Julie, that Steve Keen article is so interesting! Thank you for sharing--I had never heard of he or his art before.
AND I love your take on epistolary picture books (related: Yours in Books is so, so good). I have, so far, ever written only one epistolary PB manuscript, and after I finally shared it for a critique, the editor correctly identified it as early MG, which was super embarrassing, hilarious and 1000 percent accurate upon reflection. (The emotional core was wrong for PB, really.) She did at least want to see the the early MG if/when I ever finish it (working on it now!)--but clearly I can use all the epistolary PB tips I can get because that one was very much a bust!
I love how directly character voice develops in epistolary writing--like it's two one-sided conversations, course-correcting and adapting at intersections, instead of throughout (like dialogue). I feel like that gives the characters more opportunity to reflect on what's being said in a natural way--I mean, outside of maybe Oprah or Terry Gross, who has the ability to truly reflect WHILE simultaneously holding up their side of a spoken conversation?
I was at a David Sedaris reading with my teen last night and he had a piece about folk art and how he thought maybe Yelp reviews are kind of folk writing because you can really "know" a person after reading one. Anyhow, your postcard examples brought that to mind for me--folk writing. Maybe folk writing is when an "untrained" writer flexes their voice through written words--even if just on a postcard? There can be something powerful about almost primal writing--pregnant words, arranged in unexpected, immediate ways. It's something I will be mulling over!
Have a lovely week! If I don't meet enough of my goals to treat myself to reading things as they post, have an amazing Thanksgiving, Julie!
Wait, you just said like one thousand things about epistolary books that cracked my brain open. Hang on. Ok.
Yes, ok, the thing about giving each side time to reflect is so true. And, I mean, obvious, yes, but in terms of a story, I do think about the layers of someone communicating -- communicating who they are and how they are, and taking that reflection time, yes, but also maybe wanting to come across in a certain way. BUT this has me thinking, like: you don't really ever see someone fighting via postcard, you know? And I love when you read an old, old letter (not one you got, but some historical document) and you can tell the letter writer is PISSED, and how they're conveying that, especially if it is after reflection. They were steaming mad, reflected, and are now communicating their anger in this almost formal way.
Lucky you, to go see David Sedaris! I love that about Yelp reviews. And yeah, I suppose those are a modern sort of soul-baring. Postcards can be folk writing and soul baring too, but they're not quite as public as something like a Yelp review, and I do think that changes the motivation behind it.
Yes! That's so true...wanting to come across a certain way! Trying to anticipate where one might be misunderstood and trying to head that off! All such meaty "stuff." <--clearly, I'm a wordsmith
And what you choose to bring up as a subject (and the reverse) when writing to someone being somewhat revealing, too. Like how a certain parent of mine always, always asks about my husband's work, and never mine? 😒
Yes, too, on the pissed off tone being SO poignant in written form--esp. when it's stiff/formal! And, related, so often carefully (and pettily worded) to make it clear what they do and don't apologize for. "I'm sorry you felt..." vs. "I'm sorry I..." LOL!
And yes! "For public" motivations, vs. "meant for private correspondence" postcards...interesting note! Which makes me think of "anonymous" notes, vs. those directly tied to the author. And all those weird layers in between--like writing on the school bathroom stall. Whew!
A postcard fight sounds like a Julie book I'd love to read! For some reason, it's giving me "Hamilton fight-writing with Aaron Burr" vibes. :)
I'm certainly going to be thinking about all of this even more! LOL!
You know what would be a fun book? One told via bathroom stall graffiti. Probably not a picture book, that one.
TRUE STORY: I met one of my high school boyfriends because we sat at the same seat in English class (different periods) and started writing back and forth on the desk.
I will also hint that I have another epistolary book in the pipeline. This one is all memos.
Feeling these words of wisdom this morning, Julie! I've just had a weekend of reminding myself that my writing cannot be rushed, and solitude with my thoughts is essential to producing the words that are right.
Thanks for the book recommendations, and for sharing YOUR books! I'm adding them to my wishlist for Storytime at Planters--free events for our community kids where they hear new stories and get to choose one brand new book to take home. Also ordering a couple to put in our Little Free Library. I love discovering new childrens books!
Solitude with my thoughts is something I need so much and which is harder to get than it should be.
Thank you, Holly, for ordering or even considering ordering my books! Another Substack I follow, Moonbow, posted a list of picture book recommendations yesterday that's great (if you're looking for more recommendations): https://moonbowbooks.substack.com/p/the-best-childrens-books-of-2022
I always enjoy your posts and heartfelt observations on writing and am equally captivated with George Saunders, so particularly enjoyed the quote you shared today. Thank you!
Thanks, Deb! I keep trying to quote from people who are not George Saunders, so this doesn't become a newsletter devoted to quoting him, but he keeps being quotable, so I do what I have to do.
Julie, that Steve Keen article is so interesting! Thank you for sharing--I had never heard of he or his art before.
AND I love your take on epistolary picture books (related: Yours in Books is so, so good). I have, so far, ever written only one epistolary PB manuscript, and after I finally shared it for a critique, the editor correctly identified it as early MG, which was super embarrassing, hilarious and 1000 percent accurate upon reflection. (The emotional core was wrong for PB, really.) She did at least want to see the the early MG if/when I ever finish it (working on it now!)--but clearly I can use all the epistolary PB tips I can get because that one was very much a bust!
I love how directly character voice develops in epistolary writing--like it's two one-sided conversations, course-correcting and adapting at intersections, instead of throughout (like dialogue). I feel like that gives the characters more opportunity to reflect on what's being said in a natural way--I mean, outside of maybe Oprah or Terry Gross, who has the ability to truly reflect WHILE simultaneously holding up their side of a spoken conversation?
I was at a David Sedaris reading with my teen last night and he had a piece about folk art and how he thought maybe Yelp reviews are kind of folk writing because you can really "know" a person after reading one. Anyhow, your postcard examples brought that to mind for me--folk writing. Maybe folk writing is when an "untrained" writer flexes their voice through written words--even if just on a postcard? There can be something powerful about almost primal writing--pregnant words, arranged in unexpected, immediate ways. It's something I will be mulling over!
Have a lovely week! If I don't meet enough of my goals to treat myself to reading things as they post, have an amazing Thanksgiving, Julie!
Wait, you just said like one thousand things about epistolary books that cracked my brain open. Hang on. Ok.
Yes, ok, the thing about giving each side time to reflect is so true. And, I mean, obvious, yes, but in terms of a story, I do think about the layers of someone communicating -- communicating who they are and how they are, and taking that reflection time, yes, but also maybe wanting to come across in a certain way. BUT this has me thinking, like: you don't really ever see someone fighting via postcard, you know? And I love when you read an old, old letter (not one you got, but some historical document) and you can tell the letter writer is PISSED, and how they're conveying that, especially if it is after reflection. They were steaming mad, reflected, and are now communicating their anger in this almost formal way.
Lucky you, to go see David Sedaris! I love that about Yelp reviews. And yeah, I suppose those are a modern sort of soul-baring. Postcards can be folk writing and soul baring too, but they're not quite as public as something like a Yelp review, and I do think that changes the motivation behind it.
I'm still thinking about all this too, though!
Yes! That's so true...wanting to come across a certain way! Trying to anticipate where one might be misunderstood and trying to head that off! All such meaty "stuff." <--clearly, I'm a wordsmith
And what you choose to bring up as a subject (and the reverse) when writing to someone being somewhat revealing, too. Like how a certain parent of mine always, always asks about my husband's work, and never mine? 😒
Yes, too, on the pissed off tone being SO poignant in written form--esp. when it's stiff/formal! And, related, so often carefully (and pettily worded) to make it clear what they do and don't apologize for. "I'm sorry you felt..." vs. "I'm sorry I..." LOL!
And yes! "For public" motivations, vs. "meant for private correspondence" postcards...interesting note! Which makes me think of "anonymous" notes, vs. those directly tied to the author. And all those weird layers in between--like writing on the school bathroom stall. Whew!
A postcard fight sounds like a Julie book I'd love to read! For some reason, it's giving me "Hamilton fight-writing with Aaron Burr" vibes. :)
I'm certainly going to be thinking about all of this even more! LOL!
You know what would be a fun book? One told via bathroom stall graffiti. Probably not a picture book, that one.
TRUE STORY: I met one of my high school boyfriends because we sat at the same seat in English class (different periods) and started writing back and forth on the desk.
I will also hint that I have another epistolary book in the pipeline. This one is all memos.
Aww, love the meet-cute via desk! I mean, that title even works. "The English Desk." I'd watch that on Netflix... :)
In fact, I love <spreads fingers and waves hands around> everything I'm reading here. :)
It would have to be The Geometry Desk, I think, otherwise I'm picturing one of the dancing furnitures from Beauty and the Beast.
You're right--it also sounds too similar to the The English Patient, which would also create very different vibes.
Feeling these words of wisdom this morning, Julie! I've just had a weekend of reminding myself that my writing cannot be rushed, and solitude with my thoughts is essential to producing the words that are right.
Thanks for the book recommendations, and for sharing YOUR books! I'm adding them to my wishlist for Storytime at Planters--free events for our community kids where they hear new stories and get to choose one brand new book to take home. Also ordering a couple to put in our Little Free Library. I love discovering new childrens books!
Solitude with my thoughts is something I need so much and which is harder to get than it should be.
Thank you, Holly, for ordering or even considering ordering my books! Another Substack I follow, Moonbow, posted a list of picture book recommendations yesterday that's great (if you're looking for more recommendations): https://moonbowbooks.substack.com/p/the-best-childrens-books-of-2022
Thanks! I get some great ideas from Sarah over at Can We Read? but I can never have too many children's books recs!
https://canweread.substack.com/
I always enjoy your posts and heartfelt observations on writing and am equally captivated with George Saunders, so particularly enjoyed the quote you shared today. Thank you!
Thanks, Deb! I keep trying to quote from people who are not George Saunders, so this doesn't become a newsletter devoted to quoting him, but he keeps being quotable, so I do what I have to do.