Kate Messner's Blog, page 33
October 12, 2010
Questions for a Tuesday Afternoon...
Warning: These are random, and some are more meaningful than others. I'll start with the most important one...
1. What happens when kids with autism aren't kids any more? My nephew Danny, who has autism, is 16 now, so my brother Tom and his family have that question on their minds a lot. It's prompted them to become more active with the Organization for Autism Research. Tom has run in the Marine Corps Marathon for the past couple years, and this year, Danny is running the 10K along with his dad to raise money for OAR. They have a fund raising site set up - it's here, if you'd like to help, too.
2. Will the Dewey Decimal System still exist in some form in the year 2050? I'm trying to decide because there's a library scene in my dystopian set in that year. I'm betting yes...kind of.
3. Do you have any healthy crock pot recipes that you love? I bought my first crock pot today, mostly because my kids' schedules now require that they be picked up and dropped off places when I'd normally be cooking dinner. So I have the crock pot now. What should I put in it?
4. I got a final book jacket for SUGAR AND ICE in the mail from my editor. Do other authors run around the house wrapping their book jackets around every hardcover within striking distance when they get the first copy, or is that just me?
5. THE CANDYMAKERS by Wendy Mass is up next in my to-read pile - can't wait! What are you reading right now that you love?
1. What happens when kids with autism aren't kids any more? My nephew Danny, who has autism, is 16 now, so my brother Tom and his family have that question on their minds a lot. It's prompted them to become more active with the Organization for Autism Research. Tom has run in the Marine Corps Marathon for the past couple years, and this year, Danny is running the 10K along with his dad to raise money for OAR. They have a fund raising site set up - it's here, if you'd like to help, too.
2. Will the Dewey Decimal System still exist in some form in the year 2050? I'm trying to decide because there's a library scene in my dystopian set in that year. I'm betting yes...kind of.
3. Do you have any healthy crock pot recipes that you love? I bought my first crock pot today, mostly because my kids' schedules now require that they be picked up and dropped off places when I'd normally be cooking dinner. So I have the crock pot now. What should I put in it?
4. I got a final book jacket for SUGAR AND ICE in the mail from my editor. Do other authors run around the house wrapping their book jackets around every hardcover within striking distance when they get the first copy, or is that just me?
5. THE CANDYMAKERS by Wendy Mass is up next in my to-read pile - can't wait! What are you reading right now that you love?
October 7, 2010
Dystopian World Building Worksheet - Part III
This is the third in a series of posts about the world-building process I'm revisiting as I work on edits for my 2012 dystopian novel EYE OF THE STORM. Part one of my dystopian world building worksheet-- with an introduction to the concept of world building -- is here. Part two is here. And here's part three...
What social ladders exist? Who has power and why? What are the tangible symbols of that power? Who is at the bottom of this society's social ladder, and why?
What kind of ethnic diversity exists?
What role, if any, does religion play in this society? What are the dominant religions? What religions are marginalized?
What do international/inter-group relations look like? What wars are going on? What countries or groups are fighting, and why? Which ones are allies? Which are enemies?
What climate and weather patterns are prevalent?
What does agriculture look like? Where do people get food?
What foods are considered standard fare? What foods are delicacies, and why?
In working on EOTS, a book with monster tornadoes, that weather question was obviously one that I spent a lot of time with before I ever started writing. But I'm going far beyond climate and weather in this new round of world-building (Can I still call it world building? I did that before I wrote... Perhaps this is world-remodeling.) And it's interesting to me to explore how that climate & weather issue would shape the rest of this society's world.
More world building questions soon. Back to the colored markers & Post-It Notes now...
What social ladders exist? Who has power and why? What are the tangible symbols of that power? Who is at the bottom of this society's social ladder, and why?
What kind of ethnic diversity exists?
What role, if any, does religion play in this society? What are the dominant religions? What religions are marginalized?
What do international/inter-group relations look like? What wars are going on? What countries or groups are fighting, and why? Which ones are allies? Which are enemies?
What climate and weather patterns are prevalent?
What does agriculture look like? Where do people get food?
What foods are considered standard fare? What foods are delicacies, and why?
In working on EOTS, a book with monster tornadoes, that weather question was obviously one that I spent a lot of time with before I ever started writing. But I'm going far beyond climate and weather in this new round of world-building (Can I still call it world building? I did that before I wrote... Perhaps this is world-remodeling.) And it's interesting to me to explore how that climate & weather issue would shape the rest of this society's world.
More world building questions soon. Back to the colored markers & Post-It Notes now...
October 6, 2010
Super-quick post on a Wednesday: Revising, Reading, and More
1. I'm revising.
I was up way top late with colored markers and lots of timelines and notes and critique comments and lists and scribbles. This is my favorite part of writing, so even though the kitchen table looks like a tornado hit, I'm happy. Sleepy...but happy.
2. I'm reading this right now -
It's funny and awesome so far.
3 And did you enter my Marty-McGuire-illustrator-announcement-win-a-book contest? You have until Saturday!
4. My SCBWI group meets at our local coffee shop, Koffee Kat, tonight. Then I'll be revising again, fueled by the best mocha lattes in the history of lattes.
More dystopian world building stuff later on. Have a great Wednesday!
I was up way top late with colored markers and lots of timelines and notes and critique comments and lists and scribbles. This is my favorite part of writing, so even though the kitchen table looks like a tornado hit, I'm happy. Sleepy...but happy.
2. I'm reading this right now -
It's funny and awesome so far.
3 And did you enter my Marty-McGuire-illustrator-announcement-win-a-book contest? You have until Saturday!
4. My SCBWI group meets at our local coffee shop, Koffee Kat, tonight. Then I'll be revising again, fueled by the best mocha lattes in the history of lattes.
More dystopian world building stuff later on. Have a great Wednesday!
October 5, 2010
Dystopian World Building Worksheet - Part II
This is the second in a series of posts about the world-building process I'm revisiting as I work on edits for my 2012 dystopian novel EYE OF THE STORM. Part one of my dystopian world building worksheet-- with an introduction to the concept of world building -- is here.
Even though my editorial letter for EOTS arrived a week ago, I haven't touched the manuscript yet. Instead, I've been writing answers to the questions on this world building worksheet I created to get myself thinking in the right direction for this revision. Here are some more of the questions that I included:
What are the non-negotiable rules of this world? Are there any exceptions?
What laws does society impose? What happens to people who break them?
What rules or laws does the main character break or challenge? Why? What are the consequences?
What kind of government is in place? Consider local & national levels as well as international cooperation. How does government impact citizens' everyday lives?
What official document is in place to define that government? If it is a future version of a current document (i.e.Constitution), how has it changed? What amendments have been added?
What rights do people have? What rights are they denied, and why?
What are this society's most closely held values?
It's interesting to note that when I created this worksheet, I was pretty sure some of the questions had nothing whatsoever to do with my novel. I answered them anyway, and it was actually one of those questions that led me to one of my best ideas for the revision. It's not a huge change, but it's a tiny detail that fits perfectly and resolves an issue my editor had raised. Had I not journaled about that "irrelevant" question, I doubt that idea would have surfaced.Tomorrow, I'm printing out my completed worksheet document with major breakthroughs and ideas highlighted, and it will be time to get back to the manuscript.
I'll share another set of questions soon -- the bunch that deals with diversity within the society.
Even though my editorial letter for EOTS arrived a week ago, I haven't touched the manuscript yet. Instead, I've been writing answers to the questions on this world building worksheet I created to get myself thinking in the right direction for this revision. Here are some more of the questions that I included:
What are the non-negotiable rules of this world? Are there any exceptions?
What laws does society impose? What happens to people who break them?
What rules or laws does the main character break or challenge? Why? What are the consequences?
What kind of government is in place? Consider local & national levels as well as international cooperation. How does government impact citizens' everyday lives?
What official document is in place to define that government? If it is a future version of a current document (i.e.Constitution), how has it changed? What amendments have been added?
What rights do people have? What rights are they denied, and why?
What are this society's most closely held values?
It's interesting to note that when I created this worksheet, I was pretty sure some of the questions had nothing whatsoever to do with my novel. I answered them anyway, and it was actually one of those questions that led me to one of my best ideas for the revision. It's not a huge change, but it's a tiny detail that fits perfectly and resolves an issue my editor had raised. Had I not journaled about that "irrelevant" question, I doubt that idea would have surfaced.Tomorrow, I'm printing out my completed worksheet document with major breakthroughs and ideas highlighted, and it will be time to get back to the manuscript.
I'll share another set of questions soon -- the bunch that deals with diversity within the society.
October 3, 2010
MARTY MCGUIRE'S Illustrator (and a giveaway!)
Last spring, I was in line at my local coffee shop when my cell phone rang. It was Anamika, the editor of my MARTY MCGUIRE chapter book series with Scholastic, and when I answered, she had three words for me.
"He said yes!"
I screamed. And the whole coffee shop turned. One lady startled and spilled her tea. I apologized profusely, finished talking with Anamika, picked up my latte, and proceeded to my local SCBWI group meeting feeling as if I'd just swallowed fifteen canaries because I couldn't tell anybody the news about the project's illustrator just yet.
But now I can. You probably already know him...
It's Brian Floca, the author/illustrator of Sibert Honor books MOONSHOT and LIGHTSHIP and the illustrator of this year's incredible BALLET FOR MARTHA: MAKING APPALACHIAN SPRING, which I just bought last week at Flying Pig Books, and it's absolutely stunning. I was a fan of Brian's work long before his name rose to the top of our Marty illustrator wish-list, so I am just over-the-moon to share this news.
At one point while I was waiting for news, Editor Anamika emailed me: "He's reading the manuscript this weekend!" I cheered. Then I spent the entire weekend asking my husband, "What page do you think Brian is on now? How about now? Do you think he likes it?"
I am so very glad that he did. MARTY MCGUIRE, the first book in the series, comes out in May 2011.
I took my daughter to Brian's ALA conference signing back in June, introduced myself,and snapped the photo you see up there. I also bought a copy of MOONSHOT for Brian to sign as a giveaway on my blog for the day I was able to share the good news about Marty.
We'll have a drawing next weekend, okay? To enter, just leave a comment by midnight Friday night. If you are under 13, please have an adult enter for you. On Saturday (10/9) I'll draw a name - so be sure I have a way to get in touch with you if you're not on LJ.
"He said yes!"
I screamed. And the whole coffee shop turned. One lady startled and spilled her tea. I apologized profusely, finished talking with Anamika, picked up my latte, and proceeded to my local SCBWI group meeting feeling as if I'd just swallowed fifteen canaries because I couldn't tell anybody the news about the project's illustrator just yet.
But now I can. You probably already know him...
It's Brian Floca, the author/illustrator of Sibert Honor books MOONSHOT and LIGHTSHIP and the illustrator of this year's incredible BALLET FOR MARTHA: MAKING APPALACHIAN SPRING, which I just bought last week at Flying Pig Books, and it's absolutely stunning. I was a fan of Brian's work long before his name rose to the top of our Marty illustrator wish-list, so I am just over-the-moon to share this news.
At one point while I was waiting for news, Editor Anamika emailed me: "He's reading the manuscript this weekend!" I cheered. Then I spent the entire weekend asking my husband, "What page do you think Brian is on now? How about now? Do you think he likes it?"
I am so very glad that he did. MARTY MCGUIRE, the first book in the series, comes out in May 2011.
I took my daughter to Brian's ALA conference signing back in June, introduced myself,and snapped the photo you see up there. I also bought a copy of MOONSHOT for Brian to sign as a giveaway on my blog for the day I was able to share the good news about Marty.
We'll have a drawing next weekend, okay? To enter, just leave a comment by midnight Friday night. If you are under 13, please have an adult enter for you. On Saturday (10/9) I'll draw a name - so be sure I have a way to get in touch with you if you're not on LJ.
October 1, 2010
I'd like to introduce you to my Sea Monster...
This the cover proof for Sea Monster's First Day, my picture book about a nervous sea monster's first day in a new school...of fish. It's coming out with Chronicle in July, and my terrific editor Melissa just sent me the page proofs via FedEx...a fun surprise waiting when I got home from school!
Illustrator Andy Rash is the amazing talent (and sense of humor!) behind the artwork. That little orange backpack makes me smile every time I see it.
September 29, 2010
Like Costa Rica Rain...
One of the things I love most about traveling with my family is the way our shared experiences shape the way we see things, long after the trip is over. Yesterday afternoon, it rained pretty hard here for a little while, just before my daughter and I had to go out to pick up my son at the high school.
"Wow," she said. "It's like Costa Rica rain."
We both watched out the window for a minute, then said at almost the same time, "But not quite." Because the rain in the jungle this August was so unique, so dependably spectacular and loud every afternoon at about four o'clock.
I love that our summer trip gave my daughter and me that secret, shared way of seeing a September downpour. It rained hard yesterday.
Almost like Costa Rica rain. But not quite.
"Wow," she said. "It's like Costa Rica rain."
We both watched out the window for a minute, then said at almost the same time, "But not quite." Because the rain in the jungle this August was so unique, so dependably spectacular and loud every afternoon at about four o'clock.
I love that our summer trip gave my daughter and me that secret, shared way of seeing a September downpour. It rained hard yesterday.
Almost like Costa Rica rain. But not quite.
September 28, 2010
TOUCH BLUE and lobstering at Flying Pig Books
My daughter and I took an after-school ferry ride this afternoon to attend Cynthia Lord's TOUCH BLUE event at Flying Pig Books. We both read and loved TOUCH BLUE so hearing Cindy speak about it was a real treat. We got to see old photos of the real Maine schoolhouse that inspired the story of TOUCH BLUE, in which families take in foster children to try and save their island school.
And Cindy had great props! She brought her marked-up manuscript with line edits, some rubber duckies from RULES, sea glass, which plays a role in the book, and lobster banding things (Banders, perhaps? Is that what they're called? Clearly I was not paying close enough attention...)
Flying Pig co-owner Elizabeth Bluemle took the lobstering practice a step further and started banding guests at the book event, including my daughter and author Linda Urban (![[info]](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1380438177i/889613.gif)
lurban
).
I do not think poor Linda enjoyed being banded... (though she was laughing a second after I took this photo)
Yes, we had entirely too much fun. And I have a shiny, signed copy of TOUCH BLUE to add to my classroom library tomorrow!
And Cindy had great props! She brought her marked-up manuscript with line edits, some rubber duckies from RULES, sea glass, which plays a role in the book, and lobster banding things (Banders, perhaps? Is that what they're called? Clearly I was not paying close enough attention...)
Flying Pig co-owner Elizabeth Bluemle took the lobstering practice a step further and started banding guests at the book event, including my daughter and author Linda Urban (
lurban
).I do not think poor Linda enjoyed being banded... (though she was laughing a second after I took this photo)
Yes, we had entirely too much fun. And I have a shiny, signed copy of TOUCH BLUE to add to my classroom library tomorrow!
September 26, 2010
Dystopian World Building Worksheet: Part I
My revision letter and first line edits just arrived for EYE OF THE STORM, my upper-MG dystopian novel coming out with Walker/Bloomsbury in 2012. I've been dying to get back to this book, but before I touch the manuscript to make a single change, I'm going to be writing many, many pages of world-building thoughts. While I did a lot of this during the planning process, I can already tell that this revision is going to be easier -- and just plain better -- if I take even more time to write exp...
September 24, 2010
Almost-Friday Five
1. Remember that book I'm writing for teachers? About how to get kids excited about revision using strategies shared by lots of authors who write for them? It's just about done! I'm waiting on a few photos & quotes, and adding a couple more student work samples this week because my new 7th graders just did some fantastic revision work that was too good to leave out. But otherwise, it's done & ready to go back to my editor at Stenhouse. This is very good timing because...
2. The fabulous MK, ...
2. The fabulous MK, ...
