The picture above shows your humble blogger two Saturdays ago, as I received my black belt in Shaolin Kempo. It took four years of training and a grueling eight hour test, and it was worth every drop of sweat.
Now, I doubt anyone will ever confuse me with Bruce Lee, and I don’t see a career as an action movie hero ahead of me. I will never make the cover of Black Belt magazine, nor will I likely ever have the title of Grandmaster before my name. Some of the much younger folks with whom I tested may accomplish these things, but that’s not my journey. For me, finishing the test and getting the belt was my victory.
I bring this up to get you thinking about your own journey as a writer of children’s literature. We may all daydream about becoming the next J.K. Rowling, about having throngs of kids line up at midnight to gobble up our new book, of gaining all the fame, fortune, love and respect that seemingly come with mega-stardom.
And, for all I know, at least one of you out there will achieve that. But, realistically, each of our writing victories will be far more modest. An article here, a contract with a small press there, perhaps enough income to pay for a nice vacation.
But, I would ask you, are these things any less of an accomplishment than heading the best-seller list? Is charming a classroom of 30 kids with your story really less satisfying than charming 30,000 children?
Let’s try a little quiz. For each of the possible outcomes of becoming a children’s writer, pick a number from 1-10 on how much satisfaction you would derive. If something would be not at all satisfying, mark it a 1, if it would be ultimately satisfying, that’s a 10.
____ Seeing a book you’ve written on a bookstore shelf
____ Getting a letter from a child raving about your book
____ Getting a six-figure advance
____ Reading a glowing review of your book in a major newspaper
____ Getting a standing ovation from a classroom full of 3rd graders
____ Being complimented on your book by a writer that you’ve always respected
____ Being featured in People magazine
____ Hearing “your book changed my child’s life” from a grateful parent
____ Having an article you’ve written appear in a magazine you’ve always loved, such as Highlights
Of the nine possible outcomes I just listed, at least seven of them are eminently available to every one of you. How did you rate these? Were they every bit as satisfying — or perhaps even more satisfying — than the “hit the jackpot and become a famous writer” outcomes?
Has the idea of what it means to “make it” as a children’s writer just changed a little bit?
So, I ask you, aspiring children’s writer:
How Do You Now Define Success?
14 Comments
Only the most rugged individualists among us will claim to be untouched by positive reader responses. (And you know what they say about rugged individualists… they’re liars!)
To me, the most gratifying moment of “writing success” occurs when you don’t expect it. The setting can be anywhere that’s NOT a school, bookstore, or literacy expo. Rather, it’s in the produce aisle at the supermarket or the newspaper rack at the tobacconist’s.
When a reader discovers that I write stuff he or she likes in THAT context, it is triply gratifying. A close second is seeing someone carrying a tattered, well-worn copy of one of my books. Either the reader likes it so much it’s getting carried everywhere, or the book is being subjected to the treatment it deserves.
Thanks, Bart. I think it’s important for aspiring writers to know that little moments like that are as valuable as big royalty checks.
Well, except for buying stuff, I suppose.
Congrats on your black belt, Jon – that is such an awesome accomplishment! I really enjoyed your blog, too – everything was a 10, no matter if only one or all of it happens, it’s all good!!! Have a great week!
I read to a group of kids this weekend, sharing a chapter from a work in progress. The positive interaction that took place in this setting, where I could see the kids enjoying the story, to me it was a success. A story without an audience (big or small) is like a butterfly left stuck inside its cocoon.
Congratulations on your black belt. Success in anything is about mastery, and this is even more true in writing. When aspiring writers ‘suffer’ because their desires are not fullfilled it seems to me it’s because they’re ‘wannabes’ who are not prepared to work and rework and master their art. Sure, that doesn’t mean they’re gonna get snapped up when they’ve worked hard enough, as there are many factors in the ‘fame game’ that writing, like all the arts, has become. You mentioned JK, but I wouldn’t hold her up as someone who has mastered her art. Rather, she’s someone who’s mastered writing Harry Potter stories! Let’s see what she comes up with next, if it’s good, then I’ll take off my hat and bow reverently in her direction.
So how hard do we have to work before we start flailling ourselves when the latest draft gets returned? Here I have to return to my original point, people suffering, and not for their art, but because of it! Yes, it’s hard to write, but by flexing that muscle again and again we’re in the school, learning. That’s surely a joyful thing and therein lies the secret of success – to enjoy what we do, whether anyone, everyone or no one applauds us. Writing is a self generated thing that can barely be taught, let alone measured by external plaudits. Does JK’s ‘success’ make her a great writer? I don’t think so and that’s, perhaps, a question for another time as I’m meant to be working right now! I wish you all great joy from your many attempts at mastery.
I too congratulate you on your accomplishment and being black belted.
I think the most important thing, for me, in writing and illustrating is my granddaughter sitting on her father’s lap listening to one of my stories as he reads it to her. Never mind the cinnamon bread that I am bribing her with, which seems to be her “most favorite” thing.
Little people who read our books are so honest. Anyone can tell if the story (or stories) you have written is “really” good or just a bunch of words. And even that, if they were written with great satisfaction by the writer there is a time, even though short-lived, when any of us may say, “WOW! I really like that!” If I may suggest, perhaps publishers should allow a group of children to look at manuscripts submitted to them.
If we are in it for the money, we may as well go to Wall Street which is not too safe at this particular time. As far as I am concerned, I would like very much to be published but if I am not, I will still have grandchildren and friends who think my books are wonderful.
the words success and failure tend to have different meanings to different people. i personally do not believe in the word failure. as long as i try i consider that a success.. if something does not go the way i dreamed or thought it would than so what? Life has many twists and turns. I have had my own business for 16 years, retail at that! i am constantly changing my strategy , business is a moving target and you are constantly trying to hit a bullseye. i have been an artist my whole life and am in the process of putting together my first portfolio. i am atttending many networking meetings and learning as much as i can. i have been amazed at the unending comments of “not making any money” and “is this really worth it” from other members. some people seem to be caught up in everything being perfect. I think we all just need to “do it”. I can spend hours if wanted trying to get a drawing perfect or feel something is not just right for my portfolio, but if that is how i spend my day , i have nothing to show. at some point we need to do what we love , put it out there, take the suggestions from submissions and revise if necessary. if i can get a chuckle out of a critique group from my illustrations or catch a child’s attention with a book i put together then i consider that a success. a positive attitude goes along way and with hard work you can achieve “success”. live long and laugh often
I too, congratulate you on your black belt! Thanks for you quiz, it really puts things in perspective. I began my career as an illustrator and became an tabletop, giftware, stationery, and home furnishings designer. I have been “published”, as an illustrator and licensed my designs for nearly 30 years. These days as companies are crashing all around us, the market place has changed through technology and outsourcing of designs to third world countries…it becomes more and more difficult to get work. Certainly I worry about when or if my next royalty check will come in and I spend more and more time on the computer trying to get paid or get new work. But for me success is the joy in doing. I love to paint, to draw, to be challenged to figure out new flatware or crystal patterns…I am and always will be an artist, and that for me is success.
I am so humbled by the idea that anyone would think I was any different or better just because I am a writer; yet, I have had people treat me that way – moms that work as hard as I do, librarians that have my dream job and relatives that have sent my books to school with their children in the hopes of bringing me success! Yes, I guess the thought of being “one of the greats”, which includes fame and fortune, has crossed all of our minds at some point; however, some of the greatest things that I’ve been given the opportunity to do, things I wondered how anyone got the job, were judging an Art Reflections contest for Grades K-3. Wow – let’s not just talk about how they draw, but what their messages are! I was also asked to be a guest speaker at a Teacher Appreciation luncheon, which not only allowed me to work on conquering one of my greatest fears – public speaking, but gave me the chance to tell all these teachers “thank you”; a chance to say something I was too shy and immature to say when I was in school! The list goes on, and I believe we all have a list – wonderful small things that add up to greatness. I wish you all whatever list you need to recognize your greatness!
The most important things in the world aren’t things goes the cliche, but as I read your list, it once again rung true! I would rather have a kid talk about how much he or she loves a character in my book than anything that could be deposited in my bank account. My investment is in kids, and the return is priceless! Thanks for the great article and congrats on the black belt! Jenny
I’m a published children’s book author. I’m nowhere near being a millionaire, but a man stopped me the other day and said, “So, are you wealthy?”
I can only assume what that man’s intent was with his question, but I didn’t even think about money. I looked at my children’s bright faces and remembered the applause from a roomful of kindergartners after reading them my book, and answered very simply…
“Yes.”
Wonderful post and comments. I was referred to it at http://www.bookvote.net. Anyone wishing to promote it can register there and vote for it.
I’m not a book writer myself-only blogger and book reviewer. But in your list of affirmations, the coolest ones don’t have price tags. I guess I should say that I’m now spending time blogging regularly. I find it fulfilling and don’t expect to ever make money at it. Not even getting much feedback. How much more awesome it must be to have a book published and know that people are reading it.
Getting up there in age has it’s advantages, so many experiences and memories to choose from. Little things that once seemed tragic now seem hilarious with the perspective of age. The telling becomes important and the captivated listener who remarks, “You should write a book!” is reward enough. I’ve made less than $2000 with my various writing projects, but I’ve turned acquaintances into friends with my storytelling.
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