Friday, March 6, 2015

Why do You Want to be a Children's Writer?

By Leslie Colin Tribble

I have some questions for you. 

Why do you want to be a children’s writer? Have you ever thought about writing for a different age level? How do writers even know what type of writer they should be anyway?

I’ve been asking myself these questions a lot lately. Unfortunately, I don’t have any answers.


I'm not sure anymore what type of writer I am. Or more specifically, who my audience is.



I love picture books. My favorites are the quiet books about nature or animals that make me want to be the character, live in the setting or get outside and observe animals living their lives.

I've wanted to write children's books for decades. I wrote my first story in my 30's and showed it to one person. I didn’t write another story for over 20 years.


All during that time I read picture books. I read them to my kids or I read them to myself. I love the flow of words in children's books. I love the brevity, the way they say just enough to propel the story but leave your imagination to fill in the blanks. My favorite stories though, are ones like Chipmunk Song by Joanne Ryder. I thought, “I could write like that.”



But I didn't. I didn’t write anything.  At least not until two years ago when I actually started writing and referring to myself as a writer. I wrote some stories and am now rewriting and sending them out for critiques and rewriting again and sending out to editors and agents. And of course, nothing's happened.

At the same time I began writing children’s stories, I started writing adult magazine articles and have had 10 articles published. And I just finished this rather large writing project for which I penned at least 34,000 words in six weeks. Why am I working so hard at writing picture books when adult writing is so much easier?

I’ll ask again – Why do you write children’s books? I asked the other Groggers why they want to write for children and I got beautiful responses.


Marcie Flinchum Atkins said, "I was a voracious reader as a child. I literally read my way through the library. I want to write the types of books I would've wanted to read as a child. I write for that child.

Kathy Halsey responded, "I write for kids because they know the truth when they see it, intuitively. They have no guile and express their feeling w/out a filter. So if a child laughs at my story, cries with a remembered memory of being hurt, or is fascinated by a new idea, I know I have connected to the most important audience of all. Kids are our best selves.

Todd Burleson said, "I believe picture books fill a very important need. In 32 pages, we are able to open up a window to the world for readers of all ages. In picture books, we can approach sometimes very challenging topics and ideas in ways that feel non-threatening and compassionate.They simply open the door and allow the reader to 'walk about' the ideas. I hope to write books that perform this function. It is my life's ambition to leave a few of these for the world."

Janie Reinert and Sherri Jones Rivers both said it's the preciousness of holding a child in your lap and reading a beautiful story to them.

What great answers! Ok, so now it was time I got to the bottom of my personal dilemma.

I thought maybe I could find some online article entitled, “What Type of Writer are You – Children’s or Adult?” I didn’t. Instead, I took a couple of online quizzes – you know, those ones on Facebook that tell you what color you are, or where you really should live? These particular quizzes were geared to writing. The first one said I should be a poet. Really? I’ve never penned so much as a haiku or limerick. Poetry? Hmmmm.

The second one was more helpful. It was short and sweet but had some interesting questions. In the end it described three types of writers: the Brave Creative, the Change Catalyst and the Joyful Creator.

“The Brave Creative is someone dares to share secret hurts and pain with their writing. Their writing is filled with courage, honest and personal authenticity.” Probably not me.

“The Change Catalyst is a reality grounded writer who sees what people need. Their writing is targeted, purposeful and sharpened for the greatest impact.” Um, no. That’s definitely not me.

“The Joyful Creator is someone whose creativity shows up in every aspect of their being. Their writing is exuberant, spiritual and expands into a variety of different fields. They understand things others don’t and they communicate their discoveries with warmth and excitement.” YES! This is so me!


Defining my writing style was interesting, but still didn't help me answer my original question of writing for kids or adults. So I just sat down and tried to define my motivation for wanting to write children’s books. Here's what I found out:

I want to open a child’s eyes to the wonder of the natural world. I want to show them how to find beauty in their world, even if they aren’t surrounded by beauty. I want to touch a child’s heart with the wonder of life.


I still don’t know if I can be a successful, published children’s writer. But I do know I can try. I can write the simple, quiet, lyrical nature stories my heart desires. Maybe I’ll polish them until they shine and wait until the fickle pendulum of publishing swings back to wanting my style of writing.


So let me ask again, "Why do YOU want to be a children’s writer?" 

18 comments:

  1. Beautiful post, Leslie! I'm sure you'll get a children's book published someday! I want to write for children so I can leave a legacy behind for my own kids.

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    1. What a wonderful thought Tina! Love it!

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  2. Wonderful post... I find myself writing for the same reasons you do: to open a child's eyes to nature. And to give them the tools for answering their questions.

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    1. Yes, we sciency types tend to think alike Sue! Thanks for reading.

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  3. Leslei, you have written a post that all writers need to answer.It's good to know your own personal reason for writing. I believe you'll be just as successful w/the kiddos and the adults.

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    1. This really wasn't the post I started with, but this one wanted to come out I guess. Thanks!

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  4. Lovely reflection on this thing we all love so passionately. Thank you.

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    1. I really was ready to ditch the kid lit until I wrote the post. Now I'll just keep plugging along and if I never get published I'll have stories for the grandkids. :)

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    2. Leslie, not yet - we've only just begun and The Carpenters sang.

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  5. Very thought provoking post, Leslie. Thank you for sharing.

    My desire in writing books for children is to honor and celebrate kids and to know that I have planted a seed of creativity as they request for the book to be read again and again.
    ~Suzy

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  6. Very thoughtful, and these "writer types" you list are quite interesting. I think I lean toward the last one when I write for kids. But my writing tends to be offbeat and quirky. My son said something quite interesting last night: "Mom this didn't seem like a picture book. There's nothing surreal or absurd." Yes, this coming from an 11-yr-old. So you can see why I try to write offbeat and quirky. It's not just who I am, it's in the genes I gave my son.

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    1. That's great Jilanne! I would love to be quirky, but alas. I am totally pragmatic. So fun to have your son comment on your work.

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  7. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Leslie. I think my vision has always been to make Scripture and history come alive for my readers, but, beyond that, to encourage and inspire children to be the best they can be!

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    1. I love your thoughts Jarm. We need history and Scripture to come alive for our kids, otherwise they won't care. Thanks for reading.

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  8. Leslie, I enjoyed your post. We do not stop long enough often enough to consider why we do what we do, why we love what we love. Your post was a good pause for me. I think I tend to the the third type as well, 'Joyful Creator.' Amazement, wonder, and the satisfaction of discovery seem to be the reasons I write. For me, as well as for my readers.
    Thanks for a great post, and your honest sharing.

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  9. I write for the child within me. If he enjoys it, chances are other children might as well.

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  10. I write for the child within me. If he enjoys it, chances are other children might as well.

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  11. I write for the child within me. If he enjoys it, chances are other children might as well.

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