HAVE BIOGRAPHIES GROWN UP?

When it comes to writing biographies it seems we have come full circle. Years ago the stories people's lives were enhanced with the authors creativity--in other words, the writer wrote the character to read, for good or bad, like a character in fiction. Then along came the era of "nothing but the facts, ma'am" and writers could not embellish anything no matter how dull the whole book or article was. Now, we are seeing a leaning toward creative nonfiction, even in "true" life stories, and it seems no one is going to be exposed on Oprah as long as the readers buy those books.

"We want biographies that show all sides of a character, humor as well as the ugly, or saintly, side. No more heavy-handed moralistic biographies. These books must be based on solid research but you may tweak the characterization a bit, let us hear the voice even though the author never heard the real person speak, but we should not sanitize the facts."

What double-speak is that? How can a writer write to those guidelines--or were they guidelines? Is this what they call creative nonfiction? And, if this is the definition, are we allowed to use this tool to write the story of someone's life? And if I was writing a biography, how would I handle it?

I've added writing for children to my mix of genre; it's actually not anything new as I have been doing this for years. Maybe I should say that I have come back to it after a long rest. Should I write about my many-times removed cousin, Jessee James, the outlaw from the late 1800's? I don't think young readers today would be interested and certainly not if I couldn't fictionalize the dialogue. Plus, today's youthful readers are much more interested in reading about a sports figure, a rapper, or someone who has overcome great odds--Jim Abbott, a pitcher with one hand, is a good example. I don't think Cousin Jesse has too many redeeming qualities.

Scholastic Books publishes the most biographies for children, mainly because they are used by teacheers who order for their own classes. This thing has been around so long I remember asking my parents for money for Scholastic books in the early 1950's. Who can compete with them? How do we get a book accepted by them?

What sells most? Heroes. But who are heroes today? We've lost Tiger, and Dennis Rodman,with green hair and nose rings, already has his biography for young readers. Astronauts used to be high on the list and scientists--they seem to be passe now. Books about minority women are popular. So shall I write about the woman in our western history who passed herself off as a man in order to live an exciting life as a stagecoach driver? She also became the first woman to legally vote in this country. Would Scholastic, or anyone, purchase such a book? The answer is no. Why? Because today's kids never heard about her. You know, when I had to read Shakespeare, he was long dead and I had never heard of him either.

If we are lucky, we will find a publisher willing to read our biographies--ones of women minorities and people who are not super famous. We might be able to sell them on historical figures no longer living--so they don't have to be revised and have a longer shelf life--or the biography of someone who just lived a fun life. We know they will never become bestsellers but they are in constant demand.

Biographies are a lot of research, aren't that easy to write, and are difficult to sell. But I remember how much I enjoyed reading them as a child and feeling I knew this people from reading about their lives.

I think it's worth writing a biography.

CATCHING UP

Hopefully, I have sufficiently recovered from eye surgery to once more keep this blog up. Of course, that is just one of my excuses for not being as consciencious about writing this blog as I should be. Now, my brother introduced me to Facebook and my kids, grandkids and old classmates have me hooked. Also, I am back to teaching and writing and reviewing so...

My critique pals, Lora and Carol met while I was "laid up" so have kept the group going. Carol's workshop schedule has picked up so it might be Lora and I for the most part, especially since Carol is beginning her own speaking engagements soon. Lora and I write along the same lines so much it won't hamper us. We met last week and spent four hours critiquing, talking writing, and were a great help to each other. I am hoping to continue this no matter what happens.

I'm back into my book: BJ and the Alligator Stomp. It sat for a year or so while I worked on other projects and I felt I needed something for my snail-mail critique group so pulled it out. I have actually written several chapters in a few weeks so that has encouraged me. I need to go back and insert a chapter showing the on-going conflict (even after thirty years) between BJ and Pete, and rewrite their first new encounter. Can you believe I have them meeting again when BJ plows into his shiny black pickup with the U-Haul truck she is driving? Well, what can you expect from an author who has her main character in "Aunt Lutie's Cafe" meet the sheriff while climbing out of a dumpster?

Lora also has encouraged me to submit a children's story to a picture-book publisher. I am in the process of looking up such publishers and then I need to do the dreaded query or cover letter. She can certainly help me with this as this writing is right up her alley. She writes the greatest children's stories! I am sure she will find more than one publisher for her work this year.

I'll have more to say along those lines in this blog as time goes by.

The weather has been improving--though the wind is still high and the fire danger is growing. Our garden is producing and the camera has been kept busy with snapshots of all the beautiful blooms and nature. I need to work on some poetry/photo booklets again.

So many ideas, so little time.