Write the Book You Want to Read

“You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children.” 
― Madeleine L'Engle

“If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.” 
― Toni Morrison

There's a sentiment that you should write the book that you want to read. I agree with this, and that's frankly why I write what I do - I like most fantasy adventures, especially when there's a clear fight between good and evil.

But then I was thinking that what if kids published a book? I mean, when I was a kid, my book might have been about soldiers fighting a battle for earth's survival. My wife would have probably written something about a homeless mom who struggles for survival for her five small children (she would also pretend that her husband "died in the war" - you know what? Maybe our childhood stories sort of matched in a weird way).

Based on what my girls pretend, their stories might look something like this:

9 Year Old's Book Idea:  She's already kind of a budding writer, so I know what she would be interested in writing (because she's started writing little stories), but it probably have a 6th grade girl running into her friend on the way to the park in Heartlake City (this is the city for the Lego Friends sets) and having a conversation (perhaps about a cute outfit). Then, the girl may have to go to a new school the next day, and she might figure out she has magical powers or that she's really a princess.

6 Year Old's Book Idea:  I think there may be a natural disaster in her story, or a really horrible bad guy. When I overhear her playing, there's usually a strong sense of urgency in the story line, even if I can't quite make out what's happening. She's got an eye for tension in story telling already, I'm pretty sure.

3 Year Old's Book Idea:  This one write about being a princess with a little baby that she has to push in her stroller and go to Walmart.  She also plays with her stuffed animals quite a bit, and so I think that talking animals would be integral to her plot lines.

1 Year Old's Book Idea:  hmmm, this is a little tricky.  She doesn't talk yet really, and when she plays, there's sometimes a lot of banging and throwing.  Maybe there would be a giant in her story who would have good intentions of being fun-loving, but would accidentally destroy the town or the castle or the Lego set. Or... maybe it is about a baby who just poured Hershey syrup everywhere and stuck her hand in it and tasted it because that is what she has just done. So, I must end this blog and go clean up.