Quote of the Week...from Madeleine L'Engle

You have to write the book that wants to be written.  And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children.                                       ---Madeleine L'Engle

I got the above quote by Madeleine L'Engle, who wrote A Wrinkle in Time and other children's books, through an online search for quotes about writing.  There are two components to her quote, one of which is that the sensitive writer will discern needs on the part of the readership that point to a new direction, thereby seeming like a book that wants to be written.  The other component pushes forth the notion that writing about difficult subjects does not automatically translate into writing that is difficult to read.  On the contrary...as L'Engle implies, the writer should put forth his or her agenda in a simple and plain manner and if at all possible let it be expressed through the characters and narrative.  And that sometimes books written for children contain the most potent and significant wisdom: I've certainly discovered this for myself, which is why you'll often find me reviewing books of that genre.  So write the book that needs to be written and please go easy on the reader, who has already signaled a personal commitment of their own time (and often expense) by simply picking up your book and opening it...