Cynthia Chapman Willis's Blog, page 23

Best Friends

It goes without saying that when an author reads a nice review of her book, she’s usually giddy, happy, and thrilled for days. Perhaps weeks, maybe even months. But when the review comes from a very, very special organization, one that the author holds close to her heart, the experience is beyond wonderful. Especially when the review is a surprise.

Picks for Young Readers By Sally RosenthalDog Gone by Cynthia Chapman Willis. Feiwel and Friends, 2008Taken on appearance alone, books, like most thin

An Angel, A Devil, and Another Day At My Favorite Bookstore

It’s a fun morning because I’m shopping for a good book. A really yummy book, even though I’ve put myself on a book buying diet. Because otherwise, I’ll gorge. And this is never pretty.

So, I’m standing in the children’s book department (where else?), drooling. One book today, I keep reminding myself. And I do, indeed, have one book in my grasp. A book that I must have. But then, in a moment of weakness, I reach for another.

“No, no,” a sweet-voiced angel on my right shoulder whispers in my ear

To Outline or Not to Outline?

I’ve started writing a new story. This is always so exhilarating that working on the newbie is just about all that I want to do. But being in this place also reminds me of the question that often inspires debate: To outline or not to outline? When I first started writing DOG GONE, I dove right in, outline-less. To this day, the mere memory of this painful experience makes me cringe and reach for the aspirins. But at least I learned one valuable lesson--I am an outliner.

Writing BUCK FEVER, then,

WANTED: Time

Folks on my fave message board hit on a topic that seems blog-worthy to me: Where to find the time to devote to all the assorted online and real life elements of being a writer. There is, of course, the ever so important writing itself. And the reading that is the backbone of the writing. But let’s not forget the school visits and presentations, the answering of emails, the Facebooking, blogging, and tweeting. The responding to message boards and list servs. All fun and rewarding in many ways, b

Is It Done Yet?

In some ways writing a story is similar to cooking. Mix the right ingredients in the correct amounts to get the flavor and texture you’re looking for, test it, add a bit more of this or a pinch of that until the desired consistency, smell, and taste measure up to expectations. Sometimes, as with any concoction, the whole thing ends up in the nearest garbage can, but that’s a blog for another day.

In this entry, I’m focusing on when a project is done. Tricky question, right? It is for me. Sure, I

A Hot Topic & A School Visit

This morning I read from BUCK FEVER to the fifth graders and teachers of a New Jersey elementary school. The novel won’t be out in all of its hardcover glory until November, so this was kind of the first official reading to a group, if reading from a plain ol’ advanced reader copy counts as official. Nonetheless, I was a bit anxious to see, hear and feel the reactions to the deer hunting elements of BUCK FEVER. Why? Well, from the moment I started mulling over the idea of a novel that hits the v

Always Carry Pen and Paper

A wise and experienced writer once advised me to always carry a pen or pencil and a small notebook or stash of scrap paper with me. As I sat on a folding chair at a college graduation ceremony yesterday, for six hours of waiting, windy speeches, and an almost endless role call of professors and students, I realized the true wisdom of this tip. I found myself taking mad notes, doodling, and sketching out vague ideas and passing thoughts onto partially stained napkins, assorted graduation hand-out

DOG GONE Give Away

It’s hard for me to believe that DOG GONE made its debut a year ago. Wow, does this ever highlight how fast a year can fly by. DOG is a story that is particularly special to me because it is based on a stray pooch that my family adopted when I was about fifteen years old. Dillan. A wonderful, sweetheart of a pup. Adorable, really. A good dog with an amazing grin and a tail that swung in wide circles when he was especially happy. Unfortunately though, for us as well as the neighborhood sheep popu

IN THE PATH OF FALLING OBJECTS by Andrew Smith

I just finished reading the ARC of IN THE PATH OF FALLING OBJECTS by Andrew Smith (Feiwel and Friends, Fall, 2009). What a tension packed thriller! This story of two boys on a trek to meet up with their father pulled me right in. Jonah, the protagonist, and his younger brother Simon have only ten dollars, a backpack full of dirty clothes, Jonah’s notebook, and a stack of letters from their older brother, Matt, who is serving a tour in Vietnam. And these guys are in the middle of the desert. Alon

Welcome!

Hello and welcome!!! My name is Cynthia Chapman Willis and I am the author of DOG GONE (Feiwel and Friends, 08) and BUCK FEVER (Feiwel and Friends, November 09). And yeah, I’ve been dragging my feet in regard to this blogging business, but here I am, for better or worse or something in between. This journal will be about the roller coaster ride that is the writing life (including all the climbs and dips) and most things related to it. This, of course, will include some shameless promotion of my