Three Hours. One Draft.
Messy is allowed. In fact, it’s the point.
A simple, written plan to take you from idea → outline → draft in about 3 hours total (in one sitting or split into micro-sprints).
Only $29 - Instant access
let's make it happen.
You know that feeling when you close a picture book and think, “I could write something like this…”
…and then you sit down and suddenly your brain goes blank?
You’re not lazy. You’re not “not cut out for this.”
You’re just missing a framework.
Because picture books look simple, but writing one is—how do I say this kindly—
shockingly hard.
And the hardest part for most writers is the same part every time:
Getting the first draft down.
staring at a blank page waiting for inspirationoverthinking every line before you’ve even written the story
This is for the writer who is tired of:
I'm ready to FIND MY STORY.
In about 3 hours total, you’ll have a complete rough draft you can revise
And that changes everything.
enter: the three-hour picture book draft
- kay
I can’t even tell you how much I’m enjoying this! The lessons have been so informative, and as I’ve sat down to incorporate the work, the purpose of each “assignment” and the “why” behind each step becomes so clear!
What it is
- you have a story idea (or a few) and want to finally pick one
- you want a fast, doable win that builds confidence
- you keep getting stuck between “planning” and “writing”
- you want structure that still leaves room for creativity
This is not for you if you’re looking for a full “make it publishing-ready” revision system.
This sprint is about drafting.
(If you finish and think, “Now what?” — that’s exactly where the Manuscript Masterclass comes in.)
This is for you if:
How it works (we're all about making it fit into real life)
Either way, you’ll end with the same thing: a complete messy first draft.
Option A: One Sitting
Set aside one focused block of time (about 3 hours total).
Option b: micro-sprints
Break it into 6 x 30-minute sessions across a few days.
What you’ll have by the end:
By the finish line, you’ll have:
✅ a one-sentence takeaway that guides your whole story
✅ a simple beat map (beginning / middle / end)
✅ a page-turn draft plan so you aren’t wandering
✅ a complete rough draft (yes, the whole thing)
✅ a quick “read-aloud triage” list so you know what to fix next
✅ go-to tricks so you know what to do when you get stuck
I'm a bestselling, award-winning children's picture book author, and I bring more than just author experience to the table for you—I’ve worn many creative hats, from designing wedding invitations to social media consulting to co-founding Risen Motherhood, a ministry that shared gospel-hope with moms around the world. I love a good dream-turned-reality, and I'm here to put our heads together to work on yours. I love books, and I might just love seeing books come to life even more.
I've written several children's books. Among them, the bestselling, "Any Time, Any Place, Any Prayer," which was the winner of the Christianity Today's Children and Youth Book of the Year, and a finalist for the ECPA's Children's Book of the Year, and the bestselling, "Like Me: A Story About Disability and Discovering God's Image In Every Person," which won The Gospel Coalition's Children's Book of the Year.
I'm Laura and I'm here to answer your children's book questions.
hi there!
I've been writing stories for as long as I can remember. In fact, in first grade, I won my first writing award after I entered my story, "Mackenzie's Dog Goldie" in an AT&T writing contest. I still have the certificate and ribbon. (I'm thinking about putting them up on my office wall.) Since that day, I dreamed of being a children's picture book author, but I never actually thought it would happen. But by God's grace, I got where I am today. Now, I get emails and DM's every week from people just like you who are looking for advice and help at various stages of their author journey, but typically their questions require more than what a quick email or DM can accomplish. So, I built The KidLit Lab to answer all the most common questions people have (and the ones they haven't thought of yet). Think of this like my brain in a bottle, taking all my best tips and bringing them straight to you.
- ashley b.
I love action steps because otherwise I’m just an idea factory. this is so helpful to make it happen!
Like Me
Christian fiction
If I can do this, so can you.
HERE ARE A FEW OF MY KID'S BOOKS! NOW LET'S GET CRACKING ON YOURS.
A World Wonder
mass-market fiction
Any Time, Any Place, Any Prayer
Christian non-fiction
BOOKS BY LAURA WIFLER
Your Worth Never Wavers
Christian non-fiction
What you get
Included:
- The 3-Hour Draft Plan (written instructions, step-by-step)
- Sprint Template Pack (PDF) including:
Everything is designed to be printer-friendly and actually usable.
- weekend/weekday schedule options
- story summary sheet
- beat sheet
- page-turn planner
- tone words guide
- optional Gospel Grid (faith-informed + flexible)
- read-aloud triage checklist
- “stuck? try this” cheat sheet
Faith-informed but flexible
A note about faith:
This sprint is faith-informed, meaning it’s shaped by a Christian view of children as image-bearers and stories as a way to tell the truth with beauty and care.
But it’s also flexible:
If your book is explicitly Christian, you’ll love the optional Gospel Grid lens.
If your book is mass-market, you can skip it or translate it as a theme grid.
it also works for both fiction and nonfiction.
No pressure. Just tools.
You can start any time. make Your next writing session count.
Start the 3-Hour Draft →
ready to start on your book?
just $29 - instant access
a $97 value!
Do I need a free weekend?
Nope. This is about 3 hours total, and you can split it into micro-sprints whenever you have time. The course breaks up the work so you'll always have a goal when you sit down—and a good stopping point.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have access to the course?
Lifetime access! Once you purchase, you can go back and watch it as much as you'd like for the lifetime of the course. You'll also get access to any future new content for free, if it's added.
What's the difference between this and the Manuscript Masterclass?
This is a drafting sprint to get your book actually on the page. The Manuscript Masterclass is the full system for going from idea to publishing-ready (including revision, polishing, page turns, theology check, titling, next steps). This course simply helps you get the draft down so you have something real to work with.
What if I purchase The KidLit Lab's course and realize it's not for me?
No problem! I'm offering a a 7-day money back guarantee! I want you to be 100% confident when you invest in The KidLit Lab. If you enroll and realize it's not for you, I'll refund it.
Do I need to buy anything extra once I purchase?
Nope! It's all included.
Is this for children's fiction or nonfiction?
Both! There will be all sorts of information and tips for anyone who wants to write for children, no matter their genre.
Do I have to be a Christian to take this?
Nope! You can think of this a bit like “faith-based." While I think what sets this course apart is the fact that we're coming at the topic from a Christian angle, it's not heavy-handed and anyone can learn from it.
What if I don’t have a book idea yet?
Check out our FREE "Find Your Children's Book" workbook to generate ideas and know which one is the best one to pursue.