The Pendulum Swings Again
Newsletter #65
The Cyclical Nature of the Writing Industry
When you’ve written stories for kids for as long as I have (I started in 2008), you see the industry tastes change. When I started, most of my stories were culturally-based in one way or another. But at that time, the industry wanted short (like 300 words) texts with quirky characters.
Then in 2014, We Need Diverse Books propelled the representation issue into the mainstream spotlight. Everyone in the industry suddenly wanted stories from people of color and traditionally marginalized creators. So I found myself pulling out older work to share with my critique groups because it became more relevant.
Now, with the rise of book bans and a political administration whose goal it is to erase our history, the pendulum has swung again. We’ve heard that lately, editors want stories that are funny and light, nothing too serious. I reviewed my manuscripts and found one I had written 12 years ago.
Over the weekend at open mic night at a writing retreat, I read it to the crowd and it was very well-received. Lots of laughs and encouragement. I’m thankful I can dig into my archives and find a story style that fits the market. This is a benefit of longevity and writing with variety.
Book Report: PIG TOWN PARTY
Written and Illustrated by Lian Cho
This story cleverly starts in the artwork on the title page with details that readers may not initially realize are important, but learn later in the story. The girl receives an invitation to an annual Pig Town Party, which leaves her a bit confused, but she attends anyway. I like how Lian invites readers to join this main character with questions and then leads us into the world of Pig Town and the party. Illustrations are bright and fun, have a cartoon style with so much detail so that readers can spend lots of time examining the setting and getting to know the place well. Throughout the book, readers are engaged in a mystery through the blend of interiority and inquisitiveness with delightful illustrations that exude joy and cheer. Such an entertaining and amusing story with a terrific, suprising ending.
Themes: mystery, surprise, humor
Discussion Ideas:
Why did the main character decide to go to the party?
What did you think about the way the story ended?
Mentor Text For:
interiority (thoughts of characters)
addresses
transition words and phrases
dialogue: in speech bubbles, with quotation marks
voice from different characters
use of text size for conveying emotion
Buy the book!
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Weekly Progress Report
This is a section for “stuff I did” that relates to my writing career. I believe in celebrating all wins, big and small alike.
watched a webinar replay of Kidlit Craft’s Making Emotions Concrete
revised a manuscript by incorporating an endowed object
got feedback from a writing friend on the revision
participated in a Q&A with editor Mabel Hsu of Stonefruit Studios from Sourcebooks
wrote and shared writing dreams
sent revised manuscript to my agent
interpreted an I-Ching reading related to my writing project
read several recommended picture book mentor texts
researched a list of terms related to a topic
researched more for the biography
wrote an extended metaphor for the emotional beats of a story
read a humorous story during the open mic night
started rewriting the biography to focus on key beats
participated in a Q&A with authors Grace Lin and Debbi Michiko Florence
met and reunited with so many incredible authors and illustrators, discussed industry issues, talked about personal experiences, and shared lots of laughs and insights at the 4th Annual Asian American Voices Retreat at the Highlights Foundation in Pennsylvania
Sending you courage and grace in all you choose to do,
Susan
So interesting to hear the latest trends which of course also impact high school English curriculum choices and changes. I’m curious to read this archived book of yours! And some of your others too…!