Thursday, February 28, 2008

Why I Write for Kids


Okay, so the kittehs are all good fun, but it's time I posted about writing again. I enjoy writing for the adult audience, it's freeing to cuss with abandon and let my characters explore their sexuality. But my heart belongs to kids.

Why?

I could pretend that it's because I'm a soccer mom. I spend so much time with children, that it's only natural that I write for them. Between soccer, cub scouts and Sunday school, I spend the majority of my time around those under the age of 18 and I like it that way.

Why?

I like kids. I care about the things kids care about. Kids have an innate sense of justice. They like to know that they will be okay. They like to feel that no matter how grim things seem, there is hope. The good guys will win. Order will be restored. The guilty will be punished. I'm down for that.

Why?

Kids are honest. By the time we reach our upper teens, we become masters at putting on different faces depending on what the world expects us to be. We choose our own labels and slap them on. But kids will tell it like it is.

Why?

Kids are uninhibited. Roll in the mud? Where cowboy boots with shorts? Pretend you're a dog and bark all your words for a day? Why not? I'm down for that too. Which I guess brings me to the real reason I write for kids.

Why?

Cause I never grew up myself. I'm always up for a good game of pretend. I love silliness and frivolity and candy. I have trouble behaving like a grown up when I'm surrounded by pompous folks who take themselves waaaaaaaaaay too seriously. Honestly, when I'm watching a political debate, I can't stop thinking it would be hilarious if someone made farty noises right in the middle of a speech. I'd love that.

I read children's literature because I like it. I write it, because I read it.

I hope I never grow up. I've managed it thus far.

8 comments:

Tori O. said...

That's a perfectly legitimate reason. :)

Write what makes you happy, not what makes other people happy. Unless, of course, it makes you happy to spend all your time making other people happy.

Donna Farley said...

count me in on the never growing up thing!

Arachne Jericho said...

Yeah!

Never too young!

Lori A. Basiewicz said...

Without writers of children's fiction, there would be no need for writer's of adult fiction.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

I still don't feel like I've grown up either. It's great you know what you love and are able to embrace it - some people get too hung up on what others think. (you know what I mean).

Ed Wyrd said...

Wait. Why do I have to cuss and explore sexuality just because I'm writing for adults?

Mary B said...

Silly ferret. You don't HAVE to do these things, but you can.

verification word: fkcns

No lie!

Anonymous said...

Ditto that! I never understood the term "act you age." Besides, I don't have to... so there! Neener!