To Everything -- Turn, Turn, Turn
- kristin5141
- Jul 13
- 2 min read
I was a teen in the 1960s. I believed then -- and still do now -- that it was the best time to be a teenager. My generation -- the Boomers -- was at the centre of everything -- music, fashion, the cultural revolution, and social change. It was a time of the mods and rockers, bellbottoms, the twist, JFK and Martin Luther King, Woodstock, the Beatles and Rolling Stones, Mary Quant and Twiggy, Motown, go-go boots, beach parties, the space race, Andy Warhol, The Graduate, strobe lights, protest marches and sit-ins, draft dodgers (Hell, no; we won't go -- to Vietnam, that is), hippies and flower power, and the British Invasion. Life was mint and cool, and we all felt groovy.
Then, of course, I grew up and joined the establishment and watched the next generations of teenagers leave their mark on the world. As a parent and teacher, I had a pretty good view of teens for decades. I was an outsider to be sure, but I still had a good grasp of what made teens tick, and that proved most valuable when I started writing books for kids and teens.
But then my own kids grew up and I stopped teaching, and soon I was no longer privy to the goings-on of young people. I have grandchildren -- two are adults already, and the other four are smack dab in the middle of their teens -- but they all live thousands of miles away. I don't see their daily lives, and our visits aren't that frequent. Yes, we text and Face Time, but it's not the same as being there.
About six years ago I stopped writing young adult stories set in modern times. I told myself it was because I have always wanted to write historical fiction (that's true), and if I was ever going to do it, it was time. But perhaps there was another factor influencing my decision as well. Perhaps I instinctively knew I was so far out of the loop that my stories would no longer feel authentic to today's teens. The stories would no longer resonate with them.
It was time to turn the page. Like the Byrds sang in 1965,
There is a season, turn, turn, turn
And a time to every purpose under heaven
No regrets. Others, more in step with the times, are capably filling the space I've vacated, and I have moved on to new endeavours.
One of those endeavours, as you know, is my ongoing tug-of-war with digital art. I haven't lifted the Apple pencil in about 3 weeks, but I'll get back to it. Here are a couple of the last images I created. I'm actually pretty pleased with both of them. And I'm back on track to finish my current writing WIP. I hope to have it completed by the end of summer.
Maverick -- one of my grandpuppies A blue thistle
Enjoy the sunshine. See you next month.
That pup is pure velvet! The thistle i3-D. You have incredible talent whether it’s words or visuals. Just keep creating. As to your cool boomer memories … I was always the outsider and missed out on that pop culture.
As you know, Kristin, I love your art and your writing. I have no doubt that you'd master writing for teens today as well, but it would take work and research getting into those young minds. I also know that you are interested in historical fiction, and hope you pursue that as well as your art, which is amazing. You have a gift, dear friend.
The only quarrel I have with your blog is your opening. When I read it, I thought wait a second. I thought I grew up in the best period, the 1950s. We had hula hoops, saddle shoes, and crinolines under our skirts. Our teen dances were held in community clubs. There was an innocence that…
Great post, Kristin. I think it's a good, and often necessary, thing, to "pivot" (such a buzzword these days) to a new chapter, no matter what age we are. If it doesn't "feel right," then it probably isn't. (Big proponent of "gut trusting" here.) As for your digital artwork? I would say you have NAILED it. Honestly, your creative talent is mindblowing. I can FEEL Maverick's slippery coat in that painting.
I can so relate to your story about knowing when it’s time to move onto something else. I have a similar story as I watch my little baby grandkids become preteens and they’re interests are so different than when they were little. I miss those times so much of adventures and curiosity.I feel rushed to finish the three books in each of my picture book series so that I can move on to a middle grade novel I started 20 years ago. Growing up in our time, patience was something my parents voiced over and over again . I’ve learned, I must obey. As to your artwork, I find it amazing. Keep going young lady. You are a gift to…
Love that you recognised and understood it was time to change. Then had the strength and courage to do it.
Most of just cling on to what we knew, forge ahead with what we think we know now.
Your drawings are beautiful. Well done for trying and 'mastering' a new skill.
Hugs Kebs xx