The most important part of a book is the words, right? Well that’s not precisely true when it comes to children’s picture books. The words and pictures are at least equal to each other in importance.
Surprise! will be published after it’s gone through eleven drafts. I thought it was ‘done’ at five, but I was wrong.
The problem with showing your work to other people is obviously the risk you run at getting negative feedback. Actually, I don’t even think it’s the risk of negative feedback: work can be bettered, expanded and deepened by critiques. The risk one runs is:
a) getting hurt by ‘attacks’ or rejection
or (arguably more frustrating)
b) getting differing opinions of the same piece.
I’ve shown Surprise! to three different editors now. One was a friend who was positive in the way friends are supposed to be positive, but as an editor she was honest and said this was not her area of specialty. Another, and I quote from a report in front of me said: “This is well thought out and well structured, and the expression is polished. Congratulations on the standard.” Then recently I got another detailed critique and this one had suggestions. Strong suggestions.
So I took it was read it and got my back up slightly and went and kicked a door and ate some chocolate and bitched to my husband…but after I settled down and went back I realised that in about 90% of the case – the editor was absolutely right.
The old adage is that writing is all in the re-writing. Which is true and goes right against the philosophy I had in high-school that “near enough is good enough” (actually, I still use that when it comes to housework). But when it comes to a story, and by extending a story to be included as “Art” (if that’s what you want) it really pays to listen to comments and ideas.
Take my husband: he had two or three bang-up concepts for the book and they’re all being included. So I guess I’d better include him in the book dedication, huh? *wink*
