Blake Hoena's Blog, page 16

SCSC Young Writers’ and Artists’ Conference, Mankato

It’s been a busy year for me so far. I had a week’s worth of presentations down in Faribault last month. And last week I was presenting at the Young Writers’ and Artists’ Conference in Mankato.

For me, one of the great things about presenting in Mankato is that it gives me a chance to visit some old friends. I went to school for my MFA in creative writing at Minnesota State University Mankato.

One person I had to make sure to see was Terry Davis, author of Vision Quest. He was one of my fiction writing professors at MSU, M. I actually helped him clean out a pole shed of old motorcycle parts (he also wrote If Rock ‘n’ Roll Were a Machine, a story about a teen getting his first motorcycle). My reward for all the hard work:

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After refinishing this chair, I’m hoping to write my master piece from it.

Year of the Reader — day 4

Started the morning off at Divine Mercy Catholic School (Go Cardinals!) for a couple of presentations. I absolutely loved their gymnasium. It had an old creaky wooden floor that reminded me of the gyms I used to run around in when I was in elementary school. And then I headed over to Nerstrand (Go Eagles!). I can't say enough good things about the students I worked with today. They were receptive and smart and creative. Wow!

But there was more.

The day ended at the KC Club with a banquet celebrating 25 years of the Year of the Reader program. I met several of the event's past authors: Nancy Carlson (she signed books for me!), Carol Gorman (1995), Marsha Chall (2002), Linda Glaser (2005), Debra Frasier (2008), and John Coy (2010). I also saw many familiar faces: Sue, Donna, Lannette, Luke, Ruth, Char, Lisa, Marty, Chris, Kathy, etc . . . many who helped me with the event and took good care of me during my stay in Faribault.

Oh, and I had to give a little speech. After spending four days talking to students, ranging in ages from K to 6, the adults were pretty easy to entertain.

Year of the Reader — day 3

Yesterday was a fun day over at Roosevelt Elementary (Go Rockets!). Some great students from the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf also joined us in Roosevelt's media center. This was the first time I've ever had an interpreter signing while I was presenting. Must admit it made me a little nervous knowing how I normally stop and stutter when talking. I just hope all the students had a great time, learned something, and are more excited about reading and drawing.

One of the big treats for me at Roosevelt is that a friend of mine, Lisa Simons, introduced me before each presentation. Lisa and I went to school together. We received our Master of Fine Arts degrees in creative writing from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and we both published a few book with Capstone Press, which is based out of Mankato.

Year of the Reader — day 2

Day 2, I headed on over to Lincoln Elementary (Go Lions). It was another day filled with very enthusiastic students and a lot (I mean, A LOT) of book signing. One of the greatest rewards of writing children's books is seeing those books in the hands of eager readers.

For the presentations today, I had the younger students sketch Eek (below)

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The older students worked on creating a super hero (below).

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Again, thanks to everyone who helped me through the day!

Year of the Reader — day 1

Today, I headed over to Jefferson Elementary (Go Jaguars!) for the first leg of my stint down in Faribault. I knew I was in good hands when I came across Eek and Ack's spaceship in the school library.

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Very cool!

The students were enthusiastic, and I don't believe I've ever sign so many autographs. I had a great time, and I have to thank every one involved in putting the event together.

The day ended with an interview on KDHL, which will air later this week.

Star Tribune

Tomorrow starts my weekend long school/library tour in Faribault, MN, and it earned me a brief mention in the Star Tribune. I'm  newsworthy!

Throughout the week in Faribault, I hope to post how the event is going, as well as include pictures of student work.

Tony Hawk

Tony Hawk's 900 Revolution Series needs another hero, and Stone Arch Books is holding a contest where you can be that hero: Revolution Contest.

I might even be the one writing about you!

25th Annual Year of the Reader Author Visit in Faribault

(an article from the Southeastern Libraries Cooperating/Southeast Library System)

The Faribault Schools Year of the Reader Committee is celebrating the  25th year of bringing authors / illustrators to visit with students in Faribault. A celebration will be held on Thursday, March 1 at the KC Club, 17 3rd Ave. NE, Faribault. Doors will open at 4:30 for appetizers and previews of authors' books. A presentation by the authors will be at 5:30, and 6:30 will be autographing and social hour. Reservations are greatly appreciated so we will have enough food but not required. The cost for the evening will be $10 payable to ISD 656. For information and reservations contact Lisa Simons at lsimons@faribault.k12.mn.us or 507-213-7469. A certificate for CEU's will be available.

Blake Hoena and Nancy Carlson will speak, as will several past presenters, including Carol Gorman (1995), Marsha Chall (2002), Linda Glaser (2005), Debra Frasier (2008), and John Coy (2010) . Each author will bring a few of their newer books. Checks or cash will be paid to each individual author. Blake Hoena will spend the week of Feb. 27th visiting Faribault Public Schools, MSAD students, Nerstrand Charter School, Faribault Lutheran School, Divine Mercy Catholic School, and Cannon River STEM School. Students will be able to purchase books for autographing. For more information visit  www.bahoena.com.

The Year of the Reader Committee started when a group of Faribault teachers and librarians attended an author banquet in Rochester and decided to do the same for Faribault students. Many of the original educators are still helping with the program, even though some are now retired. Bringing authors and illustrators to schools encourages reading and writing and shows students that authors are real people just like they are. Over the years many of the authors have shared that they were not always readers and writers. Twenty four years ago, grant money and local donations helped get Year of the Reader started. The schools' parent-teacher organizations have donated on a per student basis for 25 years. No school district money has ever been needed. Other sources of funding have included the Blandin Foundation, The Loft and WalMart. The Bahl Foundation has been a local funding source since 2007.

Song Lyrics

For Amplified, my main character, Wren, was a singer, songwriter. For one scene, she was on stage singing at a local club, First Ave (I've seen Mason Jennings and The Black Keys there). So I had to write some song lyrics for her. It's not something I've attempted for several years, back when I used to play guitar. Below is the song, though I haven't put music to it, yet.

Do you want me

Like I want you

Do you need me

Like I need you

Don't think this is a crush, the way I love

I'm an anaconda - gonna eat you up

Don't turn your back on the way I love

I'm an anaconda - gonna eat you up

Do you see me

Like I see you

Do you hear me

Like I hear you

Don't think this is a crush, the way I love

I'm an anaconda - gonna eat you up

Don't turn your back on the way I love

I'm an anaconda - gonna eat you up

Won't you kiss me

Like I kiss you

Won't you hold me

Like I hold you

Don't think this is a crush, the way I love

I'm an anaconda - gonna eat you up

Don't turn your back on the way I love

I'm an anaconda - gonna eat you up

I was hoping the lyrics would capture the mood of an angsty teenage girl who was singing to a girl, Amy, that she was crushing on.

If an Egg Hatches . . .

and Other Animal Predictions.

And lastly, the final book in my prediction series.

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Body Text

Bears have mighty big appetites. After all, it takes lots of berries and leaves and fish and bugs to fill up their big bellies. But during winter, there are no berries, or bugs, or fish for the bear to eat. What will it do to survive?

Prediction

Hibernate — animals like bears will go into a deep sleep to conserve energy. That way, they don't need to eat as much during the winter months when food is difficult to find.