THE WRITER Dec, 1951 – Enid Blyton

[pete9012S]

Currently for sale on ebay for £6:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/114700206061 ... R5z8ruT7YA

Not sure how rare this December edition is, or if it is in the cave?

I notice a few years back Rob wrote:

I was interested to see an edition of 'The Writer' 1951 for sale on eBay for £2.99 - I put in a bid days ago and no one appeared to be even 'watching' it - but sure enough 15 minutes before the end - while I was away from the computer - someone beat me to it!

It had an article on writing for children, written by Enid Blyton.

I was going to donate it to the Society, as I don't think there's a copy in The Cave...but hopefully someone on here won it - I wouldn't mind that!

[Anita Bensoussane]

Very interesting, Pete, even though we can't read the whole article! I hope you or someone else on here bought the magazine. We've seen a couple of similar articles by Enid Blyton which Tony has printed in the Journal, but we haven't seen that one before (or I haven't, anyway!)

Enid Blyton's frequent use of natural-sounding dialogue has always stood out to me when reading her books. I agree that it's a great way of bringing life, emotion and excitement to proceedings.

Enid's point about children's authors (of her day) competing with fast-paced cinema films and radio programmes, and therefore having to keep things moving and avoid lengthy descriptions, is a good one too.

[Boatbuilder]

When I looked at the eBay link and saw it wasn't an 'auction' item I decided to purchase it, Anita.

I'll post the full article once I have received it.

I also had a look at all the other publications in the seller's store and there are some quite interesting and old publications listed on there.

[Susie9598]

This is really interesting. I’m a children’s author, and it’s so interesting to me to read her advice; it was written in 1951 but substitute the internet and phones for radio and television and it’s still totally relevant today. I think that with all (in my view misguided) noise about Enid being outdated/undemanding/too middle class, it’s too easy to forget what an absolute professional she was. And she had a real genius for knowing what children want. She’s spot on about adults who write for children writing what they (the adult) think children want, and getting it badly wrong, I can think of a few! Wish I could read the rest of the article really.

[Boatbuilder]

Watch this space, Susie9598!

[Susie9598]

I will!

[pete9012S]

This is really interesting. I’m a children’s author, and it’s so interesting to me to read her advice; it was written in 1951 but substitute the internet and phones for radio and television and it’s still totally relevant today.

Lovely sentiments Susie! - I think you would really enjoy the main interview that Rob alluded to that was published in the Sept 1951 edition.
I tried very hard to track that main issue down, but could not see it for sale anywhere.

Regards

Pete

[Aussie Sue]

Pete I have both those magazines, but where?? I am still unpacking in my new house, The library is the last room to be done & as it is half the size of the bookroom in my last place, it's going to be a challenge. I was astonished I managed to find that newspaper with Enid's poem for the Queen's 21st.
I will focus on those magazines and load them when I find them. It's those extra things about her writing that I love most and have been a major focus of my collection.
cheers
Sue

[John Pickup]

That's very interesting, Pete.
These are the sort of articles that deserve a place in the Journal. It reminds me of the one in Journal 77 that Enid wrote for Onward, where she questions the effect of children's reading and does it matter what children read.

[pete9012S]

Oooh, I hope you manage to find them Sue. The original, longer Sept 1951 interview sounds really intriguing. I would love to read that.

I agree John, it would be great to see the interview included in the Journal as many Journal readers don't access these forums.

[Anita Bensoussane]

You did well to get the magazine, John (Boatbuilder), and it's interesting to hear that you have copies of The Writer in your collection, Sue. Yes, these "extra things" are wonderful when it comes to building up a fuller picture of Enid and the way she worked.

I agree with John (Pickup) and Pete that it would be great to see these articles in the Journal if possible as things soon become "buried" in the forums. Printing a piece in the Journal helps preserve it and ensures that it reaches a wider audience and can be accessed more readily.

[pete9012S]

Anita's right - those articles would be great in the Journal!

Pete I have both those magazines, but where?? .... it's going to be a challenge...
I will focus on those magazines and load them when I find them.
cheers
Sue

Come on Sue - pull your finger out!!

[Boatbuilder]

The magazine arrived this morning so, as promised, here is the full article which downloads as a PDF:

On Writing for Children - by Enid Blyton

[Wolfgang]

Thank you very much, John

[Lucky Star]

Thanks BB. I’ll have a read of it later.