Does anybody out there know if the children’s market is as open right now as they seem to claim it is?
Not that I need another path opened up to me right now, but it is something I’ve had on the back burner for a little while now, and wonder if I should pursue it. A friend of mine is an excellent artist, specializing in pastels, but also quite capable with oils and other mediums. About six months ago she handed me an idea along with some sketches for a children’s book, and I’ve been dragging my feet on it. Mainly this is because of time, but also, in the back of my mind I’m not sure I know how to gear my writing for kids. Obviously I’d have to drop the black humor and sarcasm that I just love to hide within my words. Kids just wouldn’t really take kindly to my killing off of Spot just to ensure the happy ending for Fluffy. Nor, I suppose, would their parents.
But attempting a different form of writing, exploring the possibilities of thinking like a child to reach a child, that’s an interesting proposition. And, seeking happy endings might be a nice change for me.
The Lost Children: A Charity Anthology