It's time to come clean. I've held it in a long time, tried to fight it, and can't take it anymore. So here it is: Writing YA isn't really my thing. *Gasp!*
Now, before you all start yelling "traitor!" let me explain. I've written young adult, and it's just not my cup of tea. It's a rather painful process, and I have to work really, really hard at it. (I mean, REALLY. Like slugging through a marsh of honey.) I didn't enjoy writing at all, and I physically dreaded working on my WIP.
I wanted to fit in with the blogging community, and well, I felt like it was practically expected of me. I also felt like there was a stigma against what I actually wanted to write.
So, secretly, I've been working on a ... *ahem* children's book. Yes, I've been writing a children's book. But here's the thing, I LOVE IT! I finally feel like I have found my voice and I actually want to write again. It has me doing this:
Now, before you all start yelling "traitor!" let me explain. I've written young adult, and it's just not my cup of tea. It's a rather painful process, and I have to work really, really hard at it. (I mean, REALLY. Like slugging through a marsh of honey.) I didn't enjoy writing at all, and I physically dreaded working on my WIP.
I wanted to fit in with the blogging community, and well, I felt like it was practically expected of me. I also felt like there was a stigma against what I actually wanted to write.
So, secretly, I've been working on a ... *ahem* children's book. Yes, I've been writing a children's book. But here's the thing, I LOVE IT! I finally feel like I have found my voice and I actually want to write again. It has me doing this:
Photo by Pink Sherbet Photography
It's like I have found my calling in life and in writing. My critique group has been great about my confession, and they're all willing to take a gander at my book, but if any of you secretly write children's as well, we should totally pow-wow because I would love to get your opinions too. I might occasionally do some YA stuff, but right now I need to follow my heart and see where it takes me.
So there you have it. My name is Tiana, and I am a children's writer.
Wow, that's quite a happy dance going on up there! I'm proud of you for finding your niche! Children's books are the most important books because they teach young kids to read and to love books as adults.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I'm so happy you are following your heart and finding true passion with your writing. That's what it's all about!
ReplyDeleteWhat age group are you looking into? What a great feeling to find your voice!
I'm proud of you, Tiana...:)
I've often felt a bit isolated, since it seems that the great majority writes YA, but I certainly don't care, and I'm glad you don't either! We should write what makes us happy dance like that, and if it's a picture book or erotica, go for it.
ReplyDeleteCongrats!
Aubrie - I know, right? It makes me really happy, so I'm glad I gave it a shot.
ReplyDeleteJamie - I'm looking to write chapter books. Think like 'My Father's Dragon' or 'The Phantom Tollbooth' and thanks for your encouraging words :) It really helps.
Summer - It's true, a lot of people who blog write YA, which is really interesting to me. I'm glad you're not giving up on your passion either.
Yay! I am glad you have found what you are *really* passionate about. YA is great fun to write–but only if it is the right genre for you.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your chapter books. I am sure you will do well.
Woo hoo Tiana! Children's books are awesome. You have to write what you have a passion for! I'm glad you found yours. =)
ReplyDeleteCongrats. I'm glad you've found the thing you want to write. Also, awesome happy dance. :)
ReplyDeleteRachel - Agreed. I may come back to it occasionally, but for now, I'm happy where I'm at.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn - Thank you. It's been a long time coming :)
Dominique - Ha ha, thanks. I can't take credit for taking the picture, I can only take credit for tweaking it.
The community has adopted this old Mystery Writer, I'm sure they'll be just fine with a Children Writer! What's important is that you've found a voice that truly brings out your creativity. Have lots of fun with it! :)
ReplyDeleteI totally know how you feel. It's easy to feel like you are on the outside when you write something other than YA. But I'm so happy you found YOUR voice. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm Kim, and I write Romance. Gasp! Shocking, I kmow.
LOL :) I'm so happy you've found your voice! It can be quite a search. I always feel a little guilty about not writing MG because I teach that level of kids. But my heart's not there.
ReplyDeleteFollow your heart and enjoy!! Otherwise, what's the point :)
Congratulations. I'm so happy you found your voice and your passion. :)
ReplyDeleteDL - Well, I wouldn't call you old, even though I know you constantly say you are :) Thanks.
ReplyDeleteKim - Consider me shocked! Ha ha, believe it or not, there is a surprisingly large number of romance writers who blog as well.
Jemi - I don't think you should feel guilty, especially since it would be a lot like going to work for you if you wrote MG.
Sarahjayne - Thanx. It's still a work in progress.
I'm happy for you! I think finding your voice and where you belong is crucial to writing what really fits for you and speaks to your audience. So, I say, hooray for children's books! :)
ReplyDeleteTiana, I am SO happy for you! I have to admit that sometimes I feel out of place because I don't write YA either. I might try it far down the road someday, but I'm all about the relationships in stories and writing/reading YA for me is like getting an appetizer when I'm hungry for all 7 courses!
ReplyDeleteFollow your heart, share your voice...we got your back.
Congrats on that step forward! That's exciting! I could never write YA...although I haven't really tried all that much. Maybe I should, but the thought of it doesn't even appeal to me. Children's writing is tough!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on finding your voice. Children's book (9-12 at least) has always been a soft spot in my heart.
ReplyDeletePlus, who wants to work on something you dread?
Follow your heart!
It will shine brightly in your work and your words.
Jenn - Hooray indeed :) Thank you.
ReplyDeleteGina - Ha ha, I'm glad y'all got my back! Man, if YA is like an appetizer, I'm thinking children's books would be like an amuse bouche ...
Glamis - It is tough, but I'm feeling much more of a reward from it. So, there's that at least.
Karen - I really love children's books and I still read them. I don't even have kids.
If children's books is what calling out to you, that's definitely what you should write. I used to force myself to write YA paranormal, but since discovering that my love lies with fantasy, that's what I've been doing, and I'm feeling so much better with my writings since then.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I'm a very firm believer in finding your own special voice. The YA work you did isn't wasted because it gave you experience. Toss out the dreaded WIP and move on! Follow your heart! And if you find you wake up one morning and need to sing a new song, do that too. Guild a body of work. And go where the Muse leads. She knows better than anyone!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on following your own path, doing what you're passionate about. Kudos!! Best of luck with your children's books :)
ReplyDeleteI left you a little something on my blog today :)
Sandy - It's interesting how many of us felt forced to write YA. I'm glad you've broken free of the shackles :)
ReplyDeleteMary Anne - I agree, it's definitely given me experience. I'm off to follow the muse!
Nicole - Awww shucks :) I definitely need to do an awards post soon, I'm so very behind.
Finding your niche is awesome. Congrats
ReplyDeleteI think children's books will suit you. There is so much room for creativity and we all have books that we absolutely loved as children! Tyson already has a couple of his own! Good luck Tiana! You'll do great!
ReplyDeleteCleverly - Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteShannon - I think it will suit me better too. I still read them even as an adult, so they definitely hold a place in my heart.