| When you are writing a book for children, where | | | | clearly education's different now than it was in the |
| should you get your ideas? Should you draw on | | | | 1960s. It's not just a case of just sit down and |
| the experiences of your own children -- or is that | | | | out it comes. There's a lot of preparation." |
| mining their private lives to tell a very public | | | | Waiting for inspiration to hit is a myth, according |
| story? We talked to successful author and | | | | to Libby who suggests that a more disciplined |
| creative writing teacher Libby Gleeson to find out | | | | approach to writing is needed. "I think if you wait |
| how you can craft compelling stories that engage | | | | for the muse to hit then you're going to wait an |
| and entertain young readers. | | | | awful long time," she says. "I think you have to |
| Libby has published over 30 books for children and | | | | go out there; you have to determine what your |
| teenagers. The Hannah series - Skating on Sand, | | | | idea is; and then you have to start working at it." |
| Hannah Plus One and Hannah and the Tomorrow | | | | In an increasingly internet-enabled world and with |
| Room -- are award-winning junior fiction titles. | | | | people's changing attitude to books, Libby also |
| Getting inspiration and ideas"In the early stages | | | | points out that books now have a much shorter |
| when the first Hannah's was first created, there | | | | shelf life than they ever did. "The print runs are |
| was no question that it was definitely based on | | | | much smaller," she says. "This is not necessarily |
| the experiences of my younger two daughters," | | | | the publisher's fault I might add; it's the way of |
| says Libby. "Hannah is a feisty, determined bright, | | | | the world. The new technology I think is an issue |
| capable little kid and it really grew from a time | | | | in that there's vast competition from video and |
| when one of my daughters taught herself to | | | | from handheld computer games and so on." |
| skate on a holiday after having been told not to | | | | Is writing for children easier than writing for |
| take her skates, blah blah blah, and she did and | | | | adults?One of the most common misconceptions |
| she was successful. And I had a lot of admiration | | | | in the world of publishing is that writing a children's |
| for her because you know she decided she | | | | book is easier than writing for adults. Libby is keen |
| wanted to do something and she went ahead and | | | | to dispel this myth. "Give it a try and see and find |
| she stuck at it until she did it." | | | | out for yourself," she says. "A lot of people look |
| When you write for children and teenagers, this | | | | at a picture book text and think, 'Oh look at that |
| can pose some interesting challenges. After all, the | | | | there's only 200 or 300 words there; it must be a |
| interests of a five-year-old child are vastly | | | | cinch.' |
| different to that of a 14-year-old teenager. So | | | | "Well in fact it's incredibly difficult to balance the |
| the ability to switch hats as an author - in order | | | | development of a character of a story with |
| to write for different audiences -- is important. | | | | rhythm and language and emotion and you know |
| However, Libby points out that writing for | | | | all of the qualities that any of work of literature |
| younger readers isn't necessarily easier than | | | | has to have and to do it all in so few words is in |
| writing for older readers. "I certainly enjoy all the | | | | fact incredibly difficult. And my advice to anyone |
| different age groups and it's a case of just | | | | who says they are going to write books is give it |
| getting your head back into that particular age | | | | a try. So many people say to me, 'Oh look, I'm |
| level," she says. "I've just written a new picture | | | | going to write a book when I just -- when I retire |
| book text which I'm sure will be directed at the | | | | or when I do this or when I do that,' and I think, |
| very young and I realize what a pleasure it was | | | | 'You know, you're not'. If you want to be a |
| to do that. But at the same time I've started | | | | writer, you have to be prepared to write and |
| working on a big novel for the older kids again | | | | you've got to do it now." |
| and the challenge of that is exciting as well. So I'd | | | | If you think you have a children's book in you, |
| be lying if I said any one group is either easier or | | | | remember that it's much more than just telling a |
| satisfying." | | | | simple story your own kids would enjoy. To be a |
| Research the age group you are writing | | | | truly successful children's author, you need a clear |
| aboutWhen you are writing for particular age | | | | understanding and appreciation of children's books |
| groups, it's vital to be able to get into the world | | | | today -- not just the ones you read when you |
| and understand the lingo used in that age level. | | | | were a child. |
| Libby says this involves a lot of consideration and | | | | "I'm always struck by the number of people who |
| research. "[You need to be concerned] about the | | | | want to write for children and who don't read |
| authentic voice of a particular character so that if | | | | children's books, so they don't know what's being |
| you do want to try and write about what it's like | | | | published now," says Libby, who also adds that it's |
| to be a six year old in kindergarten... then you've | | | | essential for any aspiring writer to write |
| really got to spend a lot of time trying to | | | | constantly. "It isn't easy to publish but it is possible |
| remember what it felt like when you were there," | | | | and you know only commitment and hard work |
| she says. "But it's also about trying to observe | | | | are going to get you there. |
| and to talk to kids who are there now because | | | | |