A little inspiration

Some great thoughts from Don Freeman, author of "Corduroy," from a lecture on the creation of children's books:
  "Since I never write a story concocted for young tots, I have the satisfaction of trying to please myself first and foremost. This is the crux of the whole message I wish to leave. The writer should, according to the way I feel at least, endeavor to please him or herself. Hopefully, you as the writer, ought to be extremely tough to please!"

  "Freedom isn’t always easy to grapple with because to make full use of freedom of expression one has to work all the harder to examine what it is you truly wish to say. In essence, creating your own story is hard work and I urge anyone of you entering this field to realize the dedication and labor it takes.  
  Perhaps it would be helpful if I told you not to be anxious about sending off a story immediately after you think you are finished. My advice would be to let it linger a little longer in your hands, or even to put it away for a week or so. You just might be surprised when you pick it up later how you could better the story. "

"I recommend that you give yourself a chance to reflect on the merits of your manuscript, and to gain a new perspective. You may just decide to reject your own work, thus depriving an editor of the opportunity to do so.
  I hope this does not sound too cynical. From my long association with editors and publishers I find them to be quite human and easy to deal with. Some of you might have the mistaken notion that they are ferocious folk who enjoy sending out rejection slips when actually know for a fact that they are as eager to get your story as you are form them to see it."

  "I have not revealed anything about why I write these books for children! Maybe I have resisted speaking of the reason simply because I am not sure why except that it seems impossible for me to draw the line between so-called reality and fantasy. Even if I could draw the line I would not want to."