Not-so-great expectations

A common source of pain is the difference between what we expect and what we have. I think this often happens with readers and books: we think the book will be like this, and instead it's like that. We thought it would be hotter/scarier/funnier. We thought it would have a happy ending, or we hoped it wouldn't have a sappy ending. Often, the book is perfectly fine for what it is, but it left us dissatisfied because we wanted it to be something else.

That can happen with our own writing as well. We may wish we could write funnier books, or faster-paced books, or books that appeal to wider audiences. And there's nothing wrong with stretching a bit beyond our comfort zones to try on new styles. But there's also something to be said for dropping those expectations, forgetting how we think we should write, and embracing the voices that are actually within us.

P.S. If you're anywhere near Haverford, PA, consider coming to this event at Children's Book World on Friday night, November 5. More than 30 authors and illustrators will be there!