A WEEK OF HIGHS AND LOWS
This week has been a challenging one. The high points have been listening and learning from many accomplished writers and industry professionals in an SCBWI virtual conference. I will share what I’ve learned this week, including a few little nuggets of gold.
Oh, Judy Blume. Yes, THE Judy Blume. What a joy.
Judy Blume said as a writer for kids it meant she was “ON THEIR SIDE”.
That is why I, like so many others, clutched onto her books like they were a lifeline. Her books, as she said others have also expressed, were my best friend.
Learn the rules and then throw them all away, she said, and just write. Let yourself feel free to create. After all, as I’ve heard many say,
THE ULTIMATE RULE IS TO SIMPLY TELL A GOOD STORY.
Jacqueline Woodson. If you only ever read one more book, any genre, read one from this author. The talent, determination and passion is so inspiring. I watched Jacqueline and Nancy Paulsen discuss the body of work, and I was in awe with it all. “A moment when you walk into a room and no one there is like you. It will be scary sometimes. But think of William Woodson and you’ll be alright.” Their conversation was a clear and beautiful example of so many things:
REPRESENTATION MATTERS,
BELIEVING IN SOMEONE CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE,
AND SUPPORTING OTHERS IS NECESSARY.
Philip Pullman was inspiring. “Tell the story as well as you can tell it”. In discussing points of view in writing, his reference to the position of a movie camera, and the type of shot, was so helpful.
Jane Yolen expressed how she continues to write through the darkest moments. She explained that our kids will have the memories of these awful times. Yes, they will. So, continue to create beauty, so that they also have good things to look back on too. Isn’t that important.
The editor’s panel can not be summed up in one blog post, so I will share a couple of moments. I admire the work and dedication that Namrata Tripathi and Arthur Levine, among others, have shown to address representation.
As well, Arthur Levine and Jill Santopolo, both spoke about our essential truths in such moving ways.
“ YOUR DEEP TRUTH IS UNTOUCHABLE.”
A children’s writer communicates from the heart and tries to reassure readers. I loved this sentiment, because as a mum, I try to reassure my daughters. Jill expressed this idea so eloquently:
AS A CHILDREN’S WRITER,
REASSURE THEM TO FEEL LESS ALONE …
TO KNOW THEIR VOICE MATTERS …
AND THAT EVEN IF THEY’RE SEEMINGLY SMALL, THEY ARE STILL IMPORTANT.
The conference continues for the next couple of days, and I welcome the knowledge. However, I must admit something. The surprise to me in spending my days on the craft of writing, has been experiencing these unbelievable HIGHS and yet, also feeling some LOWS. There are some days I think I should quit, perhaps several times in one day. It has been an extreme ride.
It’s not for everyone and I’m surprised that there are so many books published! Because, how can you work on a craft so long and not get paid, or not be paid fairly? How can you spend so much time working and being rejected, to be told it will be two more years? And don’t even get me started on being a working mother. Celeste Ng has tweeted about this issue passionately and with such insight.
I have my daily chat with my mum who sweetly asks how it is going. She understands it will take some time. She is supportive and continues to reassure me that as long as I am enjoying it, that is what matters.
I’ve also heard this many times in the past few days …
ONLY THE ONES WHO KEEP WRITING WILL GET PUBLISHED
For now, I can’t stop writing. During a low, an idea will strike and I race to my desk to write. I remember the importance of hope, as well as the moment when my girls told me they were proud of me for trying. Breathe. Ok then.
You’ll have to excuse me as there is a little girl waiting for me to play with her dolls. Then, later I am attending more workshops, including an added writing workshop with a wonderful British author. I can’t wait.
I wish you all a wonderful week. xo