Over on Nathan Bransford’s blog (possibly my most favourite blog in the stratosphere) he’s had a guest blogger talk about why she writes for children. She has given one of the most intelligent, eloquent and apt responses to such a question I think I’ve ever come across, and managed to capture everything that I feel so strongly about as a children’s writer. Here’s a small taste of what she said:
I love the whimsy in children’s books. I love the saturated emotions, the dealing with real issues without overcomplicating them and over thinking them. I love how dark children’s books can be, how the stakes can often be life and death. And yet despite these elements I love how unsentimental children’s books are (contrary to popular belief of some writers who think children’s books must be morality tales, all sugary sweet; kids for the most part don’t put up with that nonsense). Children’s books don’t have time to revel in their self-importance. Kids are a tough audience and they’ll turn their backs if the story is less than stellar.
Her name is Adrienne Kress, and I really suggest you pop on over and check it out for yourself. Enjoy.
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Hi Kath,
I enjoyed reading this post this morning as well. I liked Adrienne’s comment that:
“Children are so much more willing just to sit back and enjoy the story, instinctively understanding that not everything has to have an explanation and that, in fact, sometimes a lack of explanation makes the story that much more fun.”
To me, that pretty much sums up why I enjoy writing for children.
I like that quote too, Jules. It’s funny that I often hear writers say they wouldn’t like writing for children because they would feel too limited, and yet I feel the complete opposite: I feel that because I write for children, I am liberated.
I also love Nathan’s blog but I obviously don’t read it often enough because I missed this guest post. Thanks for pointing it out. It’s all so true!
That’s ok Tara! I think Nathan’s the rock star of agents. I can imagine him getting mobbed at writer’s festivals because of that blog