Institute Childrens Literature

Rx for Writers

Transcripts

PART 2 of Mary Ryan's interview . . .

bernie: Teens can be sarcastic. Can you use sarcastic humor in books for teens successfully?

Mary: There was a discussion about that on the aol chat once. Certainly, if any humor works on teens, it would be sarcasm. As long as it isn't directed at them!

JonJon: I missed out on the first hour of the talk, so will wing it: does humor sell better than other stories?

Mary: There's always a good market for humor, JonJon. People like to laugh.

MODERATOR: How can you sell a humor novel with a synopsis or sample chapters? Wouldn't an editor really need to see if you can truly deliver a funny story?

Mary: You have to be funny right off the bat, so it's possible for an editor to make a judgment on sample chapters. That's how I sold FRANKIE'S RUN, which isn't exactly falling down funny, but Mary Frances, the main character, has a real dry sense of humor.

MODERATOR: I know that readers feel insulted or talked down to when the humor isn't age appropriate. With your own children grown now, how do you keep in touch with today's child and his humor?

Mary: I have nine grand kids! I was lucky to be able to stay with a 12 and 14 year old recently.

MODERATOR: Nine! Great opportunities! If I can't get an agent yet, or don't want one, how do I go about selling a book I think is humorous?

Mary: First, write a funny book. Then send it out to publishers who are known to publish humor. Learn how to write a good query and synopsis.

DebO: You've talked about many different kinds of humor. What are the kinds that work best in children's literature?

Mary: Kids always like slapstick and jokes, also situation comedy and role reversals. Think Freaky Friday and Big. I think I have an example of slapstick.

MODERATOR: (from GHOSTS, GADGETS AND GREAT IDEAS):

I didn't notice the Farm behind me begin to pick up speed. Suddenly it slammed into the back of my left heel. Pain shot up my leg. I grabbed my foot, hopping up and down on the right one to keep my balance. Somehow in the process, I also dropped the rope. In two hops, I was hopelessly tangled up. Down I went, backward, onto the Farm. There was a brief glimpse of blue sky before a giant zucchini leaf blotted it out.

The Farm rolled on. I was trying to raise myself up on my elbows when something very heavy landed with a thud on top of my legs. I pushed the zucchini leaf away from my face. It was a large red-and-white-striped bundle. The bundle was screaming.

I was moving faster and faster. The next time I looked up, the Varden County Civil Air Patrol Color Guard, who had obviously heard the screams, was taking action. Without missing a step, they swung neatly aside, three on each side. Through the arch of crossed flags zipped the Farm.

"Stop! Stop!" cried the bundle. Then I knew. It was Betsy Ross. (END)

Mary: The Farm was a go-cart type thing with plants on it to symbolize the town's history for the Fourth of July parade.

Maudy: Would you consider a parody workable humor for teens?

Mary: I do like parody, and I think teens do, too, especially if they know the source. I don't know who's carrying the flag these days, but it used to be Alan Sherman and after him, Weird Al Yankovic (or some such.)

JonJon: Does the Dave Barry style work well?

Mary: Dave Barry has had an incredibly long run and is still going strong. My son saves me every column and when I get to see him, he hands me this huge stack of papers and I have a Dave orgy (only don't tell him I said that.) I actually have a piece from one of his columns.

MODERATOR: (Dave Barry column):

I like soccer because there's a lot of action and drama. There are no time-outs, so the only way players can catch their breath is to sustain a major injury, which some of them are very good at. A guy will get bumped by another player, or a beam of sunlight, and he'll hurl himself dramatically to the ground, writhing and clutching his leg (not necessarily the leg that got bumped) and screaming that the referee should get a priest out there immediately to administer the last rites, or at least call a foul. The referee generally ignores the player, who, after a while, gets up and continues playing. Some players suffer four or five fatal injuries per game. That's how tough they are. (END)

Mary: There's a lot of overstatement or exaggeration, but also a lot of truth.

jello: Do you use a pen name?

Mary: Nope. My name is my own.

Larry Jenkins: I bought Richard Peck's LONG WAY FROM CHICAGO and highlighted what I thought was particularly good writing so I could refer to it when I am looking for a certain feel. That's how I study good writing. Do editors look for these strong passages when considering a manuscript?

Mary: I heard Richard Peck speak last spring and he was wonderful! Yes, editors look for not only strong passages, but strong characterization and plot, as well.

jello: What do you feel makes a real writer (of any kind)?

Mary: The person who just loves to write and who doesn't really care if anyone ever sees it--who writes for the sheer joy of it.

KarenO: Do you benefit personally from writing humor? It seems like a fun way to spend your writing day (as opposed to horror, for example).

Mary: On the whole, laughter does a lot more for us as people than does horror.

MODERATOR: The time goes faster every week! I'm afraid our time with Mary is up tonight, and I want to thank her so much for sharing her insights and tips on humor writing with us. We've enjoyed having you with us, Mary!

Mary: Thanks to everyone for great questions! Good luck with your own writing!

MODERATOR: Please come back next Thursday night when Jacqueline Briggs Martin, author of the l999 Caldecott Medal book Snowflake Bentley, talks to us on the subject of "Picture Book Potpourri." This national Caldecott award is given by the ALA for the "most distinguished picture book of the year." Author of ten additional books, Jackie knows about writing award-winning picture book manuscripts. How do you find outstanding ideas for books that take readers that extra mile? Jacqueline Briggs Martin will speak on this subject--and others--as she shares her love for writing. You won't want to miss it! But for now, good night, everyone!

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