Last night I was on the phone with my temporarily long-distance boyfriend. I was telling him about my day, the highlight of which was meeting with my awesome writing group. So the conversation wandered into things that I should be writing. Short stories of sci-fi? Magical Realism? These are the things that I'm pretty sure come naturally to me because they make up about 97% of my reading material. I have that "imagination" thing. So why not write children's books?
But what to write for children? The main character has to be a kid, probably an orphan. He or she has to discover something fantastic about themselves. He can't be a wizard, thank you J.K. She can't be a princess - done to death. So Craig asks what I thought about when I was a kid. I unveil my childhood dream:
When I was all grown up, I would ride my horse to my job as a Cal-Trans worker. And not just any fump in a hardhat and orange vest; I would be the guy holding the stop sign. You know the one - there is "STOP" on one side and "SLOW" on the other, used to control traffic flow when one lane of the highway is closed for construction. That would be my life, and it would be the best job ever.
My parents just laughed at me, but said I could do anything I wanted to. Yes, even be a Cal-Trans worker. Craig was laughing so hard I think he peed a little, but since he's all the way across the country, I couldn't tell. And he'll never admit it, so don't even ask him.
But something tells me this would not a bestseller make.
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The Future of Orion
1 day ago
16 comments:
i'm sure you could make it into one.
i'm about 17k into my children's novel. just have to be more consistent in writing every day (or even weekly at this point!) and actually the children's magazine market could be a pretty lucrative way to break into writing. there are a ton of magazines out there. i'm about 75% through a correspondence course for children's writing.
I almost took one of those courses a few years ago, but I was still in school for my Lit degree. Maybe I should do one now. How do you like it?
I also have a book on how to illustrate children's books that my inlaws gave me a while back. I should look at that.
i've always thought the "stop/slow" worker job would be awesome. hell on the tan lines, but they make like a jillion dollars an hour for just STANDING THERE. sign me up.
have either of you read "bird by bird" by anne lamott? not about children's books necessarily, but a hilarious read on fiction writing.
I have not read this book. Maybe I shall add it to my list.
you draw, des?
i think it's been helpful in structure & giving me some direction. i was totally unaware of the children's magazine market and how big nonfiction actually is.
i'll check that book out, mdog. or at least put it on my list. i enjoyed the last lamott book i read.
I draw ok, just for fun sometimes. I think they gave me the book because they knew I was creative but didn't know exactly what direction I was taking.
The problem is that maybe not all parents want their kids to grow up to be Cal Trans workers... and since it's the parents who buy the books... Hahahah. Fantastic dream, though. You were, um, a different kind of kid, weren't you!
But something new and refreshing in children's lit would be wonderful. I read books to my kids every single day and I swear that ten of them are the exact same book, just with a different author and different pictures. Everything's overdone. Mothers everywhere would love you forever for writing something different!!!
Yes but that's the trick, isn't it? Finding something different...
You could write about the day dreaming that happens while you are a Cal Trans worker... and all the trouble you get into for day dreaming on the job.
Craig can laugh and pee himself silly, but by-jove... I think their is a future in this one.
AHHH I just used the wrong there-their they're!!!
I have been reading middle school writing too long!!! I am sew sorry!!
ha ha ha!
Give the kids something to chute for.
1: I second the Bird by Bird recommendation. Not only have I read it numerous times myself, I have given it to a friend who wants to be a writer, twice.
2: Dude, I know some little boys who would LOVE a picture book with big trucks, orange vests, and happy people with stop signs. Aim for the 2-4 set.
I am so sorry I missed you while you were here in DC metro...maybe next time, girl!
Anyway...You've been tagged for a meme...go see what it's all about, chicka!
We didn't get to do half of the stuff we wanted to, so that's ok we didn't see you.
A meme, eh?
When my boyfriend was about five years old he really, REALLY wanted to be a binman. He couldn't believe how cool the binwagon was, he loved the flashing lights, the horrible grinding noises as the crusher got to work on the trash and the big, loud, shouting men. Why shouldn't there be great kids books about stuff like that? It's not like everyone can actually get to be an astronaut (my first career choice)
You're right, kids need to know it's ok to do these jobs if they can't be astronauts, or singers, or whatever lofty goals they set.
I don't know about in the UK, but here those guys get paid pretty well, so it's not such a bad job.
ps - this might not be funny to anyone else, but in NYC every occupation has a nickname, i.e. firemen are "bravest," police are "finest," etc. Trash men (sanitation workers) are "strongest." That cracks me up every time I see it.
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