Why do you write what you write?

They started a thread in the YA section about why people write YA. I guess I thought that might be an interesting question for us too (sorry if this has already been done!). So why do you write MG, or PB?

I guess I'll go first. I write MG because, to be honest, I love MG! When in my last year of highschool I wrote my final paper comparing Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland. I am also a certified Harry Potterphile. I think what appeals to me about MG's is that the writing has very little to do with ego. The audience is fickle so the story has to keep moving. There is the possiblity of being profound without being pretentious. It can't take itself too seriously, and because of it's reputation as being for kids, also has the ability to genuinely shock when an adult theme or two is deftly snuck in there for the parents reading to the children. Oddly my motivation in writing MG's has less to do with writing for the children, and more about writing what I like to read. Though I do love when a kid likes your stuff, or thinks you're cool. And there is something incredibly unique about the influence of a book early on in life. I can remember them all.

I may think of more reasons later, but that's it for now.

Your turn!

I think this is all really awesome, especially the comparison of writing a PB to writing a play, getting a chance to see it actualised. I'd never ever thought of it that way. That must be a really special feeling!