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I've been having fun watching #alaac15 updates via social media this weekend for the ALA conference in San Francisco. (I'm saving the recently posted speeches from the award winners as my reward for reaching my writing goals today.) I thought this would be a good time to share a photo of the art wall in my office, as you'll see there's a "Caldecott 2015" connection so the timing seems appropriate:
That upper right print? That's a
Lauren Castillo print that I asked for as a Christmas gift in 2009, I believe. And the bottom left? That's a
Dan Santat print that he sent as a gift to anyone who pre-ordered his graphic novel
Sidekicks from his local independent bookstore. I've been a long-time fan of both, so you can imagine how excited I was to hear their names announced last February during the ALA Award announcements.
And in case you are curious, the other artists are:
top left: my nephew, fifth(?) grade
middle left: New Orleans artist
Jamie Hayesmiddle middle:
Joanna Wright, an illustration done in memory of the YA author Bridget Zinn
middle right:
Elisa Kleven, an illustration from her book
The Lion and the Little Red Bird, which I adore
bottom right: my niece, fourth(?) grade
BOOK HUNT
If you are in San Francisco or close enough to venture to the city, there are free
Book Scavenger maps being given out at many independent bookstores. (
Click here for a list of participating stores, but call first to make sure they still have some to give away. If you aren't local to San Francisco,
you can download the PDF version here, or check back here later because I might be giving some away.) These maps are so cool--designed by the talented
Marty Braun--and they look like this:
And even more exciting, 100 copies of
Book Scavenger have been hidden around San Francisco at the places marked on this map. I've trying to share or retweet the photos as I've seen them online, so you can check my
Twitter or
Facebook page for those updates.
Here are a few photos of some of the hidden books:
 |
Beethoven loved music, but surely he'd like a great mystery read?
His statue overlooks Golden Gate Park's Music Concourse. He's got this female sculpture's back...but the real question is
WHAT's behind hers??? |
ALSO . . .
If you happen to be in the Denver or Chicago area on the following dates, I'd love to see you at one of the following events! We'll be doing a scavenger hunt at the Tattered Cover event, and I'll also be talking about Book Scavenger and signing copies. And the Chicago area event is going to be an awesome assortment of authors who write YA, middle grade, AND picture books! Should be a lot of fun.
July 11, 2015Kids Book Extravaganza!Anderson's Bookshop123 West JeffersonNaperville, IL 605402:00 pmWith Kevan Atteberry, Ruth McNally Barshaw, Tara Dairman, Amy Finnegan, Janet Fox, Christine Hayes, Lynda Mullaly Hunt, Laurie Ann Thompson
Macmillan is giving away TEN copies of Book Scavenger through Good Reads! The contest ends on June 10. Visit here for more information:
https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/141454-book-scavenger
Any House Hunters fans out there? You know how they have the "Where Are They Now" series? It's been five years since I started doing Creative Spaces interviews, and I thought it might be fun to take a cue from HGTV and check in on some of the authors and illustrators interviewed in the past and see what's new with them, and if anything has changed in their workspace or creative process.
First up is Michelle Ray. When I first featured Michelle, her YA novel Falling for Hamlet had recently been published. You can read her Creative Spaces interview here. Falling for Hamlet was optioned to be a TV show--very exciting news for a writer--and that option turned into The Royals, which premiered on E! in March.
Michelle also has a new, suspenseful YA out as an ebook titled Mac/Beth. Her book is available for the can't-be-beat price of $2.99! I'll let Michelle tell you more about it, and fill you in on what else she's been up to lately . . .
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| Barbie house still in my workroom. Yup, I still share the room with everyone. Note the papers I should grade by my feet. |
What have you been working on since Falling for Hamlet?
My newest book is Mac/Beth, which is a re-imagining Shakespeare’s Macbeth. It’s set in Hollywood and focuses on ambition and guilt, and the challenges of fame. I love turning classics into something accessible to modern audiences who are either afraid of the original piece or love the original and want to experience it a new way.
I have a manuscript out on sub with my lovely agent, Ammi-Joan Paquette, and we're working on editing both historical fiction and modern realistic fiction manuscripts. While there are still classics I want to tackle, it’s been fun to come up with completely original ideas, too.
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| More papers to grade on the couch. There's always something I should be doing, but when I have time, I sweep it to the side and write. |
How have your work habits/routine changed over the past four years?
I find that I write less often than I used to. It used to be a nightly ritual. But you know what? I missed my family. I would ignore everyone to write, and that didn’t work for us anymore. I find, however, that because I’m always thinking about my stories – while I’m cooking, while I’m driving, walking down the halls at school -- that when I do have time to sit down and write, I’m really fast because I’ve imagined the conversations and settings already. Now that my kids are older and have activities constantly (I don’t know how this happened! I swore we wouldn’t over-schedule), I often have time to write while I wait. I bring my laptop and sit at the lessons or in my car to get my words out of my head and onto paper.
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| Writing while squished in the car. |
Do you have any newfound wisdom you'd like to share?
Things might not go as planned, but if you like to write, write! I find that when I don’t think about the business side of writing or about disappointments and jealousies and rejections, but I focus on stories I want to tell instead, I’m so much happier!
Lots of lessons already, but here’s more: I’ve learned patience and resilience, and that writing is personal and that it hurts to be rejected and to have people say mean things online, but that for every mean thing, there’s at least one nice thing (probably more) said by someone else. But I’ve learned, too, that my biggest critic is probably me, and that while the world might not be waiting for my next book, my friends are, and I’ll write for them and hope that the larger world gets to enjoy my stories, too.
To learn more about Michelle visit her website, or follow her on Twitter and Facebook.
Erin Entrada Kelly is the author of the middle-grade novel
Blackbird Fly, recently published by Greenwillow Books:
Apple Yengko knows what it’s like to be different. She has a weird Filipino nickname, she’s the only Asian at her school, and she’s obsessed with the Beatles instead of boys. But her life doesn’t truly fall apart until she finds out she’s listed on the Dog Log—the list of the ugliest girls in school—and her friends abandon her. Suddenly she’s a social pariah. The boys bark at her in the halls and the girls turn the other way. Apple dreams of escape and resents everything about her culture, including her mother. She’s desperate to get a guitar so she can run away and become a musician like her idol, George Harrison. Apple is convinced that music can save her. And it might—only not in the way that she thinks.
Blackbird Fly was published in March and has been racking up praise, earning three starred reviews and being named a Junior Library Guild selection for 2015. If that isn't enough to convince you Erin Entrada Kelly is a name you will soon be familiar with in the kidlit world, she has three more novels forthcoming from Greenwillow Books. To learn more about Erin and her writing,
visit her website or follow her on
Twitter.
Describe your workspace.
For me, an ideal workspace has windows, flowers and lots of artwork. It needs to be bright and not-too-serious. I have a lot of playful stuff that makes no sense, like a Statue of Liberty rubber duckie, a stuffed Vincent Van Gogh, and a Twilight Zone bobble-head. I have a big, bright window. I hear cars coming and going, which I love. In the spring there’s a cherry blossom tree that blooms on my street, which I also love.
Describe a typical workday.
When I sit down to write, the first thing I do is consult my outline. Then I clean the entire room. Then I read the last chapter I wrote. Then I stare at the wall. More cleaning. More staring. It’s a miracle I’ve ever written anything.
List three of your most favorite things in your workspace and why they are meaningful.
1. Professor Purple. He is a one-inch tall purple cat hand-crafted from clay by one of my favorite people. Professor Purple is very judgmental, so he keeps me on task.
2. Art. I can’t pick just one, so I’ve pulled a few examples: flowers by Lisa Trapani, a wonderful New Orleans artist; a super-colorful painting from the Punk Rock Flea Market in Philadelphia; and a red-and-blue painting by my daughter that has my initials hidden in it (can you find them?)
3. A framed rejection card from Paul Agosto. I don’t know where Paul Agosto is today, but many years ago he rejected one of my short stories and sent me a kind note. It said: “Fine writing, Erin … Your story was on the short list prior to selection.” That note made my day. Even though it was a rejection, I focused on the keywords: your story was on the shortlist. I hadn’t yet published a short story, but thanks to Paul Agosto, I knew I was getting close.
Do you have any rituals in your work habits? If so, describe them.
I write longhand first, so I’m very particular about my pens. For a long time I was dedicated to the Scripto Giga, but they quit making them for some unfathomable reason. So now my pen of preference is the Bic Cristal 1.6mm in any color.
What do you listen to while you work?
It depends on what I’m working on. For BLACKBIRD FLY, I listened to the Beatles—a lot—for obvious reasons. But most of the time I listen to classical. I’m fancy like that.
What is your drink and/or snack of choice while you’re working?
None. Too distracting.
What keeps you focused while you’re working?
The characters. Hopefully.
Do you write longhand, on a computer, or another way?
I write longhand first. It feels more personal, and it’s easier for me to jot down random thoughts along the way.
How do you develop your story ideas? Do you use an outline, let the muse lead you, or another technique?
My story ideas always start with a character. The plot, subplots, and other characters build from there. The character is the sun of my story-development solar system. Once the story is developed, I write a brief synopsis. Then I write a detailed synopsis. Then I write a brief chapter summary. Then I write a detailed chapter summary. Then I start chapter one.
I’m all about outlines. Back in the day, when I was a pantser, my novels always lost steam. I’d stare at the screen with no clue what to write. All that ended when I embraced the outline. But I’m not blindly loyal to it. My outline is fluid, so it changes as the characters take the story in different directions. So I guess you could say I let the muse lead my outline.
If you were forced to share your workspace but could share it with anyone of your choosing, who would it be?
Linus Van Pelt
What is the best piece of writing advice you’ve heard or received?
If you’re bored with a scene and can’t wait to get through it, you’re writing the wrong scene. Remember: If you’re bored writing it, readers will be bored reading it.
Laurie McKay is the author of The Last Dragon Charmer #1: Villain Keeper. Her debut middle grade novel was published in February and was selected for the Winter Indie Next List. Here is the description from Good Reads:
All his life, Prince Caden has dreamed of being sent on a quest to slay a dragon. But before he has the chance, he is ripped from his home in the Winterlands of Razzon and finds himself in Asheville, North Carolina—a land with no magic and no dragons. But a prince must always complete his quest. And the longer Caden is in Asheville, the more he realizes there is magic in this strange land after all. More important, there may just be dragons here, too. But what if Caden’s destiny isn’t to slay a dragon, like he’s always believed?
To learn more about Laurie and her writing visit her website, follow her on Twitter, or like The Last Dragon Charmer on Facebook.
Describe your workspace.
I work at coffee and sandwich shops a lot. Getting out of the house helps me focus. When at home, I write with my laptop on a make-shift pillow desk and on the couch. Sometimes, I write at my non-pillow real desk. At home, I have two old and dear dogs underfoot – Simon (age 15 years) and Sally (age 13 years). Simon, especially, likes to nose my computer while I’m trying to type.
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| Simon |
Describe a typical workday.
I turn on the computer and check emails. Then I check random internet things. I look at twitter and think about tweeting. Sometimes, I actually tweet something. At this point, usually I realize I’m not getting any work done! I close my browser, open up my word document, and start typing.
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| Sally |
List three of your most favorite things in your workspace and why they are meaningful.
- My laptop. It’s where I do all my work. I am deeply attached to it.
- A hardcover of VILLAIN KEEPER. After all, it’s the fruit of my labor!
- A list of books I’ve read recently. Every time I read a book, I feel like I’ve gained something from it. There’s a sense of accomplishment. I like looking at the titles of all the great stories I’ve gotten to read.
Do you have any rituals in your work habits? If so, describe them.
Hmm. I don’t think I really do. Although, before I start writing, I reread whatever I wrote the day before. Sometimes I reread it several times. Then as I write, I reread passages and sentences over and over and over and over.
What do you listen to while you work?
I need ambient noise. I think that’s why I work best while out at coffee shops and the like. Neither music nor silence works for me.
What is your drink and/or snack of choice while you’re working?
I have coffee – hot and I have a Diet Pepsi with ice. If there is no Diet Pepsi, I go with Diet Coke. I found a Diet Coke “Mel” and deemed it lucky as that was my grandpa’s name. I’m trying to switch over to water but haven’t been able to shake the diet soda habit yet!
What keeps you focused while you’re working?
While it takes me a while to get going. Once I get to the ‘go’ part, though, and am actively working, my focus is fairly intent. For me, it’s more about getting started. Once I do that, staying focused isn’t as much of a problem.
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| Look! I'm outlining in this one! |
Do you write longhand, on a computer, or another way?
I almost always use my laptop. So much, in fact, that I’m losing keys. The escape key, well, it escaped from the keyboard. There’s just a little button there now. Occasionally, when I’m outlining I’ll write longhand, but that’s rare. I do print up hardcopies of outlines and drafts and mark them up though.
How do you develop your story ideas? Do you use an outline, let the muse lead you, or another technique?
I usually start off with a concept or character. Then I type. Typically, I write a few thousand words then realize I need to rethink the entire thing. At that point, I get a better idea of the story I want to write and start an outline. Outlining is a skill I’m still developing, but I feel like it’s something that could really improve the way I work. And I’m getting better at it.
If you were forced to share your workspace but could share it with anyone of your choosing, who would it be?
I’d share it with my sister who conveniently is also my critique partner. We go out and write together all the time already. We’re not actively writing in the pic below, but we look happy.
What is the best piece of writing advice you’ve heard or received?
An author presenting at the the NC Writer’s Network conference advised the group to write whether inspired or not. The presenter – and I wish I remembered her name – said she’d found her ‘uninspired’ writing was usually just as good as her ‘inspired’ writing. The important thing is to get words on paper. I’ve also found that to be true. It’s really great advice. There are so many things that can bring you down or distract you. It’s good to just keep working.
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"13 Reasons Why meets the poetry of Emily Dickinson in this gripping debut novel perfect for fans of Sara Zarr or Jennifer Brown.
A Goth girl with an attitude problem, Elizabeth Davis must learn to control her anger before it destroys her. Emily Delgado appears to be a smart, sweet girl, with a normal life, but as depression clutches at her, she struggles to feel normal. Both girls are in Ms. Diaz's English class, where they connect to the words of Emily Dickinson. Both are hovering on the edge of an emotional precipice. One of them will attempt suicide. And with Dickinson's poetry as their guide, both girls must conquer their personal demons to ever be happy.
In an emotionally taut novel with a richly diverse cast of characters, readers will relish in the poetry of Emily Dickinson and be completely swept up in the turmoil of two girls grappling with demons beyond their control."
I have two work spaces: one for more business-like tasks and another for creative writing. When I sit at my office desk in my office chair, I think "work," not "create," so I'm focused on completing tasks, like updating my website and checking and responding to emails. The set-up reminds me of my actual out-of-the-home work spaces, past and present, so when I'm in my office, I'm more business-minded. I never actually write there.
I do almost all of my novel writing on my bed. I have pounded out some scenes in other places, like coffee shops and the waiting areas of my daughter's activities, but my bed is my go-to writing spot. It's where I am comfortable physically and mentally. I spread out any papers or notes to the left. I sit on the right side of the bed with my laptop and my dog. A small dresser to my right provides me with light and a place to put food and coffee. The wall on my left is often adorned with plot-related sticky notes and other pictures for inspiration.
Describe a typical workday.
I work full time as a middle school reading specialist, so that fills my day from when I wake up at 6 a.m. to when I leave around 3 p.m. During my lunch break and prep period, I am sometimes able to research or write. On Tuesday nights, I teach at a local community college, and on Thursdays, I meet a friend at Starbucks to write for a couple of hours before picking up my daughter from school. After I pick her up, we eat, do homework, etc. At night, I may have some time to read or write. Daily writing doesn't usually happen during a typical work week. I've tried. I take advantage of snow days, school vacation days, and my parents who are willing to host my daughter for a sleepover so that I can write all weekend when needed.
List three of your most favorite things in your workspace and why they are meaningful.
I have an angel ornament that has the Emily Dickinson phrase "Dwell in possibility" on it. The ornament was a gift from my aunt at a moment when I needed encouragement.
A critique group member picked up two buttons for me at a writing conference. One says: "Ask me about my novel," and the other says, "Writers write. Everyone else makes excuses." These keep me motivated.
I also have a ceramic leaf filled with stones and crystals I have picked up in various places. These are meaningful because they are positive reminders of places I've been.
Do you have any rituals in your work habits? If so, describe them.
I don't have any rituals, but I do find when I'm stuck or need a break, I take a long, hot shower, do some yoga stretches, or burn some sage, close my eyes, and purposely clear my mind.
What do you listen to while you work?
I can't listen to music while I write. No tunes or T.V. I need quiet. I will listen to certain songs in the car on my way to work if they remind me of a particular character or scene, but I don't have a particular song or artist that I listen to specifically while writing.
What is your drink and/or snack of choice while you’re working?
Coffee or tea, and fruit, popcorn, or rice cakes. I'm trying to be healthy these days. What I really want is chocolate!
What keeps you focused while you’re working?
The clock. As I mentioned above, my daily life doesn't allow for daily writing, so when I have the time, I take full advantage of it. If I know I have a three-hour block, I am focused. If I get distracted, the clock reminds me to get refocused so that I get some words in before heading off to my next obligation.
Do you write longhand, on a computer, or another way?
I take initial notes when researching and plotting longhand, but I write drafts on a computer.
How do you develop your story ideas? Do you use an outline, let the muse lead you, or another technique?
I brainstorm and outline longhand in a notebook. I write out what will happen and then break it down by chapters, but I am not a meticulous outliner. My notes do not detail the character's every move, but instead what must happen in the chapter--the main things he or she must do and certain dialogue phrases I don't want to forget. I have also used a visual story board--posting sticky notes on my wall--when I need to do major revisions that require moving scenes around. I do not have color-coded charts, graphs, or spreadsheets or anything like that. That's too methodical for me. My brain doesn't work that way.
If you were forced to share your workspace but could share it with anyone of your choosing, who would it be?
I could share my space with my friend, Melody, whom I meet at Starbucks on Thursdays. We have a routine: get coffee/tea, chat briefly to catch up, and then we're quiet and working. So, I know we'd get work done and enjoy each other's company during breaks. I don't think, though, that Melody would want to do this in my bedroom!
What is the best piece of writing advice you’ve heard or received?
Write what you want. We often worry too much about everything--the market, what's trendy, what's not, what's expected with the next book. Should the next story be the same genre or not? Can I switch from YA to MG? And the questions and concerns can go on and on. There are a thousand ways to spark anxiety and stress during the writing and publishing process. The best advice I've heard from my agent and other writers is to write what you want to write. Period. Don't over think it.
Pat Zietlow Miller is the author of the award-winning (and adorable!) picture book Sophie's Squash, illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf. Sophie's Squash is story that celebrates the special love between a child and her favorite toy--only in this case it's a butternut squash. On a trip to the farmers' market with her parents, Sophie chooses a squash, but instead of letting her mom cook it, she names it Bernice. Sophie's Squash has earned many accolades and honors, including four starred reviews, the Golden Kite Award, the Charlotte Zolotow Honor Book Award, and the Ezra Jack Keats Honor Book Award.
And fortunately for the children's book world, Pat has more books coming out in the world--SEVEN to be exact (at last count). Coming in April is Wherever You Go, illustrated by Eliza Wheeler. In Wherever You Go, join an adventurous rabbit and his animal friends as they journey over steep mountain peaks, through bustling cityscapes, and down long, winding roads to discover the magical worlds that await them just outside their doors. This book celebrates the possibilities that lie beyond the next bend in the road – the same road that will always lead you home again. Kirkus Reviews gave Wherever You Go a starred review with the praise: "Miller's verse, infused with musical momentum, communicates the emotional arch of a journey with beautiful brevity."
To learn more about Pat Zietlow Miller, visit her website.
Describe your workspace.
I write in one of two spots. At my kitchen table surrounded by the detritus of life in a family of four – books, papers, pens, calendars, mail, dishes – or at a desk upstairs that looks much more writerly. I’m probably in the kitchen more often just because that’s the way things seem to work out.
Describe a typical workday.
Most days, I’m at my regular job in corporate communications at an insurance company editing copy and writing about auto, home, and life insurance. (Hint: Having umbrella coverage is a good idea.)
When I get home, I start dinner, talk to my husband and kids, and help with homework where I can. English and language arts are fine. Calculus and physics are not. Then, when the kids are studying and my husband is watching basketball, I flip open my laptop and get going. Of course if the kids have evening activities, I’m probably driving them there instead of writing.
So when I do write, I tend to be pretty focused. I don’t have a lot of time to mess around.
List three of your most favorite things in your workspace and why they are meaningful.
These are all from my upstairs formal writing space.
- A dictionary and bookmark I got from my high school English teacher Gladys Veidemanis after I was voted “Most Likely to Be Published” by my classmates. It took more than 20 years after I graduated, but it did happen.
- A nameplate that belonged to my aunt, Faye Clow, who was director of the Bettendorf Public Library for many years. She was a huge proponent of books and literacy, and I always loved her and admired that. My upcoming book, Sophie's Seeds (Schwartz & Wade, 2016), is dedicated to Faye.
- The F&G [publishing term that means folded and gathered--they are fancy colored proofs] of whatever my next book is. Right now, I have Wherever You Go, which is coming from Little, Brown on April 21 and Sharing the Bread, which is coming from Schwartz & Wade on Aug. 25. Getting the F&Gs always makes the book finally seem real.
Do you have any rituals in your work habits? If so, describe them.
Open lap top. Sit down. Start typing.
Ignore any tears, arguments, or requests for help finding lost items until the young person involved either goes away or asks my husband. While some writers follow very organized processes when writing, I’m a little more haphazard. I wrote a post about this for Tara Lazar’s Picture Book Idea Month.
What do you listen to while you work?
Everything listed in my answer to the previous question. I really prefer not to have music playing while I write. It impedes my ability to focus on the story. (When you read my answer to the next-to-last question, you’ll see that this can be a problem.)
What is your drink and/or snack of choice while you’re working?
I normally don’t eat or drink while I’m writing. I tend to eat and drink when I get up and walk around because I’m temporarily stuck. Then, dark chocolate is always good. But I have standards. It’s got to be top-of-the-line stuff.
What keeps you focused while you’re working?
Getting the story done and making it the best it can possibly be. Finding the perfect combination of words is really important to me. And I love critique partners and editors who really challenge me if they think I haven’t quite done it.
Do you write longhand, on a computer, or another way?
Nearly always on a computer. Very rarely, I’ll write longhand if I’m on a plane or a bus and a pad of paper is all I’ve got to work with. But I do jot down notes longhand, usually phrases that I think sound intriguing.
How do you develop your story ideas? Do you use an outline, let the muse lead you, or another technique?
It sounds terribly boring, but I’m afraid I just sit down, open my laptop and start writing. Sometimes, I stare at my manuscript for a while before starting. While I certainly have been inspired, I don’t really believe in waiting for inspiration, because I could be waiting a long time. I find that the mere act of beginning to write usually kick-starts my inspiration.
If you were forced to share your workspace but could share it with anyone of your choosing, who would it be?
My husband. He’s a sportswriter and works out of our house. On days that I’m not at my day job, we often work in adjoining rooms. He’s fun to have around, although he sometimes plays really, really bad music while he works – like “My Girl Bill.” If we ever worked next to each other long term, this could become problematic.
What is the best piece of writing advice you’ve heard or received?
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It’s what I learned in a high school journalism class taught by Ron Harrell. The end of your story has to have some element of the beginning in it to provide satisfying closure. He said it was like wrapping a ribbon around a present and tying a big bow. I wrote a blog post about this concept on Picture Book Builders.
So yesterday I mentioned I have something fun in the works . . .
I'm excited to share the new website for the Book Scavenger series, designed by the awesome Jenny Medford of Websy Daisy. To celebrate the launch of this website, I'm giving away FIFTY advance copies of Book Scavenger--one to a winner in each state. It's my hope that the recipients of the advance copies will help launch a book hunting game in the spirit of the one in my novel.
You can enter up to five times--read this post to find out all the details! (And if you're interested, you can also read the first chapter on the About the Book page!)
By: Jennifer Bertman,
on 2/16/2015
Blog:
From the Mixed-Up Files of Jennifer Bertman
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I've been in the midst of making promotional plans for Book Scavenger. I've sought out advice from other authors on what they recommend and don't recommend for your debut book, and the only bit of advice that everyone seems to agree on is this: The best thing you can do to promote your first book is write your next book.
Okay, cool, I'm doing that! I have two more books scheduled to come out in 2016 and 2017, and I'm currently working on both simultaneously. One is in the outline/first draft stage, and the other is nearing the end of its second revision. (I feel like those last two sentences make me sound very organized in my writing process. I am not. I wrote "working on two books simultaneously" but really it feels more like spinning in circles while juggling cats.)
But still, even if everyone agrees the best thing you can do is write the next book, I can't do
nothing for my debut. If for no other reason than I'm excited about it! I want people to hear about it. So many people have had a hand in shaping the book--early readers and critique partners, teachers, my agent, my editor, the art director, production editor, copyeditor . . . And the illustrations!
Sarah Watt's work is so freakin' cool and takes the book to a whole other level. The book that will be in bookstores and libraries has been a team effort, and I'm proud of it. Even if readers hate it, I want
Book Scavenger to have a fighting chance of surviving in the retail world, and that won't happen if readers don't hear about it in the first place.
So I wanted to do something fun to celebrate Book Scavenger and spread the word about its existence. What to do, what to do? That's where Garrison Griswold comes in.
 |
| Illustration by Sarah Watts |
Garrison Griswold is a central character in
Book Scavenger. He's this larger than life, eccentric book publisher who's a huge game and puzzle fanatic. He thrives on thinking up elaborate games and making them happen--something that has earned him the reputation of being "the Willy Wonka of book publishing." A reputation, by the way, that he loves to play up. Book Scavenger is one of his game creations. It's a website and a real world book hunting game where players hide used books in public places and then upload clues to the website for other book scavengers to solve in order to seek out the books. (Kind of a mashup of
Book Crossing,
Geocaching, and
Little Free Libraries, with a dash of influence from video games I played as a kid.)
I wanted to do something in the spirit of Garrison Griswold, but I couldn't go all out Garrison Griswold because that guy has resources that I do not. (He rented out the San Francisco Giants stadium in order to break the Guinness World Record for largest group Bingo game, for example. I can't do that.)
But I did come up with something that's big, by my standards at least, and fortunately my publisher was on board. I hope it will be fun and will make Mr. Griswold proud. I'll be putting this plan into action on Wednesday and will update here with the info, but for now here's a teaser video (which offers a clue--something I know Mr. G would approve of):
Joining us today for Creative Spaces is Dan Gemeinhart. Dan's debut middle grade novel, The Honest Truth, publishes today from Scholastic Press. The Honest Truth is a moving, fast-paced story about a boy, his dog, and the adventure of a lifetime:
In all the ways that matter, Mark is a normal kid. He’s got a dog named Beau and a best friend, Jessie. He likes to take photos and write haiku poems in his notebook. He dreams of climbing a mountain one day.
But in one important way, Mark is not like other kids at all. Mark is sick. The kind of sick that means hospitals. And treatments. The kind of sick some people never get better from.
So Mark runs away. He leaves home with his camera, his notebook, his dog, and a plan. A plan to reach the top of Mount Rainier. Even if it’s the last thing he ever does.
To learn more about Dan Gemeinhart, visit his website or follow him on Twitter.
Describe your workspace.
My workspace is a big, brown couch. It's a ratty couch, scuffed and threadbare in places, but it's soft and and comfortable and it reclines with a footrest and it never complains when I spill things on it (which is often). It's in our living room, facing a big picture window that looks out on the street. There's an end table within reach and our computer (which serves as our stereo) within remote range, so I can turn the music on, off, up or down as my feverish brain requires. There are no overhead lights but there are numerous lamps around the room's perimeter, so I can adjust the lighting anywhere from sunlit meadow to burial cave, depending on mood (I write almost exclusively at night).
Describe a typical workday.
A typical writing workday (I also have a day job) begins at about 9:30 pm. The kids are in bed, as is my wife. I've made a hot cup of tea which sits on the end table beside me. There's a decent chance I've also got a glass of red wine and a chunk of really dark chocolate. I'm sitting on the couch, my laptop sitting on a pillow that's sitting on my lap. When I've got everything situated just right and everything I need within reach (an up-and-down, oops-I-forgot-something process that can take 15 minutes), I start writing. Depending on how the story is flowing and how early I have to get up the next day, my end time can vary from 10:30 to 2:00 am.
List three of your most favorite things in your workspace and why they are meaningful.
Since I don't have a dedicated “office workspace” and have to use a shared family space, I don't really have personal, meaningful objects around me when I write. My objects are functional, but they're important:
1. The couch. I've got to be comfortable to write. I can't do it sitting upright in some stiff chair. I sink into that couch with my feet up and get everything set just right and I can just go.
2. The desktop computer over in the corner, which gives me the exact music I need (see below).
3. The end table. Sounds silly, but it's like a little workstation. I keep my drink and snacks there, right within reach, and sometimes also notes, books, notebooks, outlines, etc. I'm always reaching over there for something and would be lost without it.
Do you have any rituals in your work habits? If so, describe them.
For me it's just the tea and the couch arrangement. I put one pillow behind my head to stave off a sore neck, put another under my laptop to bring it closer to eye level, prop my feet up to the perfect elevation, and cover my legs with a blanket if it's chilly. My little nest has to be just right – it's kind of pathetic, I suppose. I'm like a little old lady watching her shows, with my warm tea and blanket thrown over my legs. But, hey, it works. My brain is very easily distracted and looks for any excuse to get off-task, so getting that environment just right matters. I'm a cozy worker.
What do you listen to while you work?
It depends. Sometimes I need silence, sometimes I need just the right mood music. I've got several different playlists for different vibes . . . a pensive, gloomy list, a fast-paced tension list, etc. Sometimes the right music absolutely helps me get into a scene and capture the right kind of energy and mood. It has to be instrumental, though. . . music with words will definitely not work for me. So it's mostly classical or kind of dark, acoustic instrumental Americana. For the last book I wrote I found one song that completely embodied the tone, mood, and identity of the story I was writing; it was “Ashokan Farewell” by Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, and many a night I sat there writing with that song on repeat.
What is your drink and/or snack of choice while you’re working?
Tea! Green tea mostly, black tea occasionally in the morning, herbal tea later at night. I use it as a motivator, too . . . as I finish off one cup of tea I'll set a word count mark, and I don't get to make another cup of tea until I hit it. I don't snack too much, but if I do it's probably gonna be dark chocolate.
What keeps you focused while you’re working?
I totally struggle with focus, so it's really just a matter of self-discipline. I've got to stay on myself and be mindful of when I'm just sitting there, daydreaming. Keeping an eye on measurable productivity really helps, too (“how many words have I written so far this hour?”). This is one reason I cannot--really, truly cannot--write in coffee shops. Way too many distractions. If I spend an hour in a coffee shop I'll be lucky to get five minutes of writing in.
Do you write longhand, on a computer, or another way?
Computer. I like the romantic image of scratching away at a paper notepad with a trusty pen, but rough draft writing for me has to be a computer. The story comes in quick, urgent bursts, and when I get on a tear there's no way I could keep up with a pen. Editing and revising I always do on a hardcopy, though, with a pen. I've got to be able to physically circle, cross out, underline.
How do you develop your story ideas? Do you use an outline, let the muse lead you, or another technique?
A bit of both! When I start writing a book I tend to know most of the first third of the story, and most of the last third. There are holes here and there, and the entire middle is kind of a mystery, but as I write through that first third it starts to kind of gel and develop some gravity and momentum and then it fills in as I go. There are surprises every time, though. As much as I'd like to and as hard as I try, I just really struggle to do much pre-outlining. I just stare at the paper and my brain says, “How the hell should I know what happens next? I haven't started writing the story yet!” I wish I could outline, because I think it's better practice; I think I'd have to do less revising if I could do more planning ahead on the rough draft.
If you were forced to share your workspace but could share it with anyone of your choosing, who would it be?
Someone incredibly dull and quiet. Not my wife or my friends, because I'd always want to talk to them. As hard as I would find it to work with someone else in the room, though, there's no doubt that break time would be fun if I was sharing my space with another writer. It would be awesome to commiserate, bounce ideas off each other, feed off each other's energy. Writing is such a solitary pursuit, it'd be nice to have someone there in the trenches with you.
What is the best piece of writing advice you’ve heard or received?
It's the simplest, the most often repeated, the most basic, and the most important: write. That's it. You've got to get your butt in that chair (or ratty old couch) and write. Write, write, write. Then revise, revise, revise (I learned much more about writing from revising my first book than I did from writing it). You should read tons, yes; and you should elicit (and listen to) honest feedback, yes; I'm a big believer in attending writing conferences, absolutely; but at the end of the day the single most important thing is to sit down and do it. Write.
Joining us today for Creative Spaces is Dan Gemeinhart. Dan's debut middle grade novel, The Honest Truth, publishes today from Scholastic Press. The Honest Truth is a moving, fast-paced story about a boy, his dog, and the adventure of a lifetime:
In all the ways that matter, Mark is a normal kid. He’s got a dog named Beau and a best friend, Jessie. He likes to take photos and write haiku poems in his notebook. He dreams of climbing a mountain one day.
But in one important way, Mark is not like other kids at all. Mark is sick. The kind of sick that means hospitals. And treatments. The kind of sick some people never get better from.
So Mark runs away. He leaves home with his camera, his notebook, his dog, and a plan. A plan to reach the top of Mount Rainier. Even if it’s the last thing he ever does.
To learn more about Dan Gemeinhart, visit his website or follow him on Twitter.
Describe your workspace.
My workspace is a big, brown couch. It's a ratty couch, scuffed and threadbare in places, but it's soft and and comfortable and it reclines with a footrest and it never complains when I spill things on it (which is often). It's in our living room, facing a big picture window that looks out on the street. There's an end table within reach and our computer (which serves as our stereo) within remote range, so I can turn the music on, off, up or down as my feverish brain requires. There are no overhead lights but there are numerous lamps around the room's perimeter, so I can adjust the lighting anywhere from sunlit meadow to burial cave, depending on mood (I write almost exclusively at night).
Describe a typical workday.
A typical writing workday (I also have a day job) begins at about 9:30 pm. The kids are in bed, as is my wife. I've made a hot cup of tea which sits on the end table beside me. There's a decent chance I've also got a glass of red wine and a chunk of really dark chocolate. I'm sitting on the couch, my laptop sitting on a pillow that's sitting on my lap. When I've got everything situated just right and everything I need within reach (an up-and-down, oops-I-forgot-something process that can take 15 minutes), I start writing. Depending on how the story is flowing and how early I have to get up the next day, my end time can vary from 10:30 to 2:00 am.
List three of your most favorite things in your workspace and why they are meaningful.
Since I don't have a dedicated “office workspace” and have to use a shared family space, I don't really have personal, meaningful objects around me when I write. My objects are functional, but they're important:
1. The couch. I've got to be comfortable to write. I can't do it sitting upright in some stiff chair. I sink into that couch with my feet up and get everything set just right and I can just go.
2. The desktop computer over in the corner, which gives me the exact music I need (see below).
3. The end table. Sounds silly, but it's like a little workstation. I keep my drink and snacks there, right within reach, and sometimes also notes, books, notebooks, outlines, etc. I'm always reaching over there for something and would be lost without it.
Do you have any rituals in your work habits? If so, describe them.
For me it's just the tea and the couch arrangement. I put one pillow behind my head to stave off a sore neck, put another under my laptop to bring it closer to eye level, prop my feet up to the perfect elevation, and cover my legs with a blanket if it's chilly. My little nest has to be just right – it's kind of pathetic, I suppose. I'm like a little old lady watching her shows, with my warm tea and blanket thrown over my legs. But, hey, it works. My brain is very easily distracted and looks for any excuse to get off-task, so getting that environment just right matters. I'm a cozy worker.
What do you listen to while you work?
It depends. Sometimes I need silence, sometimes I need just the right mood music. I've got several different playlists for different vibes . . . a pensive, gloomy list, a fast-paced tension list, etc. Sometimes the right music absolutely helps me get into a scene and capture the right kind of energy and mood. It has to be instrumental, though. . . music with words will definitely not work for me. So it's mostly classical or kind of dark, acoustic instrumental Americana. For the last book I wrote I found one song that completely embodied the tone, mood, and identity of the story I was writing; it was “Ashokan Farewell” by Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, and many a night I sat there writing with that song on repeat.
What is your drink and/or snack of choice while you’re working?
Tea! Green tea mostly, black tea occasionally in the morning, herbal tea later at night. I use it as a motivator, too . . . as I finish off one cup of tea I'll set a word count mark, and I don't get to make another cup of tea until I hit it. I don't snack too much, but if I do it's probably gonna be dark chocolate.
What keeps you focused while you’re working?
I totally struggle with focus, so it's really just a matter of self-discipline. I've got to stay on myself and be mindful of when I'm just sitting there, daydreaming. Keeping an eye on measurable productivity really helps, too (“how many words have I written so far this hour?”). This is one reason I cannot--really, truly cannot--write in coffee shops. Way too many distractions. If I spend an hour in a coffee shop I'll be lucky to get five minutes of writing in.
Do you write longhand, on a computer, or another way?
Computer. I like the romantic image of scratching away at a paper notepad with a trusty pen, but rough draft writing for me has to be a computer. The story comes in quick, urgent bursts, and when I get on a tear there's no way I could keep up with a pen. Editing and revising I always do on a hardcopy, though, with a pen. I've got to be able to physically circle, cross out, underline.
How do you develop your story ideas? Do you use an outline, let the muse lead you, or another technique?
A bit of both! When I start writing a book I tend to know most of the first third of the story, and most of the last third. There are holes here and there, and the entire middle is kind of a mystery, but as I write through that first third it starts to kind of gel and develop some gravity and momentum and then it fills in as I go. There are surprises every time, though. As much as I'd like to and as hard as I try, I just really struggle to do much pre-outlining. I just stare at the paper and my brain says, “How the hell should I know what happens next? I haven't started writing the story yet!” I wish I could outline, because I think it's better practice; I think I'd have to do less revising if I could do more planning ahead on the rough draft.
If you were forced to share your workspace but could share it with anyone of your choosing, who would it be?
Someone incredibly dull and quiet. Not my wife or my friends, because I'd always want to talk to them. As hard as I would find it to work with someone else in the room, though, there's no doubt that break time would be fun if I was sharing my space with another writer. It would be awesome to commiserate, bounce ideas off each other, feed off each other's energy. Writing is such a solitary pursuit, it'd be nice to have someone there in the trenches with you.
What is the best piece of writing advice you’ve heard or received?
It's the simplest, the most often repeated, the most basic, and the most important: write. That's it. You've got to get your butt in that chair (or ratty old couch) and write. Write, write, write. Then revise, revise, revise (I learned much more about writing from revising my first book than I did from writing it). You should read tons, yes; and you should elicit (and listen to) honest feedback, yes; I'm a big believer in attending writing conferences, absolutely; but at the end of the day the single most important thing is to sit down and do it. Write.
Joining us today for Creative Spaces is YA author Maggie Hall. Her debut novel The Conspiracy of Us was published this month from Putnam/Penguin: To fight her destiny as the missing heir to a powerful and dangerous secret society, sixteen-year-old Avery West must solve an ancient puzzle in a deadly race across Europe. Forbidden love and code-breaking, masked balls and explosions, destiny and dark secrets collide in this romantic thriller, in the vein of a YA DaVinci Code.
Avery West's newfound family can shut down Prada at the Champs-Elysees when they want to shop in peace, and can just as easily order a bombing when they want to start a war.
They are part of a powerful and dangerous secret society called the Circle of Twelve, and Avery is their missing heir. If they discover who she is, some of them will want to use her as a pawn. Some will want her dead.
To thwart their plans, Avery must follow a trail of clues from the landmarks of Paris to the back alleys of Istanbul and through a web of ancient legends and lies. And unless she can stay one step ahead of beautiful, volatile Stellan, who knows she’s more than she seems, and can decide whether to trust mysterious, magnetic Jack, she may be doomed after all.
Maggie is a world traveler and has worked as a bookstore events coordinator and marketing manager. You can learn more about her at her website, follow her on Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, or join her at YA Misfits where she blogs about young adult literature.
Describe your workspace.
I literally work in a closet! I love really small spaces—I feel like I can block the world out more easily. When I was traveling and didn’t have my office, I would sometimes throw a blanket over my head to get that same enclosed feeling.
I occasionally do want a little light and space, though, and then I’ll settle in my living room, in this big comfy chair with a big comfy blanket . . . though it kind of makes me want to take a nap just thinking about it . . .
Describe a typical workday.
I like to write really early, before I can get distracted. I usually drag myself out of bed at 5:30 or 6am, grab a cup of coffee, and write as much as I can before the day officially starts. And then I kind of try to write the rest of the day, but usually don’t end up getting anything more done on actual writing until the evening.
List three of your most favorite things in your workspace and why they are meaningful.
I got the Eiffel Tower picture at a thrift store, and Paris is important in CONSPIRACY (plus, it’s pretty)!
You can’t see it very well, but on the right are bookmarks and postcards from some of my friends’ books—I love having them nearby!
And, of course, my cover. This is the first dust jacket I saw, and the first time I saw how the whole thing was really going to look! I freaked out a little.
Do you have any rituals in your work habits? If so, describe them.
I’ve traveled so much and learned to write so many weird places that I don’t have much of a ritual—when you’re writing on your phone on the floor of the Shanghai airport or on a train through Thailand, it’s hard to follow writing rituals too closely. I do like to listen to music while I work—that always gets me in the mood!
What do you listen to while you work?
What is your drink and/or snack of choice while you’re working?
Sour gummy worms. I have no idea why, but they taste like this book to me.
What keeps you focused while you’re working?
Deadlines! I swear, otherwise I would never be able to focus! Is there something that works for other people, because I’d like to know about it!
Do you write longhand, on a computer, or another way?
On the computer, always. I take a lot of notes in lots of notebook (and lots of random post-its, as you can see on the desk photo!), but I never actually write longhand.
How do you develop your story ideas? Do you use an outline, let the muse lead you, or another technique?
I’m working on CONSPIRACY book 2 right now, and I’m definitely outlining. My favorite outlining tool is actually the Save the Cat Beat Sheet—it lets me put my ideas in a logical framework without having to be too precise about it. And of course, once I actually start writing, the story tends to take on a life of its own, but I do find that having an idea of where I’m going with it is really helpful.
If you were forced to share your workspace but could share it with anyone of your choosing, who would it be?
Anyone I was sharing with would literally have to sit on my lap, so . . . hm. Can I say Chris Hemsworth, and I’ll sit on his lap? I think that would give me some good writing inspiration. ;)
Really, though, I’d say my writing friends. I would love having the smart, awesome people I’m lucky enough to call critique partners around to bounce ideas off of and to make me get back to work when I’m checking twitter for the millionth time. . .
What is the best piece of writing advice you’ve heard or received?
Writing is rewriting. I have to remind myself over and over that the first draft doesn’t have to be perfect, and that the magic comes from editing. Otherwise, I’d worry too much and never get anything done!
Joining us today for Creative Spaces is YA author Maggie Hall. Her debut novel The Conspiracy of Us was published this month from Putnam/Penguin: To fight her destiny as the missing heir to a powerful and dangerous secret society, sixteen-year-old Avery West must solve an ancient puzzle in a deadly race across Europe. Forbidden love and code-breaking, masked balls and explosions, destiny and dark secrets collide in this romantic thriller, in the vein of a YA DaVinci Code.
Avery West's newfound family can shut down Prada at the Champs-Elysees when they want to shop in peace, and can just as easily order a bombing when they want to start a war.
They are part of a powerful and dangerous secret society called the Circle of Twelve, and Avery is their missing heir. If they discover who she is, some of them will want to use her as a pawn. Some will want her dead.
To thwart their plans, Avery must follow a trail of clues from the landmarks of Paris to the back alleys of Istanbul and through a web of ancient legends and lies. And unless she can stay one step ahead of beautiful, volatile Stellan, who knows she’s more than she seems, and can decide whether to trust mysterious, magnetic Jack, she may be doomed after all.
Maggie is a world traveler and has worked as a bookstore events coordinator and marketing manager. You can learn more about her at her website, follow her on Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, or join her at YA Misfits where she blogs about young adult literature.
Describe your workspace.
I literally work in a closet! I love really small spaces—I feel like I can block the world out more easily. When I was traveling and didn’t have my office, I would sometimes throw a blanket over my head to get that same enclosed feeling.
I occasionally do want a little light and space, though, and then I’ll settle in my living room, in this big comfy chair with a big comfy blanket . . . though it kind of makes me want to take a nap just thinking about it . . .
Describe a typical workday.
I like to write really early, before I can get distracted. I usually drag myself out of bed at 5:30 or 6am, grab a cup of coffee, and write as much as I can before the day officially starts. And then I kind of try to write the rest of the day, but usually don’t end up getting anything more done on actual writing until the evening.
List three of your most favorite things in your workspace and why they are meaningful.
I got the Eiffel Tower picture at a thrift store, and Paris is important in CONSPIRACY (plus, it’s pretty)!
You can’t see it very well, but on the right are bookmarks and postcards from some of my friends’ books—I love having them nearby!
And, of course, my cover. This is the first dust jacket I saw, and the first time I saw how the whole thing was really going to look! I freaked out a little.
Do you have any rituals in your work habits? If so, describe them.
I’ve traveled so much and learned to write so many weird places that I don’t have much of a ritual—when you’re writing on your phone on the floor of the Shanghai airport or on a train through Thailand, it’s hard to follow writing rituals too closely. I do like to listen to music while I work—that always gets me in the mood!
What do you listen to while you work?
What is your drink and/or snack of choice while you’re working?
Sour gummy worms. I have no idea why, but they taste like this book to me.
What keeps you focused while you’re working?
Deadlines! I swear, otherwise I would never be able to focus! Is there something that works for other people, because I’d like to know about it!
Do you write longhand, on a computer, or another way?
On the computer, always. I take a lot of notes in lots of notebook (and lots of random post-its, as you can see on the desk photo!), but I never actually write longhand.
How do you develop your story ideas? Do you use an outline, let the muse lead you, or another technique?
I’m working on CONSPIRACY book 2 right now, and I’m definitely outlining. My favorite outlining tool is actually the Save the Cat Beat Sheet—it lets me put my ideas in a logical framework without having to be too precise about it. And of course, once I actually start writing, the story tends to take on a life of its own, but I do find that having an idea of where I’m going with it is really helpful.
If you were forced to share your workspace but could share it with anyone of your choosing, who would it be?
Anyone I was sharing with would literally have to sit on my lap, so . . . hm. Can I say Chris Hemsworth, and I’ll sit on his lap? I think that would give me some good writing inspiration. ;)
Really, though, I’d say my writing friends. I would love having the smart, awesome people I’m lucky enough to call critique partners around to bounce ideas off of and to make me get back to work when I’m checking twitter for the millionth time. . .
What is the best piece of writing advice you’ve heard or received?
Writing is rewriting. I have to remind myself over and over that the first draft doesn’t have to be perfect, and that the magic comes from editing. Otherwise, I’d worry too much and never get anything done!
Joining us today for Creative Spaces is YA author Shallee McArthur. Shallee's debut novel, The Unhappening of Genesis Lee, was published last fall by Sky Pony Press:
Seventeen-year-old Genesis Lee has never forgotten anything. As one of the Mementi—a small group of genetically-enhanced humans—Gena remembers everything with the help of her Link bracelets, which preserve memories perfectly. But Links can be stolen, and six people have already lost their lives to a memory thief, including Gena’s best friend.
Anyone could be next.
Which is why Gena is less than pleased to meet a strange but charming boy named Kalan who claims that they’ve not only met, but that Gena knows who the thief is.
The problem is, Gena doesn’t remember Kalan, she doesn’t remember seeing the thief, and she doesn’t know why she’s forgetting things—or how much else she might forget. As growing tensions between Mementi and ordinary humans drive the city of Havendale into chaos, Gena and Kalan team up to search for the thief. And as Gena loses more memories, they realize they have to solve the mystery fast.
Because Gena’s life is unhappening around her.
Kirkus Reviews said, "It’s the sensitive handling of emotional details and the trauma of too much connection that make this a story of interest. . . . For anyone fascinated with thoughts of omniscience and total social connection—and who isn’t?—McArthur’s debut suggests fascinating and chilling possibilities."
DESCRIBE YOUR WORKSPACE.
I have a whole office to myself, which is a recent development I'm VERY grateful for. I've got my desk, bookshelf, and rocking chair for reading and relaxing. I have pictures and knick-knacks that inspire me, including things I've brought back from traveling and all my "nerd cred," like a Tardis and an R2D2 on my desk. I also have a pair of zebra finch birds who keep me happy!
DESCRIBE A TYPICAL WORKDAY.
I've got two young kids, so it varies! Some days, I can get work done in the morning while they play, and sometimes I play with them or (gasp!) do housework. One thing that stays consistent, though, is that when the toddler naps and the preschooler goes to school, I write. That time is SACRED. After that, I may or may not haul my laptop into the kitchen in the evenings to write near my husband.
LIST THREE OF YOUR MOST FAVORITE THINGS IN YOUR WORKSPACE AND WHY THEY ARE MEANINGFUL.
1. My birds! Fred and George are zebra finches, and I LOVE those little guys. They actually are doctor-recommended therapy birds. I struggle with anxiety, but I also have multiple sclerosis, and side effects from anxiety meds don't work well for me with my MS. So my birds are there to help me through panic attacks and keep my general anxiety low. They actually help a lot more than I expected-- they are low-maintenance so they don't add to my anxiety, and their cheerful chirps and energy help reset my brain when it's anxious.
2. A painting of a cabin on a lake done by my great-grandmother. It used to hang in my grandpa's cabin, where my entire extended family would gather every Fourth of July. It keeps me near to beauty and to my wonderful and supportive family-- it hangs right next to my desk.
3. My "praying woman" carving. I bought it from a craftsman in Ghana, West Africa, so it means a lot for that reason alone (part of my heart still lives in Ghana!). I'm also a very religious person, and it reminds me to pray-- not just to ask for help, but to offer thanks to the God I feel has given me so much!
DO YOU HAVE ANY RITUALS IN YOUR WORK HABITS?
Um...no, actually, now that I think about it! I just open my laptop and get to work. :)
WHAT DO YOU LISTEN TO WHILE YOU WORK?
I don't like to listen while I work, but sometimes I listen to specific songs that fit the book I'm working on before I work.
WHAT IS YOUR DRINK AND/OR SNACK OF CHOICE WHILE YOU'RE WORKING?
None! It distracts me too much.
WHAT KEEPS YOU FOCUSED WHILE YOU'RE WORKING?
I have to get in "the zone." If I force myself to not jump around on tasks and just focus on one at a time, I get so zoned in on what I'm doing that hours pass before I even realize it!
DO YOU WRITE LONGHAND, ON A COMPUTER, OR ANOTHER WAY?
Computer. I have TERRIBLE handwriting, so writing long-hand isn't a good idea for me!
HOW DO YOU DEVELOP YOUR STORY IDEAS? DO YOU USE AN OUTLINE, LET THE MUSE LEAD YOU, OR ANOTHER TECHNIQUE?
Usually I get an idea, play around with it and toss a bunch of ideas in a document, and then start a plot outline.
IF YOU WERE FORCED TO SHARE YOUR WORKSPACE BUT COULD SHARE IT WITH ANYONE OF YOUR CHOOSING, WHO WOULD IT BE?
My friend Chersti, who's one of my crit partners. We tend to work really well together, and when we distract each other, it's fun and often even productive!
WHAT IT THE BEST PIECE OF WRITING ADVICE YOU'VE HEARD OR RECEIVED?
My freshman creative writing teacher in college told us there are only two things that matter in writing-- have a take, and don't suck. It reminds me that as long as I'm writing a story that's got my unique take on the world, and as long as I'm writing something that doesn't suck (which takes practice and a crit group!), that's all that matters. The millions of other "shoulds" and "shouldn'ts" about writing don't matter as long as I have a take and don't suck!
Joining us today for Creative Spaces is YA author Shallee McArthur. Shallee's debut novel, The Unhappening of Genesis Lee, was published last fall by Sky Pony Press:
Seventeen-year-old Genesis Lee has never forgotten anything. As one of the Mementi—a small group of genetically-enhanced humans—Gena remembers everything with the help of her Link bracelets, which preserve memories perfectly. But Links can be stolen, and six people have already lost their lives to a memory thief, including Gena’s best friend.
Anyone could be next.
Which is why Gena is less than pleased to meet a strange but charming boy named Kalan who claims that they’ve not only met, but that Gena knows who the thief is.
The problem is, Gena doesn’t remember Kalan, she doesn’t remember seeing the thief, and she doesn’t know why she’s forgetting things—or how much else she might forget. As growing tensions between Mementi and ordinary humans drive the city of Havendale into chaos, Gena and Kalan team up to search for the thief. And as Gena loses more memories, they realize they have to solve the mystery fast.
Because Gena’s life is unhappening around her.
Kirkus Reviews said, "It’s the sensitive handling of emotional details and the trauma of too much connection that make this a story of interest. . . . For anyone fascinated with thoughts of omniscience and total social connection—and who isn’t?—McArthur’s debut suggests fascinating and chilling possibilities."
DESCRIBE YOUR WORKSPACE.
I have a whole office to myself, which is a recent development I'm VERY grateful for. I've got my desk, bookshelf, and rocking chair for reading and relaxing. I have pictures and knick-knacks that inspire me, including things I've brought back from traveling and all my "nerd cred," like a Tardis and an R2D2 on my desk. I also have a pair of zebra finch birds who keep me happy!
DESCRIBE A TYPICAL WORKDAY.
I've got two young kids, so it varies! Some days, I can get work done in the morning while they play, and sometimes I play with them or (gasp!) do housework. One thing that stays consistent, though, is that when the toddler naps and the preschooler goes to school, I write. That time is SACRED. After that, I may or may not haul my laptop into the kitchen in the evenings to write near my husband.
LIST THREE OF YOUR MOST FAVORITE THINGS IN YOUR WORKSPACE AND WHY THEY ARE MEANINGFUL.
1. My birds! Fred and George are zebra finches, and I LOVE those little guys. They actually are doctor-recommended therapy birds. I struggle with anxiety, but I also have multiple sclerosis, and side effects from anxiety meds don't work well for me with my MS. So my birds are there to help me through panic attacks and keep my general anxiety low. They actually help a lot more than I expected-- they are low-maintenance so they don't add to my anxiety, and their cheerful chirps and energy help reset my brain when it's anxious.
2. A painting of a cabin on a lake done by my great-grandmother. It used to hang in my grandpa's cabin, where my entire extended family would gather every Fourth of July. It keeps me near to beauty and to my wonderful and supportive family-- it hangs right next to my desk.
3. My "praying woman" carving. I bought it from a craftsman in Ghana, West Africa, so it means a lot for that reason alone (part of my heart still lives in Ghana!). I'm also a very religious person, and it reminds me to pray-- not just to ask for help, but to offer thanks to the God I feel has given me so much!
DO YOU HAVE ANY RITUALS IN YOUR WORK HABITS?
Um...no, actually, now that I think about it! I just open my laptop and get to work. :)
WHAT DO YOU LISTEN TO WHILE YOU WORK?
I don't like to listen while I work, but sometimes I listen to specific songs that fit the book I'm working on before I work.
WHAT IS YOUR DRINK AND/OR SNACK OF CHOICE WHILE YOU'RE WORKING?
None! It distracts me too much.
WHAT KEEPS YOU FOCUSED WHILE YOU'RE WORKING?
I have to get in "the zone." If I force myself to not jump around on tasks and just focus on one at a time, I get so zoned in on what I'm doing that hours pass before I even realize it!
DO YOU WRITE LONGHAND, ON A COMPUTER, OR ANOTHER WAY?
Computer. I have TERRIBLE handwriting, so writing long-hand isn't a good idea for me!
HOW DO YOU DEVELOP YOUR STORY IDEAS? DO YOU USE AN OUTLINE, LET THE MUSE LEAD YOU, OR ANOTHER TECHNIQUE?
Usually I get an idea, play around with it and toss a bunch of ideas in a document, and then start a plot outline.
IF YOU WERE FORCED TO SHARE YOUR WORKSPACE BUT COULD SHARE IT WITH ANYONE OF YOUR CHOOSING, WHO WOULD IT BE?
My friend Chersti, who's one of my crit partners. We tend to work really well together, and when we distract each other, it's fun and often even productive!
WHAT IT THE BEST PIECE OF WRITING ADVICE YOU'VE HEARD OR RECEIVED?
My freshman creative writing teacher in college told us there are only two things that matter in writing-- have a take, and don't suck. It reminds me that as long as I'm writing a story that's got my unique take on the world, and as long as I'm writing something that doesn't suck (which takes practice and a crit group!), that's all that matters. The millions of other "shoulds" and "shouldn'ts" about writing don't matter as long as I have a take and don't suck!
The advance copies for Book Scavenger arrived!!!! Hooray! I often hear authors discussing what to do with their advance copies. Now that I've had approximately eight hours of experience with my ARCs, I feel equipped to give advice. So here is what I did.
First, I opened the box:
Then, I did some of this:
And then I got serious and did some of this:
And this:
And a little of this:
This was a good one:
And then there was this:
And, finally, this:
And there you have it, fellow and future authors. A bunch of ideas for what to do with your advance copies. Tomorrow I might dress them up in outfits. I really have a knack for this promotional stuff, don't I?
The advance copies for Book Scavenger arrived!!!! Hooray! I often hear authors discussing what to do with their advance copies. Now that I've had approximately eight hours of experience with my ARCs, I feel equipped to give advice. So here is what I did.
First, I opened the box:
Then, I did some of this:
And then I got serious and did some of this:
And this:
And a little of this:
This was a good one:
And then there was this:
And, finally, this:
And there you have it, fellow and future authors. A bunch of ideas for what to do with your advance copies. Tomorrow I might dress them up in outfits. I really have a knack for this promotional stuff, don't I?
When my editor emailed me with the name of the illustrator she had hired for
Book Scavenger, I immediately googled her name:
Sarah Watts. I was
thrilled with what I found. Sarah is so talented, and her illustration style was exactly the direction I was hoping my publisher would go in. But appreciating someone’s artistic talent is not the same as knowing what your cover will look like. And then one day in November, my editor emailed me the final cover. I loved it. Absolutely loved it. I love how the burgundy of the title and the book Emily is holding pop against the blues. I love that you can see a gold bug on the miniature book cover, and that James’s hair is poking up, and that there are two birds hovering in the sky. I love the flying books, and even more so, I love how if I let my vision blur then the books take on the look of fog, which is such a staple of San Francisco. I love the running Emily and James next to my name. I love that this cover says “mystery” to me, but also sets the tone for the type of mystery that it is.
Did I mention I love my cover? Yeah, I do. April Ward designed this beauty, Sarah Watts created the cover art, and I am so thankful to them both.
When my editor emailed me with the name of the illustrator she had hired for
Book Scavenger, I immediately googled her name:
Sarah Watts. I was
thrilled with what I found. Sarah is so talented, and her illustration style was exactly the direction I was hoping my publisher would go in. But appreciating someone’s artistic talent is not the same as knowing what your cover will look like. And then one day in November, my editor emailed me the final cover. I loved it. Absolutely loved it. I love how the burgundy of the title and the book Emily is holding pop against the blues. I love that you can see a gold bug on the miniature book cover, and that James’s hair is poking up, and that there are two birds hovering in the sky. I love the flying books, and even more so, I love how if I let my vision blur then the books take on the look of fog, which is such a staple of San Francisco. I love the running Emily and James next to my name. I love that this cover says “mystery” to me, but also sets the tone for the type of mystery that it is.
Did I mention I love my cover? Yeah, I do. April Ward designed this beauty, Sarah Watts created the cover art, and I am so thankful to them both.
Kerry O'Malley Cerra is a former high school history teacher who often incorporated historical fiction along with traditional textbooks to bring time periods to life. Just a Drop of Water, her first middle grade novel, was inspired by a deeply personal experience following the tragic events of September 11, 2001. You can read more about that inspiration on her website here. A summary of
Just a Drop of Water from the publisher:
Ever since he was little, Jake Green has longed to be a soldier and a hero like his grandpa, who died serving his country. Right now, though, he just wants to outsmart—and outrun—the rival cross country team, the Palmetto Bugs. But then the tragedy of September 11 happens. It’s quickly discovered that one of the hijackers lived nearby, making Jake’s Florida town an FBI hot spot. Two days later, the tragedy becomes even more personal when Jake’s best friend, Sam Madina, is pummeled for being an Arab Muslim by their bully classmate, Bobby.
According to Jake’s personal code of conduct, anyone who beats up your best friend is due for a butt kicking, and so Jake goes after Bobby. But soon after, Sam’s father is detained by the FBI and Jake’s mom doubts the innocence of Sam’s family, forcing Jake to choose between his best friend and his parents. When Jake finds out that Sam’s been keeping secrets, too, he doesn’t know who his allies are anymore. But the final blow comes when his grandpa’s real past is revealed to Jake. Suddenly, everything he ever knew to be true feels like one big lie. In the end, he must decide: either walk away from Sam and the revenge that Bobby has planned, or become the hero he’s always aspired to be.
Award-winning author Richard Peck has praised this novel saying,
"This is history tensely told for readers too young to remember the moment when this century truly began." And
Kirkus Reviews said,
"Cerra does a good job of re-creating the combination of fear, confusion, patriotism, prejudice and community spirit the attack engendered, and readers should identify with Jake's plight. A perceptive exploration of an event its audience already sees as history."
Describe your workspace. <!--[if gte mso 9]>
Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE <![endif]-->
Honestly, I change up my workspace quite a bit. My most favorite place to write is at the beach—which, on most Florida days, looks like this.
I’m so lucky, right? I do my best thinking there. But, that’s a luxury I can’t have every single day, so most of the time I get to write in this beautiful office surrounded by wonderful books...and my dogs. (Confession, it’s rarely as clean as it looks in this photo. Three dogs and several kids cause such HUGE messes.)
Describe a typical workday.
Typical is not in my vocabulary. Does that really exist? I truly admire anyone who can set a routine for themself, and I’m sure I’d have a boatload more books in the world if I did have a “typical” daily routine, but, alas, I’m a mom and that comes first. I hate to admit it, but there are times I go weeks (and sometimes a few months) without writing. Shameful! It won’t be much longer before all of my kids are off on their own, so I’m okay with the writing time suffering, for now.
List three of your most favorite things in your workspace and why they are meaningful.
<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE <![endif]-->
What a fun question! First, definitely my dogs. They are crazy, obnoxious, bark incessantly at lizards, birds, or whatever else might be outside. See that big window in the photo above. They have lots to look at, so it’s rarely quiet. On the flip side, they don’t bark when I read to them, even when it’s a sucky first draft. They’re so loyal!
<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE <![endif]-->
Second, I’d have to say this really cool box my daughter made is a favorite object. Back when I was unpublished and still wallpapering my entire downstairs with rejection letters, she gave me this keepsake for Christmas with an awesome note telling me the multitude of reasons why I shouldn’t give up. Love her!
Third—but not last because there’s so much I love about my office—are the books on the shelves next to me. Most are written by friends and fellow SCBWI members, so it’s like writing with big, giant arms wrapped around me, whispering words of encouragement and reminding me what the end result can be. Sometimes we even have wine. J
Do you have any rituals in your work habits? If so, describe them.
I love scented candles and tend to pick a scent to carry me through each book. With Just a Drop of Water, I lit a Japanese Cherry Blossom candle each time I went in my office to work. I’m still looking for the prefect scent as I begin a new book soon.
What do you listen to while you work?
Other than my dogs barking, absolutely nothing. I cannot concentrate with any noise in the background. Unless of course I’m at the beach. Then it would be the sound of waves. Love!
What is your drink and/or snack of choice while you’re working?
*Hangs head in shame* I’m a Starbucks addict. You might as well just inject the vanilla chai latte directly into my veins. And, I simply cannot write without it. But, I’ve promise hubby to break this habit, unless I sell a gazillion copies of my book and can justify continuing down this expensive path. Hey, ya’ll, go buy a copy so I can keep Starbucks in business.
What keeps you focused while you’re working?
Nothing. Is there a trick to this? Maybe I should go read what other authors responded here so I can find out all the tricks. My mind wanders way too much…
Do you write longhand, on a computer, or another way?
I jot notes in lots of pretty spirals all the time. Especially when I’m with my critique group or get ideas while at a conference. Before I dive into a story, I try to do a plot clock, so I at least know where the story is going, what my MC wants, and what’s in his or her way. Then I can settle down with the computer for the actual writing.
How do you develop your story ideas? Do you use an outline, let the muse lead you, or another technique?
I’ve never admitted this before, but I don’t think I have a muse. I read all the time about how authors have conversations with their characters, or how their main character is taking over the page while the author merely types in carefully dictated words. And every time I hear or read this, I wonder if the author is on something. Does this really happen? Characters speak to you? My books are written slowly. Each word is a struggle for me. Every sentence a chore to make sure I’m keeping in line with how my character would act or speak. I’m museless, but if he/she’s out there floating around, I hope they show up soon. My current revision sure could use it.
If you were forced to share your workspace but could share it with anyone of your choosing, who would it be?
<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE <![endif]-->
This may sound lame, but I’d actually love to share my space with my critique partners. It would be awesome to be able to bounce ideas off them when things popped in my head without having to wait for an email or text reply. I could do the same for them. But, then again, we might get all goofy and nothing would be accomplished. (We’re missing one in this photo, but you can see, we tend to mess around a lot.)
What is the best piece of writing advice you’ve heard or received?
Of course we all know this, and you, like me, have probably heard it from a countless other writers, but it’s something I found myself repeating many times during my publishing journey. This business is subjective—from getting an agent, to selling a book, to editing, and even reviews. Your work isn’t going to be for everyone. It won’t be liked by everyone. Find the right editor and the rightagent. The ones who fall in love with your words and your story. That’s all it takes. Just one amidst the hundreds! They’re out there.
Thank you for stopping by Creative Spaces! To learn more about Kerry O'Malley Cerra and her writing, visit her website.
Kerry O'Malley Cerra is a former high school history teacher who often incorporated historical fiction along with traditional textbooks to bring time periods to life. Just a Drop of Water, her first middle grade novel, was inspired by a deeply personal experience following the tragic events of September 11, 2001. You can read more about that inspiration on her website here. A summary of
Just a Drop of Water from the publisher:
Ever since he was little, Jake Green has longed to be a soldier and a hero like his grandpa, who died serving his country. Right now, though, he just wants to outsmart—and outrun—the rival cross country team, the Palmetto Bugs. But then the tragedy of September 11 happens. It’s quickly discovered that one of the hijackers lived nearby, making Jake’s Florida town an FBI hot spot. Two days later, the tragedy becomes even more personal when Jake’s best friend, Sam Madina, is pummeled for being an Arab Muslim by their bully classmate, Bobby.
According to Jake’s personal code of conduct, anyone who beats up your best friend is due for a butt kicking, and so Jake goes after Bobby. But soon after, Sam’s father is detained by the FBI and Jake’s mom doubts the innocence of Sam’s family, forcing Jake to choose between his best friend and his parents. When Jake finds out that Sam’s been keeping secrets, too, he doesn’t know who his allies are anymore. But the final blow comes when his grandpa’s real past is revealed to Jake. Suddenly, everything he ever knew to be true feels like one big lie. In the end, he must decide: either walk away from Sam and the revenge that Bobby has planned, or become the hero he’s always aspired to be.
Award-winning author Richard Peck has praised this novel saying,
"This is history tensely told for readers too young to remember the moment when this century truly began." And
Kirkus Reviews said,
"Cerra does a good job of re-creating the combination of fear, confusion, patriotism, prejudice and community spirit the attack engendered, and readers should identify with Jake's plight. A perceptive exploration of an event its audience already sees as history."
Describe your workspace. <!--[if gte mso 9]>
Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE <![endif]-->
Honestly, I change up my workspace quite a bit. My most favorite place to write is at the beach—which, on most Florida days, looks like this.
I’m so lucky, right? I do my best thinking there. But, that’s a luxury I can’t have every single day, so most of the time I get to write in this beautiful office surrounded by wonderful books...and my dogs. (Confession, it’s rarely as clean as it looks in this photo. Three dogs and several kids cause such HUGE messes.)
Describe a typical workday.
Typical is not in my vocabulary. Does that really exist? I truly admire anyone who can set a routine for themself, and I’m sure I’d have a boatload more books in the world if I did have a “typical” daily routine, but, alas, I’m a mom and that comes first. I hate to admit it, but there are times I go weeks (and sometimes a few months) without writing. Shameful! It won’t be much longer before all of my kids are off on their own, so I’m okay with the writing time suffering, for now.
List three of your most favorite things in your workspace and why they are meaningful.
<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE <![endif]-->
What a fun question! First, definitely my dogs. They are crazy, obnoxious, bark incessantly at lizards, birds, or whatever else might be outside. See that big window in the photo above. They have lots to look at, so it’s rarely quiet. On the flip side, they don’t bark when I read to them, even when it’s a sucky first draft. They’re so loyal!
<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE <![endif]-->
Second, I’d have to say this really cool box my daughter made is a favorite object. Back when I was unpublished and still wallpapering my entire downstairs with rejection letters, she gave me this keepsake for Christmas with an awesome note telling me the multitude of reasons why I shouldn’t give up. Love her!
Third—but not last because there’s so much I love about my office—are the books on the shelves next to me. Most are written by friends and fellow SCBWI members, so it’s like writing with big, giant arms wrapped around me, whispering words of encouragement and reminding me what the end result can be. Sometimes we even have wine. J
Do you have any rituals in your work habits? If so, describe them.
I love scented candles and tend to pick a scent to carry me through each book. With Just a Drop of Water, I lit a Japanese Cherry Blossom candle each time I went in my office to work. I’m still looking for the prefect scent as I begin a new book soon.
What do you listen to while you work?
Other than my dogs barking, absolutely nothing. I cannot concentrate with any noise in the background. Unless of course I’m at the beach. Then it would be the sound of waves. Love!
What is your drink and/or snack of choice while you’re working?
*Hangs head in shame* I’m a Starbucks addict. You might as well just inject the vanilla chai latte directly into my veins. And, I simply cannot write without it. But, I’ve promise hubby to break this habit, unless I sell a gazillion copies of my book and can justify continuing down this expensive path. Hey, ya’ll, go buy a copy so I can keep Starbucks in business.
What keeps you focused while you’re working?
Nothing. Is there a trick to this? Maybe I should go read what other authors responded here so I can find out all the tricks. My mind wanders way too much…
Do you write longhand, on a computer, or another way?
I jot notes in lots of pretty spirals all the time. Especially when I’m with my critique group or get ideas while at a conference. Before I dive into a story, I try to do a plot clock, so I at least know where the story is going, what my MC wants, and what’s in his or her way. Then I can settle down with the computer for the actual writing.
How do you develop your story ideas? Do you use an outline, let the muse lead you, or another technique?
I’ve never admitted this before, but I don’t think I have a muse. I read all the time about how authors have conversations with their characters, or how their main character is taking over the page while the author merely types in carefully dictated words. And every time I hear or read this, I wonder if the author is on something. Does this really happen? Characters speak to you? My books are written slowly. Each word is a struggle for me. Every sentence a chore to make sure I’m keeping in line with how my character would act or speak. I’m museless, but if he/she’s out there floating around, I hope they show up soon. My current revision sure could use it.
If you were forced to share your workspace but could share it with anyone of your choosing, who would it be?
<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE <![endif]-->
This may sound lame, but I’d actually love to share my space with my critique partners. It would be awesome to be able to bounce ideas off them when things popped in my head without having to wait for an email or text reply. I could do the same for them. But, then again, we might get all goofy and nothing would be accomplished. (We’re missing one in this photo, but you can see, we tend to mess around a lot.)
What is the best piece of writing advice you’ve heard or received?
Of course we all know this, and you, like me, have probably heard it from a countless other writers, but it’s something I found myself repeating many times during my publishing journey. This business is subjective—from getting an agent, to selling a book, to editing, and even reviews. Your work isn’t going to be for everyone. It won’t be liked by everyone. Find the right editor and the rightagent. The ones who fall in love with your words and your story. That’s all it takes. Just one amidst the hundreds! They’re out there.
Thank you for stopping by Creative Spaces! To learn more about Kerry O'Malley Cerra and her writing, visit her website.
Yesterday I heard the sad news that Zilpha Keatley Snyder passed away. Ms. Snyder was one of my writing heroes and is one of the greats of children's literature. In 2010, I had the privilege and honor of talking to her on the phone for a Creative Spaces interview. I'm reposting that interview today in her memory.
Thank you, Ms. Snyder, for your literary contributions to our world. My childhood and the path I've taken as an adult have both been greatly influenced by you and your words.
* * *
Today it is my pleasure to welcome three-time Newbery Honor winner, Zilpha Keatley Snyder, to Creative Spaces. Ms. Snyder is the author of many beloved and award-winning titles including
The Egypt Game,
The Headless Cupid, Witches of Worm, The Velvet Room, The Unseen, The Great Stanley Kidnapping Case, Libby on Wednesday, The Changeling, The Ghosts of Rathburn Park, and her most recent title published last fall,
William S. and the Great Escape.
I discovered Zilpha Keatley Snyder’s books around third or fourth grade and became a huge fan, reading every book of hers my library had in its collection.
The Egypt Game is an all-time favorite. My childhood best friend and I (and occasionally her younger brother too, because he matched the role of Marshall) played our own version of the Egypt Game, which as I remember it, amounted to sitting in the dirt behind a grove of pine trees in the corner of her yard. This paled in comparison to the exciting things that happen in the book, and I’m not sure that our version of the Egypt Game lasted very long. But the love for the book and Zilpha Keatley Snyder’s stories remained.
Fast forward a dozen or so years, I was working at the Linden Tree children’s bookstore while I was going to grad school and discovered there was a sequel to
The Egypt Game called
The Gypsy Game. (I was shocked that I could have missed this, but there was a simple explanation: it was published in 1997, 30 years after the original.) Because I was in graduate school for writing, trying to unravel for myself the mysteries of “how do I become a writer,” I was now not only interested in the books but the writer behind them.
So I sought out more information on Ms. Snyder and discovered this essay, which I found thrilling to read both as a fan of her work and because of the informative and practical information she offers about her process.
For this interview, I had the pleasure of speaking with Ms. Snyder on the phone, so the answers that follow have been transcribed from our conversation. If you’re interested in learning more about Zilpha Keatley Snyder, I highly recommend
reading her autobiography posted on her
website. You can also
connect with Ms. Snyder on Facebook where she occasionally shares photos and recent news. If you'd like a more thorough tour of where Ms. Snyder lives, there is also a 20 minute video interview available through
Good Conversations. (You will need to register for a free trial in order to view the entire video. There is an excellent collection of author interviews on this site though, and it looks like a worthwhile subscription for a school or a library.)
Zilpha Keatley Snyder in her office with her dog Joey.
Describe your workspace.
I have a room on the third story of our apartment. It’s a big room that is meant to be a bedroom, but I use it as a study. I have lots of bookcases and bulletin boards where I post different things. I have a bulletin board with pictures that kids have sent me. I used to get a lot of these, but now that most of my fanmail is email, I no longer get kids's pictures so much. I also have a lot of files up there and my desk.
However, now that I have a laptop, I very often sit in the living room. My room up at the top of the house tends to be colder in the winter and hotter in summer than the rest of the house. So I very often just sit in the living room on the sofa with my laptop and write there. There’s just the two of us in the house now, my husband and I, so it’s fairly quiet and private.
Describe a typical workday. Well, that varies. My husband and I go to the gym three mornings a week--Monday, Wednesday, and Friday--to work out. And so I used to write in the mornings but now I write mainly in the early afternoon. I don’t work as many hours as I used to. There was a time I might write five or six hours a day, but now it’s more like two or three.
List three of your most favorite things in your workspace and why they are meaningful.
My room upstairs faces back behind our house which is just a wooded hillside and gives me the feeling that I’m a long way from anything. There's nothing out there but deer trails and redwood trees. So that’s probably my most favorite thing about that room, along with all the pictures on my bulletin board.
Downstairs, I like that I’m close to the kitchen where I can get a cup of tea easily (that’s where I’m sitting right now). It has a nice view out big front windows, so it’s a pleasant place to sit.
Do you have any rituals in your work habits? If so, describe them. I don’t know if you’d call it a ritual, but one thing I have done for years is when I start a new book I start character sketches of the main characters. When I used to do it in a notebook I would leave a whole page for each of them or important characters, and I would add new things as I began to figure them out because I didn’t know the characters that well at first. Now of course I do it on the computer. I just add to them when I think of new information. And it’s very helpful, because I’ve found that in writing the character sketches I very often get plot ideas. A person with a certain type of character, certain view of life, would be apt to have a particular problem that could be worked into part of the plot.
What do you listen to while you work?
Absolutely nothing. I don’t listen to music or anything. Oh, sometimes I have to--my husband is a pianist and if he’s playing the piano . . . But anything that might have words in it would be very distracting.
What is your drink and/or snack of choice while you’re working?Tea. I drink several cups of tea a day. As for snack, I try to avoid that. Although I generally try to keep a bowl of what I call snacking fruit available. Very often grapes or cherries or something like that.
What keeps you focused while you’re working?
Oh, I don’t know. Not being interrupted? Which is hard to come by because there’s the phone and front door and time to do various things during the day. But . . . well, I know--just getting interested in my characters. When I’ve gotten to know them pretty well then I’m curious about them, and as I write I discover more things about them. And that’s one of the greatest interests for me in writing.
Do you write longhand, on a computer, or another way?
When I first began to write, my first book I wrote all out in pen and ink on a pad. My husband, who types very well, which I think goes along with being a pianist--very fast typist--he typed it for me. Which was very kind of him because I’m sure he didn’t think I was ever going to sell it. After that I started working on a typewriter. I could do action and sometimes narration, but I never could compose very well on the typewriter because if you make a mistake then of course you have to try to erase it or throw the page away and get a new page. So anything the least bit difficult, I would keep a pad and a pen right by the typewriter and write it out. Now, of course, there’s the computer. I love working on the computer.
How do you develop your story ideas? Do you use an outline, let the muse lead you, or another technique?In the past I would write the first chapter or so, just getting the feel of the story and the point of view of the main character. But then I would take a lot of time and do plotting. At that time I would write what I thought of as a plot page. When I was teaching I would say it was like writing a book report before the book has been written. Just a very short form of the story, but with a general idea of what the ending is going to be like. I find it very difficult to write without some idea of the ending. I know there are other writers who say they just start writing and see what happens, but I don’t seem to work that way very well. I always seem to get my characters into a mess that I can’t get them out of, a situation that doesn’t mean anything. I try to have a plot page.
Years ago, when writing some very difficult young adult books, I would outline chapter by chapter. I’d have a page for each chapter with a line down the middle. On one side I’d write the action or what is to happen in this chapter. And on the other I’d put information or narration, which would be narration that gives the reader more information about where the story is going. And I would try to work some action in with some narration so it wouldn’t get boring.
If you were forced to share your workspace but could share it with anyone of your choosing, who would it be?
Well, my husband of course. But if you mean some figure in history or writer of the past, then maybe one of the Brontes.
What is the best piece of writing advice you’ve heard or received? I remember one thing my first editor told me, that was Jean Karl at Atheneum. My first book was fantasy and quite a few of my books have been. She said: If your story is a fantasy, you must let the reader know what the basis is, what the underlining factor is for the fantasy. You can’t have magic happening here and now with no reason for it, no thing it arises from, no cause. The reader begins to feel there’s no need to worry because something magical is going to happen that solves this problem whatever it is. So you have to limit the magic in some way and make it have a basis.
Advice from Ms. Snyder herself:
Get to know your characters well, and keep at it.
Yesterday I heard the sad news that Zilpha Keatley Snyder passed away. Ms. Snyder was one of my writing heroes and is one of the greats of children's literature. In 2010, I had the privilege and honor of talking to her on the phone for a Creative Spaces interview. I'm reposting that interview today in her memory.
Thank you, Ms. Snyder, for your literary contributions to our world. My childhood and the path I've taken as an adult have both been greatly influenced by you and your words.
* * *
Today it is my pleasure to welcome three-time Newbery Honor winner, Zilpha Keatley Snyder, to Creative Spaces. Ms. Snyder is the author of many beloved and award-winning titles including
The Egypt Game,
The Headless Cupid, Witches of Worm, The Velvet Room, The Unseen, The Great Stanley Kidnapping Case, Libby on Wednesday, The Changeling, The Ghosts of Rathburn Park, and her most recent title published last fall,
William S. and the Great Escape.
I discovered Zilpha Keatley Snyder’s books around third or fourth grade and became a huge fan, reading every book of hers my library had in its collection.
The Egypt Game is an all-time favorite. My childhood best friend and I (and occasionally her younger brother too, because he matched the role of Marshall) played our own version of the Egypt Game, which as I remember it, amounted to sitting in the dirt behind a grove of pine trees in the corner of her yard. This paled in comparison to the exciting things that happen in the book, and I’m not sure that our version of the Egypt Game lasted very long. But the love for the book and Zilpha Keatley Snyder’s stories remained.
Fast forward a dozen or so years, I was working at the Linden Tree children’s bookstore while I was going to grad school and discovered there was a sequel to
The Egypt Game called
The Gypsy Game. (I was shocked that I could have missed this, but there was a simple explanation: it was published in 1997, 30 years after the original.) Because I was in graduate school for writing, trying to unravel for myself the mysteries of “how do I become a writer,” I was now not only interested in the books but the writer behind them.
So I sought out more information on Ms. Snyder and discovered this essay, which I found thrilling to read both as a fan of her work and because of the informative and practical information she offers about her process.
For this interview, I had the pleasure of speaking with Ms. Snyder on the phone, so the answers that follow have been transcribed from our conversation. If you’re interested in learning more about Zilpha Keatley Snyder, I highly recommend
reading her autobiography posted on her
website. You can also
connect with Ms. Snyder on Facebook where she occasionally shares photos and recent news. If you'd like a more thorough tour of where Ms. Snyder lives, there is also a 20 minute video interview available through
Good Conversations. (You will need to register for a free trial in order to view the entire video. There is an excellent collection of author interviews on this site though, and it looks like a worthwhile subscription for a school or a library.)
Zilpha Keatley Snyder in her office with her dog Joey.
Describe your workspace.
I have a room on the third story of our apartment. It’s a big room that is meant to be a bedroom, but I use it as a study. I have lots of bookcases and bulletin boards where I post different things. I have a bulletin board with pictures that kids have sent me. I used to get a lot of these, but now that most of my fanmail is email, I no longer get kids's pictures so much. I also have a lot of files up there and my desk.
However, now that I have a laptop, I very often sit in the living room. My room up at the top of the house tends to be colder in the winter and hotter in summer than the rest of the house. So I very often just sit in the living room on the sofa with my laptop and write there. There’s just the two of us in the house now, my husband and I, so it’s fairly quiet and private.
Describe a typical workday. Well, that varies. My husband and I go to the gym three mornings a week--Monday, Wednesday, and Friday--to work out. And so I used to write in the mornings but now I write mainly in the early afternoon. I don’t work as many hours as I used to. There was a time I might write five or six hours a day, but now it’s more like two or three.
List three of your most favorite things in your workspace and why they are meaningful.
My room upstairs faces back behind our house which is just a wooded hillside and gives me the feeling that I’m a long way from anything. There's nothing out there but deer trails and redwood trees. So that’s probably my most favorite thing about that room, along with all the pictures on my bulletin board.
Downstairs, I like that I’m close to the kitchen where I can get a cup of tea easily (that’s where I’m sitting right now). It has a nice view out big front windows, so it’s a pleasant place to sit.
Do you have any rituals in your work habits? If so, describe them. I don’t know if you’d call it a ritual, but one thing I have done for years is when I start a new book I start character sketches of the main characters. When I used to do it in a notebook I would leave a whole page for each of them or important characters, and I would add new things as I began to figure them out because I didn’t know the characters that well at first. Now of course I do it on the computer. I just add to them when I think of new information. And it’s very helpful, because I’ve found that in writing the character sketches I very often get plot ideas. A person with a certain type of character, certain view of life, would be apt to have a particular problem that could be worked into part of the plot.
What do you listen to while you work?
Absolutely nothing. I don’t listen to music or anything. Oh, sometimes I have to--my husband is a pianist and if he’s playing the piano . . . But anything that might have words in it would be very distracting.
What is your drink and/or snack of choice while you’re working? Tea. I drink several cups of tea a day. As for snack, I try to avoid that. Although I generally try to keep a bowl of what I call snacking fruit available. Very often grapes or cherries or something like that.
What keeps you focused while you’re working?
Oh, I don’t know. Not being interrupted? Which is hard to come by because there’s the phone and front door and time to do various things during the day. But . . . well, I know--just getting interested in my characters. When I’ve gotten to know them pretty well then I’m curious about them, and as I write I discover more things about them. And that’s one of the greatest interests for me in writing.
Do you write longhand, on a computer, or another way?
When I first began to write, my first book I wrote all out in pen and ink on a pad. My husband, who types very well, which I think goes along with being a pianist--very fast typist--he typed it for me. Which was very kind of him because I’m sure he didn’t think I was ever going to sell it. After that I started working on a typewriter. I could do action and sometimes narration, but I never could compose very well on the typewriter because if you make a mistake then of course you have to try to erase it or throw the page away and get a new page. So anything the least bit difficult, I would keep a pad and a pen right by the typewriter and write it out. Now, of course, there’s the computer. I love working on the computer.
How do you develop your story ideas? Do you use an outline, let the muse lead you, or another technique? In the past I would write the first chapter or so, just getting the feel of the story and the point of view of the main character. But then I would take a lot of time and do plotting. At that time I would write what I thought of as a plot page. When I was teaching I would say it was like writing a book report before the book has been written. Just a very short form of the story, but with a general idea of what the ending is going to be like. I find it very difficult to write without some idea of the ending. I know there are other writers who say they just start writing and see what happens, but I don’t seem to work that way very well. I always seem to get my characters into a mess that I can’t get them out of, a situation that doesn’t mean anything. I try to have a plot page.
Years ago, when writing some very difficult young adult books, I would outline chapter by chapter. I’d have a page for each chapter with a line down the middle. On one side I’d write the action or what is to happen in this chapter. And on the other I’d put information or narration, which would be narration that gives the reader more information about where the story is going. And I would try to work some action in with some narration so it wouldn’t get boring.
If you were forced to share your workspace but could share it with anyone of your choosing, who would it be?
Well, my husband of course. But if you mean some figure in history or writer of the past, then maybe one of the Brontes.
What is the best piece of writing advice you’ve heard or received? I remember one thing my first editor told me, that was Jean Karl at Atheneum. My first book was fantasy and quite a few of my books have been. She said: If your story is a fantasy, you must let the reader know what the basis is, what the underlining factor is for the fantasy. You can’t have magic happening here and now with no reason for it, no thing it arises from, no cause. The reader begins to feel there’s no need to worry because something magical is going to happen that solves this problem whatever it is. So you have to limit the magic in some way and make it have a basis.
Advice from Ms. Snyder herself:
Get to know your characters well, and keep at it.
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(This post is cross-posted from 
