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A logical way to
look at this class is as a "survey of children's book writing
process". It would be presumptuous of me to think that I could
give you everything you need to write children's books in a single
class. What I can do is point you in the right direction and give
you resources: bibliography, links & other ideas that you may
explore at your leisure. Please keep the class notes for that purpose.
I hope
you all get to see "You've Got Mail" & "Miss
Potter" while this class continues. They do present a clear
picture of some of the aspects of the children's book business.
I recommend them.
As
to writing the book, we can begin with the entire story, or a character
study & situation. Once the characters are well crafted, some
authors claim that the stories almost write themselves. The single
problem described that might be a negative in this phenomenon is
losing control of the story, when the characters take on their own
personalities and run away with the book. This is also described
as schizophrenia when speaking of authors with this much imagination.
I told
you about Ernest Hemingway setting aside several hours (4) a day
and doing nothing else while he sat in front of his typewriter.
Sheer boredom would get the best of him and he would write - forcing
a process that never waited for inspiration. Many hundreds of (man)years
have been spent waiting for inspiration. By comparison a little
lost time sitting in front of a typewriter seems like a small thing.
A computer keyboard is a bit different, there are always internet
places to explore and pastime computer games to eat up our concentration.
Concentration and focus seem like relics of a bygone era, but they
are as close as our desire and imagination. I have said that I don't
believe in talent. I believe in desire and tenacity. If you have
these you will do what you need to do to get what you want. Developing
a professional attitude toward the serious work of writing, is a
good first step. Mark Twain wrote his books in long hand with the
latest new technology of his time - a pencil or a fountain pen.
Remember-On
the pragmatic side, that the initial consumer is the adult parent
or buyer who looks for interesting worthy examples to give to children,
but don't forget the avenues of self promotion in seeking and securing
children's book awards.
I have
mentioned the American Library Awards:The Newbury for children's
literature, and the Caldecott for Picture books. There are literally
scores of other local & regional awards that should be added
to this list. Sometimes a publisher will create just such an award
to help sell their books, but usually these awards are created for
the express purpose of promoting the best work in a field filled
with inadequate drivel. Work to write better than you can find in
the bookstores, promote your work to publishers and these award
agencies to help the bewildered buyer of children's books find what
is best for their child, grandchild, nephew or niece.
Avoid
entering writing competitions for "cash prizes". You should
not be paying for the privilege of competing with your work against
other children's book authors. You end up paying the editor for
doing the job for which he is already well compensated (judge, select
& edit the best from his available submissions). Competitive
submissions for a fee, is at the top of a long list of things to
avoid when looking for a publisher. Another poor investment is paying
for the privilege of having a published author; read review and
critique your work. The fee acquiring process entices them to offer
extended services for an additional charge without any appropriate
result in terms of securing an interested publisher willing to print
& promote your book. Whether this referral process comes from
a publisher, agent or children's book writing society, it should
be avoided at all costs. Review,critique & editing services
should never be placed on a fee for service basis.
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