Comments on: Leave the Kids (Writers) Alone

By: Kristi Holl

Kristi Holl — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 02:00:37 +0000

As a writer for middle graders also, I’ve heard those same comments for years. My favorite fingernails-on-the-blackboard question is: “So. How long does it take you to crank out a kiddie book?” Perhaps I was a strange child, but my best friends lived in books. I read and re-read them. Many of them guided my moral values (like LITTLE WOMEN), and many others (like CHARLOTTE’S WEB) taught me about compassion and true friendship. These child readers are our legacy and our future. To me, writing for children (who are formed and influenced by what they read) is about the highest calling you can have! There is no one more important we could hope to write for someday.

By: Erin Dionne

Erin Dionne — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 16:11:05 +0000

Writerbug– I’ve had a lot of people say the same thing. My usual response is, “it’s great that you’re waiting until you have the time to devote to that project and develop the craft.” Usually I get a blank look, then a nod and they drift away. Let me know what happens if you use it!

Kerry–Thanks for coming by! Hope to see you around here more often.

By: Kerry Madden

Kerry Madden — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 15:03:16 +0000

This was just excellent – thank you for putting into words what so many of us face constantly. I’m very glad to have found your blog.

All best
Kerry Madden

By: writerbug

writerbug — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 14:47:18 +0000

Great article. The one thing I would add is that, as a writer for adults, I also get similar comments about how “I plan to write my novel as soon as I retire!” (find time, etc.). It really annoys me, since it does imply that writing is something that just takes time, not talent, devotion to your craft, studying of technique, etc. I’m usually too polite to say anything other than, “That’s great! It’s harder than it looks though…” Any other suggestions for responsing?

By: Erin Dionne

Erin Dionne — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 02:56:01 +0000

Thanks for the range of wonderful comments. A few specific responses…

To cmsutt and L. Diane–I think sci/fi attracts a lot of teen readers, as does other types of genre fiction. Those stories are relatable to readers of all ages who have interests in those genres, and the authors don’t “talk down” to their audiences. YA suffered a lot during the 70s and most of the 80s because it was too moralistic or stilted–young readers just didn’t “buy” the stories (of course, there were notable exceptions to that rule…)

Tom K–I definitely understand your point that people have stories to tell and it doesn’t matter if it’s published or not. I *totally* agree with that. What I think is a shame–and is a common occurrence–is that there is a perception that the ACT of storytelling for children is easy. Lots of us have a wonderful story and share it with their family or friends and choose to never seek publication–and it’s wonderful that those stories are shared whether orally or on paper–THOSE aren’t the people who scoff at writing for children as being easy. I’m talking more about those who feel it is a “lower” form of writing in general…and that it’s not really “blood, sweat and tears” that YA authors are putting in to their work, it’s a walk in the park.
As for the talent/luck question…I think it depends on which authors you ask. I’d say hard work trumps them both.

Susie W.–your suggestion of taking a children’s lit class is a good one. Even perusing the summer reading lists for local schools is a great education as to what’s available for young readers.

Carrie–Thank you!

By: L. Diane Wolfe

L. Diane Wolfe — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 20:13:50 +0000

Like cmsutt above, I delved deep into science fiction as a teen, expecially the Dragonrider series. Anne McCaffey was my inspiration to become an author!
But today’s YA fiction is far more complex (and plentiful!) than it was 25 years ago. I know many adults who read from the YA section, because there are indeed some introspecitive, well-written, great books there.
And it is tougher to write for older teens and young 20-somethings, because their shorter attention span demands that you capture & intrigue them right away! Writing any type of book or story takes time and dedication.
If the bullies only knew!

By: Writing for Teenagers Easier? Ha! at J.L. POWERS

Writing for Teenagers Easier? Ha! at J.L. POWERS — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 19:41:59 +0000

[...] finished reading a thoughtful post about whether it’s easier to write for kids or not. Many non-writers (and many writers) [...]

By: Tom K

Tom K — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 21:31:34 +0000

I agree with many of the points you make; we do tend to like to put things in convenient labels, even if those labels do a disservice to the thing that was labeled. People who criticize YA writers have likely never read a book they consider to be YA and are commenting out of ignorance and the idea that if you’re writing a story for youth, it must be uninteresting to adults (since we’re so much more mature and wise than they are…HAH!). The success of Harry Potter should serve as a reminder of why people buy and read books in the first place; to see characters and stories that movies bury with special effects most of the time. If adults can relate to this young boy Harry it’s because his themes are universal to all people; even the awkward teenage stuff. The quality of the story doesn’t suddenly go up just because the book has a sex scene or deals with grisly dark death.

I think there’s a little too much defensiveness in your article’s criticism of people who have stories to write. Writing and telling stories is universal: one doesn’t have a special credential because they have poured their blood, sweat and tears into a story for 2 years only to see it rejected time and time again with numerous rewrites, finally to be accepted when you were about to hang up the pen.

Being a *published* author takes dedication, talent, and a little bit of luck, but you must admit sometimes that last one trumps the first two. Really as long as there is a single reader to enjoy the story, regardless of publication status, isn’t that the point of writing it? No one is degrading your profession simply by thinking they have a children’s story to tell. I’m sure they do, and I’m sure someone would enjoy reading it, if only their own family. The difference, really, between you and them is that you *did* tell your story, now not later, and someone is willing to bet money that a lot of people will enjoy it. That doesn’t really “legitimize” the story, does it?

The true test of the success of any story is when the readers open themselves to your world and feel and think with your character; not whether the story was published or how long the process took or whether your a one-hit-wonder or you push out 2 books a year.
Don’t measure yourself by your success as an author, or by other’s assessments of your success in that measure, but of how your “children” go out into the world and make it a better place. Whether it’s a NYT best seller and the latest craze or just 1 person who read your story over email.

By: Carrie Jones

Carrie Jones — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 21:24:50 +0000

Erin,

This is a brilliantly done article. Thank you for it.

By: Susie Wilson

Susie Wilson — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 20:13:19 +0000

I am delighted that you quoted Deborah Davis in this excellent story as she is my talented and very smart daughter-in-law, and a good writer to boot.

I would like to recommend the pleasure of taking a Children’s Literature course in college to your readers. I took one in graduate school (albeit for a degree in education) and it was a great experience to read the classics of the genre. One could only gain respect for the authors of the great works this genre and for those who carry it on today.

Good piece. Thank you.