Marion, the author of three colourful picture books hails from Govan and was brought up without books until she was able to visit the local library when she was nine-ten years old. She described the experience, not just the words and pictures but also the smell, touch, colours and shine of the books.
Marion pointed out the usual attitude to writing children’s picture books was how easy it must be. As the evening demonstrated this was far from the truth.
Several pieces of advice were shared:
-keep things short and simple and be aware that children will often interpret more and differently from the words and illustrations than the author intended.
-reading for young children and babies is a critical part of their development, the connection, the benefit, and the enjoyment of being read to.
-currently books seem to require to carry a message and a deeper meaning rather than simply being a story.
Marion’s Picture Books
Marion has written three picture books. Granny Came to Visit was inspired by a granny in Aberdeen who was always knitting hats. Her granddaughter attempts to stop Granny knitting as much but Granny kept forgetting and continued knitting. There is a gentle nod to the issues of dementia. Marion demonstrated her box of finger hats and socks used when reading her book to children.
Marion’s next venture was The Friendship Book. Her inspiration coming from 11 years working in a Primary school office with a constant stream of upset and hurt children seeking help and comfort.
Her final book is self-published and inspired by a photo of her niece’s son Brodie wearing a backpack and so Is this the way to Brodie Castle came about. The young hero makes his way around Scottish castles seeking his family connection but keeps visiting the wrong one while meeting many characters along the way (including the King). An exciting development is that Marion has been approached to have the book translated into Gaelic, a project that is currently underway.
Marion stressed the importance of having a good relationship with your illustrator. In Is this the way to Brodie Castle this is another AWC member, Maggie Bolton.
Marion stressed the importance of knowing your market, what topics are trending (apparently trucks, trains, friendship, bums, poo and underpants at the moment) and knowing what was acceptable to editors and publishers. Promoting your book can be problematic, (getting your publisher to highlight your book in stores, having release dates that don’t clash with a celebrity writer) and miniscule profit margins making print runs a costly affair. Marion suggested that writers should give some thought to self- publishing.
Marion included a writing exercise for members, providing a helpful list of characters and settings for a children’s picture book.
Thank you very much Marion for an entertaining and fact-filled evening with plenty of anecdotes and helpful pointers for would-be writers.
Pat Lerpiniere
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