Chekhov on writing for children.
"One should not write for children but know how to select from what has already written for adults, that is from real artistic works."
Chekhov to G. I. Rossolimo, 1900
Chekhov to G. I. Rossolimo, 1900
posted by Clare Dudman at 9:04 am
4 Comments:
I think this is true. Both my girls read a wide range - the eldest, 17, for example, reads challenging books for anyone, but is just as happy with the latest Anthony Howowitz (Alex Rider). And in the quest for books about Tory for the youngest (12) I've recently bought three "supposedly adult" books for her, but she also reads a huge range of levels. It is what captures the interest rather than the pitch, I think. They both read Pride and Prejudice when 11 (as a task in year 7 is to read a pre-20th century novel).
She's not a conservative, as I meant to write Troy.
Well, that is certainly the way children used to read--I remember reading what was up to my mother's standards and then pillaging the family library when I ran out. There's a lot more for children now than in Chekhov's day, but a good bit is meretricious.
Ha, I can imagine, Marly. That's why you know words like 'meretricious' today (which I am going to look up as soon as I've finished typing this).
I think stretching oneself like this is very good. I remember my brother wanting to borrow innocent books from the adults' section of the library and the librarian not letting him! My mother was mad.
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