Question from a clueless newbie...

[BrianTubbs]

Hey everyone,

In bouncing around the forums, talking about all the ideas I've had, I kept getting a recurring piece of advice....which I can sum up as...

"Shut up and start writing." :)

So...that's what I did. I decided to start - and I kind of surprised myself with this - with a children's novel. The reason is because, when I tuck my 7-year old daughter into bed at night, I usually read her or TELL her a story (which I kind of make up on the spot). Well...I'm in the middle of this ongoing one, where I tell her a little bit each night. And I thought -- why not try to write it on paper?

So...I've started that. And you can check it out in the "Share Your Work" forum. The link is here....

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?p=734470&posted=1#post734470

But I am brand new to this concept. My daughter is seven, but I'm probaby more comfortable writing for a older reader. I taught high school for four years before I moved to Ohio this summer. So, I'm used to teenagers. I'm kind of thinking of an age group somewhere between 3rd grade and 8th or 9th grade. Somewhere in there.

I would appreciate your comments on the market right now for children's writing -- keeping in mind that I am (in fact) a clueless newbie.

And then, if you wouldn't mind taking a look at my story (a couple of you have already) and letting me know what you think - and what age group you think it's shaping up for.

I know the story needs work, but I'd appreciate your input all the same.

Thank you.

[Toothpaste]

What exactly do you mean by 'comments on the market right now'? Like do you mean, 'how is the market'? I think pretty good thanks to JK and her Potter. Or do you mean how are things categorised within the market - picture book vs middle grade vs young adult etc.? I'm sure if you specify, people would be more than happy to help out! (:->)

[BrianTubbs]

Yes....and....yes. :-) I would like to know how the genre breaks down age-wise, which aspects of the market are most promising, and (if people have the time) which aspect/age group of the market does my story so far most appeal to (in the opinion of those in these forums, that is).

[Soccer Mom]

At seven, your daughter is probably moving into early reader and chapter books. Go to the library and ask for early reader books and read as many as you can. That will familiarize you with what is out there and help you with the level of language.

That is the best advice I have. Choose your field and read, read, read.

ETA--I skipped over to SYW and enjoyed your story. It's more of a middle grade reading level than early reader. That is what I would concentrate on reading. A good rule of thumb is that kids like reading about children just a little older than themselves. A fifteen yo MC would appeal to the 11-13 yo old girls. I liked the story. It has good pace and a intresting characters.

[BrianTubbs]

For middle-grade readers, what's the tolerance for violence? Obviously, I'm not planning on anything too intense. But are Harry Potter and Chronicles of Narnia good barometers as to what is acceptable in the marketplace?

[Soccer Mom]

There is a lot more tolerance than there once was. There are some good threads up in the YA forum (just above your head) that discuss this. Check out the one called "Teen Lit Gets Steamy" http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37099
Another one is "How Far" http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35750
It has a link to a very interesting article. And yes, I think the first two Harry books are a good barometer for the age group you're targeting. Mature themes. People can die. But a minimum of sex and overt violence.

[BrianTubbs]

For so long, I've just been thinking about writing - talking about writing. Now, that I'm actually doing it and getting feedback, I'm rolling. It's exciting.

The only thing that stinks is that it's 11:30pm and my mind is racing in all these directions w/ my story. Arrggh...

[Soccer Mom]

Sleep on it. Think about it. Denying yourself always makes you want it more. Spring back up in the morning and write like a man possessed--uh, metaphorically speaking of course.

[Bk_30]

Ahh sucker er I mean soccer you have such away with words :ROFL:

[Toothpaste]

You could also check out this site: www.write4kids.com, which provides a lot of free advice (you just have to get past all the ads). And this article answers some of your questions in fair detail I think: http://www.write4kids.com/colum44.html

As for your question about violence, I think as a general rule violence is oddly more acceptable than sex. A film will be rated R more often because someone's naked, than someone's killed (Pirates of the Caribbean is PG and is awefully violent - but totally awesome!) The same goes with books, so while in Harry Potter major characters have been killed off violently since book 4, it wasn't till book 6 that any major making-out happened and I highly doubt anyone is going to lose their virginity by book 7 (though I wouldn't put it entirely past JK to do something like that). Even Peter Pan, written in a by-gone era, had much killing. To put it simply, when it comes to violence in kid books, you can get away with murder (everyone groan now).

[Toothpaste]

Hey, just had a brief glance over your story, and I really think it's Middle Grade. Just my opinion. Anyone else?

[AbbyJoy]

I'm thinking middle grade, too. The best way to decide where you fit in is to read some--there's some awesome middle grade fiction out there--and some of it's pretty graphic or violent. Check out Lois Lowry, Martha Peterson Haddix and Frank Peretti for some good, solid middle grade fiction. Reading's also the best way to determine your genre--and to pick a publisher. :)

I've been reading a lot, lately.

Have fun!

[BrianTubbs]

I don't know how to say this, but I don't have the drive or interest to read a lot of other YA or children's lit. I know I need to - and should, but it's tough. My motivation is kind of low there.

Part of the problem is that, in browsing the bookstore and library, I see a lot of fantasy books where the main characters are mice or some other kidn of rodent or creature. No thanks. I want to write about HUMAN characters. I don't want having creatures in the background or as secondary characters, so long as they don't require a lot of development. I want the main characters to be human.

Another part of the problem is TIME. I am a husband, father, pastor, seminary student, etc. - and time is limited. So, reading through a stack of YA or MG novels is not easy.

Anyway...regardless of the reasons, I struggle in this area. Am I the only one?

What do some of you do? I note a lot of people talk about writing goals - even rejection goals. What about reading goals? reading schedules?

[Bk_30]

Brian I got so burnt out on reading ya's for a while I had to take a break and remember to read for the fun of it again.
Even if it some of the classics you read as a child like the Swan Trumpter (was that the title) by E B White instead of Stuart Little. I know you want your daughter to read more on her own now, but if trying to squeeze in reading and time with family, that maybe away to do both(isn't that how the idea for the story started?).
When you pan through the different sections only pick up books that are interesting to you. You are only going to write what you enjoy for the most part anyway.
Charlie Bones is a good series(about people not animals), Artemis Fowl (kept me rolling!), Frank Peretti writes for children and adults ( I really like his stuff,especially if you like spiritual warfare), Holes as several people have mentioned is great! my kids have read it over and over and over again.

I don't have a problem with finding time to read only because, I have to read myself to sleep. I can not just lay down and poof! drop off. So for me that part wasn't an issue. Forcing myself through some of the childrens books I tried to read was the hard part. For all of the "don't write down to children" hype I found to many published books that seemed to do that.

Oh fast read, the series of unfortunate events. Again had me laughing :)

[AbbyJoy]

It is tough finding time. I often read for a half hour or so before going to sleep as a "cool down" period, but I am single, so that may not work so well for you. And since I don't read much fantasy (I like a little, but much of it is too dark for my tastes) I can't relate to the frustration there (although I did pick up a fantasy book today about a mouse--I thought it must be funny, but it looks serious).

I can suggest a little in the way of reading (good stuff for us "religious" folk): Margaret Peterson Haddix, Lois Lowry, Frank Peretti (his kids stuff is very good) Richard Peck, Kate DiCamillo are all great authors.

I really must reiterate, that if you want to write, you must read. :) I understand that fitting reading into a tight schedule seems to take the joy out of it. Often it seems that writing as a business takes the fun out of it...maybe you should reconsider what your goals are in writing. Do you want to create a story for your daughter? Or do you really want to see something published? If you're writing for your daughter, you're probably fine. If you're writing for the market, that's when you've got to do your research. :)

[Toothpaste]

I really think that reading to your daughter is a fantastic suggestion. And I know it may sound obvious, but the Harry Potter books really are very good. But why not even the classics, as from what I've read you have a more traditional feel - like Alice in Wonderland or Peter Pan, you may think you know them from the movies, but they are very different. And the great thing about MG books are they are a really quick read (I am notoriously lazy)!

[Bk_30]

Yep but not the Yearling, dear lord, I tried to read it to my daughter the other night. I told her not even I could push on through that, get another book lol. Her school Library has it marked as a 4th grade lvl book