by KATE HUNTER
Have you ever wondered why authors thank their editors? I know I did. Until I wrote a book – or rather, I wrote some stories. An editor and a publisher turned them into books. Even now, I’m not quite sure how they did it, and there are three books in the world with my name on the spine. Who could have imagined?
The Mosquito Advertising series is about a bunch of kids who start their own advertising agency. Katie (really stretched myself there) and her mates are 13, argumentative, resourceful and largely unsupervised. They watch too much TV, are addicted to Barbecue Shapes and will wag school if business demands it. Their parents and teachers are peripheral characters in their lives.
One reviewer described Mosquito Advertising as, ‘The Famous Five Meets Gruen Transfer.’ I was chuffed. I love Enid Blyton and Wil Anderson equally. Interestingly, they’re both a bit fucked up, with little regard for rules. I wonder if there’s something in that?
Since I became a children’s author (a title I dislike – I prefer ‘writer’) I’ve started going to courses and seminars and reading books about writing. Nothing like a publishing deadline to make you realize how little you know.
So only recently have I learned there are RULES for writing children’s fiction.
And, oops, I broke almost every one.
• Kids are into fantasy, vampires and science fiction. This is true, of course. Lots of kids love these genres. But, not ALL kids. I didn’t. My 11 year old son doesn’t. And why would anyone try to write another one when the shelves are already so crowded? Zig when others zag, that’s my motto. Of course, JK Rowling is the richest woman in Britain – richer than the Queen. In contrast, I’m still comparing prices on laundry liquid.
• In a children’s book, the main character must be in every scene. Bugger. Didn’t know that one. I wrote my books like movies. Action happens in boardrooms, in factories, at school, in the first class cabins of jumbo jets. Sometimes Katie’s there, sometimes she’s not. Readers seem to work it out. Kids like being flies on adult walls.
• Write what you know. I stuck to this rule, mainly I’m lazy, and advertising is something I know. But what would life be like if authors didn’t create worlds, delve into history, mix up eras and ask ‘What if?’ Surely you don’t have to be a murderer to write a murder mystery.
Top Comments
It's a toss up between Anne of Green Gables and The Secret Garden.
I've just caught up with this post Kate and I have to agree with you that there are no 'rules' when it comes to writing for children. My Alice-Miranda series has a heavily female cast and the main character is a girl of seven and a quarter. I was always told that children wouldn't read about kids younger than themselves and yet I have plenty of readers who are eight, nine, ten eleven and twelve - and even some teens. Alice-Miranda is about adventure and mystery - there's not a vampire in sight and it's not heavily weighted in the issues department either - but there are a lot of nasty baddies! Interesting about the familiar and relatable too - Alice-Miranda's family are extremely wealthy (unlike most of the population, including myself) and yet I don't think that's a problem for most kids. One publisher rejected the series on that basis, 'she's too rich; no one will like her'. I think Random House would disagree. I suspect that the most important thing when writing for children is to develop characters you love and exciting adventures that will have your readers begging for more. At least that's my experience. I loved reaidng Roald Dahl and Enid Blyton as a child. My favourite book was Heidi and as a teacher I have always enjoyed reading Hating Alison Ashley and Bridge to Terabithia aloud to my classes.
Miss Attitude is 11, not at all girly, far from wealthy and loves the Alice Miranda series.