Catherine Robinson is the acclaimed author of the teen novels, Tin Grin and Fat Chance. She reveals to MKP her top ten tips for how to become a children’s author…
(1) Write – it’s pretty obvious, perhaps, but the single most important thing to do if you want to be a writer, is to just write! As much as you can, as often as you can: forget formal qualifications (well OK, don’t forget them as such, but they’re by no means essential for being a published author), the best and most effective way of learning and improving is, quite simply, to get out there and do it!
(2) Persevere – this only comes below Point No1 because if you’re not actually doing it then there’s obviously nothing to persevere at…!But I can’t over-emphasize just how vital perseverance is. There’s many a set-back along the road to being published, and even once you’re in print there’s no guarantee things will be any easier – even now, 20 years down the line, I still get work rejected and deals falling through. It goes with the territory, and without a dogged determination to succeed you’ll just keel over and give in before you even get going. Alongside persistence and perseverance, I’d put an unshakeable belief in yourself as a crucial add-on; if you don’t believe your work has worth and that you can and will succeed; you can’t really expect anybody else to…
(3) Observe – this is the fun bit! I’ve never been quite certain whether my interest in the human condition (oh OK then, nosiness…) is the reason I’m an author, or I’m an author because I’m nosy. But it sure comes in handy: eavesdropping on people’s conversations teaches you how to handle dialogue, talking to people about their lives and personal problems gives you all kinds of insights into relationships and what makes different kinds of people tick, as well as ideas for characters, plotlines – the list just goes on. I always try to carry either a notebook or a Dictaphone with me when I’m out and about, to record any ideas that occur to me. Sometimes they’re just snippets that develop into other, larger things.
(4) Write – another important reason to ‘just write’ is to develop your own voice, which in writing terms is nothing to do with speaking but more an author’s own style or thumbprint. You know how you just love the way your favourite author writes, which is what makes you want to read everything by him or her? That’s their voice. (At this point, I’d also add ‘read’ to my list. There’s nothing like seeing how somebody else manipulates language, or writes funny dialogue, or creates atmosphere, or whatever, to learn how to achieve those things yourself.)
(5) Chuck out your illusions – my day always begins with one of my servants bringing me a delicious breakfast in bed. I then slip into the warm, scented bubble-bath run by another of the servants, before shrugging on my favourite silk negligee and sitting down at my custom-made walnut desk, where I pick up my handcrafted swansdown quill and … Don’t be daft! Of course I don’t. My life is like most other people’s, which in reality means doing the housework, feeding the dog, going to Tesco’s – ie, pretty boring and mundane for much of the time. I do consider myself hugely fortunate to do something I enjoy doing (most of the time!) to earn my pennies, but make no mistake –glamorous it ain’t!
(6) Develop a thick skin – this goes with Point No 2, but is important enough to warrant a place of its own. Developing a thick skin means stuff like not taking rejection personally (and you will get rejection, oh yes you will…!), along with learning how to accept criticism graciously. It also, incidentally, means not being overly flattered by what friends and family say about your work; of course they’re going to love it, that’s why they’re your friends and family! Basically, you’ve got to learn how to take the rough with the smooth.
(7) Write – yup, that one again! Not only does practice make perfect (or as perfect as you can make it) in terms of learning how to plot, characterize, etc, but it also teaches you how to self-edit. Many people tend to think that the first attempt is the best it can be, and it can’t possibly be bettered (which is actually quite lazy, when you think about it!) Craft, shape, lovingly polish – never be satisfied with less than your best.
(8) Be prepared to always be ‘on duty’ – when you write fiction you’re basically living in the world of your imagination, and you can’t just switch off like you can with other jobs. The upside of this is you can work just when it suits you; when I’m on a roll I’m often working until 2 or 3am. But when it’s going well and you enjoy it, it doesn’t feel like real work anyway! (This is a trade secret not many non-authors know about; keep it under your hat, because if word got out everybody would be doing it…)
(9) Know your readership – this article is called How To Be a Children’s Author, but up till now what I’ve said applies just as readily to any kind of writing. Writing for children does of course mean you have to be careful with stuff like vocabulary, sentence construction and subject matter, but you must never, ever patronize. It’s hugely tempting to think you can throw off a cute little tale about Fluffy the Bunny, and that will keep ‘em happy, but the truth is: it won’t. In my experience, children are the most discerning audience you’ll ever find. If you want to write for them, do your research – see what else is in the bookstores, what they’re reading, what’s selling.
(10) Write – did I mention that one?! There’s so many things out there, just burning to be written about. Write to help you decide just what you want to write, where your particular interest lies, what keeps you engaged. Then – just do it! (Easy peasy, huh?!)
Oh, and good luck!
Catherine Robinson
5 June 2007
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