Comments on: Beatrix Potter and Today’s Publishing Reality

By: Howard Hopkins

Howard Hopkins — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 19:40:35 +0000

Very interesting blog.

By: Susan Lyons

Susan Lyons — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 23:50:05 +0000

Ros, I’m sure you’re right about creative license. I deliberately didn’t go and check Beatrix’s real life, to see how accurate the movie was. I figure, it’s fiction.

Which reminds me of a pet peeve. It bugs me when people nitpick details in fictional works. You know what, the characters don’t actually exist, so does it matter if a particular restaurant is on a different side of the street or a particular event happens in a different month? Seems to me, you choose to read or view either fiction or fact, and if you choose fiction you shouldn’t be too picky!

With this movie, I decided that, even if it was about a person who really existed, I’d treat it as a fictional story loosely based on BP’s life – and looking at it that way, it was lovely. I’m sure her own life was far more mundane and boring, just like our own [g].

By: Ros

Ros — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 23:29:13 +0000

Sounds like they too a wee bit of creative license with the movie. But if only it could be that way… I haven’t seen the movie yet, but I should. I LOVED Beatrix Potter books (and Winnie, too!) when I was young. Thanks for such a fun blog!

By: Susan Lyons

Susan Lyons — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 22:07:07 +0000

Hi Sue. I’m a big fan of Winnie the Pooh as well. Maybe it’s that we don’t want to grow up, but I bet it’s also because there are some good messages in a lot of those kids books. As well as fond memories of childhood, being cuddled and having stories read to us.

By: Sue A.

Sue A. — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 21:59:51 +0000

Susan kudos to you for coming up with this quirky article. When I watched the movie I never thought I’d be re-visiting it in this way. I have a special place in my heart for BP’s books and for Winnie the Pooh too. It must be the child in us that never wants to grow up or let go of what was special to us then.

By: Susan Lyons

Susan Lyons — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:14:40 +0000

Always happy to tempt someone, Anita! Thanks for stopping by. I hope you see the movie, if you haven’t already. Not only did I enjoy it, but it made me remember the books – and no doubt it was books like Potter’s that fed my own passion to be a writer.

By: Anita Birt

Anita Birt — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:56:48 +0000

Fascinating breakdown of Beatrix Potter’s writing and publishing experience. Thanks for taking the time, Sue. I should be writing and not reading blogs but you tempted me with Beatrix Potter. I had better wind up my passion and get back to work.

By: Susan Lyons

Susan Lyons — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:29:52 +0000

Kimmy, we writers are very happy to have people like you spending your time reading, rather than writing! It’s because of you that publishers buy our books.

Thanks, Sheryll – and yes, in our dreams. And of course, fiction writers know all about dreams and fantasies [g].

By: Sheryll

Sheryll — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:23:31 +0000

Interesting article, Susan! I think you’ve hit the nail on the head with your comparisons. In our dreams would an editor have the time BP’s did.

Sheryll

By: Kimmy L

Kimmy L — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 15:43:29 +0000

I wish I had the drive you ladies have to write. I know I love reading but I just do not have that special gift of writing.