I don’t know about you, but I’ve been feeling like I need a pep talk lately. On multiple fronts.
Let’s start with the children’s literature universe.
Publishing seems to be moving very slowly right now. And, I can understand why. Some imprints have closed, some staff has shifted or been reduced, and a sluggish economy is making publishers and book buyers much more choosey regarding what they want to spend their money on.
I understand this. It even makes sense. Publishing is a business.
But, as someone who makes a living writing for kids, it makes my life harder and more uncertain. I’m brainstorming, writing, revising and submitting just like always, but response times are slow and sales have not been happening — even after initial enthusiasm. School visits, another source of income, have also slowed down because schools are facing the same budgeting choices as the rest of society.
Then, there are kidlit things even more out of my control. Book bans and library staff reductions and comments about a large portion of kids’ books being cruddy and studies showing fewer kids are reading and the rise of AI-generated texts and … and … ugh.
Personal things have also made me say ugh lately.
The job market is abysmal, and one of my kids has been battling hard against it, doing all the right things without measurable results. My mom recently moved into memory care which meant I was involved with the move and clearing out of her previous condo and doctors visits and more. Our roof was damaged in a hail storm and needs to be replaced, and I did something to my thumb and it still hurts two months later. I have a brace, but I can’t type with it on, so that’s not really helpful.
Nevertheless, I’ve always been an optimist.
I’m aware I have a ton of priviIege. And, I tend to think that not only is the glass half full, there’s also usually a pitcher of water nearby. So I’m reading and writing and purchasing books and supporting my local library and being happy for Heated Rivalry author Rachel Reid and the success she’s seeing. And I’m encouraging my daughter, supporting my mom, working with the insurance adjuster and contractor and telling my thumb to get its act together.
I’ve also revisited a poem that I’ve had a paper copy of on my desk for years. It’s called “It Couldn’t Be Done,” and it was written by Edgar A. Guest in 1919. The paper copy I have came from my aunt Faye Clow’s desk. I found it while helping clean out her condo after she passed away several years ago.
Faye had been the director of Iowa’s Bettendorf Public Library and oversaw a huge expansion effort during her time there. The poem was give to her by a colleague as a reminder that she could do hard things. And its message lines up with something my mom, Jean Zietlow, always told me when times were tough: “You’ve done hard things before.”
And, I have. It’s good to remember that when things seem hard.
I liked the poem so much that I memorized it. And I wanted to leave you with it today in hopes that when you’re feeling discouraged about the literary world or your own personal circumstances, it might be the pep talk you need.
I took the minor liberty of adjusting the pronouns in Mr. Guest’s poem to make them a bit more inclusive. Please ignore my odd facial expressions, and I hope you enjoy.
This made my day. It is exactly what I needed to hear today.
As regards your expressions, keep them coming. I remember meeting you in San Diego long ago at an SCBWI conference. We were in line to buy coffee or whatever. I liked your smile and expressions then and I still do today.
Ann – What a wonderful thing to say. Thank you!
Love this, Pat! I’m normally an optimist, too, but there is just so much UGH going around right now. Thanks for the uplifting post!
Wonderful post, Pat! Thanks so much for sharing!
Inspiring and so timely. Thank you Pat, for sharing this with your ever-growing online community.
Thanks Pat, for this uplifting post and good reminder!
Thank you for sharing this wonderful reminder!
Thanks for the pep talk, Pat. A creative’s list of oh nos, ughs, and nopes can be long, but like our fictional characters, we can overcome real obstacles.
This is a great pep talk! And that poem is perfect! Thanks, Pat!
Thank you for this encouragement, Pat! I’m sorry to hear about your personal struggles. What a fun poem. And written over 100 years ago! There are so many things to get us down right now in our country and in our world, but I try to stay optimistic, too. Good people like you are working to make things better. Thank you.
What an uplifting read! Thanks for sharing as you are certainly right, things have been stressful lately. If we all stick together we’ll do it!
Thank you for bringing some light into the darkness. Your post made my day. Wishing you and your family all the best as you navigate the bumpy waters.
Thank you SO MUCH for the poem. Sorry about your mom. I miss my mom everyday since she’s no longer with us. Enjoy the moments you can, perhaps laugh at the silly things, and love, love, love.
Thank you, Pat! Your post brightened my day. 🙂
Thanks, Pat. You are always such a delight to see here and on facebook.
I definitely needed this. Just put our kitty cat of 14 years to rest late last week, among other things. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Pat, for your encouragement.
I love the inspiration Edgar A. Guest shares in the poem “It Couldn’t Be Done.”
May your thumb heal and your family do well with all the love you share.