children's author and educator
Barbara Jean Hicks,
Guest Columnist
LESSON ONE: BE CURIOUS
(Or: What's So Wrong About Eavesdropping?)
Cats are endlessly curious, sniffing about, exploring every nook and cranny that presents itself. My cat Miguel loved to reconnoiter the basement of our old house in Seattle and forever had cobwebs in his whiskers. Patches, lacking a basement in our Southern California condo, discovered the kitchen and bathroom cupboards, which she opened with her dainty little paws before disappearing inside. (The liquour cabinet seemed to be her favorite.)
We read like writers. First of all, we read what we want to write, as many examples as we can find. Secondly, we read beneath the surface—not only for the who, what, where, and when, but for the why and how. Why did the writer choose this word, this example, this technique? How did the writer achieve this effect?
We observe. We listen. Sometimes we even eavesdrop. My years supporting my writing habit as a waitress gave me plenty of opportunities for primary research. I’m convinced that to most people, waitresses are invisible. How else to explain all those private conversations I was privy to?
Writers ask questions, the most important being, “What if?” It’s a question with a universe of possibilities instead of a single answer.
What if a monster found a boy hiding under his bed? What if he’s been taught to fear boys? What if he figures out boys aren’t so scary after all? These were the questions that led to my first children’s book, Jitterbug Jam.What if my cat could talk? What if he has opinions about his life with me? What if his eerie self possession hides a rich inner life and a really great imagination? These questions were the genesis of another picture book, The Secret Life of Walter Kitty.
Be curious, my cats have taught me. And so I read, ask questions, look for answers. Sometimes I even eavesdrop.
Crawling into the liquor cabinet? Optional!
Tune in next week for Lesson Two: Make Daring Leaps (Or, Are You A Planner or a Seat-of-the-Pantser?)
THIS IS THE SECOND IN A SERIES. FOR THE INTRODUCTORY COLUMN ON "EVERYTHING I KNOW ABOUT WRITING I LEARNED FROM MY CATS," CLICK HERE.
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