You might have read Stephen King’s recent comment that Stephanie Meyers “can’t write worth a darn. She’s not very good.”
On the one hand, it’s refreshing to hear him candidly voice what others might be thinking but can’t afford to say. On the other hand, it’s nice when writers support other writers, especially when they write in a similar genre.
Which leads to my main point: you probably wouldn’t hear a children’s book author say this about another children’s book author, at least not in a nationally published interview. It seems to me that children’s book writers are held to a different standard. We’re supposed to be kind, supportive, encouraging, never critical of each other’s work unless it’s in a critique group setting.
I think that a lot of people who write for young people tend naturally toward this attitude. What do you think–is there a different standard, or does this attitude come naturally to children’s book writers? Do you think this sense of community is genuine or fake, empowering or stifling?
Chris Eboch
Greg R. Fishbone
Nick
lindajoysingleton
Parker Peevyhouse
Joni Sensel
I think one reason why children’s authors tend not to do this sort of thing is that they realize that while they may not personally like a book, there are kids out there who do. For example, I review books occasionally on my blog. I have no problem making critical comments on things such as voice, plot holes, or the like, but I try to keep it at a constructive criticism level. There have been books that I’ve read and just hated–but I don’t blog about them, mostly because while I hated them, I can think of several kids that would love them. In the end, I am aware that I don’t love every book out there, but as long as a kid does, that’s one more kid reading something, and that’s a good thing.
I imagine many writers have migrated to children’s lit because they’re nurturers, just as many teachers choose elementary grades for the same reason. In my experience, however, the most interesting ideas come from writers (and teachers) who have opinions and risk expressing them. Sometimes there’s backlash because the opinions in question aren’t very nurturing — more like tough love. I think to say controversial things, an author has to be established or not care if they ever sell another book.
I’m glad when I hear criticism from within the author community. It forces writers to examine their work more closely than when a non-writer critic opines.
I’ll say Stephen King’s comments certainly gave us writers a bit to talk about!
Yes, I think most children’s book authors refrain from this, at least in such a public forum. But when you’re Stephen King, maybe there’s fun in seeing the ripple of this.
OK, where was I? Oh yeah. I don’t criticize though I may email a friend with thoughts on various books because it is nice to talk about different things. And the most important thing as an author that I can do is ask the “Why”. Why is it popular? Why did I not like it? Why did I like it? And to learn from this.
Shannon, I think you have a point, especially since a lot of children’s book writers ARE teachers.
I agree with Shannon on all counts, and I think it’s not coincidental that children’s writers have a greater proportion of women in the field (as would-be authors if not in the published ranks). In my experience, men are a lot less likely to consider expressing their opinions as a “destructive” thing, in part, perhaps, because they’re less likely to take an opinion directed at them personally.
I do think that the mutual support of the kids’ writing community is a good thing, compared to the fairly vicious competitiveness I’ve seen among some groups of adult writers. But I don’t think that “niceness over honesty” is a good policy in every situation.
“Writer X can’t write worth a darn” isn’t valid criticism. Not without some supporting examples that we may or may not agree with. Maybe these pull-quotes are taken out of context but none of them are substantial enough to rise to the level of criticism:
“Writer Y is a terrific writer and Writer X can’t write worth a darn. Writer Z is a terrible writer, too, but very successful. Writer A is a terrific writer who’s been very successful. Writer B can write like hell but sometimes he’s just awful, so it varies. Writer C is a terrible writer but very, very successful.”
King goes on to talk about why he thinks Stephanie Meyers has been so successful, how she connects with young readers, and how she addresses physical themes in a safe way, but not a word about why she’s so “terrible.”
All we know for sure is that writing ability and consistency, as somehow measured by Stephen King, are not reliable indicators of success. That’s hardly news, is it?
Joni, your comment makes me think of the difference people often notice between Verla Kay’s blueboards and the Absolute Write boards.
The former is generally a very friendly place. The latter, which is open to more than just children’s writers, can get pretty nasty. Of course, AW’s boards are really heavily populated, so that may contribute to some of the difference (since those boards can’t be monitored as closely).
You know, I’d also like to point out that King has called himself “the literary equivalent of the Big Mac,” so it’s not as if he’s being very puffed up about the whole thing.
I’d add that just because whatever King might use to support his point wasn’t in the printed interview didn’t mean he didn’t say it or couldn’t if asked. This kind of opining is uncommon enough (and readily countered by her bestselling status) that somebody thought it would be good “news” simply because it’s ire- and controversy-stirring.
I’m pretty much in favor of anything that reminds people that not everyone has the same opinions… especially about things that reach fad/blockbuster status… because that whole phenomenon smacks too much of an unhealthy mob mentality to me.
As someone extremely dismayed by the rather shallow-relationship/powerless girl protagonist trend suddenly appearing in YA fantasy, thanks to Stephanie Meyer, I was pretty happy to hear King say what a lot of aspiring writers desperately needed to hear. Meyer breaks about every writing and storytelling rule out there, and yet is insanely popular. On the one hand, that sort of thing is excellent motivation to get one’s own stuff out there, but on the other, it doesn’t do much to encourage one’s faith in one’s readers.
King has clout, and that alone should be enough to make his opinion matter. His stuff has been read extensively; if Charles Dickens told us something wasn’t that good, I think at least the immediate literary circles would nod thoughtfully. (At the very least!)
Anything put “out there” is open to criticism, professional or otherwise. That one operates in a YA or children’s lit circle does not excuse one from having to hear what they can improve upon. Criticism need not have kid gloves on, either. Real adults should be able to ignore it or admit that it has a point.
I love that Stephen King spoke his mind, and I think criticism is valuable. I’m not sure I love King’s books enough to feel like he is a total expert on these things (although I’ll admit I once bought a book just because he blurbed it–so apparently I do think he’s something of an expert!). But I don’t think he’s saying he has the final word–I think he’s just giving his opinion.