Disrupting aetonormativity: involving children in the writing of literature for publication

ABSTRACT

Literary criticism of children’s literature asserts a one-directional view of power with the adult writer constructing the child reader.  Using “aetonormativity”– adult perceptions of normality – this paper explores what happens when children co-construct publishable fiction.  Our analysis of drama and creative writing workshops shows how whilst we were interested in developing the story of the protagonist, the children wanted to develop a gaming narrative.  As a community of writers, we constructed a “hybrid” text which, unlike GameLit, explores the relationship between the protagonist and gaming, whilst providing positive portrayal of gaming.  As the children became invested in the fiction, they became editors and revisions were taken on board.  The paper concludes that involving children in writing children’s literature can result in texts which disrupt aetonormativity by representing lived experiences.  The paper also acknowledges that that further research is needed to explore how other children respond to such texts.

KEYWORDS:

• Children’s literature
• primary education
• power
• process drama
• creative writing

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Tom Dobson

Tom Dobson is a Founder Member of Story Makers Press and a research practitioner with expertise in creative writing pedagogy and children’s identities.

Lisa Stephenson

Lisa Stephenson is the Director of Story Makers Press and a research practitioner with expertise in drama pedagogy and children’s wellbeing.

Ana De Arede

Ana De Arede is the Publisher of Story Makers Press and her expertise is in publishing.