I had written children's books for 14 years before I published 'Wicked.' And none of them were poorly reviewed, and none of them sold enough for me to be able to buy a bed.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
I never thought I was writing for kids at all. It really shocked and unsettled me to hear kids were buying the books. If I'd known I was writing for kids, I might actually have spelt things out a bit more, and that would probably have killed the appeal.
If kids like a picture book, they're going to read it at least 50 times, and their parents are going to have to read it with them. Read anything that often, and even minor imperfections start to feel like gravel in the bed.
My first two books are out of print and, okay, they can sleep there comfortably. It's early work, derivative work.
If kids like a picture book, they're going to read it at least 50 times. Read anything that often, and even minor imperfections start to feel like gravel in the bed.
I have written, probably, more books for children than any other writer, from story-books to plays, and can claim to know more about interesting children than most.
I was 8 years old when I went across the street from my house to a fair, and they always had a used book sale. For a quarter I bought a book called 'Come On Seabiscuit.' I loved that book. It stayed with me all those years.
My first four books were not published because nobody wanted them. They were adult books, not kids' books.
I didn't start working on children's books until I got a job at a book warehouse on the children's floor. When I started reading some of the books, I was so impressed.
I've written 16 children's books and five unpublished novels. Some of the latter were breathtakingly bad.
Children will not pretend to be enjoying books, and they will not read books because they have been told that these books are good. They are looking for delight.