Reading For Children and the Importance of a Good Editor

Now that I am helping moderate a couple of book clubs at the elementary school, I find myself reading more juvenile and young adult books. So far, I have come to the conclusion that these books have more thought-provoking themes than the adult novels. Or maybe not more, but rather better. Perhaps it is because young readers are still learning how to read for author intent, but I find it very enjoyable that the points children's authors are trying to get across are plain to see. In fact, it makes reading even more fun because I don't have to search for the deeper meaning that is most often hidden in the subtext.

But of course, as an English major and avid reader, I cannot help to nit-pick at times. Which is what I did with When the Cherry Blossoms Fell, by Canadian author Jennifer Maruno. I'm sure most young readers, if they caught the editing mistakes at all, wouldn't give them a second thought. But still, it distracted me and it irritated me mostly because they took me away from the beautiful narration of the story. I won't go into my review here, rather you can view it at epinions if you're so inclined. I just wanted to comment on the importance of good editing.

My own novel, Circles, has a few editing mishaps, I admit. But as far as I can tell (since no one else has brought it up) they don't distract anyone from the story. And with disclaimer of being biased, I add that I have told a great story! My point here is, as an author, writing is only half the battle. Having a proficient editor is the other half. Then you have the second battle, which is publishing, but I digress. It won't matter if your novel is an expertly-woven piece of storytelling if your editor doesn't catch the spelling, grammar, and continuity flaws that are ever present - especially when in the revision process.

A really good editor will also help a writer make sure that the point is not "too-well hidden" within the text so that the story does not become confusing. I've always been told not to make your point too obvious or it may come across as "preachy" or make the story become predictable. I wonder if children's fiction editors must have a more difficult time or if it's easier because the theme is readily available in the story. How fine a line is it in children's fiction between "too obvious" and "not obvious enough"?

I pose this question to you, readers of my blog: What were your most and least favorite stories and why? Did it also have to do with editing?

Extended Vacation is Now Over

Sorry for the extended vacation, everyone! January has been brutal! Cleaning, taxes, cleaning, writing, cleaning, research, writing, cleaning...hey, anyone with a seven-year-old ball of energy should understand the cleaning part. It's like following the debris line of a tornado.

Anyway, so what can I report? Well for starters, Circles is now available at Parkplace Books in Kirkland. It is an exceptional bookstore, so if you live in the area or plan to be nearby, check it out. It is what I had dreamed my own bookstore would look like...sigh, another drama altogether there.

I have started writing my next novel, which is specifically for middle grade readers. I have alternate history, steampunk, adventure and hijinks planned out. We shall see where it goes. I hope to have it ready for my readers by next January. I'll post excerpts on occasion so you can give me your thoughts!

I will be starting up my "Creative with Writing" classes at Stillwater Elementary and Tolt Middle School in February and March. I'm looking forward to experiencing the spontaneous creativity my students come up with! Every session is amazing. In addition, I am also heading up a book club for fourth and fifth graders at Stillwater. We begin our inaugural club activities with City of Ember (4th gr.) and Leviathan (5th gr.). If anyone has read these titles, I would love to share your thoughts with the club!

Whew! It's hard to find time to write anything with so much going on, but being around readers and writers is so much fun for me. I absolutely MUST make time for these kids! Maybe one day soon, they will have a book club with one of my novels... ^_^

Alright, enough chit-chat for now!