouts and illustrations and the art of a telling a focused and satisfying tale. You can always try a version with words at a later date, and it might make for an interesting starting point.  There’s no right or wrong way to read a wordless story, and no right or wrong way to write one either. But hopefully the tips above will help.  Can you write a wordless picture book? Absolutely! You can! Clare Helen Welsh is a children's writer from Devon. She writes fiction and non-fiction picture book texts - sometimes funny, sometimes lyrical and everything in between! Her latest picture book is called 'Moon Bear,' illustrated by Carolina T. Godina and published by Frances Lincoln. You can find out more about her at her website www.clarehelenwelsh.com or on Twitter @ClareHelenWelsh . Clare is represented by Alice Williams at Alice Williams Literary and is the founder of #BooksThatHelp.