Writer to Writer #1
by Karen O’Connor
WRITING FOR KIDS
From Experience to Publication
"Creative thinking is just
another name for finding new idea-combinations," according to writer and
teacher, Rudolf Flesch, in his classic book, How
to Write, Speak and Think More Effectively. He suggests that writers draw
upon all of their experiences and memories, then "move them about until
you feel the click, the electric spark, the sensation of 'That's it!'"
My most effective ideas for
children's stories, articles, and books have been the result of just that. And
they've come right out of my life, through my children and friends,
experiences, and surroundings. To foster these ideas I stay alert to the people
and events closest to me. I jot down bits of dialogue, names, dates, places,
lone facts that intrigue me, snappy titles, whatever catches my attention, no
matter how unrelated they may sound at the time. You can do the same.
Following are four key sources
of ideas you can tap for your own articles, stories, and books. All it takes to
notice them is being alert to life.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
Look at your background,
education, hobbies, and interests. If you're a parent, or have worked as a
teacher, scout leader, coach, or salesperson, you've probably had dozens of
experiences with young people. For example, my first book for the middle grade
reader, How
to Make Money (Franklin Watts, 1976), came directly from my work with
children as a Camp Fire Girl leader, mother, and reading tutor. Later I wrote a
tennis dictionary with help from my tennis-playing son. And my oldest daughter
and I gathered ideas for a book on party planning.
RESEARCH
What you don't live through you
can look up--on the Internet, in an encyclopedia, in a science anthology. Then
turn those facts into creative information. That's exactly what I did for my
book, Sally
Ride and the New Astronauts:... (
I also look through magazines,
web sites, and the daily newspaper for possible topics. This is not some
haphazard browsing, but a planned approach. In other words, I read with
purpose. I intend to find worthwhile, marketable ideas, and I do. For example,
a letter in DEAR ABBY'S column and a report in two newspapers got me interested
in writing a book on animal rights which was published in the early 1980s.
INTERVIEWS
Talking to experts and
authorities is another deep well of ideas. Their quotations also add
credibility to articles and books. Even though you might be able to locate the
same information on the Internet or in the library, it’s more authentic when
you can quote someone who has lived through the experience.
While writing a book on careers
in the zoo, I contacted the Public Relations manager at the San Diego Zoo and
she arranged personal interviews with 20 workers, from curators to keepers to
cooks! I couldn't have written the book as effectively without the time I spent
behind the scenes.
In writing a book on special
effects in films, I interviewed several key people in this industry at
To me, interviewing is one of
the most interesting and enjoyable ways to expand one's writing world. As
writers we meet new people, learn about their corner of the world, and then
bring their expertise and experience to children who are eager to read and
learn.
FRIENDS AND ACQUAINTANCES
Here is one of the very best
resources of ideas. Everyone can tap into this pool of information and
experience. I broke into the educational writing market by sharing some of my
writing with the father of one of my daughter's friends, the president of an
educational publishing company. This contact led to hundreds of assignments
over the years.
One afternoon I visited with a
man at the ice skating rink while we waited for our sons to finish their hockey
game. I discovered in those few minutes of conversation that he owned a small
educational film company and was looking for a scriptwriter. I sent a proposal,
landed a part-time writing job, and one of the scripts I wrote on the life of
George Bernard Shaw, received an award the following year at the Chicago
International Film Festival.
People everywhere are eager to
talk once you get them going. Do you know someone who is a court reporter, has
an avocado farm, sings in the city choral group, or conducts tours of a ghost
town? Get them talking!! And before you know it, you’ll have the seeds of an
article or book that will attract the attention of a magazine or book editor.
Ask questions. Then listen.
Follow that with a distilling process. Extract what you need and like. Discard
the rest. These conversations are seldom wasted. You're bound to learn at least
one new thing. And equally worthwhile, you've probably given someone else a bit
of joy and fame along the way.
Moving young people from the
vast outer world of facts into the satisfying inner world of creative
information is one of the most exciting opportunities available to a children's
writer.
Your particular idea, your
unique presentation, your choice of words just may be the bridge that takes a
young person from idle curiosity to independent thinking. And all it requires
is the willingness not only to present your particular view of the world, but
to share your vision, as well.
Copyright 2002 Karen O’Connor
Karen O'Connor from
http://www.longridgewritersgroup.com
Her latest book, Help,
Lord! I'm Having a Senior Moment… was released in June from Servant
Publications. Visit Karen on the web at:
http://www.karenoconnor.com or contact her by e-mail at:
karen@karenoconnor.com