Long after literature for adults has gone to pieces, books for children will continue to constitute the last vestige of storytelling, logic, faith in the family, in God, and in real humanism.
Children are highly serious people...We write not only for children but also for their parents. They, too, are serious children.
~ Stories for Children, Isaac Bashevis Singer
(Taken from What the Door Mouse Said, collected by Amy Gash)
In today's market, more than ever, adults play a major role in children's book sales and readership. Look at all of us - what do we read? PB's, MG, and YA! We would gladly tackle our best buddy and arm wrestle for a copy of Linger or Mockingjay - or is that just me?
And I think Singer is right about the quality and lingering messages of children's books. Timeless - plain and simple.
This week, write knowing you are a part of something priceless. Write what you love, and savor each word and each re-write. Your work is ageless. Your work is timeless. But most of all, your work is yours.
And I think Singer is right about the quality and lingering messages of children's books. Timeless - plain and simple.
This week, write knowing you are a part of something priceless. Write what you love, and savor each word and each re-write. Your work is ageless. Your work is timeless. But most of all, your work is yours.
Happy Monday!
44 comments:
This was a great post.
I really feel there are few things in the world as noble and wonderful as doing something for children.
Timeless.
Shelley
What Storyqueen said. It's an honor to write for kids, and to be given an opportunity to be a part of their lives. What happens to us in childhood lasts forever.
Have a great week!
Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse
What an inspiring post, Shannon! I picked a great day to stop by! :)
Very true! There has been such an increase in YA literature, and no you're not the only waiting on the second, third books in a series :) Great quote, and I'm proud to be YA!
I want to be timeless! LoL
Good post
~JD
Shannon this was a beautiful post! I'll remember that when I'm writing this evening. It's important to realize how big of an impact we make on the world not only in our daily lives but also in our writing. We love a good book so we should want to produce something just as grand!
I love all types of books and I have to agree that when I was a child those books meant the world to me and have stuck with me forever.
Great thoughts and true! Happy Monday to you too.
Timeless. I love it. I'm glad I'm not the only one out there who prefers children's books. :)
My older one has just started reading, and I am doing a lot of market research for him. 'Nuff said!
I needed a great inspiring post! Thanks!
I just read "Tuck Everlasting" for the first time this past weekend. It was published in 1975 and somehow it slipped through the cracks of my reading list over the years. Talk about a timeless message! Made me wonder what we'll all still be reading in another 20 years. Harry Potter for sure...
Very nice Shannon! Good message!
Off subject: I just wanted to say. I adore you and I'm sorry I don't visit more often. I don't write so I never know what to say. Hope you're doing grand! *hugs*
lol. I'd tackle someone for a copy of Linger or Mockingjay too. :)
Love the message in your post too. I'm going to savour my writing this week. :)
You have a such a beautifully simple way with words, Shannon. You never cease to make me sigh a sigh of joy, and smile at the sun shining on the leaves outside my window ... :-)
Thank you for the encouragement! I do read/write for my kids and for me too :O)
Great quote - one of the reasons I often prefer writing MG/YA.
I don't write YA, but my upcoming book is suitable for teenagers.
I have to agree, YA is timeless. And I love the quote!
Love that quote. It ws a great way to start the week.
This was a beautiful post #2--and you're so right. And these are exactly the reasons why I write MG.
Thanks for the quote. Happy Monday! :)
i couldn't possibly agree with you more. what a lovely post, and a fabulous reminder.
thank you thank you.
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I agree completely. Most of the books that have stayed with me the longest - both from childhood and adulthood - have been children's books. I think sometimes there's an ability with YA/MG to touch people on a deeper level than you get with adult works. Great post!
Fantastic Monday advice!!!
I connect with this post and I love it. And I'm cutting and pasting the quote.
I have a hard time articulating what makes me love writing for children and teenagers. As a result, I read a lot of books for children and teenagers. The books aren't simple although that's what many people think.
You always find the most inspiring quotes! And yes, I would arm wrestle for a copy of Mockingjay :)
Great post, Shannon. I hope you have a great week!
Love this! It's so very true. My favorite books are in the MG and YA section. :)
Okay, I'm an admitted exception to this. I read pretty much adult lit, all the time. However, it does seem that YA is where it's at these days, for readers of all ages. You guys may yet convince me to wander into that section of the bookstore.... :)
I scoffed at the idea of YA and MG as entertaining for adults. And then I read Twilight. And The Hunger Games. And Percy Jackson.
Yeah, I'm sold.
Great post! (As always, Shannon.) There's so much talent available that it's a feast for my hungry eyes.
And I gave you a shout-out on my blog today.
Shannon, the most beloved stories are often called "children's" stories, with adults reading them under the covers, with our without the children. Write on!
You're right Shannon! I read ton of YA & MG! Maybe I just haven't grown up yet. =)
Great quote, and very true one. I'm reading more children's novels than I do adult, definitely. Thank you for sharing!
Awesome and so true!
I like your blog so much, feels like home to me:)
So nice to meet you Shannon!
That's a terrific quote! I'm always amazed by people who speak down to kids. It takes next to no time at all for the kids to figure it out - you can usually tell by the eye roll. Writing for kids is not writing down - it's writing differently :)
I meant to comment earlier! I linked this and realized that I never came to comment!!! Bad Princess! ;o)
I love this post. It is a wonderful and amazing quote! As always I love seeing your page open on my desktop!
Visit My Kingdom Anytime
Wow...timeless quote, too.
Thanks!
Plain and simple goes sooo far.
Excellent! Great Monday post, Shannon.
I soooo want to write like Enid Blyton or Lois Lenski...I want my words to last forever...and to be loved...
This weekend, I was thinking how I haven't read adult fiction for so long.
Goal for summer!
This is very interesting stuff. Hmmm... Makes me think.
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