Kirby Larson's Blog, page 55
February 28, 2012
A Very Peachy Few Days
I'm home from Georgia and already want to go back.
How could I not have a good time, being chauffeured by the lovely and talented, Elizabeth Dulemba? e is an illustrator AND young adult novelist and bombs around Atlanta in Otis.
We went from the airport to the hotel where I freshened up and then straight to Fox Brother's Barbecue where mac-and-cheese counts as a vegetable. Who knew?
the veggie plate
Thursday morning, the sun was shining when e and Otis came to pick me up. After a bit of poking around in Five Points, complete with photo op at the Vortex,
I got the driving tour of Atlanta, including Martin Luther King's birthplace,
and Centennial Park (the site of the 1996 Olympics). We were famished after all that so HAD to stop for Chicken and Waffles at Gladys Knight's restaurant (I skipped the waffles, but enjoyed some yummy collard greens).
The afternoon was spent in the charming town of Decatur. I absolutely fell in love and am scheming to get back. Can we say Georgia Bookfest, 2013?!!! We stopped in to meet the folks at Little Shop of Stories, where Marcy was THRILLED that I was able to scribble my John Hancock on her copy of Hattie Big Sky, adding yet another title to her collection of signed Newberys; she has 300 of the nearly 400 books, since the award began. Isn't that something? The store is light and cheerful and I bought a copy of Ruth White's Way Down Deep
(which I read on the plane on the way home and it is an absolute dee-light!)
We got a cool drink at the Square Bar's Magic Table (at least, I think that's where we were); so called because, if you are lucky enough to snag it during the Georgia Bookfest, you will see all of the famous authors pass by.
Dinner was tapas at the Iberian Pig, where Vicky Alvear Shecter, author of Cleopatra's Moon, joined us.
Then it was off to bed to be ready for my pre-conference intensive. Forty hearty souls stuck with me all day Friday as we looked at different ways to revise and finish their novels. My Saturday morning keynote was well-received, and I had a great time at lunch, helping to celebrate all the new books by Southern Breeze members in the past year.
That evening, at the book signing, I signed my first ereader -- and then someone in line said there is actually an app for signing them. I'll have to look into that, I guess.
Sunday went much too quickly and before I knew it, I was on a plane heading home. I may have missed the Oscars but I was inspired by the conference to spend part of the plane ride writing ten pages of something completely new.
What a weekend!
How could I not have a good time, being chauffeured by the lovely and talented, Elizabeth Dulemba? e is an illustrator AND young adult novelist and bombs around Atlanta in Otis.
We went from the airport to the hotel where I freshened up and then straight to Fox Brother's Barbecue where mac-and-cheese counts as a vegetable. Who knew?
the veggie plateThursday morning, the sun was shining when e and Otis came to pick me up. After a bit of poking around in Five Points, complete with photo op at the Vortex,
I got the driving tour of Atlanta, including Martin Luther King's birthplace,
and Centennial Park (the site of the 1996 Olympics). We were famished after all that so HAD to stop for Chicken and Waffles at Gladys Knight's restaurant (I skipped the waffles, but enjoyed some yummy collard greens).
The afternoon was spent in the charming town of Decatur. I absolutely fell in love and am scheming to get back. Can we say Georgia Bookfest, 2013?!!! We stopped in to meet the folks at Little Shop of Stories, where Marcy was THRILLED that I was able to scribble my John Hancock on her copy of Hattie Big Sky, adding yet another title to her collection of signed Newberys; she has 300 of the nearly 400 books, since the award began. Isn't that something? The store is light and cheerful and I bought a copy of Ruth White's Way Down Deep
(which I read on the plane on the way home and it is an absolute dee-light!)
We got a cool drink at the Square Bar's Magic Table (at least, I think that's where we were); so called because, if you are lucky enough to snag it during the Georgia Bookfest, you will see all of the famous authors pass by.
Dinner was tapas at the Iberian Pig, where Vicky Alvear Shecter, author of Cleopatra's Moon, joined us.
Then it was off to bed to be ready for my pre-conference intensive. Forty hearty souls stuck with me all day Friday as we looked at different ways to revise and finish their novels. My Saturday morning keynote was well-received, and I had a great time at lunch, helping to celebrate all the new books by Southern Breeze members in the past year.
That evening, at the book signing, I signed my first ereader -- and then someone in line said there is actually an app for signing them. I'll have to look into that, I guess.
Sunday went much too quickly and before I knew it, I was on a plane heading home. I may have missed the Oscars but I was inspired by the conference to spend part of the plane ride writing ten pages of something completely new.
What a weekend!
February 25, 2012
Georgia is Peachy!
Yesterday, about 40 writers joined me at a pre-conference intensive for the Georgia Spring Mingle. Aside from the fact that I over-slept, waking up 45 minutes before the workshop, we had a great day. People said they got good stuff to use when they went back home and every single one of the attendees came up with a plan to keep up the momentum from the day. Woo-hoo!
This morning, the conference itself kicked off with me giving the keynote. I was a little stressed over some techno-glitches but thanks to the calm presence of assistant RA Heather Montgomery and the help of my angel Elizabeth Dulemba, all was well. I think I may have to move to Atlanta as everyone takes such good care of me here!
RA Claudia Pearson asked if I would post the titles I referenced in my talk and I am more than happy to do that here:
Books about writing:Art and Fear, by David Bayles and Ted OrlandMystery and Manners, by Flannery O'ConnorMaking the Literary Life, by Carolyn SeeGates of Excellence, by Katherine PatersonBird by Bird, by Anne Lamott
Books to stimulate your thinking:Principles of Uncertainty, by Maira KalmanThe Lost Art of Walking, by Geoff Nicholson
Fiction:A Mouse and His Child, by Russell HobanBoxes for Katje, Candace FlemingThe Strange Case of Origami Yoda AND Horton Halfpott, by Tom AnglebergerSold, by Patricia McCormickFeed, by M.T. AndersonUnwind, by Neal SchustermanHow to Steal a Dog, by Barbara O'Connoranything by my hero Karen CushmanHound Dog True, by Linda UrbanThe Trouble with May Amelia, Jennifer Holm
Now, you Georgia peaches have to do me a favor in return: keep me posted on your progress!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
This morning, the conference itself kicked off with me giving the keynote. I was a little stressed over some techno-glitches but thanks to the calm presence of assistant RA Heather Montgomery and the help of my angel Elizabeth Dulemba, all was well. I think I may have to move to Atlanta as everyone takes such good care of me here!
RA Claudia Pearson asked if I would post the titles I referenced in my talk and I am more than happy to do that here:
Books about writing:Art and Fear, by David Bayles and Ted OrlandMystery and Manners, by Flannery O'ConnorMaking the Literary Life, by Carolyn SeeGates of Excellence, by Katherine PatersonBird by Bird, by Anne Lamott
Books to stimulate your thinking:Principles of Uncertainty, by Maira KalmanThe Lost Art of Walking, by Geoff Nicholson
Fiction:A Mouse and His Child, by Russell HobanBoxes for Katje, Candace FlemingThe Strange Case of Origami Yoda AND Horton Halfpott, by Tom AnglebergerSold, by Patricia McCormickFeed, by M.T. AndersonUnwind, by Neal SchustermanHow to Steal a Dog, by Barbara O'Connoranything by my hero Karen CushmanHound Dog True, by Linda UrbanThe Trouble with May Amelia, Jennifer Holm
Now, you Georgia peaches have to do me a favor in return: keep me posted on your progress!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
February 23, 2012
Thursday's Thought for the Day
"Literature for children means only that the main characters are children, not that the book is intended to be only for that audience."
~Mary Nethery~
February 21, 2012
Small World
I have some fun news about the Friendship Dolls but don't have the okay to share yet. As soon as I do, I will! In the meantime, I've learned that leading doll expert, Alan Pate, will be speaking at the Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke, Virginia to coincide with a new exhibit about the Friendship Dolls.
Miss TokushimaIf you live within driving distance, you have to go! I'm betting these dolls will absolutely capture your heart, the way they captured mine.
Miss TokushimaIf you live within driving distance, you have to go! I'm betting these dolls will absolutely capture your heart, the way they captured mine.
February 16, 2012
Thursday's Thought for the Day
"Young readers have the right not only to read, but to read about themselves, about who they are and what they want."
~Virginia Hamilton~
February 9, 2012
Thursday's Thought for the Day
"The books we enjoy as children stay with us forever -- they have a special impact. Paragraph after paragraph and page after page, the author must deliver his or her best work."
~Sid Fleischman~
February 3, 2012
Fan Letter Friday
Instead of being complimented for being a dog whisperer, Brian got this letter praising his dog naming abilities. Love it!
February 2, 2012
Thursday's Thought for the Day
"People who work for children have no business being timid. Children deserve our full measure of courage."
~Bruce Coville~
January 30, 2012
Los Angeles Public Library Restaurant Menu Collection
Did you know you can search this digital database at the Los Angeles Public Library? I just discovered it and am now hankering a "Creme de Violet Sundae" at the Pig and Whistle in LA -- "Vanilla ice cream, violet syrup, whipped cream, cherry and crystalized violets." And all for 25 cents!
Thought this might be helpful to you other historical researchers out there!
Thought this might be helpful to you other historical researchers out there!
January 29, 2012
I am so mad at Gary Schmidt
Gary SchmidtI mean, he may be a nice guy and all that but he keeps planning trips to the Seattle area when I'm scheduled to be out of town! I've wanted to meet him ever since reading Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy; I finally got my courage up to send him a fan letter for Wednesday Wars. Did you know he writes on a typewriter?! And I want to hear more about his latest, Okay for Now, which I was betting would get some kind of Newbery nod. I forget where I was last time he was in the Seattle area, but I am going to be in Georgia when he is here for the Western Washington University Children's Literature conference, Saturday, February 25. Waah!
Okay, even if I can't go listen to him, some of you probably can. This lively and intimate conference is a terrific way to spend a winter Saturday. And, if you attend, not only will you get the scoop on Gary's writing and books, you will also be delighted and blessed by the gracious and talented Laura Kvasnosky,
Laura Kvasnoskyand the media-savvy author of the Skeleton Creek series, Patrick Carman.
Patrick CarmanIf you go, please share your notes with me!
