All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.
-Martin Luther King Jr.
In 2010, I was visiting my sister in Atlanta during Mardi Gras week (our little Louisiana school got the whole week off — think two spring breaks a year!). MAY B. had been on submission for several months but so far hadn’t gotten any bites. Over sushi, Chris asked me what it was about writing that was so important to me. What it was I was trying to do with my words and with this little book in particular.
I told her I wrote because I wanted to honor childhood and extend dignity to children through the work I created.
A few months later, when MAY sold to Random House, Chris told me she’d been thinking about what I’d said. That she knew when I’d told her why I wrote that I’d sell this book, that my words were the kind of thing an author could use to build a career.
I’ve held onto that conversation since then, taken it out to examine when the writing’s been hard and rejection’s been constant (because selling a book or four doesn’t guarantee smooth sailing). It has helped me while drafting, while working through revisions, while giving a book away to the world.
It’s given me purpose when things haven’t come together as I’d hoped. When things have disappointed or surprised me in unexpected ways.
My Bible study group is currently reading Tim Keller’s EVERY GOOD ENDEAVOR, a book about what it means to work and how we might honor God through the work* that we do. I loved the story I read there about a man who runs a fruit preserves business and aims to “mak[e] beautiful things of enduring value.”
Just how long does a jar of preserves last? Not as long as a book is displayed on shelves. Even shorter than a title might stay in print. Yet what this man makes is beautiful and is of enduring value because of the way he approaches his work.
Since reading his story, I’ve added to what I want my own work to do. Why do I write? Because I want to honor childhood, extend dignity to children, and make beautiful things of enduring value.
What about you? I would love to hear how you define the purpose of your work.
* Work doesn’t only mean a job or career but any long-term task before us.
Elana Johnson says
September 2, 2013 at 4:11 amThis is a beautiful post. I’m glad you write!
Caroline Starr Rose says
September 2, 2013 at 2:10 pmLikeswise! It’s been fun to chat with you these last few days.
Michele Hathaway Tuton says
September 2, 2013 at 4:12 pmThis comment has been removed by the author.
Michele Hathaway Tuton says
September 2, 2013 at 4:17 pmI agree with Elana. And thank you for asking us to join you in seeking purpose in our writing. I think what I have written so far tells me that I want children, young and old, to know who they are, what their place is in the world, and that no one but they themselves can fill that place.
Caroline Starr Rose says
September 2, 2013 at 4:54 pmI love this, Michele. And I can say, having read your Emmerson, that you’re right on track.
Sonia Gensler says
September 2, 2013 at 4:17 pmSo inspiring, Caroline! I was having a mopey moment this morning after glancing at a reader review, and you’ve given me something positive to ponder. Thank you!
Caroline Starr Rose says
September 2, 2013 at 4:55 pmxo
Note to self: go buy Sonia’s new book!!
Stasia says
September 2, 2013 at 9:56 pmLovely post, Caroline. As always, I am glad I stopped by your blog!
Caroline Starr Rose says
September 2, 2013 at 11:08 pmThank you, Stasia.
Margaret Simon says
September 2, 2013 at 10:58 pmYou have made me think. Love your reasons for writing especially “extending dignity to children.” That is why I teach…to honor them and give them a place in this world. Thanks for helping me see this more clearly.
Caroline Starr Rose says
September 2, 2013 at 11:09 pmLove this, Margaret.
Indigo says
September 2, 2013 at 11:08 pmBeautiful, endearing reason to write sweet friend. Me? In the beginning writing gave me a sense of purpose after I became deaf. These days, I want people to see, feel, view life through my eyes. I want to share me in it’s most raw form. Writing to me is an exploration of life, the words are our discoveries, lessons silver lined with an emotional input. (Hugs) Indigo
Caroline Starr Rose says
September 2, 2013 at 11:09 pmIndigo, this is gorgeous. I so appreciate experiencing your world when I visit your blog.
Heidi Willis says
September 3, 2013 at 3:27 pmWhat a beautiful post! I am so glad I popped on the internet today and got to read this!
I think about this all the time. I’ve always said I write because I want to make a difference in someone’s life. But this… this is so much more poetic. 🙂
Caroline Starr Rose says
September 3, 2013 at 8:39 pmYour reason is just as valid, Heidi!
Lisa Schroeder says
September 3, 2013 at 3:34 pmI love the story of the man who makes preserves. Thank you for sharing that. And your mission statement of sorts is so good.
I’ve been pondering this question a lot lately. Since my first novel was published back in 2008, things have changed so much, both in the industry and personally. This is now my job, and I am writing (mostly) commercial books, not something I had really envisioned for myself, but that’s what happened. An author recently told me: commercial is not a bad thing, Lisa. But it can feel that way when so many people really seem to value the literary books – the books I do see as the more beautiful ones.
I remind myself every day, there is value in being taken away for simply the fun of it too. That one of my favorite things to do as a kid was to read the Encyclopedia Brown books, and how excited I was each time I got a new one to read.
Characters in books often felt like friends to me. I try to write with that in mind – perhaps a kid who needs a friend will find one in a book I write. I also write because I want kids to know they’re not alone in this big, scary world. And that they will experience struggles, both small ones and big ones, but like the characters I write about, they will come out the other side okay. Maybe even better than okay.
Thanks, Caroline, for a thought-provoking post.
Caroline Starr Rose says
September 3, 2013 at 8:43 pmLisa, what you do counts in a HUGE way. You touch children’s lives daily. You are THE verse novelist in so many kids’ eyes. What you provide through your characters is the sort of friendship you talk about…someone who can walk through the hard and scary stuff so that readers can cheer them on and draw encouragement from what they’ve experienced with them.
In case you don’t know it, you’re a beautiful example to me.
I still talk regularly about Encyclopedia Brown around here. This morning, even. I told my younger guy Encyclopedia would have known who’d driven our van last because of the position of the driver’s seat. 🙂
Stephanie Burgis says
September 3, 2013 at 3:41 pmThank you so much for posting this, Caroline! I’ve bookmarked it to come back to again and again.
Caroline Starr Rose says
September 3, 2013 at 8:44 pmThank you, Stephanie! I hope all is well.
Kimberley Griffiths Little says
September 3, 2013 at 9:16 pmYou are so wise. Honoring childhood – and I would add: giving validation to children’s hearts and thoughts and feelings – that their feelings and hurts and problems are important, and shouldn’t be easily dismissed or ridiculed.
I also write to give a safe place for kids to come when life gets rough. Books can be a refuge and best friend. They were/are definitely that to me.
Caroline Starr Rose says
September 3, 2013 at 9:27 pmYou do this with all you write, Kim. All of your books are so tender and respectful when it comes to kids’ experiences.
Kimberley Griffiths Little says
September 4, 2013 at 2:55 amThank you, dear friend. xoxo
Amy Rogers Hays says
September 4, 2013 at 7:21 pmWhat beautiful beautiful words Caroline. You capture my desire to write for children so well. I love hearing a little about your family and how they encourage and shape your experience writing. Thank you for sharing this!!
Caroline Starr Rose says
September 4, 2013 at 8:19 pmThank you, Amy! All the best to you in your writing endeavors.
Yvette Couser says
November 24, 2017 at 8:12 amThanks for this thoughtful post. Our adult Sunday School class is also studying Keller’s book – Keller is particularly special to me because he married my husband and I 23 years ago! I find my writing focuses on themes of redemption (what does redemption look like/how does redemption play out?) and I think this also plays out in my other circles of influence – day job, family.
Caroline says
November 24, 2017 at 10:39 amIsn’t it wonderful? This post is from a few years back, and interestingly enough, a group at my church is gearing up to read it, too. I’m going to join in for a second round. I remember you saying Keller married you and your husband. So special!
Margaret Simon says
November 24, 2017 at 8:39 amThis is a beautiful message framed in beautiful images. I love how and why you added to your resolve for writing. I want to hold on to these words as I continue to try to get my writing out into the world. Thanks!
Caroline says
November 24, 2017 at 10:40 amI’m glad you’re encouraged, Margaret. As I have to remind myself of daily, there is so little we control in this writing life. To be able to hold to our sense of purpose is essential. All the best to you!
Susan Lynn Meyer says
November 24, 2017 at 11:09 amThat’s so lovely!
Cynthia says
November 24, 2017 at 12:31 pmThanks for sharing this Caroline.
I find that while I write I am discovering the mysteries of love. So, in a sense, I am writing for myself, which sounds very self-centered compared to the things others are thinking about! But it is true. The more I write, the more I love.
Caroline says
November 24, 2017 at 12:59 pmNot self centered at all! I think all stories that feel intimate are first written for the writer. I love “the more I write, the more I love.” It makes me think of the E. B. White quote, “All that I hope to say in books, all that I ever hope to say, is that I love the world.”
Cynthia says
November 25, 2017 at 9:34 amyeah . . . EBW is the best.
Caroline says
November 25, 2017 at 1:05 pmThat’s for sure!
Faith E. Hough says
November 25, 2017 at 8:37 amI love this post, Caroline! This is why I feel so strongly that writing for children is vocational–and not anywhere close to the “well, it’s easier than writing for adults” stereotype. (Because, obviously, it isn’t.)
The quote you began with reminds me of one I have pinned up where I can see it every day: “The purpose of art is nothing less than the upliftment of the human spirit.” (Pope John Paul II, in his Letter to Artists)
Caroline says
November 25, 2017 at 1:05 pmI love this quote, Faith! And you are so right. This work is a sacred calling, nothing less.
Vijaya says
November 25, 2017 at 6:17 pmI love this so much and the story of the man who makes preserves. I write to give voice to those who have none. Like Lisa, a lot of the work is commercial but that only means that more children get to read my words. But how I long for the *heart* books to be picked up. I just have to keep at it.
Caroline says
November 25, 2017 at 9:16 pmI love this, Vijaya, giving voice to those who have none. I relate to that, too! Isn’t the preserves story wonderful? It gives me a rich perspective on what it means to make something lasting and significant / beautiful and enduring.