What, me
rant? Well, I never. Until now.
The
other day I got an email for a free webinar training to write books for
kids. The subject line made me wonder who thinks kid’s books are dumb. The
email was going to tell me,"why writing a "dumb" kids book
is a smart move." Wow! I am not a famous children’s author, (I have had only
one middle grade novel published and I have sold work to Highlights for
Children.) but I was somewhat offended by this choice of words. Yes, it got my
attention and I looked inside.
I’ve
spent years learning the craft of writing children’s books. I took a course
from the Institute of Children’s Literature. I’ve driven four hours (one way),
and paid to attend children’s conferences. I buy books on the craft of writing,
and I buy books written for children to study. Had I missed something? Do I
just have to write a “dumb” book? I personally do not think that is a smart
move.
The
body of the email had a couple of things to say about writing books for kids. I
didn’t know that, according to the author, “Kids book are easy to write. Since
most children's books are for kids who are just learning to read, the writing
is actually very simple and easy to do. Children's books tend to be more about
the illustration and art than anything else.”
Hmm.
He goes
on to say, “In other words as a writer a kids book means you can let your
"hair down" as a writer and just explore the fun and silly side of
being an author.”
Okay, I
know I didn’t have to open the email, and I didn’t even have to sign up to
receive them in the first place. I will admit that I did sign in and listen for
a bit, but I got sidetracked with my own writing while the presenter rambled in
the background. I didn’t hear much of interest to me.
I’m not
opposed to self publishing, as long as it is done well and as professionally as
a traditionally publisher would, but I will never be convinced that to make it
as a children’s author all I have to do
is write a dumb book. And no, writing for kids who are learning to read is not
simple and easy to do. It can take years to write five hundred words.
Where’s
that unsubscribe link?
