Marcia Thornton Jones's Blog, page 203
February 20, 2014
“Middleview” Interview with Debut Author Gayle Rosengren
Posted by Tamera Wissinger
Today, Gayle Rosengren is joining Smack Dab In The Middle Blog for a guest “middleview” interview. Gayle’s debut middle grade novel WHAT THE MOON SAID, Putnam Young Readers Group, releases today, 02/20/2014! Congratulations, Gayle!
Here is a bit about Gayle:
Author Photo: Robert BeaversonGayle grew up in Chicago. Like Esther, she enjoyed school, was an avid reader, and loved dogs and horses. She attended Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, where she majored in Creative Writing and was the editor of the literary magazine. Gayle never outgrew her passion for children's books, and she worked as a children's and young adult librarian at a public library for several years in the late 1980's and early 1990's, enthusiastically sharing her love of books with young people.
Also like Esther, Gayle eventually moved to Wisconsin, but by then she was a mother with three children. She worked in the reference library, and later as a copy-editor, at American Girl. During this time period she published short stories for children in Cricket, Ladybug, Jack and Jill and Children's Digest magazines.
Now Gayle writes full-time in her home just outside of Madison, Wisconsin, where she lives with her husband, Don, and slightly neurotic rescue dog, Fiona. Gayle is living her dream, she says, writing books she hopes will make the same difference in children's lives as her favorite books and authors made in hers. What the Moon Said is her first novel.
Here’s a description of WHAT THE MOON SAID:
What the Moon Said is the story of 10 year-old Esther and her family and how their love makes good times better and bad times bearable during the Great Depression.
Their move from the big city of Chicago to a small ramshackle farm in Wisconsin is full of changes for Esther. Some of them are good, like being able to have a dog at last. But some of them are bad, like having to use an outhouse because there is no indoor plumbing!
Join Esther on her "great adventure" and find out if she ever earns the hug she yearns for from her mother. Find out what Esther discovers about luck—good and bad—and about the superstitions so important to her mother. Find out what the moon said.
Here are the links to Gayle online: Website, Twitter, Goodreads
Now it’s time to hear from our guest:
Smack Dab Middleview with WHAT THE MOON SAID author Gayle Rosengren
1. In a nutshell, what does your main character, Esther, want?
Ever since Esther saw her friend Shirley's mother hug and kiss her and tell Shirley that she loved her, Esther has yearned for the same proof of love from her mother. But Ma doesn't give hugs, let alone kisses and "I love you's". Being a determined girl, however (we won't call her stubborn), Esther vows to find a way to make Ma love her and give her the gestures of affection that she craves.
2. What is in Esther's way?
Ma is not just undemonstrative, she's full of superstitious beliefs that she brought with her from Russia as a young woman. The harder Esther tries to impress Ma, the more she seems to anger her instead--by bringing an open umbrella into the house, putting new shoes on the table, killing a spider before breakfast, or committing any number of other wrong-doings that, according to Ma, call bad luck into their home.
3. Did you know right away that this was your story, or did you discover it as you wrote? How did the story evolve?
I knew I wanted to write a story that explored a "different" kind of mother-daughter relationship and how it compared to a demonstrably loving one, because I'd always been fascinated by the difference between my mother's way of mothering and my grandmother's far more restrained style. I imagined that my mother had always wanted more affection than she received and that was why she was so extra-loving with my siblings and me. I felt as if we got all the hugs and kisses and declarations of love that she wished she could have had. And so the idea for this book was born.
Of course, like most stories, it changed quite a bit as I wrote it. I realized I needed something specific in Ma's past to explain her rigid behavior, and then I needed a realistic way for Esther to find out about it. But even when this part of the work was done, what I had was a sweet but "quiet" story that had great characters and setting but not enough tension. What to do…what to do..? The obvious, of course; I put it in a drawer for several years and worked on other manuscripts. But I took Esther's story out and dusted it off a few years ago when I participated in a novel retreat with an editor from Putnam. She loved the characters and the setting, but (ahem) thought it was a bit too quiet. (Arghh!) However, she had a suggestion for heightening the tension and action by adding more superstitions and increasing their significance to the story. It was the perfect advice. The story took off. The editor took the novel. And I finally took the long-awaited leap from being a writer to being an author.
4. Was WHAT THE MOON SAID always for middle grade readers or not? If so, why did you choose middle grade? If not, what had to change for it to be considered a middle grade novel?
In my mind it was always a middle grade story. I wanted Esther to have one foot still in childhood and the other foot stepping out of it. A doll, Margaret, was the tangible sign of this transition. Esther is unable to set Margaret aside despite Ma's insistence that she's too old for dolls, and this sore point between them ultimately leads to an intense climactic scene. But realistically speaking, I think it's during this 8-12 year old period that kids start looking more closely at other families and comparing them to their own, so that Esther's suddenly noticing Ma's refusal to show (or speak of) her love is believable.
5. What is the best part of writing for middle grade readers?
The best part is knowing that as a middle grade book it has such potential for making a life-long impression on its readers. Middle grade is the sweet spot in children's literature. These readers are youngsters who've only recently discovered the amazing places that a book can take them. The books I read when I was that age are still as vivid in my mind today as they were when I first read them. I had no way of knowing it at the time, but the characters I met between those book covers (who were like real friends then) were destined to be "forever friends" and are still every bit as dear to me now. I'd love to think that Esther's story might resonate that way for young readers of today.
Thank you for joining us on Smack Dab in the Middle Blog, Gayle. Again, congratulations on the release of WHAT THE MOON SAID!
Today, Gayle Rosengren is joining Smack Dab In The Middle Blog for a guest “middleview” interview. Gayle’s debut middle grade novel WHAT THE MOON SAID, Putnam Young Readers Group, releases today, 02/20/2014! Congratulations, Gayle!
Here is a bit about Gayle:
Author Photo: Robert BeaversonGayle grew up in Chicago. Like Esther, she enjoyed school, was an avid reader, and loved dogs and horses. She attended Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, where she majored in Creative Writing and was the editor of the literary magazine. Gayle never outgrew her passion for children's books, and she worked as a children's and young adult librarian at a public library for several years in the late 1980's and early 1990's, enthusiastically sharing her love of books with young people.Also like Esther, Gayle eventually moved to Wisconsin, but by then she was a mother with three children. She worked in the reference library, and later as a copy-editor, at American Girl. During this time period she published short stories for children in Cricket, Ladybug, Jack and Jill and Children's Digest magazines.
Now Gayle writes full-time in her home just outside of Madison, Wisconsin, where she lives with her husband, Don, and slightly neurotic rescue dog, Fiona. Gayle is living her dream, she says, writing books she hopes will make the same difference in children's lives as her favorite books and authors made in hers. What the Moon Said is her first novel.
Here’s a description of WHAT THE MOON SAID:
What the Moon Said is the story of 10 year-old Esther and her family and how their love makes good times better and bad times bearable during the Great Depression.
Their move from the big city of Chicago to a small ramshackle farm in Wisconsin is full of changes for Esther. Some of them are good, like being able to have a dog at last. But some of them are bad, like having to use an outhouse because there is no indoor plumbing!
Join Esther on her "great adventure" and find out if she ever earns the hug she yearns for from her mother. Find out what Esther discovers about luck—good and bad—and about the superstitions so important to her mother. Find out what the moon said.
Here are the links to Gayle online: Website, Twitter, Goodreads
Now it’s time to hear from our guest:
Smack Dab Middleview with WHAT THE MOON SAID author Gayle Rosengren
1. In a nutshell, what does your main character, Esther, want?
Ever since Esther saw her friend Shirley's mother hug and kiss her and tell Shirley that she loved her, Esther has yearned for the same proof of love from her mother. But Ma doesn't give hugs, let alone kisses and "I love you's". Being a determined girl, however (we won't call her stubborn), Esther vows to find a way to make Ma love her and give her the gestures of affection that she craves.
2. What is in Esther's way?
Ma is not just undemonstrative, she's full of superstitious beliefs that she brought with her from Russia as a young woman. The harder Esther tries to impress Ma, the more she seems to anger her instead--by bringing an open umbrella into the house, putting new shoes on the table, killing a spider before breakfast, or committing any number of other wrong-doings that, according to Ma, call bad luck into their home.
3. Did you know right away that this was your story, or did you discover it as you wrote? How did the story evolve?
I knew I wanted to write a story that explored a "different" kind of mother-daughter relationship and how it compared to a demonstrably loving one, because I'd always been fascinated by the difference between my mother's way of mothering and my grandmother's far more restrained style. I imagined that my mother had always wanted more affection than she received and that was why she was so extra-loving with my siblings and me. I felt as if we got all the hugs and kisses and declarations of love that she wished she could have had. And so the idea for this book was born.
Of course, like most stories, it changed quite a bit as I wrote it. I realized I needed something specific in Ma's past to explain her rigid behavior, and then I needed a realistic way for Esther to find out about it. But even when this part of the work was done, what I had was a sweet but "quiet" story that had great characters and setting but not enough tension. What to do…what to do..? The obvious, of course; I put it in a drawer for several years and worked on other manuscripts. But I took Esther's story out and dusted it off a few years ago when I participated in a novel retreat with an editor from Putnam. She loved the characters and the setting, but (ahem) thought it was a bit too quiet. (Arghh!) However, she had a suggestion for heightening the tension and action by adding more superstitions and increasing their significance to the story. It was the perfect advice. The story took off. The editor took the novel. And I finally took the long-awaited leap from being a writer to being an author.
4. Was WHAT THE MOON SAID always for middle grade readers or not? If so, why did you choose middle grade? If not, what had to change for it to be considered a middle grade novel?
In my mind it was always a middle grade story. I wanted Esther to have one foot still in childhood and the other foot stepping out of it. A doll, Margaret, was the tangible sign of this transition. Esther is unable to set Margaret aside despite Ma's insistence that she's too old for dolls, and this sore point between them ultimately leads to an intense climactic scene. But realistically speaking, I think it's during this 8-12 year old period that kids start looking more closely at other families and comparing them to their own, so that Esther's suddenly noticing Ma's refusal to show (or speak of) her love is believable.
5. What is the best part of writing for middle grade readers?
The best part is knowing that as a middle grade book it has such potential for making a life-long impression on its readers. Middle grade is the sweet spot in children's literature. These readers are youngsters who've only recently discovered the amazing places that a book can take them. The books I read when I was that age are still as vivid in my mind today as they were when I first read them. I had no way of knowing it at the time, but the characters I met between those book covers (who were like real friends then) were destined to be "forever friends" and are still every bit as dear to me now. I'd love to think that Esther's story might resonate that way for young readers of today.
Thank you for joining us on Smack Dab in the Middle Blog, Gayle. Again, congratulations on the release of WHAT THE MOON SAID!
February 18, 2014
A Page a Day (February theme) by Claudia Mills
When I go to schools on author visits, I tell the students that I have written all of my books, fifty of them published so far, with my trademark hour a day/page a day system that has served me well for thirty years. I tell them that one paltry, pitiful, pathetic page looks like so little, but at the rate of a page a day, adds up to so much.
"If you write a page a day," I ask the students, "how many pages will you have at the end of a year?"
I now know that the first graders will raise their hands with answers like, "Twenty!" But most of the second graders and all of the third graders know: 365!
"And if it's leap year," I remind them, "you'll have 366! I love leap year, because I get one more day to write!"
This year is not leap year. This year February has in it only 28 days, not 29.
But 28 pages is still a LOT.
In my day job as a university professor, I've recommended the page-a-day system to doctoral students paralyzed by the dread and horror of writing their dissertation. "Just write a page a day," I advise.
"Are you kidding?" they wail in despair. "I'll never get it done that way!"
"Ahh," I say. "And if you had started writing a page a day six months ago, where would you be now?"
And then they get it.
I've had months where I hardly spend anything on my credit card - no plane tickets, no hotel bills, no major purchases of any kind - and yet when I get the monthly statement, the balance astonishes me. How could I owe over a thousand dollars just from Chipotle here and amazon.com one-click there? Enough little bits add up to a whopping big total. (The same financial principle works for saving as well as for spending, but I've had fewer opportunities to test that first hand.)
February is the shortest month. It's often the coldest month. In one of my favorite books ever written, Heaven to Betsy by Maud Hart Lovelace, Betsy's father comments re February, "When the days begin to lengthen, the cold begins to strengthen."
But cold weather is cozy weather for writing. And a page a day written over the brief span of those 28 days (preferably while curled up under a quilt and drinking hot chocolate) adds up to a bountiful harvest of pages come spring.
"If you write a page a day," I ask the students, "how many pages will you have at the end of a year?"
I now know that the first graders will raise their hands with answers like, "Twenty!" But most of the second graders and all of the third graders know: 365!
"And if it's leap year," I remind them, "you'll have 366! I love leap year, because I get one more day to write!"
This year is not leap year. This year February has in it only 28 days, not 29.
But 28 pages is still a LOT.
In my day job as a university professor, I've recommended the page-a-day system to doctoral students paralyzed by the dread and horror of writing their dissertation. "Just write a page a day," I advise.
"Are you kidding?" they wail in despair. "I'll never get it done that way!"
"Ahh," I say. "And if you had started writing a page a day six months ago, where would you be now?"
And then they get it.
I've had months where I hardly spend anything on my credit card - no plane tickets, no hotel bills, no major purchases of any kind - and yet when I get the monthly statement, the balance astonishes me. How could I owe over a thousand dollars just from Chipotle here and amazon.com one-click there? Enough little bits add up to a whopping big total. (The same financial principle works for saving as well as for spending, but I've had fewer opportunities to test that first hand.)
February is the shortest month. It's often the coldest month. In one of my favorite books ever written, Heaven to Betsy by Maud Hart Lovelace, Betsy's father comments re February, "When the days begin to lengthen, the cold begins to strengthen."
But cold weather is cozy weather for writing. And a page a day written over the brief span of those 28 days (preferably while curled up under a quilt and drinking hot chocolate) adds up to a bountiful harvest of pages come spring.
February 17, 2014
Valen-time (February Themes, Sarah Dooley)
There are two themes here at Smack Dab this month: a Valentine to the person who got us writing, or tips on making the most of a short month. But, being the indecisive writer I am, I've found myself combining the two. So, here it is: a Valentine to the shortest writing month.
February,month of the heart,
with dawn and duskjust hours apart
and heavy cloudsthat dump new snow
on top of oldas cold winds blow
leaves little time for writer types
to put asidetheir winter gripes
and shoveling dutieslong enough
to find new wordsand write new stuff.
It frustrates uswhen days are brief
with chocolate heartsour sole relief
and daylight fadesbefore we're through
with all the thingswe have to do.
Still, when all is said and done,
would our storiesturn out as fun
if they didn't echo our winter rage,
hearts and snow driftson the page?
Our charactersknow how to love
and throw snowballsand push and shove
through blinding windand bitter cold
To let their wintertales unfold.
And, let's be honest,If we were given
The extra timefor which we've striven,
We writer typeswould spend all day
On Facebook -- Then rush anyway.
Happy February, guys! Spring's got to be almost here, right?
February,month of the heart,
with dawn and duskjust hours apart
and heavy cloudsthat dump new snow
on top of oldas cold winds blow
leaves little time for writer types
to put asidetheir winter gripes
and shoveling dutieslong enough
to find new wordsand write new stuff.
It frustrates uswhen days are brief
with chocolate heartsour sole relief
and daylight fadesbefore we're through
with all the thingswe have to do.
Still, when all is said and done,
would our storiesturn out as fun
if they didn't echo our winter rage,
hearts and snow driftson the page?
Our charactersknow how to love
and throw snowballsand push and shove
through blinding windand bitter cold
To let their wintertales unfold.
And, let's be honest,If we were given
The extra timefor which we've striven,
We writer typeswould spend all day
On Facebook -- Then rush anyway.
Happy February, guys! Spring's got to be almost here, right?
February 16, 2014
Happy Valentine's Day, Mom
By Ann Haywood LealI used to do it all of the time. I'd have a fleeting moment where I would forget she was gone and I'd think I could just pick up the phone and call her. But sixteen years have gone by, and it hasn't happened in a long while--until oddly enough, on Valentine's Day-- just two days ago.
I was walking to my car, thinking about my work-in-progress, and I thought to myself, I've got to tell Mom about this idea. She'll like it.
Maybe it's because she was always there when I was starting a writing project. I associate those exciting, possibility-laden moments with her.
At the very beginning of my writing life, I got in huge trouble for writing "words" all over my little pink cardboard stove and refrigerator. Most parents would immediately take away the crayons of a three-and-a-half-year-old who did that. Not my mom. She made sure I had enough paper and writing utensils to make my own books for my words. My brothers and I were always allowed to use the sharp scissors.
Mom took us to the library every week. She never rushed me, and we knew never to rush her. Because books and everything that went with them took top priority.
She was working as a reading specialist and ARE YOU THERE, GOD? IT'S ME, MARGARET. was the hottest book around. I could not get that book at the library. The reserve list was a mile long. Mom brought it home for me. She had swiped it out of a kid's desk over the weekend. "It'll take her a while to read it," Mom said. "But I'm sure you can finish it over the weekend." I read it twice that weekend and Mom popped it safely back in the girl's desk before she got there on Monday morning.
When my first book came out, I felt a tiny layer of sadness that Mom wouldn't ever get to see it. She would have been thrilled beyond belief. I mentioned this to my dear friend, Pat, who smiled and said, "Oh, she knows. She definitely knows."
Happy Valentine's Day, Mom.
“Middleview” Interview with Debut Author Carmella Van Vleet
Posted by Tamera Wissinger
Today, Carmella Van Vleet is joining Smack Dab In The Middle Blog for a guest “middleview” interview. Carmella’s debut middle grade novel ELIZA BING IS (NOT) A BIG, FAT QUITTER, Holiday House, released on 02/14/2014! Congratulations, Carmella!
Here is a bit about Carmella:
Carmella Van Vleet is a former elementary school teacher and the author of numerous books for children and adults. Her work has appeared in Highlights for Children and Parenting. This is her first middle-grade novel. She lives in Ohio.
Here’s a description of ELIZA BING IS (NOT) A BIG, FAT QUITTER:
A preteen girl struggling with ADHD must stick with a summer taekwondo class to prove that she’s dedicated enough to pursue her true passion: cake decorating.
Here are the links to Carmella online: Website, MiG Writers Blog, Twitter, Goodreads, Facebook
Now it’s time to hear from our guest:
Smack Dab Middleview with ELIZA BING IS (NOT) A BIG, FAT QUITTER author Carmella Van Vleet 1. In a nutshell, what does your main character, Eliza, want?
Eliza desperately wants to take a cake decorating class with her best friend, but her parents tell her “No.” When she overhears them saying it because they think she’ll just give up, she decides to prove she’s no quitter by taking over her brother’s spot in a taekwondo class.
2. What is in her way?
Eliza’s biggest obstacle is herself! Because she has ADHD, it’s hard for her to concentrate in class and keep track of her handbook, which she needs to test for her yellow belt. A “mean” girl from school also shows up in class and complicates things.
3. Did you know right away that this was your story, or did you discover it as you wrote? How did the story evolve?
Eliza’s personality came to me pretty easily and quickly. She’s very much a combination of me and my daughter, who has ADHD and was bullied like Eliza. What she wanted evolved, though. In the beginning, she just wanted to find a way to take the cake decorating class. But when I began revising with my agent’s feedback, it became clear that what she really wanted was to prove she could stick with something. I think Eliza was surprised as anyone that she actually liked taekwondo!
4. Was ELIZA BING IS (NOT) A BIG, FAT QUITTER always for middle grade readers or not? If so, why did you choose middle grade? If not, what had to change for it to be considered a middle grade novel?
ELIZA BING IS (NOT) A BIG, FAT QUITTER was always intended for middle grade readers. She just seemed like a natural fit for that audience. There’s a lot of anxiety about starting middle school. (At least there was for me!) And it’s a time when friendships are changing and kids are feeling the pressure to fit in. Eliza feels like an outsider; kids call her spaz and other names because of her ADHD. But I wanted to show kids that there’s a lot of really cool things about thinking outside of the box. I don’t think Eliza succeeds in spite of her ADHD, I think she succeeds *because* of it.
5. What is the best part of writing for middle grade readers?
Where do I begin?! Middle grade readers are awesome because they’re funny, smart and a lot wiser than many people give them credit for. And they’ll give an author a fair shot before they put a book down. I also enjoy writing for that age group because you can keep the story simple. By that I don’t mean that stories for them shouldn’t be challenging - because they’re up for challenging - I just mean that you don’t have to worry about things like romantic relationships or complicated plot lines. There’s something pure and universal about middle grade books.
6. Is there any downside?
Sometimes it’s hard to remember what it’s really like to be that age. It can be a real balancing act to write as your inner kid and still be an adult with some perspective.
7. Your chapters in ELIZA BING IS (NOT) A BIG, FAT QUITTER are, at most, just a few pages long. And one of them is a single word! Why is that?
Eliza was a very talkative MC, but she also came to me at random times and in short scenes. So that’s the way I ended up writing her story. I discovered that I love using short chapters as a writer.
8. How do you know so much about taekwondo?
I’ve been training in taekwondo for about eight years, so I totally relate to Eliza’s struggle to step outside of her comfort zone.
Thank you for joining us at Smack Dab in the Middle Blog, Carmella. Again, congratulations on the release of ELIZA BING IS (NOT) A BIG, FAT QUITTER!
Today, Carmella Van Vleet is joining Smack Dab In The Middle Blog for a guest “middleview” interview. Carmella’s debut middle grade novel ELIZA BING IS (NOT) A BIG, FAT QUITTER, Holiday House, released on 02/14/2014! Congratulations, Carmella!
Here is a bit about Carmella:
Carmella Van Vleet is a former elementary school teacher and the author of numerous books for children and adults. Her work has appeared in Highlights for Children and Parenting. This is her first middle-grade novel. She lives in Ohio. Here’s a description of ELIZA BING IS (NOT) A BIG, FAT QUITTER:
A preteen girl struggling with ADHD must stick with a summer taekwondo class to prove that she’s dedicated enough to pursue her true passion: cake decorating.
Here are the links to Carmella online: Website, MiG Writers Blog, Twitter, Goodreads, Facebook
Now it’s time to hear from our guest:
Smack Dab Middleview with ELIZA BING IS (NOT) A BIG, FAT QUITTER author Carmella Van Vleet 1. In a nutshell, what does your main character, Eliza, want?
Eliza desperately wants to take a cake decorating class with her best friend, but her parents tell her “No.” When she overhears them saying it because they think she’ll just give up, she decides to prove she’s no quitter by taking over her brother’s spot in a taekwondo class.
2. What is in her way?
Eliza’s biggest obstacle is herself! Because she has ADHD, it’s hard for her to concentrate in class and keep track of her handbook, which she needs to test for her yellow belt. A “mean” girl from school also shows up in class and complicates things.
3. Did you know right away that this was your story, or did you discover it as you wrote? How did the story evolve? Eliza’s personality came to me pretty easily and quickly. She’s very much a combination of me and my daughter, who has ADHD and was bullied like Eliza. What she wanted evolved, though. In the beginning, she just wanted to find a way to take the cake decorating class. But when I began revising with my agent’s feedback, it became clear that what she really wanted was to prove she could stick with something. I think Eliza was surprised as anyone that she actually liked taekwondo!
4. Was ELIZA BING IS (NOT) A BIG, FAT QUITTER always for middle grade readers or not? If so, why did you choose middle grade? If not, what had to change for it to be considered a middle grade novel?
ELIZA BING IS (NOT) A BIG, FAT QUITTER was always intended for middle grade readers. She just seemed like a natural fit for that audience. There’s a lot of anxiety about starting middle school. (At least there was for me!) And it’s a time when friendships are changing and kids are feeling the pressure to fit in. Eliza feels like an outsider; kids call her spaz and other names because of her ADHD. But I wanted to show kids that there’s a lot of really cool things about thinking outside of the box. I don’t think Eliza succeeds in spite of her ADHD, I think she succeeds *because* of it.
5. What is the best part of writing for middle grade readers?
Where do I begin?! Middle grade readers are awesome because they’re funny, smart and a lot wiser than many people give them credit for. And they’ll give an author a fair shot before they put a book down. I also enjoy writing for that age group because you can keep the story simple. By that I don’t mean that stories for them shouldn’t be challenging - because they’re up for challenging - I just mean that you don’t have to worry about things like romantic relationships or complicated plot lines. There’s something pure and universal about middle grade books.
6. Is there any downside?
Sometimes it’s hard to remember what it’s really like to be that age. It can be a real balancing act to write as your inner kid and still be an adult with some perspective.
7. Your chapters in ELIZA BING IS (NOT) A BIG, FAT QUITTER are, at most, just a few pages long. And one of them is a single word! Why is that?
Eliza was a very talkative MC, but she also came to me at random times and in short scenes. So that’s the way I ended up writing her story. I discovered that I love using short chapters as a writer.
8. How do you know so much about taekwondo?
I’ve been training in taekwondo for about eight years, so I totally relate to Eliza’s struggle to step outside of her comfort zone.
Thank you for joining us at Smack Dab in the Middle Blog, Carmella. Again, congratulations on the release of ELIZA BING IS (NOT) A BIG, FAT QUITTER!
February 14, 2014
February Snow Ritual by Bob Krech
I have a snow blower. Right around Thanksgiving each year, I pick a relatively warm day, pull it out of the garage, prime it, and start it up. This is a ritual. If it starts, I know I won't have to use it. Three years in a row this has proven true, including last year. The one year I didn't do this, we had a ton of snow and when I needed it, I couldn't get it started and ended up at a repair shop, but only after I shoveled a foot of snow out of the driveway so I could get there.
This November I performed the ritual as prescribed. The snow blower started like a charm. So, why are we in the midst of a record snowfall here in Central New Jersey?! Why is my school spring break being whittled away by snow days I don't even want any more?! Can't one trust in superstitious, nonsensical rituals anymore?
Two fun things about the snow though. It's great to be out with the neighbors, helping each other and commiserating together. It's one very relaxed social setting. My 14 year old next door neighbor, Thomas always shovels my sidewalk on his side up to my driveway. Which is really sweet considering I have the snow blower and all he has is a shovel. My young chiropractor neighbor across the way hired Thomas to shovel her out, so I headed over and lent Thomas a hand while she told us about her upcoming wedding plans. Not too many social occasions where the three of us would be hanging out together chewing the fat, but there it was. Kind of cool.
The other fun thing about the snow, besides how beautiful it really looks, is that because I am off work and I can't really go anywhere, I am actually getting a LOT of writing done this Feburary. Even this blog. :)
This November I performed the ritual as prescribed. The snow blower started like a charm. So, why are we in the midst of a record snowfall here in Central New Jersey?! Why is my school spring break being whittled away by snow days I don't even want any more?! Can't one trust in superstitious, nonsensical rituals anymore?
Two fun things about the snow though. It's great to be out with the neighbors, helping each other and commiserating together. It's one very relaxed social setting. My 14 year old next door neighbor, Thomas always shovels my sidewalk on his side up to my driveway. Which is really sweet considering I have the snow blower and all he has is a shovel. My young chiropractor neighbor across the way hired Thomas to shovel her out, so I headed over and lent Thomas a hand while she told us about her upcoming wedding plans. Not too many social occasions where the three of us would be hanging out together chewing the fat, but there it was. Kind of cool.
The other fun thing about the snow, besides how beautiful it really looks, is that because I am off work and I can't really go anywhere, I am actually getting a LOT of writing done this Feburary. Even this blog. :)
“Middleview” Interview with Debut Author Louise Galveston
Posted by Tamera Wissinger
Today, Louise Galveston is joining Smack Dab In The Middle Blog for a guest “middleview” interview. Louise’s debut middle grade novel BY THE GRACE OF TODD, Razorbill, releases on 02/27/2014! Congratulations, Louise!
Here is a bit about Louise:
Louise Galveston grew up on horseback and books in the Midwest, where she still lives. In addition to writing middle-grade novels, Louiise is resident playwright and director of her local children’s theater. She also enjoys performing occasionally alongside her husband and eleven children. When she’s not writing or at the theater, you can find Louise sketching or battling laundry.
Here’s a description of BY THE GRACE OF TODD:
Todd’s room borders on Hoarders-level messy. We’re talking Roomageddon here. When his mom gives him the ultimatum to clean it or miss his best friend’s birthday bash, Todd makes an amazing discovery: he has created an entire civilization of ant-sized people from the sheer grossness on his filthy sock. The “Toddlians” put their faith in their all-powerful creator, but can the kid who can’t even keep a hermit crab alive save them from Max Loving, the biggest bully at Wakefield Middle School?
Here are the links to Louise online: Website, By The Grace of Todd site, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads
Now it’s time to hear from our guest:
Smack Dab Middleview with BY THE GRACE OF TODD author Louise Galveston 1. In a nutshell, what does your main character, Todd want?
Todd wants to ditch the loser image that has haunted him throughout elementary school. He longs to be cool, or at least to make it off the bullies' dork radars.
2. What is in his way?
Todd and his best friend Duddy are obsessed with the Japanese anime series, Dragon Sensei. In fact, they're the founding members of the "Koi Boy Karate Choppers" fan club. They also happen to be on the wrong side of puberty…by a mile. When the coolest kid (and biggest bully) in sixth grade mysteriously befriends Todd, he has to make a tough choice, because Duddy is definitely not invited to the cool club. There is also the problem of the Toddlians (the tiny civilization that has spawned from the grunge on Todd's sock), who Max mistreats trying to train them for a science project. If Todd defends his little people, he can kiss his cool card goodbye.
3. Did you know right away that this was your story, or did you discover it as you wrote? How did the story evolve?
The main story idea was there from the get go, but as the characters' personalities developed, the plot definitely "thickened." I'm not usually an outliner, but this story has quite a few characters because of the Toddlians, so I stuck with the storyline pretty faithfully. And now I'm sold on outlines!
4. Was By the Grace of Todd always for middle grade readers or not? If so, why did you choose middle grade? If not, what had to change for it to be considered a middle grade novel?
The story problem centers on entering middle school, so it's always been for middle-graders. I have written for younger readers, and am working on a chapter book series now, but I think I'll be stuck in a middle-grade mindset when I'm eighty. I connect so strongly to that time in my own life because it was so monumental to me.
5. What is the best part of writing for middle grade readers?
This age is reading well enough to handle more complex writing, yet is not too mature to appreciate my particular brand of corny humor. Middle-graders are still so chock full of hope and wonder. I love this age!
6. Is there any downside?
Sometimes my sixth grade sense of humor makes its way into conversations with adults. That's always embarrassing, (unless they're kindred spirits, of course).
7. Is there one question you wish you could answer about writing, your book, or the author's life, but have never been asked? Here's your chance to Q &A yourself. Who is the amazing illustrator of BY THE GRACE OF TODD?
His name is Patrick Fariscy, and I agree; he is AMAZING!
Thank you for joining us on Smack Dab in the Middle Blog, Louise. Again, congratulations on the release of BY THE GRACE OF TODD!
Today, Louise Galveston is joining Smack Dab In The Middle Blog for a guest “middleview” interview. Louise’s debut middle grade novel BY THE GRACE OF TODD, Razorbill, releases on 02/27/2014! Congratulations, Louise!
Here is a bit about Louise:
Louise Galveston grew up on horseback and books in the Midwest, where she still lives. In addition to writing middle-grade novels, Louiise is resident playwright and director of her local children’s theater. She also enjoys performing occasionally alongside her husband and eleven children. When she’s not writing or at the theater, you can find Louise sketching or battling laundry.Here’s a description of BY THE GRACE OF TODD:
Todd’s room borders on Hoarders-level messy. We’re talking Roomageddon here. When his mom gives him the ultimatum to clean it or miss his best friend’s birthday bash, Todd makes an amazing discovery: he has created an entire civilization of ant-sized people from the sheer grossness on his filthy sock. The “Toddlians” put their faith in their all-powerful creator, but can the kid who can’t even keep a hermit crab alive save them from Max Loving, the biggest bully at Wakefield Middle School?
Here are the links to Louise online: Website, By The Grace of Todd site, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads
Now it’s time to hear from our guest:
Smack Dab Middleview with BY THE GRACE OF TODD author Louise Galveston 1. In a nutshell, what does your main character, Todd want?
Todd wants to ditch the loser image that has haunted him throughout elementary school. He longs to be cool, or at least to make it off the bullies' dork radars.
2. What is in his way?
Todd and his best friend Duddy are obsessed with the Japanese anime series, Dragon Sensei. In fact, they're the founding members of the "Koi Boy Karate Choppers" fan club. They also happen to be on the wrong side of puberty…by a mile. When the coolest kid (and biggest bully) in sixth grade mysteriously befriends Todd, he has to make a tough choice, because Duddy is definitely not invited to the cool club. There is also the problem of the Toddlians (the tiny civilization that has spawned from the grunge on Todd's sock), who Max mistreats trying to train them for a science project. If Todd defends his little people, he can kiss his cool card goodbye.
3. Did you know right away that this was your story, or did you discover it as you wrote? How did the story evolve? The main story idea was there from the get go, but as the characters' personalities developed, the plot definitely "thickened." I'm not usually an outliner, but this story has quite a few characters because of the Toddlians, so I stuck with the storyline pretty faithfully. And now I'm sold on outlines!
4. Was By the Grace of Todd always for middle grade readers or not? If so, why did you choose middle grade? If not, what had to change for it to be considered a middle grade novel?
The story problem centers on entering middle school, so it's always been for middle-graders. I have written for younger readers, and am working on a chapter book series now, but I think I'll be stuck in a middle-grade mindset when I'm eighty. I connect so strongly to that time in my own life because it was so monumental to me.
5. What is the best part of writing for middle grade readers?
This age is reading well enough to handle more complex writing, yet is not too mature to appreciate my particular brand of corny humor. Middle-graders are still so chock full of hope and wonder. I love this age!
6. Is there any downside?
Sometimes my sixth grade sense of humor makes its way into conversations with adults. That's always embarrassing, (unless they're kindred spirits, of course).
7. Is there one question you wish you could answer about writing, your book, or the author's life, but have never been asked? Here's your chance to Q &A yourself. Who is the amazing illustrator of BY THE GRACE OF TODD?
His name is Patrick Fariscy, and I agree; he is AMAZING!
Thank you for joining us on Smack Dab in the Middle Blog, Louise. Again, congratulations on the release of BY THE GRACE OF TODD!
February 12, 2014
A Valentine To Those Who Nurtured the Writing "Bug"
Various people from Very different backgrounds
Allow me to burden them with prose.
Listening to my stories, Liking the words, Lending their
Expertise. Encouraging me to keep on writing.
No one says, "Give up."
They help me get it right with patience and good sense.
It is a solitary pursuit, yet It cannot be done alone.
None may think they have made a difference deleting, or offering new words to replace old. Yet...
Each one of you is this writer's greatest gift.
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!
Allow me to burden them with prose.
Listening to my stories, Liking the words, Lending their
Expertise. Encouraging me to keep on writing.
No one says, "Give up."
They help me get it right with patience and good sense.
It is a solitary pursuit, yet It cannot be done alone.
None may think they have made a difference deleting, or offering new words to replace old. Yet...
Each one of you is this writer's greatest gift.
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!
February 11, 2014
Dear Gail Giles: A Tribute to My Co-Author (guest post)
Tomorrow, our book officially meets the world.Our book. No Returns .*
It happened because you, Gail Giles,* are a very cool person. You heard me speak at a state library conference and tracked me down. You invited me to your house for lunch (and you are, by the way, a very fine cook). You piled books in my arms and expected book reports the next time we met. You told me we’d crack this writing thing together.
When your first book was a runaway hit, none of it went to your head. We hung out like always. We swapped manuscripts and made them better. You piled books in my arms. When you moved away, you mailed them in boxes.
We vacationed in Cabo. You brought watercolor paper and paints and insisted I learn to paint even though I can barely draw a stick figure. We propped our chairs in the sand and you showed me tricks that made my little ocean picture look almost pretty. We went shopping for pink cowboy boots for you to wear at author events, and we started writing the book you suggested we write together, a book about three boys in a band who accidentally call up the devil.
Under the Mexican sun, we wrote the first few chapters, then finished the book through a series of phone calls and emails. We fell in love with the boys in the band, and we even developed an affection for a certain little demon named Fred.
I’m glad we decided to make this a series,
They say writing is a lonely profession, and I suppose in some ways it is. But I can tell you this: it’s not lonely when Gail Giles is on your team.Deb Vanasse is the author of more than a dozen books for readers of all ages. Her debut novel, A Distant Enemy , was a Junior Literary Guild selection and is featured in Best Books for Young Readers, as was Out of the Wilderness . Follow her at www.debvanasse.com and www.selfmadewriter.blogspot.com .
*Jody Feldman's Note: A couple of the links in this post will simply not work no matter what I've tried. So, to find out more about No Returns, please visit
http://www.amazon.com/Returns-Battleband-Saga-Gail-Giles-ebook/dp/B00HRLUI98/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391734841&sr=8-1&keywords=gail+giles+no+returns/And to learn more about the very wonderful and talented Gail Giles, try this www.gailgiles.com
February 10, 2014
February Theme: Making the Most of a Short MonthBy Marcia...
February Theme: Making the Most of a Short MonthBy Marcia Thornton Jones
February is a messy mix with its snow, ice, rain, and slush. Heavy clouds blending with leafless limbs and damp pavement combine to form a landscape of gray, gray, and more gray. All of that, along with frigid temperatures that rattle my bones, makes staying in bed ever-tempting. But just when I think winter doldrums will never end, February is suddenly punctuated with pinpricks of yellows and purples. I don’t know why, but I’m always amazed by those first spring blooms even though it’s the same process every year. Crocus leads to daffodils then to tulips and finally to dazzling spring.
Lately I’ve been suffering through my own bleak doldrums of a writing kind that comes complete with nagging 3:00 a.m. litanies of self-doubt. A few weeks ago my friend Nancy suggested I face my fears by journaling about personal strengths that have been revealed through past experiences. Strengths that I can rely on for building future successes. Journals are such safe places, right? It’s okay to do a little tooting of one’s own horn. So I started jotting down lessons and insights learned. One statement stopped me cold.
I can trust process to reveal story.I sat, staring at that sentence, and considered its inner truth.
That truth? I’m lazy. I want things to be easy. I expect plot to unravel like an old sock. Words to flow with no effort. Story to appear in complete form. But that’s not how writing worked for me before. In the past, my process involved false starts, meandering middles, tensionless plots; all accompanied by those too familiar 3:00 a.m. litanies of self-doubt. But I always kept writing through the doldrums until, amazingly, pinpricks of story essence began to poke through the muddled messes. Story was always revealed through the process.
Maybe some of you are feeling a bit like me. Your writing landscape is somewhat barren or your story has gone a wee bit cold. And maybe you have your own 3:00 a.m. litany of woes. If so, why not make the most of this short month by using your journal to do what I did. Identify past strengths and insights. Then use one or more to create a personal intention, mantra, or reminder that you already have what it takes to succeed.As for me, I’m going to keep writing through the doldrums; remembering to trust process to reveal story. After all, crocus leads to daffodils and then to tulips and finally to dazzling spring. Always!
