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Monday, August 4, 2014

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.



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