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In October 2012, my agent forwarded me this wonderful, shiny, hand-made, sticker-covered guitar. It was part of the offer she had just received from Scholastic to publish my book, Wild Thing.
I was thrilled. I had first dreamt up Wild Thing in the Spring of 2010, and I had poured a lot of energy, enthusiasm and sheer hard work into that book. I was delighted it had found a home.
I was also immensely touched that the editorial department had come up with such a lovely way of offering for the book. I reckoned they must really like it (either that or it had been a really slow day in the editorial department).
In fact they did like it, because not only had they offered for Wild Thing, but for two sequels too. I had been commissioned to write a series! At that moment, one of my writing ambitions came true. I’ve wanted to write a series for a while. I think that’s what children like reading (I certainly did) and besides, having invented Wild Thing, older sister Kate and their crazy world, I didn’t want to leave them behind.
The first book: out now
It was intimidating though. Suddenly I didn’t just have one deadline, I had a raft of them. The next eighteen months were all mapped out with writing, delivering and editing Books One, Two and Three.
As I near the end of that process (Wild Thing was published last month, the third Wild Thing book is now in its final stages) I can say it’s been breathless, but great fun. If I was nervous about sustaining the characters through three adventures, I needn’t have been. The second book almost wrote itself.
Perhaps this was not surprising – by now I understood the characters so well. (I also had the helpful guidance of my editors. They pointed up the importance of reintroducing the characters at the start of each book for readers new to the series.)
So what is it that allows a book to become a series? Wild Thing is pitched for 8+, and is the story of two sisters and their somewhat chaotic lives and adventures. I suppose in publishing terms it fits in with many of the other character-led series for this age group. That also means it's got some very impressive competition!
What most of these series have in common is a real-life setting and fairly everyday adventures: which means that the characters have to be strong enough and distinctive enough to sustain the series.
In my case, the main characters are two sisters. Kate, the elder is fairly sensible. She is driven to distraction by the exploits of her little sister Josephine (aka Wild Thing) who is only five and not sensible at all.
"Why can't we send Wild Thing to prison, though?" I said to Dad.
Dad laughed. "I thought you wanted to sell her."
I found I understood those sisters pretty well. Perhaps that’s not surprising. I’m an elder sister myself.
Kate and Wild Thing
Sibling relationships are one of the universal themes of childhood, but other aspects of Wild Thing are more unusual. An older child writing about a much younger child is unusual but also risky – because the common wisdom is that children prefer reading about characters older than themselves.
Maybe so. But one of the things I’ve enjoyed about the series is that a younger child (Wild Thing is five) can get away with more than an older child can. It’s great fun writing about someone who can say and do what she likes. I hope that the readers will share that same vicarious pleasure.
Also, not many children are being brought up by a single parent rock guitarist dad. But again, that works for the series. A musician can be around in his children’s lives, but also absent (and absent-minded) and all kinds of chaos can ensue.
The real test though is what happens when the books reach the readers’ hands. Does it speak to them? That’s something that will take a while to discover.
What do you think makes for a successful series? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Emma's new book, Wild Thing, about the naughtiest little sister ever, is out now from Scholastic. It is the first of a series for readers 8+.
Wolfie is published by Strident. Sometimes a Girl’s Best Friend is…a Wolf. "A real cracker of a book" Armadillo "Funny, clever and satisfying...thoroughly recommended" Books for Keeps - Book of the Week "This delightful story is an ideal mix of love and loyalty, stirred together with a little magic and fantasy" Carousel
Finally, finally, finally! This has been sitting on my desk for weeks, and I just got it uploaded. After Linda's invitation to join WaWe (back in October - oy!) I'm "finally" jumping in!
I had in my mind the thought of the wonderful imagination of a child, and how fun it would be if those wild things were fun furry things that came in at night to play hide-and-seek with!
Background got a bit messy, unfortunately. And apparently I still am unsure of how to upload my image properly (so that when you click on it, it opens up enlarged)... assistance please? Thanks!!!
I liked the faeries and gnomes of Brian Fround and Allan Lee and wanted to create my own.
I was having my own gnome problems with anything mechanical while making this. I thought my scanner was broken but I think it was my thingy that I plug the ubs cable devices into. Then my answering machine wasn't on and it was giving me the time and not recording my outgoing message. I bought a new scanner which I may not of needed and had to install it. It have me problems because I was still using a plug that didn't work. When I was reinstalling the photoshop that I like using wouldn't open again because of those plug thingy that were not working. So it is now 2:30 am as I write this had I known I could of had this done by early evening. This gnome is a mischievous fellow who seems to be living up to his name. The wild thing boy in the tree and this fellow will get into all sorts of adventures.
I know where I’m going to be on October 16. You’ll find me in a darkened theater with a buttery bag of popcorn and a coke…. but don’t talk to me until after the credits!
Reminds me of an old-timey cartoon. I can see that crazy ape man boppin' and jitterin' his way down that road. Is the that an accurate observation on your intentions?
no, i just made the connection between the challenge and some things that i'm living, and that image came into my mind... but thanks for the observation...
Where are the wild things? My backyard that's where... wild dandelions, that is. I've had a BIG dandelion problem this spring, and nothing seems to tame these beasts. I've tried weed killers, lopping off their heads, and pulling them out by the roots, but they just keep coming back. It's a jungle back there... just ask rover.
Illustrate your interpretation of Wild Thing. Get inspired by Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are or come up with your own wild thing.
The "Yecchh" challenge is over. The new challenge is "Wild Thing" and ends on May 18, 2009. The "Spider" challenge continues for another week and ends on May 11, 2009.
Sorry about missing a week, gang. I was ill.
0 Comments on New Challenge - Wild Thing! as of 1/1/1900
Book cover via AmazonThe setting of a picture book is important because it determines much of the illustrations.
Picturebook Settings
When writing for kids, you walk a fine line between what is familiar v. exotic. Kids like the familiarity of neighborhoods, homes and schools. Yet, they also need to have their world expanded and literature is a great way to do that. Try to stretch the setting, yet keep something familiar.
The Wild Thing, by Maurice Sendak, starts at home, sends the character out for a fantastic visit, then bring him back to the comfort of home again.
Think of the classic picture book, King Bidgood’s in the Bathtub, by Audrey Wood, which uses the familiar ritual of a nightly bath, but turns it into something exotic.
Or, turn something exotic into something familiar, as in Thy Friend, Obadiah, by Brinton Turkle, which treats a Quaker family and a historical family as just a normal family.
NOTE: An exotic setting can’t save a “weak” story; but it might give it an extra edge of uniqueness that helps it work better.
Could Diary of a Wombat have been about a squirrel?
Book cover via AmazonThe setting of a picture book is important because it determines much of the illustrations.
Picturebook Settings
When writing for kids, you walk a fine line between what is familiar v. exotic. Kids like the familiarity of neighborhoods, homes and schools. Yet, they also need to have their world expanded and literature is a great way to do that. Try to stretch the setting, yet keep something familiar.
The Wild Thing, by Maurice Sendak, starts at home, sends the character out for a fantastic visit, then bring him back to the comfort of home again.
Think of the classic picture book, King Bidgood’s in the Bathtub, by Audrey Wood, which uses the familiar ritual of a nightly bath, but turns it into something exotic.
Or, turn something exotic into something familiar, as in Thy Friend, Obadiah, by Brinton Turkle, which treats a Quaker family and a historical family as just a normal family.
NOTE: An exotic setting can’t save a “weak” story; but it might give it an extra edge of uniqueness that helps it work better.
Could Diary of a Wombat have been about a squirrel?
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Emma's new book, Wild Thing, about the naughtiest little sister ever, is out now from Scholastic. It is the first of a series for readers 8+.
Poor little wild thing! So cute Wendy!
Great image...the wild thing looks scared...needs a hug I think!
don't worry, i'll play with you...
Will someone please invite him to play? He deserves a friend!
Poor guy! I think he definitely could use some chocolate ... it always works for me! Fun illo!
Awww, poor little wild thing! Cute :)