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From: Kristin Butcher <kristin>
Date: Sat, 25 Jul 2009 10:13:39 -0700
Perry, you said ...
But I also worry that, in assuming readers will take only what they need from books, writers, editors, publishers, librarians and the rest of us are downplaying the power of texts to reveal and persuade, and therefore not thinking seriously enough about it, or about our own power over what and how young readers read and the burden that responsibility imposes. It's nice for a writer, for instance, to think that he or she can write anything he wants because readers will only take what they need from it. It's easy--too easy, i think. An awareness of how your words might actually effect people in ways they weren't aware they needed and maybe didn't even really want would, I hope, lead to a keener perception of one's real power and an exercising of it with greater responsibility.
Not only do I think this manner of thought is very nearly impossible to achieve, I don't believe we should aspire to even attempt it. To me it smacks of mind control. We writers are just people. We should not be held responsible for deciding what to expose readers to. It feels like book banning before the books are even written.
I'm willing to concede that the 'hidden adult' is in the books we write regardless of whether or not we are aware of it. Those who try to manipulate or direct a young reader's ideas are likely going to be more obvious about it in their writing. Hence the 'hidden' bit won't actually be all that hidden. For those of us who are simply trying to write stories to entertain and include some of our adult perspectives inadvertently, I say, "So what?" Does it really matter? I don't think so. To get to be an adult you first have to be a child. I made it. So did the other people taking part in this idea exchange. And I don't feel particularly scarred or manipulated by the books I read as a kid
-- and I read a lot of them! Even after following this dialogue for many days, I'm not convinced we need to approach our writing for children differently than we presently do; nor would I advocate teaching children to read with one eye constantly on the lookout for hidden messages. For one thing, that will make the activity much less enjoyable.
All just my opinion, of course.
Kristin
Kristin Butcher www.kristinbutcher.com
Received on Sat 25 Jul 2009 12:13:39 PM CDT
Date: Sat, 25 Jul 2009 10:13:39 -0700
Perry, you said ...
But I also worry that, in assuming readers will take only what they need from books, writers, editors, publishers, librarians and the rest of us are downplaying the power of texts to reveal and persuade, and therefore not thinking seriously enough about it, or about our own power over what and how young readers read and the burden that responsibility imposes. It's nice for a writer, for instance, to think that he or she can write anything he wants because readers will only take what they need from it. It's easy--too easy, i think. An awareness of how your words might actually effect people in ways they weren't aware they needed and maybe didn't even really want would, I hope, lead to a keener perception of one's real power and an exercising of it with greater responsibility.
Not only do I think this manner of thought is very nearly impossible to achieve, I don't believe we should aspire to even attempt it. To me it smacks of mind control. We writers are just people. We should not be held responsible for deciding what to expose readers to. It feels like book banning before the books are even written.
I'm willing to concede that the 'hidden adult' is in the books we write regardless of whether or not we are aware of it. Those who try to manipulate or direct a young reader's ideas are likely going to be more obvious about it in their writing. Hence the 'hidden' bit won't actually be all that hidden. For those of us who are simply trying to write stories to entertain and include some of our adult perspectives inadvertently, I say, "So what?" Does it really matter? I don't think so. To get to be an adult you first have to be a child. I made it. So did the other people taking part in this idea exchange. And I don't feel particularly scarred or manipulated by the books I read as a kid
-- and I read a lot of them! Even after following this dialogue for many days, I'm not convinced we need to approach our writing for children differently than we presently do; nor would I advocate teaching children to read with one eye constantly on the lookout for hidden messages. For one thing, that will make the activity much less enjoyable.
All just my opinion, of course.
Kristin
Kristin Butcher www.kristinbutcher.com
Received on Sat 25 Jul 2009 12:13:39 PM CDT
