This started out to be about three aspects of writing what we know, but I see that it would be a ridiculously long post. So I’ll divvy it up and start with a fairly recent example. I received a lovely personal response from an editor at one of the publishing houses represented at an NJ SCBWI event. I am very appreciative to receive such a thoughtful and detailed reply, although, of course, I wish it were better news. She complimented me on tackling a difficult subject, but found it a bit melancholy and added that quiet stories were not selling much in the picture book market these days. Happily, she was also very encouraging about my writing and my pursuing it.
This is where writing what we know comes in. What I know – one of the things, anyway – is about animals and their ability to affect us profoundly, both personally and through literature and imagery. This particular picture book story has a wonderful magical element to it and healing on several levels. While I don’t see it as melancholy, it still behooves me to pay attention to the perception and opinion of one who lives and breathes children’s books. But what stops me is the “quiet story” part.
I like quiet stories. I like funny stories, too, but I also like something that touches the heart and soul in some way, something that’s real, that’s a reflection of what children go through in their young lives. I get that kids like funny and action-filled, but what about the other aspects of a child? Are we no longer looking to feed that as well? Are our increasingly fast-paced and digital lives crushing the inner lives of picture-book age kids? (OK, maybe that’s extreme, but then again …)
As writers, we certainly need to be aware of the trends in the industry and what the market is looking for, otherwise we can be twirling about in our own stew of ideas that will never get published. At the same time, we need to consider what “writing what we know,” (the advice we are always given by editors and agents), actually means and where it fits in what’s being published. It’s a challenge to all of us. So I look at the body of work I have to date. Maybe it’s time to let some of my stories go; maybe I haven’t sent them out often enough and/or to the right publisher/agent who will appreciate a particular “quiet story.”
So where does the rubber hit the road? Where do writing what we know and what’s being published intersect?
Still A Dreamer 
So much of what happens in a child’s life is internal. Thoughts that they never share, or don’t know how to. Questions not asked, except in their own minds. It would seem to me that to be able to capture the “quiet stories” is a real talent and that many children may be drawn to those stories. Also, many kids are natural introverts – not all their moments are funny and action-filled, not all want to be centre-stage.
Your moniker is “Still a Dreamer” so I’m preaching to the converted here – the main point is that I agree. Keep on writing. Don’t give up. Use the good stuff that the agent gave you as best you can in your work, but if every editor and agent knew everything, the whole world would be full of best-selling authors — but no new ground would be broken. Okay, enough said now….
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Thank you, Cynthia; that brought tears to my eyes, just to hear another author resonate so with what I expressed. I really appreciate your response. Jeanne
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One more thing, Jeanne: Is that your own illustration? It’s beautiful!
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Yes, that’s mine, and thank you so much. I do hope to be able to both write and illustrate my own stories. And I won’t give up … just have to remind myself that rarely does anything happen in the timeframe we’d like to see. Thanks again.
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So true, Jeanne. Wonderful work and congratulations.
You should also meet my blogger friend Gallivanta (great name, a pseudonym). She’s a very thoughtful reader and writer who just posted about the importance of reading when one is a child. Here’s her blog address:
http://silkannthreades.wordpress.com/
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Thanks, Cynthia. I am always interested in reading others who are on our writing, (and reading), path. I will go check her out shortly.
I wonder if you ever read “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron? I think you would really like it – it’s so encouraging of everything that’s real and creative within us. I’m about to pick up my worn copy (yet) again, myself.
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Yes, I’ve read that book. It is indeed an encouraging book. Probably time I read it again, too!
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Jeanne, as you know, this TOtally struck a chord with me! (This is Donna, btw 🙂 ) Everyone wants diversity, diversity, diversity, but only in ethnicity of characters. What about diversity in content—REAL content? What about diversity in word count? Since when does EVERYthing have to be fun or funny? I’m SO tired of “one size fits all” because it’s simply impossible, and when you continuously put out products that ARE “one size fits all” you ultimately get stale. Sure, the funny books are funny, but how often does a picture book touch other emotions that don’t necessarily have to do with the typical fears or experiences? I do believe that, for the most part, it may be the smaller publishing houses that are open to “quiet” and may step more outside the box of what is “trending.” I really hate that word, by the way lol
I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised when an editor I met at the conference actually likes “sweet and poignant” picture books! It was SO refreshing to hear that! To me, sweet and poignant = quiet, right?
Yes, we do have to pay attention to what the editors and agents are looking for, but if we know a good idea when it hits us and it’s not “trending,” I still feel we do ourselves and possible readers and injustice if we completely ignore it. Also, I do believe agents are the ones who lean toward trends since they want to rep what they think is selling. They don’t want to work hard at something they don’t believe will sell. Yet some editors ARE more open to other type books. Now, is that dictated by their taste or by what the house dictates?
We have to “sell” ourselves to the agents and/or editors, the agents have to “sell” our work to editors, and editors have to “sell” our work to acquisitions. It’s all a VERY strenous feat—this highwire act of publishing.
Great post, Jeanne 🙂 And I’m so glad to be aware of your blog!
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I knew you’d appreciate the post, Donna, and thanks for your reply. And I am so glad that you found an editor at the Conference who likes sweet and poignant, because yes, that has to be “quiet.” So let’s hear it for diversity across the board. I don’t want to ignore my “quiet” stories; I believe they have value, as do my more “outgoing” 🙂 ones.
And yes, that is quite the high wire act for all of us – writers, illustrators, editors and agents. And into all that mix one wonders how much does the plain old “luck of the draw” come into play or being in the right place at the right time?!
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I like quiet stories and I think many children do, even today’s children. In my blog you will see mention of lots of quiet stories by Rumer Godden, and recently, the Velveteen Rabbit. In my latest post, which you kindly came to read, you will see on the link to Possum Magic how long it took Mem Fox to find the magic formula that became the best seller Possum Magic. How lovely that the editor took time to write a detailed response.
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The Velveteen Rabbit is one of my favorite books – I even have 2 versions, the original and a later version illustrated by Michael Hague. I look forward to coming back to your blog and read more, (but right now I really have to get to work.) Back over soon.
I always joke that I get the best rejections, and by that I mean that I usually get a personalized response with some helpful comments, etc. Rarely have I gotten a plain form letter rejection. So I accept that as a good indicator that at least it’s being recognized that I’ve worked hard at my writing and I’m on the right track, even if it’s not the story an editor/agent is looking for. There’s always hope!
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Always hope. 🙂
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That I do. What would be left if we gave up hope?
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🙂
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I checked out your blog and Mem Fox – now there’s persistence paying off. Good for her!
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Yes, there’s so much persistence and hard work that goes in to being a writer. As well you know. 🙂
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Indeed! 🙂
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