Marcia Thornton Jones's Blog, page 32

Interview with Mark Svartz, Author of The Unsuper Adventures of Norma

 Get ready to chuckle--today, we're talking all things...unsuper with author Mark Svartz.

I always start with the short and sweet: give us the elevator pitch for The Unsuper Adventures of Norma.

The Unsuper Adventures of Norma is about Norma, a 10-yr-old girl who happens to be the only “normal” kid in a town full of superheroes. But when an alien named Lord Fartron invades her town and steals everyone’s powers, she soon discovers that it doesn’t take superpowers to truly be super.

 

I’m assuming there’s a personal reason you wrote this story. What was the inspiration?

I was actually inspired by my 7-yr-old son, Jackson. He LOVES superheroes, but felt a little discouraged that he himself didn't have any superpowers. So I wrote this book to show him that while he may not have the super speed of The Flash, or the super strength of The Hulk, no one in the universe could be a more super Jackson. Hopefully this book can inspire kids everywhere to realize that the best superpower is simply being the best at being you.

 

What was the writing process like? Are you a plotter? Pantser?

I’m definitely a plotter. Having spent my life writing TV commercials, I’m used to ensuring that there’s a solid story arc and structure. And once the bones of the story are in place, the fun is adding meat to those bones and filling out the narrative, developing characters, building compelling dialogue and rounding it out with playful illustrations.  

 

Often, I find that MG is a genre (or age bracket) that lends itself to humorous writing. This book doesn’t just contain humor, it’s built on a humorous premise. Was that just a natural fit? Have you written humor before?

I definitely veer towards humor. Most of my ad career has been spent writing humorous commercials. My first book, I Hate You, Kelly Donahue, was a dark humor book aimed at adults. And now that I’m a dad, and I discovered that my kids have my same weird sense of humor, I thought it was time to apply the same comedic sensibilities to children’s books.

 

I really love the layout of this book, with the short lines. Was that by design or something of a happy accident? (I feel like it would really help any reluctant reader power forward!)

The shorter, snappier copy wasn’t necessarily intentional. It simply felt natural. After hours and hours of reading with my kids, I realized that long-winded dialogue drags on a bit. Honestly, I feel the same way about adult books. So hopefully reading Norma will feel more like a fun, effortless adventure instead of a chore.  

 

This book is full of illustrations. What was the illustration process like? 

Illustrating Norma was one of the funnest parts of this experience. I used an iPad Pro and the Procreate app to create all the artwork. I loved imagining the town of Superton and everything that exists there, from caped pigeons to secret lairs in donut shops. But the best part was drawing all the different characters. With over twenty primary characters, each with their own powers, (not to mention an evil alien shaped like a gigantic butt), I was able to get really playful in bringing them to life. And my kids were right there by my side (or on my lap) helping me choose which colors to make their iconic uniforms.

 

Each book has its own journey. What was your favorite part of the writing process? The biggest surprise?

The best part of the writing process truly was reading it to my sons along the way and seeing their reactions. If I got a laugh out of them, I knew I was on the right path. And while there was no singular big surprise, there were thousands of mini surprise moments whenever the storyline seemed to click together like a jigsaw puzzle. That’s always the best part of writing – seeing those disparate elements you have bouncing in your head magically fit into place.

 

At Smack Dab, we’ve talked to both traditionally published and indie (self) published authors. What was your path? Why did you choose that method of publishing?

My first book, an adult fiction novel, was traditionally published. And while it certainly had its perks, particularly when it came to PR, it was also a very, very lengthy process. This time around I decided to go the indie route because I simply wanted to get this book out on my own terms and my own timeline. And while there’s pros and cons to each path, I’m happy that I took a more hands-on approach with getting Norma out to the world.

 

What do you hope young readers will take from Norma’s story, more than anything else?

There’s definitely an inspirational, empowering message underlying Norma’s story, encouraging kids to believe in themselves and acknowledge that we’re all super in our own ways. But more than anything, I want them to enjoy the process of getting that message. The world needs more evil butt aliens, and booger shooters and hippo hypnotists. We need more weird.  

 

What’s next for you?

Aside from continuing to be a husband, dad and adman, next up is continuing Norma’s unsuper adventures. Books #2 and #3 are in different stages of completion and I look forward to sharing more of her weird journey with the rest of the world.

 

~

Pre-order The Unsuper Adventures of Norma, or find out more at the Unsuper site.

The Changes I See in Me...

 by Charlotte Bennardo

The theme this month is "How to grow as a writer and not stagnate." Not progressing, spinning our 'author' wheels is common. We get so involved in writing our novels, subbing our novels, and promoting our novels, that it becomes routine. Life goes on....

So, How Do We Grow? 

Growth means change. Think of the butterfly analogy; caterpillar, pupa, chrysalis, butterfly. Writers go through stages of change too. (Well, if they want to be successful, they do.)

Photo by Miriam Fischer: https://www.pexels.com/photo/yellow-a...

I write novels, revise them, submit them and wait for a response. The last few years though haven't brought me success. I was stuck in a rut, on a hamster wheel, becoming a tired cliche. I needed to do something to bring about change . 

Thank You, Pandemic 

The pandemic changed almost everything for everyone. For writers, book festivals, writing conferences, in-person events, and publishing acceptances ended or were severely curtailed. Sure, it sounded great that I had all this time to write, but I had time previously and wasn't getting results. What was I going to change? Taking a good hard look at my goals, my failures, my skill set, my dreams. I could sharpen my skills, learn more about promotion, and accomplish a dream by applying for a Master of Fine Arts degree program with a Professional Writer certification. Getting my MFA was a dream and the program would help me sharpen not only writing skills, but editing, organizational, and social media skills. Additionally, the Professional Writer certification helped me develop business acumen and skills whether I wrote novels or corporate pieces, whether I started an editing, ghostwriting, or freelance writing business, or started an independent publishing business. 

Cha-cha-changes (yes, you have to sing that)

The MFA program from Southern New Hampshire University was online, making it a perfect pandemic activity. But honestly, sometimes it was grueling (so much reading and writing), it took me out of my comfort zone (social media marketing, ugh!), and showed me a different (and usually better) way to do things so I had to change not only how I thought about writing, but also how I went about it. Not only am I writing novels, but I am considering other writing forms: corporate content, short stories, and novellas. But it won't end there. Newer skills, changing publishing models, and other changes will require continuing education, classes, conferences, networking, and.... changes. It's the only way to survive. 

Charlotte writes MG, YA, NA, and adult novels in sci fi, fantasy, contemporary, and paranormal genres. She is the author of the award-winning middle grade Evolution Revolution trilogy, Simple Machines, Simple Plans, and Simple Lessons. She co-authored the YA novels Blonde OPS, Sirenz, and Sirenz Back in Fashion. She has two short stories in the Beware the Little White Rabbit (Alice through the Wormhole) and Scare Me to Sleep (Faces in the Wood) anthologies. Currently she is working on several novels for both children and adults, and her MFA. She lives in NJ with her family and her floofy cat. When they trimmed the backyard tree, the crazy squirrel couple had to move out.

Growin' (Holly Schindler)

I've been a rotten poster lately. On TikTok and IG, my blog. Around Christmas, I was sure to update once a day, cross-posting my short book videos to multiple platforms. 

This new year, I've decided to make artwork a priority. I'm learning graphic design and hand lettering and the ins and outs of surface patterns. I'll be diving into font creation this summer. So my online life's gotten a bit...spotty.

But it's reaped all sorts of rewards. 

I wanted to hit the art stuff in order to add new dimensions to book design. What it's done is add dimension to the writing itself. 

I never anticipated that it would. But there's something about using different creative muscles. It gives you a fresh perspective. It helps you problem-solve when you write yourself into a corner. It's not just a fresh breath, time away from a project. It's something else. A way to see your writing in a new light. 

My tip to keep growing? Grow outside of writing. Not just in a live-your-life way. That's important too. But grow in an artistic way, outside of writing. You'll be surprised by how it helps your literary work.

~

Holly Schindler is an award-winning author of books for readers of all ages. "Spooklight," her short story for young readers, will be included in Henry Holt's forthcoming Haunted States of America.

Rocking Your Imagination Alive Again: Smack Dab in the Imagination with Dia Calhoun

A few days ago, spring was finally warm enough to bring my hammock out of storage.  I set it up under the trees on the riverbank.

As I rocked, I felt how tired I was from winter--bouts with RSV and covid (yes, after three years my luck ran out in February.) The bulb of my imagination felt so dormant I doubted it could ever send out roots again. 

 I remembered the fairy tale titled The Three Golden Hairs. An old man stumbles through a forest as the light from his lantern shrinks. He stumbles on the cottage of an old woman who rocks him on her lap all night. By morning he is a beautiful child with golden hair.  

I wondered if I could rock my imagination back to life.

There is a wonderful retelling and exploration of the fairy tale in Clarissa Pinkola Estes book Women Who Run With the Wolves. This can be found at the end of a chapter titled Clear Water: Nourishing the Creative Life.

As she tells the tale, at dawn the old woman plucks three golden hairs from the child's head. Then the child jumps out of her lap and, after smiling back at her, runs out into the world again. Sometimes to renew our imagination we also have to let something go. Even if it's gold. That's what focus is about. To choose and to discern is renewing. 

When your imagination is tired, rock in a beautiful place. Let your mind lift and drift and let go.

My To-Read Summer List

Summer is in the air as May comes to a close – though, inWisconsin, we still have a few lingering snow piles, making it a tad early toreach for the beach towel and sunglasses. 

Before June, I’ll start reading my to-do summer read list.My typical to-read stack is nearly as tall as I am, so I hope this works wellas a goal!

Firefly Summer by Morgan Matson: Matson is one of myfavorite young adult authors, so I was psyched to hear she penned a middlegrade. Firefly Summer begins with Ryanna’s summer turning out chaos before iteven truly begins. Normally, she be spending the break with her father and newwife. However, when she reads a letter from her maternal grandparents, Ryannawill now meet and get to know her deceased mother’s side of the family in acamp in the Poconos. Once arrived, Ryanna gets to know her grandparents and somany other family members, who seem to all have quirks. She treats her unconventionalsummer break treating her family exploration like a treasure map.

Alone by Megan E. Freeman: As a middle-schooler, Iread and re-read books such as Hatchet and My Side of the Mountain making Aloneby Megan E. Freeman a quick summer add for me. Alone is about a harrowing storyof a young , Maddie, who wakes from a secret sleepover party with her two bestfriends to discover she is completely alone in her small Colorado town. There’sno power, phones or internet. Slowly, Maddie begins to find how to survive witha rottweiler and a stack of books. Freeman’s debut novel was a Pushcart Prize.

The Big Sting by Rachelle Delaney: Leo may not knowmuch about running a farm, but that’s all about to change as he visits hisgrandpa’s house. His late grandmother and her bees and hives are stolen. Despitebeing a non-risk taker, Leo turns part detective and part adventurer trying to solvethe crime. Leo encounters dangers like a deep ocean, an old barn and unfamiliarlandscapes as he dives in.

Happy Reading!

 

Interview with Jarrett Lerner, Author and Illustrator of A Work in Progress

I always like to start with the short and sweet: Give usthe elevator pitch for A Work in Progress.

Here it is, straight from my publisher:

Will is the only round kid in a school full ofthin ones. So he hides…in baggy jeans and oversized hoodies, in the back rowduring class, and anywhere but the cafeteria during lunch. But shame isn’t theonly feeling that dominates Will’s life. He’s also got a crush on a girl namedJules who knows he doesn’t have a chance with—string beans only date stringbeans—but he can’t help wondering what if?

Will’s best shot at attracting Jules’s attentionis by slaying the Will Monster inside him by changing his eating habits andgetting more exercise. But the results are either frustratingly slow orinfuriatingly unsuccessful, and Will’s shame begins to morph intoself-loathing.

As he resorts to increasingly drastic measuresto transform his appearance, Will meets skateboarder Markus, who helps him seehis body and all it contains as an ever-evolving work in progress.

 

Confession: Art is a lifelong love, and I just startedtackling digital art. I love your IG videos that break drawing down into simpleshapes (often the shapes of letters). They’re helping me to see basic shapes inmy own projects! What's one thing about drawing you wish all kids knew? 

I wish all kids – and ADULTS – knew that drawing is a skilllike any other. The only way to get good at it is to practice. There’s thiswidespread myth that you are either born able to draw or not. But that couldn’tbe further from the truth. One of the missions of my work is to get EVERYONEdrawing more. The visual language is the very first one we learn, and I thinkevery human being contains a natural urge to express themselves in it. It’s anincredibly powerful thing. But I think the thing that blocks so many people –kids and adults – is that they think they have to get it “right” on the firsttry. I have never, ever, EVER gotten a drawing “right” on the first try. Noillustrator has. The only things I can draw well are the things I’ve practiceddrawing over and over. At my school visits, I spend a lot of time on this. Itear back the curtain, so to speak, letting kids know that creativity is ALWAYSa process. Every drawing in one of my books – and every sentence or line or verse,as well – is the product of dozens, even hundreds of revisions. The more we canaccept and embrace the process over the product – the more we can focus on thevalue and joy of the work in and of itself – the more fun and productive itwill all be.

 

I love the scribbles and the sketches throughout.Sometimes, it's the imperfect that's interesting. That has personality. Is thatpart of your message?

In this book, for sure. Perfection is impossible. I have tolearn that as a creator with every single book I make, and it was one of themost important lessons I learned as a human being. I wanted to make sure yousaw Will learning this lesson, processing things as the story went along, andthe scribbles and the fonts and the variety of types of art included all serve,I hope, to give the book an illusion of looseness. In reality, though, thisbook was the most painstaking I’ve ever made. In addition to every other bit ofthe book, the size and shape and placement of every one of those scribbles wasvery intentional.

 

What was the process like? Did the illustrations comefirst, or the text? Or did they both come together?

I always start my projects longhand, usually in acomposition notebook. What I put in those notebooks, especially at thebeginning of a project, resemble “sketchnotes” – a jumbled up mix of words andpictures. I see both writing and drawing as tools, and whichever one can moreefficiently and effectively get an idea out of my head and onto the page at anygiven moment is the one I’ll use. Once I’ve got a draft (or, more often, acollection of notes and lists and doodles and drawings that feel somewhatcohesive), I’ll try to figure out what form best suits this story. Will it bemost powerfully, excitingly, enjoyable told using just words? Or words andoccasionally spot illustrations? Or should it be told using comics? Or shouldit be something else – what my editor and I have come to call a “hybrid” –something that borrows from a variety of forms, employing whatever best suitsthe story at any given moment, so you never know what you’re going to get fromone page to another. Once I’ve reached this point, once I’ve got a sense of thebest form for a project, I’ll put together a new draft, sticking to the rulesof the form (unless, of course, the story dictates that I break them!).

 

I'm also intrigued by the placement of words on the page,the way the word FAT shows up in big thick letters. The word itself is fat.Often, here, the text works like an illustration. The placement of the text onthe paper, and the repetition really does an incredible job of portraying thatidea of becoming one’s own worst bully. How did you come to decide on thelayout? (Notebook paper lines, etc.?)

I’ve been trying to tell this story for years – over adecade, actually. I first started in college. And I tried EVERYTHING. Everytense. Every point of view. All sorts of formats. But nothing ever feltauthentic enough. Nothing ever felt complete. Nothing ever felt “right.” Notuntil I finally landed on the idea of framing the story as it were being told“incidentally” in the private notebook of the main character. Once I landed onthat, the story finally started coming out in a way that felt accurate andfull.

Regarding the use of words as illustrations – that’s certainlypurposeful, as a theme of the book is the power of words, and the role ourwords can play in the shaping of our identities and the state of ourself-esteem. I’m also a longtime lover of lettering, and work hand-letteringinto my projects as much as possible.  

 

Did you keep a journal growing up? Do you still have it?I'd think it'd be a goldmine for this project.

I did! And I actually hope the format of this bookencourages kids to keep notebooks of their own, whether they call them journalsor diaries or sketchbooks or whatever. I recently saw a study, and it foundthat writing things down that are weighing heavily on a person’s mind actuallyreduces their stress and improves their mood. I don’t think I have any of myold journal’s too, and even if I did, I’m not sure I would’ve looked at them. Ithink it could be risky, and could’ve kept me from feeling fully free to dowhat I needed to do for the sake of the story. However, I still remember whatthose journals looked like – and they looked a great deal like Will’s notebook.And as I said above, framing the book as a notebook like the ones I used tokeep was the breakthrough I needed to get this story out of me.

 

How did your own middle grade experience factor into thispiece? Did you often feel like a Work in Progress yourself? Struggle to keepthe balance on the skateboard (metaphorically speaking)?

This book is mostly autobiographical. The only things thatare really different are the timeline and the cast of characters. My story tookplace over a much longer period of time, and instead of having just one Markus,I had a whole group of friends. But compressing Will’s crisis and reducing thesize of the cast of characters made for, I think, a much more powerful story.

 

What's the one thing you want readers to take from thebook?

There are LOTS of things I hope they take away, but I guessif I had to pick just one, it’d be for them to know that they are worthy –worthy of kindness, consideration, compassion, understanding, love, and respect– and to know it with so much certainty that, should they encounter anyone whotries to make them feel like they are NOT worthy, they will be able to overcomeit.

 

What's next for you?

 

I’ve always got a lot of projects going on. I’ve got a slewof new early readers in the works, as well as two new chapter book serieslaunching in the next year or two. Beyond that, I’ve got a pair of excitingMiddle Grade projects in the earlier stages of development.

~

 Author-illustrator Jarrett Lerner is the award-winning creator of the EngiNerds series of Middle Grade novels, the Geeger the Robot series of early chapter books, the activity books Give This Book a Title and Give This Book a Cover, The Hunger Heroes series of graphic novel chapter books, and the Nat the Cat series of early readers. Jarrett is also the creator of the illustrated novel in verse A Work in Progress, as well as several as-yet-unannounced projects. All of Jarrett’s books are published by Simon & Schuster. In addition to writing, drawing, and visiting schools and libraries across the country, Jarrett co-founded and co-organizes the #KidsNeedBooks and #KidsNeedMentors projects, and regularly spearheads fundraisers for various reading- and book-related causes. He is also the founder and operator of Jarrett Lerner’s Creator Club. He can be found at jarrettlerner.com and on Twitter and Instagram at @Jarrett_Lerner. He lives with his wife and daughters in Massachusetts.

Just Keep Swimming

 Long, long ago, I graduated with an MFA from Vermont College ofFine Arts Writing for Children and Young Adults (VCFA) and a four-bookcontract.

We’ve all heard those success stories of debut authors. (Ihesitate to use the qualifier “overnight’, as it tends to negate the work that wentinto the writing.) J.K. Rowling. Veronica Roth. S.E. Hinton. Christopher Paoliniself-published his first book, Eragon. He sold thousands of copies, when RandomHouse took notice and bought the rights, and the rest is dragon history.  EmmaCline, who wrote The Girls, was offered a three-book contract with a reported$2 million deal.  

 I was so on my way now!

I signed on with the first agent who would help me with themulti-contracts. This connection wasn't a hard find. I already had a publisher.But like any relationship, you want to get to know each other, ask questions, andmake sure it's a good fit. I was too enamored with the idea of it all to askquestions. This first agent signed the boiler plate contract. This meansthat the contracts included a few very strict clauses: the option clause, whichgives the publisher the privilege of publishing your next book (the right offirst refusal), and the non-compete clause, which restricts the author frompublishing another book that competes with the work in question."Competes" is a vague description. On the surface, it sounds good.But the devil is in the details. 

It turned out, I could not submit any new work to anyoneelse until this publisher first refused – rejected -- that work. And theyweren’t looking at new work until these four contracts were fulfilled. Unableto move forward, this first agent and I parted ways. I quickly found a second agent,but she couldn’t renegotiate the clauses because she wasn't the agent onrecord. Because she couldn’t sell any new work, we also had to part ways.

My first book came out in 2009, eight years aftersigning the contract. My second book was published a year later. My third bookcame out in 2012, eleven years after signing the contract.  Thefourth contract was cancelled. I went to Author’s Guild, learned what I had to doto understand these clauses, and  renegotiated the particular clausesmyself. 

Free at last! Except, you remember, change happens. The folklorepicture book market was bottoming out. The very genre that I had studied,loved, and sought as my career was no longer an option.  So I adapted and moved to middle grade fiction.I found my new passion.

I also found my third agent. She sold my first two novels withina year. But again, yes, change happens. Historical fiction was becoming a hard sell. This third agent decided to focus on younger(PBs) readers, and we parted ways.  UltimatelyI sold my seventh book, a graphic novel, on my own.  

 Despite having seven books, a few award-winners andseveral short stories published in major venues, it was challenging to find anagent. I had a lot of nibbles: one agent worked with me for a year, undergoingthree revisions. Ultimately, she rejected the manuscript. She loved themanuscript but explained that it would be a hard sell. Another agent keptscheduling for The Call, wanting to discuss representation and goals. Threetimes she cancelled, and then she ghosted.

The moral of this tale: keep moving forward. It’s about theprocess.  Or, as Dora always sang, JustKeep Swimming.

I stopped submitting to focus more on the story engineeringprocess, taking classes from some of the best people in the business. (I highlyrecommend classes from the indomitable Emma D. Dryden, from the master editors of EileenRobinson and Harold Underdown at Kid's Book Revisions, from Lorin Oberweger's FreeExpressions.) And I kept writing.  I keptswimming.

 In 2023, one editor finally made an offer (shhhh, it’s not official yet.But watch this space! Unless, of course, change happens.).  Another editor invited me to createa proposal for a multi-book project. Who-op! The proposal was acceptedand made its way up the chain. With these several manuscripts in hand, I wasable to connect with my current agent.  And this time, I knew all the questions thatneeded to be asked!

Still, we remember that things can change on a dime. That’swhat it means to have a career in writing: the business of publishing is alwaysin a state of flux. And so it happened again, the proposed series was rejected.

Except this time, I remembered another important lesson.  All things happen for a reason at the timethey are supposed to happen.  This themetends to manifest in most of my writings: if one perseveres, life can befull of possible imaginations.

My agent and I agreed. We just needed a new plan.  So I went back to work.

And that’s the point of this long-winded travel through timeand space. The real success stories – and the real champions -- are not thelucky debuts but we the sloggers, the majority of us who get up every morningand do what we do. We don’t define ourselves by rejections, nor by successes. We write. Andif we’re lucky, we have a friend or two who send reminders, wrapped inchocolate, with a note: Yes, rejection sucks. Eat chocolate. Now get back towork.

Go on now. Get back in the water. Keep swimming.  And remember….

 --Bobbi Miller

 

 

Writing for the young or old :)

In my opinion, growing as a writer whether you are a student or an adult has some similarities.   I feel like to grow and change as a writer you must practice your craft.  Writing can be a challenge, everything from coming up with the ideas to the execution of getting it on paper can be tedious for some students.  I think scaffolding the process of writing can be beneficial for struggling or reluctant students.  Starting with complete sentences that are on topic, moving to paragraphs, and then to multi paragraph writing pieces can help gain confidence in young writers.  As an adult, though writing is not my profession, I do believe the more I have practiced the skill for various reasons the more confident I have become.  In both cases, student or adult, I think being given the freedom to write about things you are passionate about is another way to motivate and gain successful writers. Let the writing practice begin!

Jennifer Mitchell 3rd grade teacher in the Kansas City area

A New Book by Award-winning Author Natalie Lloyd: HUMMINGBIRD

I just finished reading an extraordinary book by former Smack Dab contributor and award-winning author NATALIE LLOYD. 

 Here is the blurb from Amazon:

 A SchneiderFamily Book Award Honor Book

From thebestselling author of A Snicker of Magic comes a heartfelt story about a girlwho -- armed with her trusty, snazzy wheelchair -- refuses to let her brittle bonedisease stand in the way of adventure

Twelve-year-oldhomeschooled Olive is tired of being seen as "fragile" just becauseshe has osteogenesis imperfecta (otherwise known as brittle bone disease) soshe's thrilled when she finally convinces her parents to let her attendMacklemore Elementary. Olive can't wait to go to a traditional school and makethe friends she's always longed for, until a disastrous first day dashes herhopes of ever fitting in.

Then Olivehears whispers about a magical, wish-granting hummingbird that supposedly livesnear Macklemore. It’ll be the solution to all her problems! If she can find thebird and prove herself worthy, the creature will make her most desperate,secret wish come true.

When itbecomes clear that she can't solve the mystery on her own, Olive teams up withsome unlikely allies who help her learn the truth about the bird. And on theway, she just might learn that our fragile places lead us to the most wonderfulmagic of all...

 

My review:

This is a heartfelt middle grade tale of hope, courage,adventure, and discovery. The lyrical language and fresh metaphors sing fromthe pages as Olive sets out to live her dreams and forge new friendships alongthe way. Soaring, taking flight, singing, and other “bird” metaphors give a poeticand ethereal quality to the prose, making us cheer for Olive’s efforts anddiscoveries about herself and the world around her. I love her intelligence andindomitable spirit. I also love the quirky names and personalities ofsupporting players: Jupiter, Hatch, Uncle Dash, Kester. One of my favoritequotes: “My dad, Jupiter, is his own planet, his own universe, and we all orbitaround his weird and wonderful light.”

A story with humor, heart., and a bit of magic.

 

Darlene Beck Jacobson loves discovering secret places and new things. She believes in wishes coming true and that magic happens when we least expect it. She writes her stories from her home in NJ.

 

From the Rut to the Superhighway (Hopefully)

I wouldn’t admit it. Not to anyone.
Because I didn’t admit it to myself.
I was stuck. 

It wasn't because of the myth known as writer’s block (more to say about that over @jodyfeldman on Instagram). I was stuck in the previously wonderful lane that had brought me awards and school visits and all means of success. The “new” “exciting” stories I was churning out? They followed the same old furrow. 

Now, that’s not always bad. Readers often expect our books to bring them similar emotional experiences. But there’s that and didn’t we already read something like that from her?
Then...

My knight in shining armor rode up. Or emailed, really. My agent had previously suggested that I had the chops to write YA thrillers. And with colors flying, she found the perfect opportunity for me. 

No Way Home came out August 2022. Yes, it’s a YA thriller (and shhh! don’t let this middle grade blog hear that) but, for me, it was the answer, the jumpstart I needed to explore fresh stories for MG readers that moved outside the rutted lane and into in a bright, new adjacent one.

The Moral of this Story: Sometimes you need to jump out of your rut to discover a wonderful superhighway of life.

Jody Feldman’s work-in-progress is a fun departure from The Gollywhopper Games series and The Seventh Level. And yet, readers should feel a familiarity with the characters’ quirks and challenges and with the bits of humor that wended their way into her previous books. She hopes her knight in shining armor will agree.