Caroline Starr Rose

picture book and middle-grade author

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Releasing a Book Into the World

24 Comments

I come back to this quote often. It feels extra appropriate with Blue Birds launching tomorrow.

2014-01-13 16.59.44
Once a book is published, it no longer belongs to me. My creative task is done. The work now belongs to the creative mind of my readers. I had my turn to make of it what I could; now it is their turn. I have no more right to tell readers how they should respond to what I have written than they had to tell me how to write it. It’s a wonderful feeling when readers hear what I thought I was trying to say, but there is no law that they must. Frankly, it is even more thrilling for a reader to find something in my writing that I hadn’t until that moment known was there. But this happens because of who the reader is, not simply because of who I am or what I have done.

-Katherine Paterson, A Sense of Wonder: On Reading and Writing Books for Children

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Filed Under: authors, the writing life

Comments

  1. Natalie Aguirre says

    January 27, 2012 at 12:35 pm

    That’s so true. But of course after the creative part is done, there’s the marketing jobs. You did a good job getting the word out.

    Reply
  2. Faith E. Hough says

    January 27, 2012 at 3:02 pm

    I enjoyed Katherine Paterson’s book very much…have to admit, I can’t wait to experience that feeling!

    Reply
  3. Augusta Scattergood says

    January 27, 2012 at 3:12 pm

    I, too, love that book but pondering what she would say in the age of Goodreads/ Amazon customer reviews, etc.

    At our recent SCBWI Miami conference, a Goodreads “dust-up” was referred to. I was clueless but gather it harks back to Those things readers find in your book that you didn’t put there. And don’t agree with! But perhaps shouldn’t disagree with so publicly…
    😉

    Reply
  4. Caroline Starr Rose says

    January 27, 2012 at 3:21 pm

    Natalie, thank you.

    Faith, you’ll get there! I know it.

    Augusta, it’s messy out there with instant access to information and the ability to broadcast your opinions. Best to stay far, far away.

    Reply
  5. Joanne Fritz says

    January 27, 2012 at 5:02 pm

    Great quote, Caroline! And it must really hit home with you now.

    You’ve done a fine job of marketing your book. And it’s not necessary to join every form of social media in order to have a web presence. You’re not on Twitter, right?

    Reply
  6. Caroline Starr Rose says

    January 27, 2012 at 5:05 pm

    Joanne, thank you, as always. I’m not on Twitter (and have no desire to learn one more thing/loose more work time).

    Reply
  7. Valerie Geary says

    January 27, 2012 at 11:11 pm

    Love this.

    Reply
  8. Indigo says

    January 28, 2012 at 2:49 am

    What a beautiful outlook on the writing process. (Hugs)Indigo

    Reply
  9. Sherrie Petersen says

    January 28, 2012 at 3:54 pm

    Great quote — I love that last line.

    Reply
  10. Marcia says

    January 28, 2012 at 8:49 pm

    Wonderful quote.

    Reply
  11. Hardygirl says

    January 28, 2012 at 9:49 pm

    Beautiful quote!

    sf

    Reply
  12. Carolee Dean says

    January 30, 2012 at 2:53 am

    Well said. I half way through MAY B. and loving it!

    Reply
  13. Amy L. Sonnichsen says

    February 3, 2012 at 5:15 am

    What an amazing quote. Love Katherine Paterson.

    Reply
  14. Amy Rogers Hays says

    March 9, 2015 at 7:12 am

    Congratulations and blessings on the eve of your 2nd book release!! Hooray for BLUE BIRDS!

    Reply
    • Caroline says

      March 9, 2015 at 6:53 pm

      Thank you, Amy! I’m feeling very grateful tonight.

      Reply
  15. Paul Greci says

    March 9, 2015 at 8:23 am

    Thanks for these words, Caroline!!! Can’t wait to see Blue Birds flying the skies!!

    Reply
    • Caroline says

      March 9, 2015 at 6:53 pm

      Thank you, Paul. You’re up next!

      Reply
  16. Lee VB says

    March 9, 2015 at 9:29 am

    It is so admirable and inspirational that you never become defensive about your writing. It must be so difficult yet so liberating. I hope one day to follow your example. Lee

    Reply
    • Caroline says

      March 9, 2015 at 6:54 pm

      Lee, you are a doll. Thank you so much. I’m far from perfect, but I try to focus on what matters. See you tomorrow night?

      Reply
  17. Joanne Fritz says

    March 9, 2015 at 12:57 pm

    Congratulations! Looking forward to reading BLUE BIRDS. And still love the quote!

    Reply
    • Caroline says

      March 9, 2015 at 6:55 pm

      Thank you, Joanne. Isn’t Katherine Paterson so inspiring?

      Reply
  18. Rebecca says

    March 10, 2015 at 10:55 am

    Love that quote! And, happy book birthday to you and Blue Birds!

    Reply
    • Caroline says

      March 10, 2015 at 2:44 pm

      Thank you so much, Rebecca!

      Reply

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