tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176180375855419631.post5158193141321803581..comments2024-03-01T16:39:23.360-08:00Comments on Banana Peelin': Ups and Downs of Becoming a Children's Writer: From the Archives: Banana Peelin' with Linda BoydenElizabeth Stevens Omlorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11938121002800729273noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176180375855419631.post-91373543082164907712012-11-15T07:03:30.834-08:002012-11-15T07:03:30.834-08:00Aargh! I HATE when that happens, but it happens. T...Aargh! I HATE when that happens, but it happens. Twice already to me. Thanks for telling your story. I hate that it happened and I love that you shared it.genevievehttp://earontheball.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176180375855419631.post-19521992567396509542012-02-02T12:43:22.713-08:002012-02-02T12:43:22.713-08:00Thanks for the post -I've had a similar experi...Thanks for the post -I've had a similar experience (though not as spooky). When I had an idea for a picture book in May 2010 (a fortunately/unfortunately book), I immediately googled it to see if there were any picture books that might be too similar. There weren't. So I went ahead and wrote it. I sent it to my agent who immediately sent it out and I also sent it to my editor (who was shortly going to publish Don't Panic, Annika!). Just as I was getting interest from several publishers, I regoogled it. Michael Foreman had a book coming out that next week (called Fortunately, Unfortunately) that hadn't showed up four months before). So we had to leave it. Then at my launch, a lovely pb author who I'd never met before, but whose books I admired (Alan Durant), gate-crashed my launch as he had been downstairs signing copies of his latest book 'Unfortunately'. His book had come out within a couple of months of Michael Foreman's (and mine is very similar to Alan Durant's) and neither author nor their publishers had had any idea the other was coming out. <br />Always keep googling -even if nothing comes up when you first look...Juliet Clare Bellhttp://www.julietclarebell.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176180375855419631.post-32205955582200476252012-01-27T10:11:06.363-08:002012-01-27T10:11:06.363-08:00Coincidences like this do happen. But we each have...Coincidences like this do happen. But we each have our own individual voices. Ideas are universal but how you tell your story is unique. My Twinkle Twinkle Little Star book(1994) is surely much different than your version, and equally different from Jerry Pinkney's. Don't worry about what's been done. There's always room for another retelling!Iza Trapanihttp://www.izatrapani.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176180375855419631.post-51687426631935224062012-01-20T21:46:18.802-08:002012-01-20T21:46:18.802-08:00I think when the universe throws out an idea, many...I think when the universe throws out an idea, many receptive brains pick it up simultaneously. We each give it our own spin, but still might hear an editor say, "It's too much like XXX that we've already done." It's happened to me more than once. Great post.<br /> Kathy Cannon Wiechman (Swagger Writers)Kathy Cannon Wiechmanhttp://swaggerwriters.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176180375855419631.post-80313151821332586322012-01-20T01:05:43.167-08:002012-01-20T01:05:43.167-08:00Great post. Thankyou Linda and thanks Elizabeth. ...Great post. Thankyou Linda and thanks Elizabeth. It is a worry finding out your idea is similar as someone elses.... don't you think? ....mmmpatientdreamerhttp://thepatientdreamer.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176180375855419631.post-88732515776326569122012-01-19T21:18:38.871-08:002012-01-19T21:18:38.871-08:00Now I know with confirmation that there's noth...Now I know with confirmation that there's nothing "new" to write - and I think that's probably a good thing. The little chimes inside us all that sound on the same creative note are likely the way we recognize that universal truth which we all share. The creative ways in which we chime are all different - and a little the same. <br /><br />Elizabeth, thank you for bringing Linda to your forum! And Linda, thank you for your honesty and your truth. The highest compliment I know - I'll be seeking out your writing!<br /><br />Until next week, then!<br /><br />(Anonymously yours, Melissa K.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176180375855419631.post-29645050640052633612012-01-19T17:05:48.086-08:002012-01-19T17:05:48.086-08:00Linda, thanks SO much for sharing. =) It sounds as...Linda, thanks SO much for sharing. =) It sounds as though many people have had similar experiences. I myself, have not, oh except for this one idea I had about a talking spider and a pig...<br /><br />I love your writing! Each line seems so carefully written and beautiful. Can't wait to meet up with you at a SCBWI event some day!Elizabeth Stevens Omlorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11938121002800729273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176180375855419631.post-77680169705137361002012-01-19T16:59:00.011-08:002012-01-19T16:59:00.011-08:00Scary stuff. Still, as long as we keep writing, ho...Scary stuff. Still, as long as we keep writing, hopefully something original pops out sooner or later!Beth Stilbornhttp://www.bethstilborn.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176180375855419631.post-65715431587112641182012-01-19T16:57:57.783-08:002012-01-19T16:57:57.783-08:00Thanks soooo much Bethany!=)Thanks soooo much Bethany!=)Elizabeth Stevens Omlorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11938121002800729273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176180375855419631.post-63060048411237241362012-01-19T16:57:15.704-08:002012-01-19T16:57:15.704-08:00Yay Joanna! Glad you like them. =)Yay Joanna! Glad you like them. =)Elizabeth Stevens Omlorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11938121002800729273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176180375855419631.post-70044216577675410252012-01-19T16:56:22.240-08:002012-01-19T16:56:22.240-08:00I am so happy to hear you like it Penny and that i...I am so happy to hear you like it Penny and that it is helpful! =)Elizabeth Stevens Omlorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11938121002800729273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176180375855419631.post-67455223505968991272012-01-19T16:55:27.379-08:002012-01-19T16:55:27.379-08:00Thanks Susanna!Thanks Susanna!Elizabeth Stevens Omlorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11938121002800729273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176180375855419631.post-34322280686132432692012-01-19T13:13:19.787-08:002012-01-19T13:13:19.787-08:00Thanks, all, for these very fine comments. And to ...Thanks, all, for these very fine comments. And to Elizabeth for inventing Banana Peeling. It's good to know I am such fine company. I will disagree with Bethany a little though...I read in the genres in which I'd like to work to know my competition...think I have to. Keep on making words sing, everyone!Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09080558210999512803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176180375855419631.post-47277769870722868272012-01-19T10:14:24.337-08:002012-01-19T10:14:24.337-08:00I worry about this too. I have read so many pictu...I worry about this too. I have read so many picture books to my kids and then I as I am rereading my work I think, "It feels like I have read something like this before." Almost like my favorite stories that I have read my children are bubbling up from my subconscious when I write.Eric VanRaepenbuschhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13066260352744488155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176180375855419631.post-70943929781079586602012-01-19T09:35:55.054-08:002012-01-19T09:35:55.054-08:00I, too have been there and done that. Still, I th...I, too have been there and done that. Still, I think that if one has a story that just won't let go, even if it might not be headed for publication, it is valid to write it. No story is completely original, and the way you tell it might be completely different than what was published. Just look at the two Mouse and Lion books that have come out one behind the other from two very well known illustrators. This sort of thing happens all the time.Diane Dawson Hearnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02230481088873517242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176180375855419631.post-62925445342384198362012-01-19T09:28:08.779-08:002012-01-19T09:28:08.779-08:00Man! I feel like this is MY life! That's why, ...Man! I feel like this is MY life! That's why, despite all the advice I receive on a daily basis, I try NOT to read other books in my genre. I worry that my subconscious will steal ideas and convince my writer's brain that they were all my idea. Thank you, Linda! It's good to know it can happen to everyone. (Also, I'm glad we're in the same SCBWI region! Hopefully we can meet soon!)<br /><br />Elizabeth- I couldn't be more proud of you!! This is fantastic!!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16663343706378271998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176180375855419631.post-62634998333644265702012-01-19T09:10:05.095-08:002012-01-19T09:10:05.095-08:00Obviously you have a great mind to have written st...Obviously you have a great mind to have written stories that have become bestsellers (but for someone else.) :) I'm sure you will have a marvelous idea completely all your own soon! I always worry about that, though. What if someone else gets their story done first and it resembles what I'm working on? I don't want my procrastination to cause me to miss out on a great opportunity. Writing seems to be so much about having an idea at the right place and at the right time.Jennifer Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02219388997277330690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176180375855419631.post-6899694476403875392012-01-19T08:54:20.090-08:002012-01-19T08:54:20.090-08:00I sometimes think that not a single word that come...I sometimes think that not a single word that comes from my mouth or keyboard is original or fresh. I re-read stuff that I have written, and it all sounds stale, borrowed, and rehashed. But I keep writing anyway.Sherryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04664642293286996220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176180375855419631.post-36367952471810420832012-01-19T08:17:25.456-08:002012-01-19T08:17:25.456-08:00Iv'e been at this a year and already have wri...Iv'e been at this a year and already have written and unwritten manuscripts I then discover bear a formidable resemblance to some successful picture books.<br /><br />Though Linda, I do find the red-headed Beasley family almost uncanny!<br /><br />Loving the banana peels, Elizabeth!Joannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00633484787634197878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176180375855419631.post-71332383413779008432012-01-19T07:44:12.348-08:002012-01-19T07:44:12.348-08:00Yikes, I'm terrified of this! As a fairly new ...Yikes, I'm terrified of this! As a fairly new arrival on the PB scene, I am not yet as well-read in the genre as many of you. And since writing is often a torture for me, the idea that I might actually finish an MS that I love, and then find it's already done...NOOOOOOOOOO! Thanks for sharing - now I'm off to do more reconnaissance on my current idea...Renee LaTulippehttp://www.nowaterriver.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176180375855419631.post-6670355726654037052012-01-19T07:23:36.713-08:002012-01-19T07:23:36.713-08:00I too am unpublished but have already had similar ...I too am unpublished but have already had similar experiences. Who was it who said there are no new stories only different ways to tell them? Problem is - if someone else has beaten you to it and it's a best-seller, not likely yours is going to sell. <br /><br />Luckily, there are lots more where those came from... ;-)Julie Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04477115458570906449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176180375855419631.post-84364570474819851532012-01-19T06:53:50.898-08:002012-01-19T06:53:50.898-08:00Linda~Great post! I am not published yet, but have...Linda~Great post! I am not published yet, but have found it very funny that I think I have such an original idea that no one but me could EVER think of it....and yet, there it is...published, and on the shelves with illustrations!!!! Go figure! And,of course we have disclaimers all the time in our critique group about similar ideas. I enjoyed your banana peel. <br />Elizabeth~This series is so helpful. The sharing is reassuring and encouraging. It is really nice to have experienced authors/illustrators tell of their "slips".Penny Parker Klostermannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15043861965501388155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176180375855419631.post-74001714117523745352012-01-19T06:30:27.367-08:002012-01-19T06:30:27.367-08:00Ouch - I feel your pain. When it happens, I just ...Ouch - I feel your pain. When it happens, I just take it as a positive sign that my idea, my concept, was indeed worthy of publication. And then move on...or not!Cathy Mealeyhttp://bildebok.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176180375855419631.post-59183922241004023622012-01-19T06:24:24.881-08:002012-01-19T06:24:24.881-08:00Linda, that has totally happened to me too! I wro...Linda, that has totally happened to me too! I wrote Chrysanthemum only to discover Kevin Henkes had beat me to it! Arrgghhh!!! :) For me it sprang from the fact that my Dad used to pretend he couldn't remember our names and he would call us Chrysanthemum as if that was it, but the story I wrote was almost word-for-word what Henkes wrote. Cosmic Goo indeed :) Thanks for sharing your wonderful story Linda, and thank you, Elizabeth for this great series - I love it!Susanna Leonard Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17655630528649780363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176180375855419631.post-25258535663487462462012-01-19T05:19:11.555-08:002012-01-19T05:19:11.555-08:00Linda, that's happened to me, too! Before I ha...Linda, that's happened to me, too! Before I had read The Giver, I had a manuscript that was about a girl with fairy blood who lived under a curse. In order to explain it to her, the fairies shared the past with her by bringing her there through some kind of mind meld thing. I barely remember it, it was so long ago, but though the general story was completely different (as was the vibe) when I read The Giver, I was slammed by the similarities.<br /><br />Happened also with my MG novel (the above mentioned which, after 9 years, became The Curse of Addy McMahon and got published by HarperCollins). Wimpy Kid hadn't come out yet. My book was full of drawings by the MC...oh well. <br /><br />Happens to everyone!Katie Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03992218864366440472noreply@blogger.com