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June 21, 2006
Pirates!
I am holding my breath until the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie comes out. Johnny Depp! Do I need to say more?
But that's not the only reason I'm thinking swashbucklers and bottles of rum. Today, I was part of a focus group for our local SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators -- if you are creating books for kids, you absolutely need to join). The meeting was hosted by co-Regional Advisors extraordinaire, Sara Easterly and Jolie Steckly, at All for Kids Books, independent bookstore extraordinaire. Though Sara and Jolie kept the meeting moving right along, it was held in the event room, one of owner Chauni Haslett's amazing ideas. The walls are white -- boring, you say? But nearly every square inch of those four walls is covered with love notes from all the children's book creators who have appeared at the store (some rabble rousers even sign the ceiling). During a brief lull in the meeting, a skull and crossbones drawing caught my attention; there was someone else in the world with a pirate fetish! I peered closer. The image was signed by that scalliwag, Jack Gantos, with this caveat: "Read or Rot."
These three words are good advice for living a full life in general. But for writers, they are the unbreakable pirates' code. I can't tell you how many people I meet at conferences who want to write for children -- are writing for children -- but haven't read a children's book in umpteen years. If you want to write for children -- not at them -- you must read. Read everything you can get your hands on in the genre in which you want to write. Read even more in every other genre.
Look, would you want a surgeon who thought Incision 101 was beneath her? Would you want a waiter who never read the food handlers guidebook? Would you sign on with a pirate who didn't know the laws of the sea?
Instead of pondering these questions, get thee to a good independent bookstore, buy a few books, and go home and read. Eye patch optional.
Posted by kirby at June 21, 2006 09:42 PM
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