The quote in my planner this week is from Ernest Hemingway. It says...
"I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Most people never listen."
How true that is. I find this especially necessary for those of us writing for children--whatever their age. The language used for little ones is different than that for elementary kids, those in middle school or even those in high school. Paying attention to the children around and how they speak to peers, parents and their siblings can help inspire and write stories that feel true and authentic. I know for myself that I tend to gravitate to writing for the age range in which I either am involved work wise or at home with my kids and their friends and drawing on the language and interactions I see and hear helps tremendously.
For you kid lit authors out there, do you listen and use what you hear? From where do you draw your inspiration and best ideas? I love to hear what works for others if you are so inclined to share your thoughts.
Oh, yes, voices whisper in my ear quite often. A couple of them have resulted in a book. Listening to the voices is so much fun. Asking them questions often gets answers.
ReplyDeleteExactly! I so agree. I'm not sure those people that see me talking back to those voices think I am all that sane however:)
DeleteI'm always eavesdropping on conversations when I'm out and about. Someone said if you want to hear how teens talk today, go to the mall and sit in the food court. I always happen to be there when no teens are around, though!
ReplyDeleteI do the same, Stephanie. I always feel like people think I am the biggest snoop, but it certainly is great research! Yes, food courts are great places to eavesdrop:) Good luck with your writing and thanks for stopping by!
DeleteSure there's voices - it's called CONSCIENCE... only psychopaths dont hear'm. If you wanna schtick your head where there aint no psychopathic behavior after this existence finite, dear, look-up to Seventh-Heaven.
ReplyDeleteClimbing the craggy boulders of the publishing summit is quite a difficult endeavor ...while I, too, could never plead peace while ignoring the corrosive crimes against humanity. Wanna help? Looky...
Our 24-wildchild, flame-thrower, germ-warFAIR-blogs are a total wasteOtime ...yet, a total wealth of bottomless inferences, nuanced sophistication, and synonymous metaphors which shall creep stealthily across thy brain like the vivid, brazen dawn. And, frankly, I wouldn't be too concerned about what the bionic, bloated, whorizontal world thot about me, dear; I'd be much more worried about what JESUS shall say at the General Judgement.
First, why else does a moth fly from the night than to a bold, attractive candle Light? Don't let His extravagant brilliance be extinguished, girl. You're creative, yes? Then fly-away with U.S. to the antidote.
Meet this ex-mortal Upstairs for the most extra guhroovy, pleasure-beyond-measure, party-hardy-reality-show-addiction 24/7 you DO NOT wanna miss, where the Son never goes down from a VitSee-ing, ultra-passionate-YOUTHwitheTRUTH in which you'll find nonillions X nonillions X nonillions... of deluxe-cubed-HTTP (<-- pi) opportunities for enveloping, engulfing excitement; where you'll looove an endless eternity of aplomBOMBs falling ALL over thy incredible, indelible cranium, as you'll have an XtraXcitinXpose with an IQ much higher than K2 resulting in an explosion of obscene exuberance, time without end.
Last, here's what the prolific, exquisite GODy sed: 'the more you shall honor Me, the more I shall bless you' -the Infant Jesus of Prague.
Go git'm, girl. You're incredible.
Subliminalzealotry.blogspot.com -or-
MyLoveLetterToJanetIrene.blogspot.com
God bless you
Sure there's voices - it's called CONSCIENCE... only psychopaths dont hear'm. If you wanna schtick your head where there aint no psychopathic behavior after this existence finite, dear, look-up to Seventh-Heaven.
ReplyDeleteClimbing the craggy boulders of the publishing summit is quite a difficult endeavor ...while I, too, could never plead peace while ignoring the corrosive crimes against humanity. Wanna help? Looky...
Our 24-wildchild, flame-thrower, germ-warFAIR-blogs are a total wasteOtime ...yet, a total wealth of bottomless inferences, nuanced sophistication, and synonymous metaphors which shall creep stealthily across thy brain like the vivid, brazen dawn. And, frankly, I wouldn't be too concerned about what the bionic, bloated, whorizontal world thot about me, dear; I'd be much more worried about what JESUS shall say at the General Judgement.
First, why else does a moth fly from the night than to a bold, attractive candle Light? Don't let His extravagant brilliance be extinguished, girl. You're creative, yes? Then fly-away with U.S. to the antidote.
Meet this ex-mortal Upstairs for the most extra guhroovy, pleasure-beyond-measure, party-hardy-reality-show-addiction 24/7 you DO NOT wanna miss, where the Son never goes down from a VitSee-ing, ultra-passionate-YOUTHwitheTRUTH in which you'll find nonillions X nonillions X nonillions... of deluxe-cubed-HTTP (<-- pi) opportunities for enveloping, engulfing excitement; where you'll looove an endless eternity of aplomBOMBs falling ALL over thy incredible, indelible cranium, as you'll have an XtraXcitinXpose with an IQ much higher than K2 resulting in an explosion of obscene exuberance, time without end.
Last, here's what the prolific, exquisite GODy sed: 'the more you shall honor Me, the more I shall bless you' -the Infant Jesus of Prague.
Go git'm, girl. You're incredible.
Subliminalzealotry.blogspot.com -or-
MyLoveLetterToJanetIrene.blogspot.com
God bless you