Kirby Larson's Blog, page 88

Author on Overload

Home Saturday night from Montana; heading out tomorrow for North Carolina. When I got the suitcase out to pack, I had to face this face:

He's not only miffed that I'm leaving -- again! -- he's miffed because I won't have time to post his Ask Winston feature tomorrow. He would absolutely do it except for that opposable thumb issue. So I'm asking your patience as well as Winston's for another week.

Perhaps I can win your forgiveness with this montage of Montana photos. Central Montana is stunning! I kept expecting to see John Wayne ride over one of the distant hills. And I know it's the same sky above all of us, but it really is true: the sky is bigger in Big Sky Country!
Denton First Graders--the entire class!
The ladies who read Hattie Big Sky
Lunch at the Shady Oaks Cafe with Sue Poser and Wanda Lucas--no, we did not have a Budweiser
Some of the kids at the Harlotown Theater
Harlo lunch buddies
Winners of copies of Hattie Big Sky
I make the big time!
Quilt show at Hobson School
Detail of Crazy Quilt that's over 100 years old
Detail of autographed fan quilt from the 1920s
Hobson, Moore and Judith Gap kids in Hobson cafeteria
Quilt project -- this one went home with the Judith Gap kids
I had lunch at one of the oldest bars in Central Montana
My darling new friend, Lois Hajenga. It was love at first sight!
Me and Hobson school buddies, including Karen Hickey, uber-teacher
One of the many, many welcome signs at Winnett school!
Winnett made me feel so welcomed
Some Two Bobbies and Nubs projects
Matthew's thoughts about the Two Bobbies
Letters from Winnett "Hatties" to Winnett "Charlies -- fabulous!
A bulletin board dedicated to Hattie Big Sky
Vocab words from Hattie Big Sky
Third graders made quilts of their stories
Handmade needle case presented to me by its maker, Lois Hajenga, of Moccasin, Montana

Another memorable day

Wednesday was actually my day in Hobson (Harlowtown was Tuesday -- I just posted about it on Thursday). Bev was my competent driver who got me safely across the many icy miles from Lewistown to Hobson where a basket of fresh-baked muffins and a kind, excited staff greeted me.  Partners in crime, Karen Hickey and Connie Metcalf, had planned a terrific day not only for the kids at their school, but kids at nearby Moore and Judith Gap. I'm mad at myself that I forgot my camera cable but wait until you see the photos of the quilts the kids made! Speaking of quilts, the cafeteria was turned into a fabric wonderland, adorned with quilts brought in by Hobson friends and neighbors. As a fervent quilt admirer myself, I was especially taken with the autographed fan quilt, circa 1920, and the stunning crazy quilt, completed in 1910.

The students were a complete delight and kept me on my toes with great questions and observations. A highlight of the day was lunch which I got to share with Lois Hajenga and her friend, Joyce. They took me to the Oxen Yoke Inn, one of the oldest bars around. (No, we weren't drinking Bud Lights; just coffee!). Lois, 85, grew up near Vida in a Danish community and kept Joyce and I entertained with stories of her growing up years. The time with Lois and Joyce flew by, but I won't forget it, that's for sure.

After school, there was a cozy reception at the (public) Carnegie Library -- in perfect condition and absolutely beautiful. The evening ended with a delicious meal at The Mint, where four of the Central Montana Reading Council regaled me with their past shenanigans. What's shared at The Mint, stays at The Mint!

Winnett

How often do you drive to a school visit and see a rancher trying to catch an escaped horse? That's one of the sights I witnessed on the drive from Lewistown to Winnett this morning. The other was a stunning sunrise, pink fingers stretching out to brush the Judith mountains.

After a few technical difficulties with the k-2 presentation (those little guys were troupers!), I moved from one event to another at Winnett School (which also houses the public library): booksigning, 3rd-6th presentation, booksigning, lunch with the Rimrock Book Club (all women), 7-12th presentation, booksigning, photographs, photographs, photographs. Every single elementary class got its photo taken with the famous "arthur." In the case of the Winnett kindergarten, that was 3 students. I also got my photo taken with the entire student body of the Grass Range school -- I think that was 7 or 8 students, k-8.
 
I took photos myself of all the wonderful posters, banners and displays the Winnett kids created to welcome me to the school. Wait until you see the photos of the letters the 5th grade "Hatties" wrote to the 5th grade "Charlies," and vice versa.

Yes, I am beyond exhausted but it feels so very worth it when you get serious question after serious question about why I made the choices I did in writing Hattie Big Sky. I was touched by how thoughtful these young (and young plus, in the case of the Rimrock Book Club!) readers were.

Now, I must pack my bags and be ready to go again in the morning. My last day in central Montana will be spent at schools here in Lewistown. Then I head toward Great Falls for one last night in Big Sky Country and fly home Saturday.

More tomorrow!

If this is Thursday, I must be in Harlowtown

Each day this week, a different friendly face meets me in the lobby of the Yogo Inn and spirits me off to visit schools. This morning there were two friendly faces: Susan and Mike Stensaas, who braved the snow flurries to come get me. It was 32 outside, with a wind chill that made it feel like minus 10, but I was soon wrapped in cozy and warm conversation with these two great people. Mike's a miner and assured me I would not be claustrophic underground (he doesn't know me very well!) and Susan's a teacher, the kind we all wish we'd had growing up.

Our drive took us through Judith Gap and by a wind turbine "farm" before we pulled into Harlowtown. Our destination was not the school, however, but the town movie theater! Some years ago, two teachers purchased the building for a dollar from the city and converted it into a school to work site where kids earn $$ toward college by running the theater. Is that the most amazing idea or what? So that's where I was speaking -- when I get home, I'll post the photo of my name on the marquee to prove it.

The day passed much too quickly as I spoke to three groups of kids from Hillcrest (in Harlowtown) and a group of 5th-8th graders from nearby Ryegate. I have to say the junior high kids asked pretty sophisticated questions about writing -- they kept me on my toes. One highlight was lunch with 5 kids who won the privilege by answering trivia questions about me! Over pizza, they quizzed me about books I've read and authors I've met. I can tell I'm going to have to pick up my reading pace to keep up with that well-read crew. I can honestly say I will never forget the only boy at the lunch, 8-year-old Tayt, who, dismayed by the fact that I have not read one football book, proceeded to tell me all of his favorites, including plot lines. As we parted company, I promised to read Million Dollar Throw, by Mike Lupica. If you'd met Tayt, you would have made that promise, too!

It's hard to be away from home, but being with kids like those I was with today sure make it worth it.

Wordy Wednesday

The words for today are: Denton, Montana. It's an hour or so out of Lewistown (don't ask me which direction; I wasn't driving!) through stunning countryside. I kept expecting John Wayne to come riding across the rolling hills. This beautiful country seems to create beautiful people. Wanda Lucas is the 1st grade teacher (4 students) who orchestrated my day. And what a day! I started out chatting with the kindergartners/first graders, moved on to the quilting ladies (all of whom had read Hattie Big Sky; one of them didn't like it), then the 3rd-6th graders, then the junior high and high school kids, some of whom came from nearby Stanford.

At lunchtime, Wanda and fellow teacher, Susan, took me to lunch at the Shady Oak Cafe where I had an incredibly delicious and hearty soup (barley beef); it was such a big bowl, I couldn't eat the sandwich that came with it. Thank goodness for to-go boxes.

Because I forgot my camera cable, I can't share photos - yet!-- but it was an amazing several hours. The little ones, of course, wanted to tell me about their pets as I tried to tell them the story of Bobbie and Bob Cat; the middle group wanted to know why Nubs' ears got cut off and what happened next for Hattie; and the 7th graders hung around long after the presentation was over asking so many questions, I can't remember them all! But here is my measure of true authorial success: after impulsively hugging on sweet 7th grade boy, they all lined up for a hug from Kirby. Everyone -- especially the boys! -- wanted a sequel to Hattie Big Sky.

I can't let them down, can I?

After a full day in Denton, kindergarten teacher (5 students), Shari Grubb drove me back to Lewistown. The hour or so drive flew by as we solved the world's problems. After she dropped me at the Yogo Inn, I changed into some warm clothes (the weather has turned sharp and cold) and wandered downtown for a walk. After I stretched my legs, I treated myself to a matinee at the immaculately remodeled Judith Theater where, for $5.50, I got my blood pressure raised several notches watching Ben Affleck's "The Town." Back to the Yogo Inn ("discount for hunters") where I zapped my sandwich in the room's microwave for dinner. I ate an apple, too.

Can't think of a nicer day I've had in a long time.

Ask Winston

It's hard work being an answer dog.
I have gone through several chewy bones waiting for an answer to this question posed by a new author:
Is it a good idea for a new writer to establish herself in a specific genre or form? Or is it okay to explore?

The agent who originally PROMISED to respond evidently got busy chasing cats, so I decided to take action. As a faithful friend to the Two Legged Writer, I can recognize a kindred soul when I meet one. Not that I ever got the pleasure of meeting super-agent Linda Pratt but the Two-Legged Writer has and can't speak highly enough of her. So I knew I could count on her to be worth her weight in kibble when it came to answering this week's question. And I wasn't disappointed. Not only that, versatile author, Jane Yolen, also agreed to share her thoughts. This is better than chewing up Two-Legged's last manuscript! Let's give these great humans a warm welcome!!

Linda Pratt is an agent with the Sheldon Fogelman Agency where, after the brief delusion of using her newly minted finance degree toward a career on Wall Street, she began working shortly after college.  In 1995 she was promoted to agent when she took on her first client, Karen Beaumont.  Her clients range from picture book authors and illustrators to novelists of middle grade and young adult fiction.  Linda also works with her clients on nonfiction, as well.  While she is proud to represent many award winners and bestsellers, she loves working with brand new talent, too, and just this summer  placed debut novels for authors Augusta Scattergood and Lisa Luedeke. In addition to working with her clients, Linda oversees the overall business operations for the agency.  She is a member of AAR and SCBWI, and just this year stepped down from the Rutgers Council for Children's Literature on which she volunteered for five years in the planning of the annual Rutgers 1-on-1 Conference. 

Linda Pratt: If by "new" you mean a writer who is just beginning their journey in writing for children, I'd recommend that they'd focus on one genre at the start and hone their craft in that genre.  When they are ready to share their work, they may find that responses suggest that their voice seems better suited to a genre one step up.  For example, if you're a picture book writer, you may get feedback that your voice and approach to plot is better suited to chapter books. Should that happen and there's a consistency to that kind of comment, it's a good idea to consider it and experiment.

Now if "new" in this question is intended to mean someone who is "new" to being a published author, my advice would a bit broader.  I know some agents prefer authors to focus in building their names in one specific genre and not really diverting from that path.  I think it's perfectly fine to explore other genres once you're well into your journey of writing for children, however.  Children's books uniquely allows an author more versatility in the kinds of books they can produce.  By working in different genres, an author can not only hedge themselves for changes in  the market (i.e. the picture book market which used to be the engine of all children's books divisions and is now shrinking), they may find the opportunity to publish more books in a year that won't compete for the same audience.

That said, I never think it's a good idea to try and fit a square peg into a round hole.  So only experiment in genres that feel natural or interesting to you, and not just for the sake of trying to chase the market.



As if Jane Yolen needed introduction! But here is a bit about her: She once wore hair long enough to sit on ("it was the 60s after all"), had her first book published at age 22, has been a generous and thoughtful teacher, and, with 300 books and counting in print, sets the bar high for the children's writing community.



Jane Yolen: I am positive that what kept me alive in the super-competitive and ever-shrinking world of professional publishing is the ability to reinvent my writing self. By that I mean publishing is every genre or type of book except perhaps hard science. (Though I have done many books in natural science and touched on the "soft" sciences like anthropology, psychology, archeology.)

Every year, like creatures becoming extinct, genres dry up, drop by the wayside, die the true death. But if a writer can be equally adept in several of them, one's writing career can continue, even thrive.

Yes, agents and publishers (and even other authors) will tell you that no one will know what to expect from you and your fan base will wander off into the desert and die of thirst. That the sales force will be confused and librarians won't know where to shelve you. Ignore this. If you like to write in a variety of genres, and make books about a dozen different subjects, follow your bliss. After all, you never know which book(s) will take off in a major way. So relax. Write what you want. I do--and 300 books later, I have never doubted my decision.


A big Milk Bone to both Linda and Jane for digging up great responses to this question. Even though I'm a dog, not a writer, I found it interesting that both agent and writer seem to advise to sniff out your own path. This conversation has me thinking about starting my own grrrraphic novel. 

If only I could type.

Great Falls o'Fire!

I am in the great city of Great Falls, Montana. I am glad to be here for oh-so-many reasons, not the least of which that we had plane troubles en route. Losing an engine is never a good thing! We were "diverted" to Spokane and then, after many hours, sent back to Seattle to start all over again. It took me less time to get to Qatar than it did to get to Great Falls!

But once I arrived, it was well worth it. The Montana Reading Association is made up of the nicest folks you can imagine, including Tara Hagins who waited up until 12:30 a.m. to pick me up at the airport! Of course, I was scheduled for the first keynote of the morning. Of course. I think I managed to be somewhat coherent for my talk and then signed books and chatted with lovely librarians and reading teachers for over an hour afterward. I got the chance to greet old friend Sneed Collard III but his fans wouldn't let me chat with him too long. I also met the singing and dancing author Stephen Swinborne and Christopher Carlson, whose presentation I missed because of my delayed flight.

One of the loveliest things about the conference was being able to accept Mary's and my Treasure State Award for the Two Bobbies.

Today, I saw small town kindness in action. I decided I would take the city bus downtown to the library, which also houses the Cascade County Historical Society. Of course, I was waiting on the wrong side of the street but, when I waved at the driver, he not only stopped, he made sure I got off at the proper stop and got down out of the bus to show me where to pick it up for the return!!! Can you believe it? But the generosity didn't stop there. After hitting the library book sale (where I scored 4 issues of Montana: The Magazine of Western History), I wandered into the rooms of the historical society, on the 3rd floor of the library. There, I was taken under the wing of Jan Thompson, coincidentally one of the original 30 founders of the Montana Reading Association. She helped me find materials I was looking for and even hooked me up with an employee of the Planning Department who -- even though the Planning offices were closed -- walked me down the block and across the street to unlock the building so she could photocopy some maps I was looking for!! But wait -- there's more! The historical society ladies let me stay an hour past the closing time AND one of them drove me back to my hotel. I can still hardly believe it.

Tomorrow may bring snow but it will certainly bring Sharon Redfern who is my ride to Lewistown, where I'll spend this coming school week visiting 15 or so schools.

I can hardly wait!

Wordy Wednesday

Today's words come from kids. To be more accurate, from the kids at the schools Mary and I visited last week. They were asked, by their librarians, to write essays about why they'd like the opportunity to eat lunch with us. Here are three of my favorites:

(from a first grader) I want to understand how they come up with their story ideas. I am an author too and need help.

(from a fourth grader): I am very interested in asking about their lives. P.S. Some of the kids' eating habits in the lunchroom aren't the best.

(from a 6th grader): I would love to meet them and ask questions about themselves and the books. Nubs and the Two Bobbies are inspiring books and I want to ask how they met Brian Dennis and if they are still in contact. It would be an honor to meet Mary Nethery and Kirby Larson. I also want to tell them that the Two Bobbies inspired me to get a Hurricane Katrina survivor, now my pet dog, Hunter! Thank you, Kirby and Mary, for telling me to get my best friend.

Can you see why we had the best week ever?!

An interview with yours truly

I know this should be an Ask Winston day, but the Wonder Dog is impatiently waiting to hear from a certain agent who promised to send word in answer to a recent question. . .

In the meantime, check me out, garbed in vintage dress (borrowed from beloved daughter), in an interview held immediately prior to my Fences Between Us book launch on September 11, at 3rd Place Books. Author Magazine editor,  Bill Kenower,  can even make me look good!

Hope for Haiti

This past week is a bit of a blur. Mary and I have never been so busy nor worked so hard.  I promise to share highlights from our amazing school visits and the WLMA/WALE conference BUT I just had to share about this book.

Of course, I had heard about it. But this has been such a busy fall already, I hadn't had time to read it and planned to pick it up at the conference.

I know that the Watson dynasty (dad Richard Jesse Watson, saint-mom Susi Watson, brother Ben, and sister Faith) can do no wrong but this book blew me away. To be more accurate, it left me in tears. Of course I love the local connection -- Deb Lund's son was the model for the main character in the book. But I wasn't prepared for the elegance and power of Jesse Joshua Watson's story. He brilliantly puts us in the heart and mind and body of a young boy left homeless after the catastrophic Haiti earthquake. The details are honest, powerful and subtle: the boy talks about building a "home" for his mother and himself in the soccer stadium with one piece of tin, six posts and three sheets. Later, we learn that he had attended a match at this stadium with his father, where they enjoyed a picnic of green papaya salad and sodas. Our hearts are broken when we understand that the father is not part of this new life in the soccer stadium's tent city. A bundle of rags, tied together to form a ball, take the main character and some of the other children out of their horrific situation and into moments of childhood and normalcy. And throughout, Jesse remains true to the child's point of view.

This is an amazing book. Yes, Jesse is a stunningly talented illustrator who brings people to life on the page like very few illustrators can. But this story is told as only a true story teller can tell it.

You must buy this book and give it to everyone you can think of.  There was only one copy left at the conference bookstore; I bought it to donate to a church library. But I plan to buy more copies to donate to our local schools and libraries. It's that good. It's that wonderful. It's that important.

A donation from each book is made to the Save the Children's Haiti Emergency Relief Fund and you can make an even bigger difference by simply reading online.