Since the phenomenon of Harry Potter there has been a massive interest in what is known as crossover books. Those stories, written with children in mind, that manage to find an audience with adults as well. By this, I do not mean adults purchasing for children, but for themselves. Some books, intended for the young adult market have done the same, spanned generations, appealing to young and old alike. Who has not been enchanted as an adult by a story for infants? Julia Donaldson’s The Gruffalo perhaps, or the enduring popularity of the fantasy that is Kenneth Graham’s Wind in the Willows. I am myself a fan of all of the above and many more besides. Because a story well imagined and cleverly told is a joy, whomever it was originally intended for.
Crossover happens because adults still enjoy make believe.
Which brings me to the popularity of Game of Thrones. The books have sold millions and it is HBO’s most successful television series ever. To say it is now a household name is putting it mildly. I discovered a whole plethora of statistics that support this fact, the most telling being the number of children being named after George RR Martin’s characters. Arya is the fastest growing name in the US. This must be the pinnacle of fandom, when readers name their children after book characters.
And the reason for the devotion? Whilst character names are seeping into everyday culture, indeed there is a cat next door called Jon Snow, few would sit down to watch Games of Thrones with young children (cats and dogs with character names are welcome).
Here is a fantasy story that has not been censored into a one size fits all formula. The books are written for adults. Whilst I am sure many young adults (whatever that means) enjoy Game of Thrones it was never intended for ‘whole family entertainment.’ Therein lies its popularity. George R.R Martin dared to write a fantasy with all the elements adults liked in fantasy as children… with adult themes. It taps into our imagination, shocks, frightens, and titillates as well.
In a recent documentary, Martin made a salient point. He wrote Game of Thrones because he wanted, after having worked as a screenwriter, to write a story without constraints.
The books were a huge success long before HBO made them into television. So why is there so much Fantasy advertised for a crossover market, often with a by-line of ‘for children of all ages’? Surely trying to write a book with universal appeal is going to fail. It is like trying to bake a pie that everyone will love. Let’s face it, it’s going to be a pretty bland meal.
Most successful crossover books gained fame by accident. They were not written with the intention of creating collective allure. Many of the books billed as being suitable for young and old alike lack something I find. In trying not to offend, they float about being neither a children’s nor an adult book. My point is this. Be daring. If you like fantasy, why dumb it down? If you like writing for children, do so. But trying to create the fantasy pie everyone will like is, well, a bit of a fantasy.
Part of the problem may be due to a piece of ‘advice’ that is often leveled at writers. ‘Know your market’. This is bandied about like a mantra.
To some extent, this it is true. Only don’t try and pick such a wide sea to swim as the crossover market. Decide, adults or children.
Write your story. Your story, don’t mould it, change it or make it into some homogenised gloop. There are plenty of children’s books on the market. Be brave, write a fantasy with warts and all. Because good fantasy has an edge, a darkness in the magic and a cast of characters that can be believed in because they have human qualities. They have sex, jealousies, divided loyalties, illnesses and much more besides. Be not afraid, write from your gut, because stories are like water, they will find their own level and in time, quench the thirst of those who need them.
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DJ Bowman-Smith is the author of the dark fantasy series, Shoken Wars.
http://www.djbowmansmith.com/
“This must be the pinnacle of fandom, when readers name their children after book characters”
It’s happened before. The name Wendy originated with J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan and became hugely popular.
From my own experience: I decided, even before I married, that I would name my first son Morgan. It’s a good, strong boy’s name and goes well with Hughes. And in 1975, I did so. But the seventies coincided with a resurgence of the Arthur myth in popular culture, everything from The Mists of Avalon to Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
And, of course, the Arthurian cycle features Morgan le Fay. So by the time my son entered grade school, he kept running into girls called Morgan. It also didn’t help that a rising TV-soap star who had been born Patsy Ann McClenny had restyled herself as Morgan Fairchild.
How true your comment is. How names change.
I had a strange thing happen when I thought I had ‘invented a name’ for a male warrior with a terrible facial scar in one of my books. To support my writing I teach part time…the name in question was called out by a teacher who was lining up her class and I was very surprised to see a tiny, pretty little girl tag herself onto the end of the line. What’s in a name? What indeed?
Thanks so much for commenting!
I agree with your last sentiment. One has to tell the story as best we can and not think (too much) about our potential audiences – they are who they are. Good post.
Yes I always pretend none of family will ever read anything I write. If I start worrying what my Mother or Sister will think! Really, I’d never get anything onto paper.
Thanks for commenting
What a delightful, inspiring and thought-provoking article. Amazing job. Would also love to have reviews on the Shoken Wars series SFFWorld – I feel this author is the one to watch!
DJ. Just finished book 2 of the Shoken Wars series, RIse of the Fear. Best read this year, a real 24 experience, once you start you have to carry on to uncover the next twist in the plot. The question all readers will want to know, when’s book 3 going to be released ?
Thank you Paul. I am busy with book 3. Hope to release it next summer. In the meantime Shoken Wars will have its own website planning for this to go live sometime next week.
Screw knowing the market. I write something the way I believe it should be written (or rather the way the characters demand). If the story makes me rich, okay. If not, that’s okay, too. At least I can sleep nights knowing I stayed honest to the work rather than whoring my dream and chasing the almighty dollar.
Calasade, I totally agree. It’s only going to read true if you write it true. Thanks for commenting!