Do you write in your voice?

I surprised Boni Ashburn. She gave TWO OF A KIND a lovely shout-out, which included high praise for THE NEW GIRL...AND ME as well.*

But the books surprised her. As she put it:

... I was already won over by her wacky sense of humor and wild perspective on writing and life. So when I first read her book, I was expecting over-the-top hilarity- and I didn't get it. Her book was not what I expected at all! It's a sweet story, though not overly-so, and unique, and RIDICULOUSLY well-written, with subtle humor, which just isn't what I was ready for.

Boni is not the first person to be surprised by the disconnect between my blog and my books. What I'm wondering about today is why. I think it's partly because there's no pressure (or revision) here, so it's easier to let loose the goof. And I think it's partly because here in Jacqui's Room I have somehow hidden the fact that at heart I am a socially awkward six year-old; people who have known me a long, long time read my books and say, "I read the words and heard you saying them because they are so you."

But I also think it comes from my teaching style. I believe that my classroom isn't all about me and my personality, so when I teach, yeah, I am a strong voice and there's humor and I run a tight ship and etc. But overall, I believe in stepping back and letting the kids and their accomplishments be the center of attention. It makes for a quieter style of teaching, one that involves a lot less orchestrating and a lot more watching. And I think it seeps into my books, where I try to step back and let the story -- and, more importantly, the experiences and connections that readers bring to that story -- be the center of attention, without all my very strong voice getting in the way.

Is this a good thing? I don't know. I feel very, very proud of my books and of the way children connect to them and feel like they were really written for them. But every once in a while, someone is surprised, and I wonder: should I be bringing more crazy? And does anyone else have this disconnect?

P.S. I am off to LA for the SCBWI conference on Thursday, right after a real life TNoftheAWSPWTBIM. Anyone else going to be there? Come find me. I'll be the one hiding behind the palm trees, watching, and hoping nobody punches me in the head.

* High praise made even higher by the source: a great PB writer and source of one of Destructo's favorites: "You friend dragon book!"