by Christine Liu Perkins
 Q1: Which Newbery Medal and Newbery Honor-winning author wrote four
novels over 13 years that have never been published? Finally, his
fifth novel was acquired.
Q2: Which winner of over 90 writing awards said, "One magazine, Highlights
for Children, sent a form letter with a list of possible
reasons for rejection. 'Does not win in competition with others'
was always checked off on mine. I still can't look at a copy of Highlights without
wincing."
Q3: Which author endured nine years of rejections before her first
children's book was published? That book was awarded a Newbery Honor
and was made into a Hollywood movie.
Q4: Which two-time Caldecott Medalist spent over 11 years creating
the images for one of his picture books?
Beyond fun trivia, the answers to these questions reveal creators
of children's literature showing noteworthy characteristics. These
people persevered despite rejection, discouragement, and years of
waiting.
I believe they did more than persevere. They worked on their creativity--building
the skills, voice, and vision for their works that makes them unique
and powerful. They learned how to harness their individual creative
processes, how to weather ups and downs, how to deepen and expand
draft after draft. Their motivation was tested through time and discouragement.
They developed strengths that have made them successful not just
once, but book after book in their enduring careers.
Like these four path breakers, may we keep growing in perseverance,
creativity, craft, and vision in building our own personal and professional
success.
Christine Liu Perkins is a Co-Regional Advisor of SCBWI’s
Rocky Mountain Chapter.
Answers:
Q1 - Jerry Spinelli
Q2 - Judy Blume
Q3 - Gail Carson Levine
Q4 - David Weisner
|
