Friday, July 22, 2011

Coming clean


I was thinking this week that I'd have to go borrow someone's child so I can go see the new Winnie the Pooh movie. C'mon, John Cleese is the narrator and Craig Ferguson is Owl! How could I not see it?

But still, I am embarrassed to go by myself. Mr. RK said, "Perhaps my mother will go with you."

One of my volunteers at work assured me that it's "for children AND adults."

Yeah. Adults that have children!

I have a secret. I love the old-time, sticky-sweet children's cartoons/books. Winnie the Pooh, Little Bear, you know the stuff.

I love it because it's so, well, sweet! Peaceful, sometimes funny, but not in a mean way. Today's kids' books seem to be, for the most part, 1) crass, 2) insulting to the kids' intelligence, and 3) poorly written. Not all, but definitely some.

In fact, the only fiction I am comfortable writing is fiction for children. You may find this funny, given the fact that I talk like a sailor (except around my little siblings.) But I like recreating that kind of sweet happy place. That said, I should get off my ass and start submitting my book, right?

Anyhow, now you know my dark secret. This should be enough sweet stuff to last you with this blog until 2012.

PS The cat in this lolcat looks just like our Earl Grey. But if we had even presented him with a Tigger outfit, he would definitely have killed us, just with his glare.

14 comments:

G. B. Miller said...

I've always thought that was about the most interesting thing about you, as a writer that is.

The fact that while, yes you are opinionated and that you have a vocabulary that some people could only dream of having and that you're as open minded as all get out (of which I can speak from experience with the help you've given me with my writing over the past couple of years), yet you find the most comfort in writing children's stories.

There are times when I do find that just a little bit hard to reconcile: you the person and you the writer.

But then I realize, that's what makes you, you. And I think that we (as in your blogging buds) are much better for it in the long run.

Now before I get any more philosophoical or down-to-earth, I'll have you know that this comment fulfills my monthly requirement of being thoughtful and nice to one person in the blog world.

Rest assure that this type of behavior will not be repeated here until next month, and that I'll be back to my strange abnormal self sometime tomorrow. :D

Lynn said...

Oh I wish I had won the lottery last night! I'd fly to Portland and go to that movie with you. :) I adore the Pooh characters - particularly Tigger. Love that lol cat - the look says it all, "You've won this battle, but lost the war." They are going to PAY big for putting him in that outfit.

Ileana said...

My daughter is seeing it tonight...if you want to join her and her crazy friends! Hell, if I knew you were coming, I'd go and paint the town Clifford red with you, chica! :)

I'm with you, most kids books these days are lacking SOMETHING...and I am fond of the sweet books like Franklin, Little Bear and the one about the red hen that does all the cooking. Was it actually called "The Red Hen?" Hmm...you'd probably know the answer to that.

Anyway, let me know if you're coming. I'll need to make reservations for us at my favorite Cuban restaurant. :)

LL Cool Joe said...

I've come to the conclusion that most of us are this weird combination of both smutty and sweet and pure. :D Not that I can see myself writing a children's book in the near future. :D

Sandra said...

I certainly can't sit here and mock you. I want to see the stupid Smurf movie....

Granny Annie said...

Nope, I don't feel compelled to go with you to Winnie The Pooh movie. However either of my 40 year old children would go in a heartbeat. Is this a second childhood thing?

Green Tea said...

I'd go with you if you want to come to Minnesota :)
Hey submit those books or at least post them here for us to read..
I have 4 babies turning 1 in the next couple months and I will be buying them books.
Any suggestions kitty?? or anyone??

Riot Kitty said...

Mr. RK went to see it w/me yesterday, and it was great!

Anonymous said...

No word of a lie, I went to high school with a girl named Winnie Pooh.

A Beer for the Shower said...

If I go to see this movie with my nephew or niece -- perfectly acceptable.

If I go to see this movie by myself -- who's that pervert in the front row? Someone call the police.

Darth Weasel said...

Why would you feel bad about being in the presence of greatness?

Riot Kitty said...

WIGSF: Oh, that poor girl. WTF w/her parents?!
ABFTS: Sad, but true. Well, I guess it depends on what you do when you see Tigger bounce.
Darth: Good point!

Unknown said...
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Anil P said...

'Sweet, happy place' of the books for children. I feel the same. And the illustrations are so endearing, and full of innocence.