Jennifer Bertman: From the Mixed-Up Files

A Peek at the Creative Space of Mara Rockliff

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn (From the Mixed-Up Files)) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:06:00 +0000

Joining us today for Creative Spaces is author Mara Rockliff (although you may also be familiar with her books under the pen names Lewis B. Montgomery, Nan Walker, and Eleanor May). She is the author of the chapter book series "Milo and Jazz Mysteries", named ALA Best New Books for the Classroom; Get Real: What Kind of World Are You Buying?, an ethical consumer guide that is now in its third printing and was a Green Earth Book Awards honor winner; and the picture book The Busiest Street in Town, which was an IndieNext pick.

January has been an exciting month for Mara as she had two books published: My Heart Will Not Sit Down and The Case of the Diamonds in the Desk, #8 in the Milo and Jazz mystery series. She also has three upcoming picture books with Candlewick including Me and Momma and Big John, which will be published in summer 2012.

To learn more about Mara Rockliff and her books, visit her website.

My desk where I don't work.

Describe your workspace.

I guess I would describe it as a little odd, because I have a desk, but I don’t work at it. Mainly I work in an old green recliner in a corner of my office. When I’m really serious, I need to spread my notes around me, so I skip the office and go work in bed.

My chair and filing system.

Describe a typical workday.

It starts about 8:30, when I go upstairs to drink tea, waste time online, and recover from the daily agony of getting my eight-year-old dressed and fed and out the door to school. How much time I waste depends on how far along I am with whatever I am working on. If I’m on chapter 8 of the first draft of a ten-chapter book, I might just check my email and get right to work. If I’m about to start chapter 1, I’ll read Miss Manners and Fuse #8, visit the Blue Boards, follow a few links from Twitter, watch a YouTube clip of Jimmy Stewart dancing with Eleanor Powell, and by then more emails have come in and soon it’s time to walk the dog and, oh, well, looks as if I’ll have to start that book tomorrow.

List three of your favorite things in your workspace and why they are meaningful.

1. A letter from Ray Bradbury from 1986. He was one of my two favorite writers when I was a teenager (the other was Kurt Vonnegut), and I was very happy when I wrote to him and he wrote back himself—I could tell from all the typos and handwritten corrections, now very faded.

2. A Cat in the Hat that Dr. Seuss drew for me when I was seven or eight and met him at an autographing. I framed it myself, which is why the signature is mostly obliterated by ancient Scotch tape.

3. My collection of mother’s day cards, one of which reads in part: Here’s a cheer for a good Momma! The Momma cheer! Who’s a good Momma? You! Who’s a really good Momma? You! Who’s the best best Moooooommmmmmaaa in the wwwooooorrrlldd??? Yyyooo!!!

Do you have any rituals in your work habits? If so, describe them.

Does pathological procrastination count as ritual? Today I swept the stairs. Not a good sign.
 

What do you listen to while you work?

Nothing, unless it gets noisy and then I turn on the fan. Or if it’s really bad, Simplynoise.com. If I’m not actually writing, I might listen to Pandora. I like the Contemporary Bollywood station.

What is your drink and/or snack of choice while you’re working?

Champagne and truffles, naturally. But I settle for tea with milk, no sugar, and whatever’s in the fridge.

What keeps you focused while you’re working?

Deadlines! As Samuel Johnson said about the prospect of being hanged, they concentrate the mind wonderfully.

Do you write longhand, on a computer, or another way?

Computer, always. But I scribble notes by hand, usually on a one-sided sheet of paper folded in half.

 How do you develop your ideas?

On a walk, or in the bath. Then notes. Then drafts.

If you were forced to share your workspace but could share it with anyone of your choosing, who would it be?

A nice, calm golden retriever. Instead I have a small, neurotic poodle-spaniel mix who creeps into the office, lurks unseen at the foot of my chair, and waits until I’m totally absorbed in what I’m doing before suddenly bursting into ear-shattering frenzied yaps. This gives my heart a workout and eliminates the need for an expensive treadmill desk.

My dog with a beet juice mohawk.

 What is the best piece of writing advice you’ve heard or received?

“The art of writing is the art of applying the seat of the pants to the seat of the chair.”

That was really good advice, before the Internet.

Holiday Hiatus

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn (From the Mixed-Up Files)) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:32:00 +0000

Thank you to those of you who have visited this little patch of internet over the years. I'm taking a blogging break for the rest of 2011. I hope to return in 2012 with more Creative Spaces interviews, Light and Round roundups, and I have high hopes for additional blog posts and fun fodder. I hope you'll keep stopping by!

The happiest of holiday seasons to each of you!

A Peek at the Creative Space of Jo Ramsey

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn (From the Mixed-Up Files)) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 22:27:00 +0000

Joining us today for Creative Spaces is author Jo Ramsey. She is the author of the Reality Shift series and the Dark Lines series published with Jupiter Gardens Press. And this month she had two (yes, two!) YA novels published.

The first is Cluing In, published with Featherweight Press. Cluing In is about Jamey who breaks up with his girlfriend after their endless arguing only to learn that she's jumped into a relationship with another guy. Rumors fly about his ex-girlfriend and when she comes to Jamey for help, he refuses to listen, a decision he later regrets when his ex-girlfriend takes drastic action.

The second book now available is From the Ashes, the fifth installment in the Reality Shift series. In From the Ashes, Shanna is juggling both a potential new love interest who is taking her to the Harvest Dance at school and trying to prevent a dangerous entity from another reality from finding a portal into our universe.

There is also much to look forward to from Jo in 2012. She has--make sure your head isn't close to a counter surface when you read this because your jaw is going to drop--FIVE young adult novels scheduled for publication. (I'm pretty sure in the time it took me to put together this interview post, Jo drafted a new novel.) As a slow writer myself, you can bet I studied her responses for the secret to her productiveness. I've concluded it's a combination of experience, discipline, and organized dedication. She's an inspiring example of what can be possible if you set your mind to it.

To learn more about Jo Ramsey and her book visit her website, blog, YouTube channel, or follow her on Twitter.

Jo's desk, shelves, and wall of notes.

Describe your workspace.

In a word: cluttered. I share a computer room with my husband and my 13-year-old daughter. (My 16-year-old has a laptop and prefers to use it in the living room.) The room is supposed to be a child's bedroom, so it's pretty small, especially when all three of us are in it. My husband and my daughter each have their own desktop computer and desk, and then I have all the things you see in the photos.

My desk is an old drafting desk from the 1940s that I bought at a flea market ten or twelve years ago. I love the thing too much to get a bigger desk, even though I could really use one.

On the wall above my desk, I have . . . everything. LOL. I have calendar pages for the current month and next month so I can keep track of appointments, blog appearances, and so forth. On a bulletin board on that wall, I keep track of my daily writing/promotion schedule, along with projects that are past first draft stage. I have notes on the wall, some that are reminders of things I need to do and some that are motivational. Above all that is my cover gallery; I print out a 5x8 copy of each of my book covers and just tape them to the wall. That isn't visible in the picture because there are some non-YA covers up there.

Next to the desk, I have a small set of shelves where I keep the binders that organize my several series (at last count, I'm dealing with four YA series and two, possibly three, romance series), printer paper, envelopes, etc. That's right beside the window next to my desk. The window looks out over our back porch and down the side street we're on the corner of.

In front of the window is my filing cabinet, where I keep family paperwork and my publishing contracts. It's one of my cat's favorite perches, because sunlight comes in the window most of the morning. Beside the filing cabinet is a large bookcase where I keep my "swag" (the postcards, bookmarks, etc. that I give away) and my author copies of my books.

Aubrey the cat next to Jo's shelves of books and swag.

On the other side of my desk from the shelves is a closet door that I've pretty much turned into a second bulletin board, and that's where I keep track of what projects I'm working on, which ones I need to work on next, and what's been accepted and released.

Where Jo keeps track of her works-in-progress.

Describe a typical workday.

There's no such thing in my world, really . . . If it's a weekday, I get up at 5:30, shower, fix a cup of tea, and then sit down at the computer to check emails and maybe do a little writing amidst getting my daughters up and off to school. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, after I drop off my 13-year-old at school, I go to work at my day job until about 1; on Tuesdays and Thursdays, after I drop her off I come home and get to work on some writing.

Most days, I try to write at least 1500 words on each of the projects I'm working on. Because I also write adult romance under a top-secret pen name, I'm almost always working on at least two projects. If I have edits from a publisher, or I'm working on something that's under deadline, those take priority. I also visit social networking sites, do blog posts and interviews (like this one), and if there's time I write a short story or article.

List three of your most favorite things in your workspace and why they are meaningful.

I think my most favorite is my cover gallery. Some of the cover art is absolutely stunning, in my opinion, and I love looking up there and realizing that I actually wrote all of those books. I've wanted to be a published author since I was about five, and having those covers there is visual confirmation that it's really happening now. Another favorite is one of the motivational quotes I have taped above my desk. It's something a friend said to me a couple years ago when I was very ill and facing major surgery. And the third thing is my desk, as I mentioned above. I've had it for such a long time, and it's been through a lot with me. And it was sold to me at the flea market by a good friend of mine who has since passed away, so it makes me think of him and how kind and supportive he was.

Do you have any rituals in your work habits? If so, describe them.

I started to say I don't have any rituals, but I guess I do.

I have a small markerboard on my desk, and each morning I list the things I hope to accomplish that day, both writing-wise and family-life-wise. When I finish the first draft of a story, I make a small tag with the title on it and tack that to the bulletin board above my desk, where it begins to move through my process; the board is broken into categories. Pre-Submission Edits; Waiting for Response (for things that I've submitted); Awaiting Publisher Edits; and Requested Publisher Edits. I also have a section for revise/resubmit requests (when a book isn't quite up to snuff, but the publisher's willing to give it a second chance if I fix some things) and for books that are ready to submit but I haven't yet decided where to send them.

When a book is accepted, I make a colored tag for it and put that on the closet door. When that book is released, I add the release date to the tag.

What do you listen to while you work?

I don't usually listen to anything. Music or other noise distracts me very easily most of the time. However, sometimes if it's too quiet I can't settle down to work, so I'll listen to my playlist on Playlist.com, which has such a variety of things I can't even begin to list all the songs or types of music.

What is your drink and/or snack of choice while you’re working?

In the mornings, I have tea and hot chocolate. Most of the rest of the day, I drink flavored "fizzy water" and pretend it's soda.

What keeps you focused while you’re working?

Some days, nothing does . . . Mostly it's sheer determination. I have attention issues, and if I don't clamp down on myself, my mind wanders everywhere except where it's supposed to go. Other days, I need music to help me, because the silence starts to bother me.

Do you write longhand, on a computer, or another way?

I write on a computer. It makes revising and editing much, much easier for me. Plus I've been doing it this way so long that I now type about twice as fast as I can write longhand, which lets the ideas flow more easily.

How do you develop your ideas?

When I get an idea, I usually make a few notes about it. Sort of a freeform brainstorm where I just write down the main characters and the major plot points that I think will be in the story. Then I start writing and see where the story ends up.

If you were forced to share your workspace but could share it with anyone of your choosing, who would it be?

I'm already forced to share it. I guess if I have to share, my husband and daughter aren't too bad to share it with.

What is the best piece of writing advice you’ve heard or received?

Just write. Don't get hung up on the first draft to the point that you don't even finish it; just write it and know that if it comes out a mess, you can fix it afterward. You can't revise or edit what isn't on the page.

A Peek at the Creative Space of Anna Staniszewski

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn (From the Mixed-Up Files)) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:38:00 +0000

Joining us today for Creative Spaces is author Anna Staniszewski. Her debut middle grade novel, My Very UnFairy Tale Life, was recently published by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky. Here's a taste of My Very UnFairy Tale Life from Anna's website:

"Is your magical kingdom falling apart? Twelve-year-old Jenny is on the case, whether she likes it or not. Saving the world might sound exciting, but for Jenny it’s starting to get old—even staying in the real world long enough to take a math test would be a dream come true! And when you throw in bloodthirsty unicorns, psychotic clowns, and the most useless gnome sidekick ever, Jenny decides that enough is enough. She’s leaving the adventuring business and not looking back. Or. . . is she?"

Publisher's Weekly said, “Staniszewski’s debut is a speedy and amusing ride that displays a confident, on-the-mark brand of humor, mostly through Jenny’s wisecracking narration. . . the inventive and lighthearted premise will keep readers entertained.”

In addition to her own blog, Anna (along with author Alisa Libby) maintains "First Page Panda", an online resource for readers to get previews of middle grade and young adult books.

To learn more about Anna Staniszewski, visit her website and blog. And now, let's take a peek inside her workspace!

Describe your workspace.

I have a small office dedicated to writing. It's cozy and filled with books, but for some reason I've almost abandoned it recently. Instead, I've been curling up on the living room couch with my laptop. My posture hates me, but I guess I must like being in a nesting position when I'm being creative.

Describe a typical workday.

I teach part-time, so my schedule is different depending on the day, but typically I spend time in the morning answering emails, blogging, and doing other internet activities. Then I take the dog for a nice long walk and let my brain wander. After that, I like to get some writing or teaching-related work done. I find that I do my best writing in the late afternoon; often when dinnertime comes around I'm busy typing and don't even realize my stomach is growling. When I'm about to chew off my own arm, that's when I know it's time to quit.

List three of your most favorite things in your workspace and why they are meaningful.

1. My dog, Emma. She's a huge distraction but also a comfort to have nearby.

2. My notebook. Whenever I'm feeling particularly stuck on a character or plotline, I get out my notebook and start jotting down ideas to get the creative juices flowing again.

3. My craft book collection. I'm a tiny bit obsessed with books on the craft of writing. I use them quite a bit in my teaching, but I also find that a touch of writing wisdom from James Scott Bell or Donald Maass is often just what I need to give me a fresh perspective on my WIP.

Do you have any rituals in your work habits? If so, describe them.

When I'm ready to dive into a long writing session, I usually have to make some tea before I can start. And maybe nibble on a cookie or two. Baked goods, warm beverages, and writing all seem to go together.

What do you listen to while you work?

I can't really listen to music while I work, especially if it has lyrics, but I've found that having a Red Sox game on low volume in the background while I'm revising creates the perfect amount of white noise for me. (And, as an added bonus, I can cheer when something exciting happens.)

What is your drink and/or snack of choice while you’re working?

Earl gray tea with a touch of milk and sugar, Fig newtons, and chocolate!

What keeps you focused while you’re working?

I'll be honest: sometimes nothing keeps me focused! When I'm having a really hard time keeping my mind on work, I set a timer for twenty minutes and force myself to buckle down for that time. After that, I can usually get into the groove of things. I do find that when I'm revising, I'm usually much more motivated than when I'm drafting. I think that's because drafting is often messy and meandering, whereas revising is more orderly and analytical; I'm a control freak, so I like making things nice and organized.

Do you write longhand, on a computer, or another way?

I mostly write on the computer, but when I'm brainstorming or trying to solve a problem, that's when I get out the pen and paper.

How do you develop your ideas?

Very very slowly! I usually start with a bare-bones idea and add layers to it as I go. My first drafts tend to be very dialogue-heavy, essentially just characters standing around talking about their problems. In revisions, I try to figure out how to turn those conversations into action.

If you were forced to share your workspace but could share it with anyone of your choosing, who would it be?

My husband and I shared an office for a couple of years and it actually worked out pretty well. We would distract each other sometimes with funny YouTube videos and such, but when it was time to get to work, we were pretty good at focusing. It felt nice to be working together side-by-side.

What is the best piece of writing advice you’ve heard or received?

A friend and writing partner had this bit of wisdom when I was querying my first novel and not having much success: "Maybe this isn't the book that's going to get you published." I realized she was right, and that I just had to keep working on new projects. My next manuscript landed me an agent, and the one after that got me a publishing contract. I learned that you always have to keep creating; you never know which book will be The One.

A Peek at the Creative Space of C. Lee McKenzie

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn (From the Mixed-Up Files)) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:11:00 +0000

Joining us this week for Creative Spaces is writer C. Lee McKenzie. She is the author of two young adult novels, The Princess of Las Pulgas and Sliding on the Edge.

The Princess of Las Pulgas was published in 2010 by Westside Books. From Lee's website, "Carlie Edmund has everything: a loving family, good friends, a perfect home and wealth and status; then in her junior year of high school all of that changes. How will Carlie take on the challenges of living in a different world, a world where she doesn't "fit" and where nothing is as it should be?"

In Sliding on the Edge (published in 2009 by Westside Books), "Shawna Stone is sixteen going on twenty-five. Already deeply scarred, she has learned to survive with a tough attitude and a thin blade. Her journey is destined to be short. Sliding on the Edge enters the world of a desperate teen and her disillusioned grandmother, each with secrets that stir mutual distrust. As these two unlikely companions struggle to co-exist we are reminded that the human spirit has the capacity to overcome even the deepest suffering."

To learn more about C. Lee McKenzie, visit her website or her blog.

Describe your workspace.

I love this idea of describing where a person creates. I've often imagined the settings where Dickens or Austen wrote and wondered how those places influenced the words they set down. I feel like the luckiest person when I consider my workspace--I actually have two. The first is my desk upstairs in my office where I do a lot of my writing. While it's always in chaos, it looks out onto a redwood forest where there's no human noise most of the time. My office is filled with lots of bird noise and squirrel activity. One daring Wallenda-type squirrel, high-wires it across the front of my house daily. He's the only critter that I stop writing for, and I think he has to be some kind of inspiration. My second workspace is in my garden where I love to take a print out of my WIP to read or where I like to read what others have written.

Describe a typical workday.

I can't say I have a typical workday. I'm not an "organized" writer in any sense of the word. Some days I write nothing, but others I'll fill up pages. I've stopped worrying about goals and word counts and just let whatever happens be enough. I have days when what I write might as well be a grocery list. Then along comes all of this prose that I love. It's an amazing process and, as I see it, my job is to appreciate the good and the bad that is part of that process.

If there's anything typical at all, it would be that I'm up early--about 4 or 5 when I'm writing. Usually I can't sleep anyway because I'm writing in my head. I seldom write at night.

List three of your most favorite things in your workspace and why they are meaningful.

The view is my most favorite thing. When I need some perspective on what's important in a story or in my life, I just have to look out at the redwoods. That perspective is there. I love my computer. I switched from a PC a few years ago, something I never thought I'd do because I'd always been a PC user. I got so tired of all the hacking, and then they came out with Vista and that did it. I'm an Apple user now. My desk is the third thing I adore! It's huge. I used to have this old-fashioned roll-top that I'd lugged around with me for sentimental reasons. It never had enough room. Then I splurged on my super modern wrap around the room desk. It's always a mess, but I have more room for that mess now and that makes me happy.

Do you have any rituals in your work habits? If so, describe them.

I know it's a quirky ritual, but I like to wear my hoodie when I write. Well, it's really a signal to my family. When I'm at the computer with my hood up that means DO NOT TALK TO ME UNLESS THE HOUSE IS ON FIRE. When it's not up I'm only dealing with email or blogging, so they can ask me anything then.

What do you listen to while you work?

Nothing. I love to write when there's silence around me because there's so much noise inside my head. The characters are yammering on and on, my muse is doing her "Now you've got it" mantra, and my self-doubt editor is trying to get her two cents in. Silence, please!

What is your drink and/or snack of choice while you’re working?

Coffee is my morning must. I splurged again and this time on an espresso maker so I could have the very best first-cup-in-the-morning coffee. Now, I'm a caffeine snob and can turn down anything perked.

What keeps you focused while you’re working?

That's hard. When I'm into a story focus isn't an issue. I enter the story, see the place where it's happening, hear the people as they talk or think, and am a part of the action. When I'm trying to find a story, distraction is my middle name and I find it hard to sit at my desk. I often leave the house, take a hike or walk up to the creek a few miles away. That helps me think and get my focus back.

Do you write longhand, on a computer, or another way?

Mostly I write on the computer, but I do take notes on just about anything at hand if I'm not at my desk. I have odd looking grocery receipts with things like, "Don't kill the dog in scene three, chapter two." written on the back.

How do you develop your story ideas? Do you use an outline, let the muse lead you, or another technique?

Once I have an idea, I try to wrestle that onto the page in a single sentence. I put that sentence in the header of my document, so it appears on each page. As I write, I use that as a guide. Sometimes I change it when the story wants to go in a slightly different direction. I've found this sentence to be a real challenge, but if I don't take the time to write it I'm always sorry. Besides, if I happen to be stuck in an elevator with an important agent or editor and the conversation turns to what I'm writing, I have my "elevator pitch" ready. Very handy.

If you were forced to share your workspace but could share it with anyone of your choosing, who would it be?

My cat, Al. I call him the "Fur Person." I'd share that space with him, but nobody else. He's the only writer who understands me and my writing style. He even knows when to curl around the keyboard and offer suggestions. No other person can do that.

What is the best piece of writing advice you’ve heard or received?

Write in scenes. That helped me a lot. Instead of having to tackle a whole book or chapter in my head, I can think about a small, but meaningful chunk of writing. If I can write one good scene, then another will follow and another until I have a chapter, until I have a book. Yep. That advice has been invaluable.

A Peek at the Creative Space of Tom Lichtenheld

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn (From the Mixed-Up Files)) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 20:50:00 +0000

Joining us today for Creative Spaces is author and illustrator Tom Lichtenheld. Tom has fifteen books and counting to his credit, including the New York Times bestsellers Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site (written by Sherri Duskey Rinker), Shark vs. Train (written by Chris Barton), and Duck! Rabbit! (created in collaboration with Amy Krouse Rosenthal).

His latest picture book is titled E-mergency! and was created in collaboration with Ezra Fields-Meyer. E-mergency! has a fascinating backstory behind its creation. I'll let Tom fill you in:

"Tom Fields-Meyer, a freelance journalist, decided to write a memoir about raising his son Ezra, who has high-functioning autism. As part of his research, Tom read other memoirs, among them Amy Krouse Rosenthal's Encylopedia of an Ordinary Life. Tom contacted Amy for advice and mentioned in passing that Ezra had an idea for a children's book about animals. Amy mentioned it to me and also told me Ezra had done a video on YouTube called 'Alphabet House'.

I viewed the video and was immediately intrigued by the idea of a letter being injured, wondering what would happen as a result. Of course, everyone knows a person can't work when they're in the hospital, so I figured the same would be true of a letter; it would have to be taken out of commission while recovering and temporarily replaced by a substitute letter. Chaos and hilarity would certainly ensue, especially if the injured letter was 'E', the most frequently used letter in the English language.

I contacted Tom and asked if Ezra would be interested in seeing what I could do to extend the story into a book, and he was very excited by the prospect. From there, I wrote a first draft, sketched out the first half of the book, and put together a proposal for Victoria Rock, my editor at Chronicle Books. Victoria loved the idea, so we were off and running.

As much as I'm thrilled with the book we created together, meeting and learning about Ezra made the process of creating it a uniquely joyful, educational, and inspiring experience."

If you'd like to learn more about Ezra, the Wall Street Journal ran this article written by his father or you can visit Tom Field-Meyer's website www.followingezra.com.

Tom Lichtenheld was also generous enough to share a bit of the process behind creating E-mergency! Before we get to his Creative Spaces responses and photos, I thought I'd share that here:

My first sketch after seeing Ezra's video. The note above is from Victoria Rock, my editor at Chronicle.


I decided to make the lead character female because I've noticed that kids default to assuming characters are males.

My favorite illustration in the book. Yes, it's small and incidental, but I love the way the characters look so befuddled. This is a good example of how my first sketches often have lots of personality, which I try to retain as they evolve into finished art.

Four preliminary sketches for one page. I finally settled on the fourth one.

The finished illustration from the sketch above.

Be sure to read all the way to the end of Tom's interview to see some outtakes from E-mergency! that didn't make it in the final version.

If you'd like to learn more about Tom Lichtenheld, visit his website and blog. Now let's take a peek at where he creates his work. . .

Don't be fooled, it never looks like this.

Describe your workspace.

It's a large-ish room over our garage, custom-built as a studio, with lots of windows and a high ceiling. Much nicer than the freezing cold basement where I worked when we first moved into the house. I'd be happy to work here 12 hours a day. Oh, wait, I already do that.

The mess means work is being done.

I keep an ever-evolving stack of admirable book nearby. Here's what I'm drooling over this week.

Describe a typical workday.

Ideas start popping (Freudian slip; I initially wrote "pooping.") into my head when I'm half-asleep at 5 am, so I work on them while still half-asleep, then get up and, if they're any good, run up to the studio to do some rough sketching or writing. I have breakfast, exercise, then go to work. I try to take care of the administrative stuff first, because once I get into drawing or writing it's all-consuming. I'll break for lunch, either at home or a nice walk to the little downtown a few blocks away. Then back to the drawing board for the afternoon and evening.

Scooter critiques my character designs for an upcoming book Zero the Hero.

There's method to my madness. Appearances are organized in yellow file folders, new book ideas in blue.

What media do you use and which is your favorite?

I use line art printed on watercolor or colored paper, then apply color with a variety of mediums. I've used a variety of techniques for my books, from colored pencils to watercolor to crayons. I switch techniques partly out of curiosity but mostly because I like to use a technique that's appropriate for each book.

Currently, I'm using a new medium called Pan Pastels. They're cakes of fine powder, applied with a small sponge. I like the medium because it's more like drawing than painting, which suits my talents. I can use masks and friskets, and I can work reductively (a fancy word for "erasing."). I also like that the final product looks a bit like a lithograph.

A rough sketch, done with a brush pen.

Finished line art, also done with a brush pen, as seen in the photo.

Left: Color from the cakes is applied with a small sponge. Right (close-up): Then I add some texture with colored pencils.

I do use the computer in my process, but only to scan my pencil drawings, then turn them into line art in photoshop. I print the photoshop art onto the final paper with a large format laser or inkjet printer.

I've dabbled in creating art digitally, but here's what I've discovered; the process is not nearly as joyful as putting marks on paper. I've spent four hours working on a computer illustration, been marginally pleased with the result, but then realized the process was more labor than love. So I will probably always defer to more traditional mediums.

List three of your most favorite things in your workspace and why they are meaningful.

Practically speaking, 1. Mac 2. Large format printers 3. Cool new taboret from Ikea, full of magical art supplies. Emotionally, 1) my wife, when she comes up to organize my appearances, do my accounting, and critique my work. 2.) Scooter, our cat. 3) A photo of my parents.

Do you have any rituals in your work habits? If so, describe them.

Studio Rules:
1. At work by 8:30 a.m.
2. Shoes must be worn after 8:30 a.m. (this prevents the 'working all day in PJs' phenomenon)
3. No working past 11 p.m., otherwise I'm useless the next day. If I need to catch up, I get up at 3 or 4.
4. Exercise daily, no matter how busy you are.


Mr. Brush helps with painting.

What do you listen to while you work?

During the day, I stream a public radio rock station from Minneapolis called The Current. I like 60% of what they play, tolerate 30% of it, and detest the rest, but it keeps me, you know, current.

At night, Public Radio News, also from Minneapolis.

No, I don't live in Minneapolis, but I used to. For anyone who's paying attention and knows the city, you'll notice that any skyline in my books is Minneapolis. Love that Foshay tower.

"O" and "E" head out for their promotional tour for E-mergency!

What is your drink and/or snack of choice while you’re working?

Water, mostly, but every other day I get a diet coke, which is poison but I love it, especially from the fountain at the nearby 7-11. A guy needs a vice.

Everyone in the studio gathered around to see this award when it arrived last week.

What keeps you focused while you’re working?

It's a struggle, what with emails, marketing, correspondence and social networking, but I remind myself that the book I'm working on is my employer, and my employer doesn't take to slackers.

Do you write longhand, on a computer, or another way?

Longhand when working on rough concepts, then on the computer when I'm getting seriously into a manuscript. I prefer to write on the laptop, in a corner or out of the studio. Trains are good, coffee shops work, too. When I'm working with Amy Krouse Rosenthal, we meet at a hipster coffee shop where we resemble everyone else hunkered over their journals and laptops.

The light in the studio is often more interesting than the art.

How do you develop your story ideas? Do you use an outline, let the muse lead you, or another technique?

Initially I just roll with it and try not to over-think anything, just letting it happen. Then I go back to see if anything makes sense. Sometimes I'll use a tried-and-true structure as a crutch. For instance, I used Joseph Campbell's Heroic Journey as a template for Bridget's Beret. And I'll try some other devices, like a two-part ending, or a circular ending.

For me, book ideas rarely come to me fully-formed, but they often come from a single doodle with a general idea behind it. I put all these doodles up on a wall, then work on them until something rises to the top.

These dog and cat doodles have me thinking about doing a book that's all black and white images. It might be called "Doggy Do," which of course, would be about things that dogs do.

At a school appearance, a boy asked me a question about a snail, which got me thinking about--and drawing--snails. This might become a story about an adventurous snail.

What aspect of illustrating do you find most challenging and why?

Drawing and painting. Oh, wait, that's the entire process! Seriously, I know so many illustrators who are so much better than me that it's hard to accept anything I put on paper. I am not a very good draftsman, meaning I'm not good at drawing a thing so it looks like that thing. I once had to have Eric Rohmann show me how to draw a dog's butt. Honest. And painting terrifies me. In fact, I'm avoiding it right now. On the upside, I do recognize that my initial sketches are often my best work, so the challenge is to not wreck the sketch as it evolves into an illustration. My writing partner, Amy Krouse Rosenthal, recently responded to a sketch I sent her by saying something like "If you overwork this sketch I will kill you." Motivating stuff.

Studio helpers Scooter and Reba.

If you were forced to share your workspace but could share it with anyone of your choosing, who would it be?

Anyone who's doing creative work. When it gets lonely up here I consider renting out space in an architect's office, just to be around other people who are making things.

What is the best piece of writing/illustrating advice you’ve heard or received?

I have a drawing from a second grader on my wall that says "Are you riting a book right NOW?" It reminds me that none of the other things I do around here matter if I'm not riting a book right NOW.

*Bonus* Emergency! Leftovers

Part of my process is to create a collection of miscellaneous gags that can be included as needed. I keep these nearby as I'm sketching out the story, always looking for an opportunity to use them. By the time the book is done I invariably have a few that--due to space or better judgment--get left on the cutting room floor. Such is the case with these.

A Peek at the Creative Space of Carmen Agra Deedy

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn (From the Mixed-Up Files)) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 21:01:00 +0000

Carmen Agra Deedy has been writing for children for over two decades. Born in Havana, Cuba, she came to the U.S. as a refugee in 1964. She grew up in Decatur, Georgia, where she lives today.

Her books have garnered high praise and awards and include The Library Dragon, The Yellow Star, Martina the Beautiful Cockroach, and 14 Cows for America.

Her latest is her middle grade novel debut, The Cheshire Cheese Cat: A Dickens of a Tale, co-written with Randall Wright and illustrated by Barry Moser. From the publisher Peachtree:

In this playful homage to Charles Dickens, unlikely allies learn the lessons of a great friendship

Skilley, an alley cat with an embarrassing secret, longs to escape his street-cat life. Tired of dodging fishwives' brooms and carriage wheels, he hopes to trade London's damp alleyways for the warmth of ye olde Cheshire Cheese Inn. He strikes a bargain with Pip, an erudite mouse: Skilley will protect the mice who live at the inn, and in turn, the mice will provide Skilley with the thing he desires most.

But when Skilley and Pip are drawn into a crisis of monumental proportions involving a tyrannical cook, an unethical barmaid, and a malevolent tomcat, their new friendship is pushed to its limits. The escalating crisis threatens the peace not only of the Cheshire Cheese Inn but also the British Monarchy!

Unbeknownst to Skilley and Pip, however, they have a secret ally: a famous author who scribbles away many an afternoon in ye olde Cheshire Cheese Inn. . .

The Cheshire Cheese Cat has received glowing reviews include a starred review from Publishers Weekly who wrote, “Expertly realized characters and effervescent storytelling make this story of unlikely friendship, royal ravens, and “the finest cheese in London” a delight.”

If you’d like to learn more about Carmen Agra Deedy, visit her website.

Describe your workspace.

Official workspace, or de facto?

I do have an office in my home, and I do write at my desk on occasion—okay, that is only marginally true––I really write everywhere. I have a laptop and I have it for a reason. I write on planes, and at my neighborhood coffee shop, and in bed at night (my own bed, a hotel room bed), a plastic chair at La Guardia when my flight is canceled . . . My schedule includes a generous smattering of travel, and that sort of life demands flexibility from a writer.

I truly love my cheery little office. It’s just so elusive these days. . .

Describe a typical workday.

My workdays vary greatly. I visit over a hundred schools a year, in and out of state. If I happen to be home, I will spend the day with school children and the evening with my family. My husband and I will make dinner together, wash our dishes, and then our dog, George Bailey, will take us for a walk. We inevitably wind up on the porch where we sit and talk for an hour or two. George is a rather long-winded storyteller, I’m afraid.

I don’t usually sit down to write until quite late. Being something of a night owl, this arrangement suits me nicely.

If I’m on the road, my evenings are pretty dull: I order room service, eat, then stay up and write for a while. Except for those times when I don’t . . .

List three of your most favorite things in your workspace and why they are meaningful.

In my office (the titular writing space) I keep a number of things that have special meaning for me. The place seems to have a magnetic quality for the flotsam and jetsam of my life.

My granddaughter’s crib. Ruby and her parents live in Brooklyn. The crib isn’t used regularly, but it is always at the ready. And it’s such a happy little thing. I love having it nearby when I work from home.

The painting of my dog and BFF, George. It was a gift from my husband, and I adore it.

A wonderful clock, created by my daughter, Erin, from an old book of Robin Hood tales.

Do you have any rituals in your work habits? If so, describe them.

Avoid, avoid, avoid.

When the avoiding is done, then it’s work, work, work.

But, you’ve never seen such resistance to writing when a deadline first looms! I will scrub the toilet, refold the linens, and label the spice jars, if it will gain me one more nanosecond of lollygagging.

What do you listen to while you work?

Nothing.
NADA.
Words in the background when I’m trying to write?
No can do.

What is your drink and/or snack of choice while you're working?

Hot tea; a homemade brew of chamomile and star anis is my favorite.

What keeps you focused while you're working?

Once I truly immerse myself in a story, I don’t need anything to keep me focused. I become most obsessed. It’s the whole “getting started” thing that I find paralyzing (it’s a bit like that childhood dream where you are trying desperately to run, but your feet won’t obey the command).

Do you write longhand, on a computer, or another way?

All notes, research, and story arcs, are written longhand. The first clean draft is then entered into my laptop, and I continue in that medium until the near-final draft. At that point I print it out and edit the hard copy. I enter the changes . . . then repeat the process two or three times.

How do you develop your story ideas? Do you use an outline, let the muse lead you, or another technique?

I start with an idea. It may be something I’ve seen, thought, felt, experienced, remembered, or twisted my ankle upon. If it feels like it could be the beginning of an intriguing story, however, I let it play out. To state it with more clarity: I think about it, read about it, and talk about it to anyone who’ll listen.

As I go along, I write down everything, every morsel of information, in notebooks. When I have enough for a proper story, I write an outline. This process could take weeks, months, or years. Then, and only then, do I begin to write any substantial prose.

If you were forced to share your workspace but could share it with anyone of your choosing, who would it be?

Teddy Roosevelt. I’d prefer to have the live specimen, of course. There’s not enough room in my workspace for a dead president, no matter how fond I am of him.

What is the best piece of writing advice you've heard or received?

Write what you really think.

Your list of erstwhile friends may grow longer––but you’ll hardly miss the buzzards. As for your true friends? Like Pip, I’ve found that they become often more loyal with every line of truth you fling into the universe.

A Peek at the Creative Space of Linda Ravin Lodding

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn (From the Mixed-Up Files)) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 22:00:00 +0000

Creative Spaces is back, and today we're going international!

Linda Ravin Lodding is celebrating her U.S. debut as a picture book author with this month's publication of The Busy Life of Ernestine Buckmeister, illustrated by Suzanne Beaky (Flashlight Press). Soon to follow will be her UK picture book debut with Hold That Thought, Milton!, illustrated by Ross Collins (Gullane Children's Books) and Oskar's Perfect Present, illustrated by Alison Jay (Gullane Children's Books).

Originally from New York, Linda Ravin Lodding has lived in Europe for the past fifteen years and currently lives in The Netherlands. The Busy Life of Ernestine Buckmeister is already earning praise and rave reviews. From Darrell Hammond, best-selling author and CEO of KaBOOM!, "This book is a joyful and funny reminder to kids and parents alike about the importance and power of play."

To give you a taste of The Busy Life of Ernestine Buckmeister, here is the book trailer:

Linda has two upcoming book events in the U.S. if you are interested in meeting her and learning more about Ernestine. She'll be in New Jersey on Oct. 29 at The Town Bookstore from 2 to 4, and at Books of Wonder in New York City on Nov. 5 from 12 to 2.

To learn more about Linda, visit her website or follow her on Twitter at @lindalodding.

Describe your workspace.

I’m a fairly nomadic writer, but for the past three years I’ve lived in a tiny one-windmill town called “Wassenaar” in The Netherlands, outside of The Hague.

My village, Wassenaar -- notice the policeman on bike!

Our 1930s house is a typical, 4-floor Dutch townhouse and my "office" is on the second floor. My desk faces glass doors that open up to a balcony overlooking a small brick-walled garden. I put my desk in front of the window so I can see the birds gathering in the trees, watch the neighbor's cat jump from roof-top to roof-top and gaze at the ever-changing Dutch sky.

The front of our house.

Family room which is the central hub-bub of our family life.

The back garden.

Sometimes, when I need a change of scenery, I’ll bike over to Bagel Alley or the local public library.

Our neighborhood hangout, Bagel Alley (notice that Oreo Cake. Heavenly sinful!)

In the summer, my writing workspace is in our summer house in a small fishing village on the west coast in Sweden. The room where I write was a later addition to the house and was previously used as a café for the summering guests that served coffee and "kanelbullar" (cinnamon buns) and fresh strawberries.

Describe a typical workday.

I don’t have very typical days, but most mornings involve getting my daughter off to school (which doesn't require a lot of effort). Once she’s off, I usually grab a cup of coffee and head up to my desk while still in my bathrobe and my hair looking like a wigged-out madwoman (which is why I'm not submitting a photo of this. But, if you do notice the position of my desk, you'll see that everyone else in the neighborhood is able to see me in my full wigged-out state).

After some quick emailing (who am I kidding? This is NEVER quick), I get on my "Oma Fiets" (Grandma Bike) for errands or to the gym. I then scurry home to check and respond to more emails. Once I become thoroughly disgusted with myself for not having good focused work habits, I start to “work”.

My Dutch "Oma Fiets" -- in Holland, the rustier and beat-up the bike, the better!

At the moment I'm spending time promoting my debut, The Busy Life of Ernestine Buckmeister, preparing for school visits, putting final touches on my second picture book, Hold That Thought, Milton!, and working on polishing other texts.

List three of your most favorite things in your workspace and why they are meaningful.

1) Photos of my far-flung family and places that I've visited are some of the most meaningful things in my space.

2) My handmade Ernestine doll that my friend Paulette Kingsbury-Quimby recently sent me. She made Ernestine with a gorgeous belted purple coat (which I wish came in my size!), sneakers, and a beautiful daisy crown just like the one Ernestine wears in the book.

3a) Wire head scratcher. It looks like a medieval torture device but it’s great at stimulating my brain creativity. But sometimes my husband goes running off with it.

3b) And when I'm writing at Bagel Alley, my favorite thing is the Oreo cake which drives me to distraction!

Do you have any rituals in your work habits? If so, describe them.

I don’t have any rituals but if I'm feeling creatively sluggish, one thing that is certain to get me in the writing groove is to read a big stack of picture books. Even though I don't read Dutch, I love going to our local Wassenaar library to pour through their section of Dutch children's picture books. I become absorbed with the illustrations which usually tell their own story. (And the library is located right next to Bagel Alley. How convenient!)

Dutch children's books which offer me inspiration (even though I don't read Dutch :) ).

What do you listen to while you work?

Seagulls, kids as they bike by the house, and the clip-clop of horses heading for an outride to the beach. For a New Yorker, these are very exotic sounds!

What is your drink and/or snack of choice while you’re working?

A crunchy apple with crunchy peanut butter. Green ice tea or coffee.

What keeps you focused while you’re working?

It's a constant struggle--so many things call to me--emails to read, Facebook statuses to update, Etsy things to buy, food to be eaten. But usually, two things work for me: 1) A deadline! and 2) Being in the "zone" with a piece of work. There's nothing more wonderful than to be sucked into a story and realize that hours have gone by (and I haven't answered, purchased, or eaten any of those things that usually scream my name.)

Do you write longhand, on a computer, or another way?

Always on my Mac. It's by far the quickest way for me to get my thoughts down "on paper" and, periodically, check on word count. I also love to highlight things in different colors and change fonts so in the end my draft can look like a crazy quilt (but when I send the draft to my editor it's back to basic black text and Times New Roman).

Conversely, I like to edit in longhand. Printing out the draft and sitting with a pencil for edits helps me slow down and tap into another, quieter, part of my brain.

How do you develop your story ideas? Do you use an outline, let the muse lead you, or another technique?

I have a file full of story ideas, possible book titles, character names, opening sentences–all of which I like to think are sitting and marinating in their own juices until they’re ready to be cooked. The difficult thing, for me, is turning those ideas into fully-developed stories with a beginning, middle, and satisfying end.

I don't have any elixir other than just to start writing. At some point I usually hit the wall and have to put the story down. That's when I live with the story off the page--mulling over plot points or word choice while I'm on the treadmill or chopping veggies. I'll also bounce ideas around with my wonderful writing buddies.

Once the story is in reasonable shape, I find that making a dummy book from the text to be quite helpful. The dummy helps me see how the page turns work as part of the story and I can assess whether or not I have enough material for unique visuals on each page--key for picture books writers.

If you were forced to share your workspace but could share it with anyone of your choosing, who would it be?

My 13-year-old daughter, Maja. Fortunately, I usually am sharing my work space with her. She's either doing homework at the big Parson's table behind my desk or practicing the piano (to the right of my desk.) She's such lovely company and great critique partner. (I think I'm going to have to move into her college dorm room!)

What is the best piece of writing advice you’ve heard or received?

My picture book texts became exponentially stronger when I began to think visually. As Verla Kay says, every sentence, every phrase, needs to bring up a visual picture. Read all the great picture books and study the form--look at what the text “says”, and what the visuals "say". Picture books, ultimately, are a dance between words and illustrations and it’s key to understanding how the two work together. It’s like learning to waltz alone.

An Alternative to the Cave of Revision

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn (From the Mixed-Up Files)) — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 02:13:00 +0000

Writers often use the phrase "Cave of Revision" when they’re in the midst of an intense stretch of revising. It conjures up the idea of isolation and cutting yourself off from society, which may or may not be a mentally sound practice but is what many of us writers feel the need to do in order to dig deep with revisions and

Get.

Them.

Done.

It helps your imaginary world come alive if you can dim the noise in your real world.

But you know, I’m not so keen on the idea of a cave. Caves are spooky and dark. I’d be too twitchy about bats and spiders to get any real work done. And bears and snakes too, now that I think about it. Plus, caves are chilly. The chills can be countered with a campfire, but that would just up the spooky factor with all those shadows cast by flickering flames. And I don’t know how wise it is to have a fire source so convenient when you are working with the fragile and temperamental process of revising. Crumpled paper in a trash can is an impulse that can be taken back. Not so much with a fire.

This is where I've been and where I'm at right now, immersed in finishing up a last draft of a novel before I'm ready to send it out into the world to test its fates. But rather than considering it the Cave of Revision, I'm calling it the Cabana of Revision.

You too can have your own Cabana of Revision, compliments of Modern Cabana.

The Cabana of Revision is a well-lit, tranquil spot, similarly remote like a cave, but with air conditioning and heating. (Indoor plumbing too--I didn’t think about that before. Another downside to the cave.) Screens on the windows keep the bugs out and the breeze in. There’s a calming view of the ocean, a clean desk, a shelf with my reference books, and a jar chock full of self-restraint to keep me from going online too often. Every so often my husband rows over from Reality with the dog and cat to help me maintain my sanity (too late. . . ), and remind me of all the good stuff I’m missing out on so I’m encouraged to finish up the revisions and lock up the cabana until next time.

So, if you’ve noticed my blog posts have been less frequent than usual, and there has been a lull in Creative Spaces interviews, this is why. I’ve retreated to the cabana of revisions. Regularly posted interviews and more fiddle faddle from me will resume shortly. I hope you’ll be patient with me in the meantime.

Okay, I’m stepping back in the cabana. Hope to see you back here soon!

Light and Round Project Picks for August

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn (From the Mixed-Up Files)) — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 23:54:00 +0000

Welcome to the (now monthly) roundup of the Light and Round Project! I'm squeaking this one in the last gasps of August. Phew!

If this is your first time hearing about the Light and Round Project and you want to know more, visit this post for a full explanation or click on "Light and Round Project" under my header.

I'm now gathering recommendations for September's list! Please email suggestions (and links to your reviews if you have them) to me at fromthemixedupfiles (at) gmail (dot) com. These would be books geared for teenagers that you think the average person would consider not too violent, dark, or edgy.

Here are the August recommendations:

A la Carte by Tanita Davis, recommended by Ebony Elizabeth Thomas, Assistant Professor at Wayne State University. "Seventeen-year-old Lainey dreams of becoming a world famous chef one day and maybe even having her own cooking show. (Do you know how many African American female chefs there aren’t? And how many vegetarian chefs have their own shows? The field is wide open for stardom!) But when her best friend—and secret crush—suddenly leaves town, Lainey finds herself alone in the kitchen. With a little help from Saint Julia (Child, of course), Lainey finds solace in her cooking as she comes to terms with the past and begins a new recipe for the future.”

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins, recommended by Judith Ridge, Western Sydney Young People's Literature Officer. “Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris - until she meets Etienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.”

As Easy As Falling Off the Face of the Earth by Lynn Rae Perkins, recommended by Monica Edinger of Educating Alice. “It’s summer vacation and 15-year-old Ry is on a train headed west to archaeology camp while his parents sail the Caribbean in their boat and his grandfather keeps an eye on the dogs in their new home. Or not. For as the story begins, Ry, having walked away from the stalled train to make a quick cellphone call, watches as it leaves without him — stranding him in the “strange eroded hills” of Montana and on a whole new path.”

Criss Cross by Lynn Rae Perkins, recommended by Monica Edinger of Educating Alice. “As the title and caption imply, this story reads like a series of intersecting vignettes--all focused on 14-year-old Debbie and her friends as they leave childhood behind.”

Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn, recommended by Judith Ridge, Western Sydney Young People's Literature Officer. “ ‘I’ve left some clues for you. If you want them, turn the page. If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.’ So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the New York Times bestselling authors of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York?”

Flipped by Wendelin Van Draneen, recommended by Jen Simms. "The first time she saw him, she flipped. The first time he saw her, he ran. That was the second grade, but not much has changed by the seventh. She says: 'My Bryce. Still walking around with my first kiss.' He says: 'It’s been six years of strategic avoidance and social discomfort.' But in the eighth grade everything gets turned upside down. And just as he’s thinking there’s more to her than meets the eye, she’s thinking that he’s not quite all he seemed."

Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith. (My recommendation.) "All Ida Mae Jones wants to do is fly. Her daddy was a pilot, and years after his death she feels closest to him when she's in the air. But as a young black woman in 1940s Louisiana, she knows the sky is off limits to her, until America enters World War II, and the Army forms the WASP - Women Airforce Service Pilots. Ida has a chance to fulfill her dream if she's willing to use her light skin to pass as a white girl. She wants to fly more than anything, but Ida soon learns that denying one's self and family is a heavy burden, and ultimately it's not what you do but who you are that's most important."

48 Shades of Brown by Nick Earls, recommended by Judith Ridge, Western Sydney Young People's Literature Officer. “Australian teenager Dan Bancroft had a choice to make: go to Geneva with his parents for a year, or move into a house with his bass-playing aunt Jacq and her friend Naomi. He chose Jacq’s place, and his life will never be the same. This action-packed and laugh-out-loud-funny novel navigates Dan’s chaotic world of calculus, roommates, birds, and love.”

Gender Blender by Blake Nelson, recommended by Sharon Levin. Sharon is well known for giving booktalks to young readers and notes that this is her “cheat” booktalk. She says, “With everything else I use my own words, for Gender Blender, I only need to use the jacket copy and the kids are instantly interested.” Bet you’re curious about that jacket copy now, right? All right, here you go: “Emma: Wants Jeff Matthews to notice her. Hates sexist boys. Wonders when she’ll get her period. Tom: Must avoid looking like a wuss. Must deal with his blended family. Must get a chance with Kelly A. Then something freaky happens: Emma and Tom switch bodies. And until they can find a remedy: Emma: Can’t believe she has a . . . thingie. Hates mean girls. Finds out secondhand that her period has arrived. Tom: Must learn to put on a bra. Must deal with an overachieving family. Must not be alone with Jeff Matthews.”

Heist Society by Ally Carter, recommended by Julie Dahlhauser, librarian at Haywood High School. “It's deliciously escapist, with beautiful, rich, clever people and gorgeous locales. There are villains and peril and adventures, but it's all so much fun. Sort of Ocean's Eleven for teens.”

How Angel Peterson Got His Name by Gary Paulsen, recommended by Sharon Levin. “Paulsen accounts for his 13th year ‘of wonderful madness’ when he and his friends tried to shoot a waterfall in a barrel, break the world record for speed on skis, hang glide with an Army surplus parachute, and perform other daredevilish stunts. Readers will be drawn to the term "extreme sports" but the story is more accurately one generation's version of homemade fun in the days following the Korean War when ‘radio was king’ and the great outdoors served as the playground.”

Lost Years of Merlin series by T. A. Barron, recommended by Elizabeth Varadan. "There has never been a magic like Merlin’s, and T. A. Barron reveals how the legend was born in his adventure-loving five-book epic featuring the heroic young wizard and his unforgettable band."

Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco Stork, recommended by Ebony Elizabeth Thomas, Assistant Professor at Wayne State University. "A love story and legal drama that received five starred reviews and multiple honors. . . . Reminiscent of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time in the intensity and purity of its voice, this extraordinary novel is a love story, a legal drama, and a celebration of the music each of us hears inside.”

Sequins, Secrets, and Silver Linings by Sophia Bennett, recommended by Trisha of The YA YA YAs. "If you’re looking for something light and fun, substantial enough that it won’t be quickly forgotten or feel disposable without being heavy, and is simply a huge pleasure to read, I highly recommend this. It’s the closest thing to Steve Kluger's My Most Excellent Year that I’ve read since My Most Excellent Year."

Stuff by Jeremy Strong. “Stuff is the nickname of our hero, Simon (because he knows a lot of weird stuff). Stuff's parents have split up, and his dad has brought back a new step-mum (the Sherry Trifle), a step-sister (the awful Natasha) and a radical feminist rabbit called Pankhurst (she only attacks men - spooky). In Stuff's own words, here is how he tries (and fails) to run away from home. How he tries to get off with the beautiful Sky, and dump girlfriend Delfine (without being beaten up by her psycho brother). In fact, how to get through life as a teenage boy.”

Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson. (My recommendation.) "Scarlett Martin has grown up in a most unusual way. Her family owns the Hopewell, a small hotel in the heart of New York City. Her nineteen-year-old brother, Spencer, is an out of work actor facing a family deadline to get his career in order. Eighteen-year-old Lola has the delicate looks of a model, the practical nature of a nurse, and a wealthy society boyfriend. Eleven-year-old Marlene is the family terror with a tragic past. When the Martins turn fifteen, they are each expected to take over the care of a suite in the once elegant, now shabby Art Deco hotel. For Scarlett's fifteenth birthday, she gets both a room called the Empire Suite, and a permanent guest named Mrs. Amberson. Scarlett doesn't quite know what to make of this C-list starlet, world traveler, and aspiring autobiographer who wants to take over her life. And when she meets Eric, an astonishingly gorgeous actor who has just moved to the city, her summer takes a second unexpected turn."

Ten Miles Past Normal by Frances O'Roark Dowell, recommended by Trisha of The YA YA YAs. "When Janie was nine, she thought it would be fun to live on a farm and raise goats, and told her parents so. Of all ideas for her parents to take seriously, why did it have to be this? Okay, the goat farm was fun for a couple of years. Until Janie started high school and the goats became a huge source of embarrassment. There was the hay in her hair incident, the rash on her legs, and, most recently, the goat poop on her shoe that stunk up the entire school bus. All Janie wants now is to be normal."

The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett, recommended by Janice Del Negro. “Still makes me laugh out loud, even after repeated readings.” From the publisher: “A nightmarish danger threatens from the other side of reality . . . Armed with only a frying pan and her common sense, young witch-to-be Tiffany Aching must defend her home against the monsters of Fairyland. Luckily she has some very unusual help: the local Nac Mac Feegle—aka the Wee Free Men—a clan of fierce, sheep-stealing, sword-wielding, six-inch-high blue men. Together they must face headless horsemen, ferocious grimhounds, terrifying dreams come true, and ultimately the sinister Queen of the Elves herself. . . ."

A Peek at the Creative Space of Linda Ashman

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn (From the Mixed-Up Files)) — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 17:14:00 +0000

I'm happy to welcome part two of the duo behind No Dogs Allowed! and one of my personal favorite picture book writers, Linda Ashman. Linda is the author of numerous critically acclaimed picture books including Babies on the Go, To the Beach, M is for Mischief, Creaky Old House, Stella Unleashed, When I Was King, and many more.

Her most recent title, No Dogs Allowed!, was published this month (Kristin Sorra, the illustrator, shared her workspace with us last week). Kirkus Reviews said, "Ashman's concept is both sophisticated and delightful." No Dogs Allowed! is a nearly wordless picture book. You may be wondering how one writes a nearly wordless picture book and if so, you're in luck! Linda has shared the story behind creating this book here.

I had the pleasure of taking a weekend-long master class with Linda Ashman recently. Not only was the weekend inspiring and left me with a brain full of practical tips for writing picture books, but we heard a preview of another of Linda's soon-to-be published books, Samantha on a Roll. This is a fun, delightful story of a young girl determined to try out her new roller skates. Samantha on a Roll will be published in October in addition to Linda's third 2011 picture book release, The Twelve Days of Christmas in Colorado.

To learn more about Linda Ashman, visit her website.

Describe your workspace.

My office is a small room at the back of our 1919 bungalow in Denver, with windows on three sides overlooking the garden. There's a desk, sofa, bookcase, and a couple of tables. I've got a vintage poster and framed illustrations from old picture books on the walls and, often, a dog sprawled out on the floor. (That's Sammy in the picture.)

I like to move around, though. Probably my favorite place to work is our breakfast room, where I can spread everything out on the table. Plus it's closer to the coffee.

Other times, when I need a change of scenery, I like to work in the dining room. I don't normally have roses on the table, though that would be nice. These were a gift from our neighbor.

When I really need a change of pace, I go to the Peet's Coffee shop not far from my home. My son Jackson and I just biked over there today, in fact. Here he is, reading.

Describe a typical workday.

During the summer when Jackson's home from school, there's no such thing. I work in fits and starts on whatever is most pressing. During the school year, though, my work hours are more consistent. The alarm goes off at 5:40 am, and after the morning off-to-school hubbub subsides, I get started. I'm not the kind of person who writes every day, and I'm not a good multitasker. So if I'm working on a story, I'll spend most of the day on that, to the exclusion of everything else. Once the story's done, I take care of all the things I neglected when I was writing--catching up on emails, preparing for workshops, doing administrative stuff, reviewing sketches, updating my website, etc. And, most days, I get some sort of exercise--either riding the stationary bicycle or going for a walk.

List three of your most favorite things in your workspace and why they are meaningful.

1. My books. We have bookshelves in other rooms of the house, but I keep a very limited selection of favorites here. Many are about living thoughtfully, simply and/or sanely in a crazy world, by people I consider very wise: Thomas Moore, Karen Armstrong, Sue Monk Kidd, Carl Jung, Robert Benson, Thich Nhat Hanh, and others. Some are favorite writing books, like Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird. And then there are books my parents had that I loved as a kid, like the 1943 editions of Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights with the very dark and brooding engravings by Fritz Eichenberg (so spooky and romantic!), or the Illustrated Treasury of Children's Literature, published in 1955, filled with stories, poems, and gorgeous illustrations from the early 1900s.

2. Framed photos of my husband, son, and other family members. Great reminders of the things that really matter (and especially comforting on the days when there's disappointing publishing news).

3. The windows. First, because of the beautiful woodwork, which my husband painstakingly stripped (it was pink when we moved in). And, second, because I love being able to look out at the garden which, really, is my favorite place to work.

Do you have any rituals in your work habits? If so, describe them.

I like to begin each work day by reading at random from one of the inspirational books on my bookcase. I confess this really is more of an aspiration than a ritual, but on the days I do it, I feel much more centered and productive.

What do you listen to while you work?

Dogs barking, including our own Sammy and Stella. Lawn mowers. Leaf blowers. Birds. Cars. The occasional siren. Construction. But no music--too distracting.

What is your drink and/or snack of choice while you’re working?

Black coffee and a sweet of some sort, preferably a muffin, scone, or chocolate chip cookies.

What keeps you focused while you’re working?

Coffee and sugar help. That, and knowing that I have a very small window of work time each day while Jackson's at school.

Do you write longhand, on a computer, or another way?

I always start with a pen and paper, but once I've scribbled down some ideas, I switch to my laptop. I do most of my writing on the computer, but then print a bazillion drafts so I can revise on paper.

How do you develop your story ideas? Do you use an outline, let the muse lead you, or another technique?

I've got file folders full of story ideas, usually just a line or two scribbled on a scrap of paper, that I pull out when I'm starting something new. Most of the time I know how the story begins, and have some idea of how it ends, but I'm never quite sure how I'm going to get there. Since I typically write in verse, one of the first things I need to figure out is the rhythm and rhyme pattern, because that often shapes the direction of the story.

If you were forced to share your workspace but could share it with anyone of your choosing, who would it be?

My husband Jack. We're good at being quiet together, and he's an honest (but gentle) critic. Plus he makes excellent muffins and chocolate chip cookies.

What is the best piece of writing advice you’ve heard or received?

Fifteen years ago, soon after I started writing, I heard Karen Cushman speak at the SCBWI national conference in Los Angeles, where we lived at the time. I'm not sure if she offered any particular writing advice, but I found her personal story incredibly inspiring. She was around 50, with two master's degrees, when she started writing, and had won a Newbery or two by the time I heard her speak. Since I was 35, with a couple of careers (and a recently-completed master's degree) behind me, it was really reassuring to hear that it wasn't too late to start over.

Around the same time, I received the best nuts-and-bolts advice for picture book writers, which I've shared many times. Get a bunch of really good picture books from the library, preferably recent ones. Type the words into the computer, noting page breaks as you go. Do a word count. This is an excellent way to see how few words there are in picture books, and to get a sense of structure, pacing, and language. I still do this exercise and still find it really valuable.

A Peek at the Creative Space of Kristin Sorra

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn (From the Mixed-Up Files)) — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 15:44:00 +0000

Joining us today for Creative Spaces is illustrator Kristin Sorra. Kristin is the illustrator of numerous books including Groundhog Weather School (written by Joan Holub), King o' the Cats (written by Aaron Shepard), the "Friends with Disabilities" series (My Friend has Down Syndrome, My Friend has Autism, written by Amanda Doering Tourville), and the early reader chapter books Waltur Paints Himself Into a Corner and Waltur Buys a Pig in a Poke (written by Barbara Gregorich).

Her latest book, out in stores this week, is No Dogs Allowed!, written by Linda Ashman. From the publisher:

Welcome to Alberto's restaurant. . . unless you're a dog, a cat, a bunny, or ANYTHING with fur, feathers, or scales!

The entertainment escalates in this nearly wordless picture book as more and more people arrive with a surprising selection of pets. Alberto turns them all away--only to see the crowd discover a friendlier alternative in the festive street. Will Alberto find a way to win them back?

Publisher's Weekly wrote, "Sorra (King o' the Cats) captures the city's sophistication, as well as the contrast between the smartly dressed children and their wacky pets. . . . Elegant storytelling fun comes with the extra satisfaction that derives from having to use visual clues to figure out what's happened."

To learn more about Kristin Sorra visit her website or her blog. And now let's take a peek inside her creative space!

Describe your workspace.

I guess you could say it's pretty eclectic. I've been living here for just over a year so I guess you could also say it's a work in progress! My space takes up half of the large living room area of the apartment which I share with my husband, baby daughter, and our dog. I also occupy an extra room for painting, sewing, and sculpting. I fill my workspaces with illustrations I like, paintings, and fun tchotchkes for inspiration. I keep flat files, some modern mid-century pieces as well as antiques that house my materials. I like the homey, tactile feel of my space. Of course, in the middle of it all are my computers, scanner, and printers.

Describe a typical workday.

I'm a new mom, so my work routine is broken up throughout the day, when I have time to myself. Basically that means I'm up by 6:30 and for most of the morning I'm tending to my 7 month old daughter, having breakfast and checking email until her morning nap at around 9. Depending on how much work I have gotten done the night before, during her first long nap I'll nap myself or get a good amount of work done. Same goes for her afternoon nap. But the bulk of my work happens in the evening, around 6:30 or 7, when she's down for the night. I'm lucky she's an excellent sleeper! During the day I'm outside walking around our quaint little neighborhood doing errands with the dog and baby in tow.

What media do you use and which is your favorite?

I use Photoshop with a Wacom tablet and pen to illustrate. Sketches are done by hand still, though sometimes I will sketch directly in Photoshop. It's an amazing program that allows me to do some pretty cool things with my work in a short amount of time, but I have to say I do prefer hand painting. I used to use oils regularly but found it difficult to make short deadlines with it. So I discovered a way to recreate my oil painting in Photoshop. I've learned to embrace the digital medium and it's many advantages, but I do miss getting messy!

List three of your most favorite things in your workspace and why they are meaningful.

1) A little sculpted penguin a friend of mine made for me on my birthday in my "likeness"—she has a black ponytail—and my logo on her shirt. My friend is a professional comic artist who taught me how to sculpt. I'm still a novice but he got me hooked. My husband surprised me with it on my birthday one year. It was truly something special and unique.

2) A copy of The Little Prince, a gift from my 6th grade classmates that was given to me after my remission from leukemia (and yes, well, that's another story which clearly had a happy ending). Inside it's filled with welcome back greetings from all of them. It reminds me of how strong I can be and how art has always been there for me for comfort, and how I've always been encouraged to create by family, friends, and peers alike.

3) My mid-century Goodform industrial work chair, because I have to sit in it sometimes for hours at a time, and while it creaks, it feels substantial and comfy.

Do you have any rituals in your work habits? If so, describe them.

I can't really say that I do now. If I'm just starting a project or am stuck with a piece, I like to gather inspiration from blogs or books or whatever will help me get the creative juices flowing. For the most part, though, it's just open up the file and "paint" away. When I painted by hand, I used to have a whole painting prep ritual I enjoyed.

Kristin's printed work.

What do you listen to while you work?

Depends on my mood. I'll listen to talk radio like Howard on Sirius/XM or Alexis and Jennifer and like to laugh or just zone out with a good interview or conversation. Audiobooks are also terrific and so are my trusty iTunes.

What is your drink and/or snack of choice while you’re working?

Coffee, water, an apple and/or popcorn, coffee.

What keeps you focused while you’re working?

A deadline.

What aspect of illustrating do you find most challenging and why?

I find composing the piece so it's visually interesting a challenge, and that's basically the planning stage, the most important stage. I like to distort perspective and try to find interesting shapes in common objects, creating off-kilter compositions. It requires lots of problem solving when doing it well. I find that if the initial sketch composition isn't working, the final piece will suffer.

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 also an artist and we actually used to share a space when we had a comic book coloring business. Now we pursue very different disciplines but we are each other's best fan and critic.

What is the best piece of illustrating advice you’ve heard or received?

Two things stand out equally for me. Though I'll say number one is most important, I think the second is important enough to share.

1) Draw, draw, draw.

2) Never get emotionally attached to your work. It frees you to see it more objectively and to grow creatively. That being said, I like to keep old pieces around that remind me of personal, creative milestones.

Winner of Sass and Serendipity!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn (From the Mixed-Up Files)) — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 22:18:00 +0000

A name has been drawn out of a hat and. . .

Congratulations ROBYN!

You are the winner of Sass and Serendipity. Please email me with your mailing address and I will get the book in the mail to you as soon as possible!

A Peek at the Creative Space of JJ Johnson

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn (From the Mixed-Up Files)) — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 15:49:00 +0000

It's my pleasure to welcome author JJ Johnson to Creative Spaces today. JJ's debut novel, This Girl is Different, was published this spring by Peachtree Publishers. It was recently named as a 2011 Parents' Choice Silver Honor winner. Here is a brief synopsis:

Senior year is about to start, and Evie is starting at a mainstream high school for the first time. Until now, Evie has been homeschooled by her counter-culture mother, which gives her a view of the world unlike you average teenager.

High school is a social minefield, and Evie finds herself confronting new problems at every turn, failing to follow or even understand the rules. Mainly, she is disturbed to encounter teachers who abuse their power and discriminate against their own students. That's when Evie, her best friend Jacinda, and boyfriend Rajas start an anonymous blog to give the students a voice.

Eventually, the three lose control of the blog and a number of students and teachers are attacked through increasingly abusive and anonymous posts. Suddenly, Evie has accidentally gone from providing a forum for free speech to creating a place for online bullying--which is the last thing she wanted to do.

Kirkus Reviews said, "Outspoken Evie, with a voice so endearing and provocative that it will make readers pause often to think, quickly discovers in this witty debut that high school is full of biased rules, abuses of power and a lack of civil liberties. . . . Readers will never look at high school--or life--the same.”

To learn more about JJ Johnson visit her website.

Describe your workspace.

My workspace is my MacBook Air and an imaginary bubble surrounding me. As much as I’d love a home office with an antique desk, bookshelves, art, and dappled sunlight filtering through the windows, that is so not my reality. My house is too tiny for an office, and my daily obligations wouldn’t allow me to spend time there anyway. So I take my work—and my bubble—with me. I write in coffee shops, at my child’s school, the public library, the dining room table while kids light-saber duel around me.

Describe a typical workday.

Honestly, there’s no such thing. I grab time whenever and wherever I can. That said, I usually spend an hour or two on publicity stuff—website updates, interviews, Facebook, e-mails, etc—and when that’s done, I write for a couple of hours. That’s a good day. When I’m up against a hard deadline, though, all bets are off, and the house goes to pot, because I just have to get it done.

List three of your most favorite things in your workspace and why they are meaningful.

1. I have a sticker on my computer. It’s a stained-glass-ish painting of a kangaroo bounding in front of Uluru (Ayer’s Rock) in Australia. My family lived down under in 2009-2010, and the country there occupies a huge part of my heart. It’s a beautiful reminder that it’s a big world, and that I want to experience as much of it as I can.

2. A postcard of art by Shepard Fairey (2005) that says ‘Make Art Not War.’ It reminds me why I do what I do—because I want to live in a world where people create more than they consume, where art and human kindness are valued over profits and violence.

3. Taped inside my notebook is the Marge Piercy poem “For the young who want to”. The whole poem is great, but the last few lines really speak to me:

The real writer is one / who really writes. Talent / is an invention like phlogiston / after the fact of fire. / Work is its own cure. You have to / like it more than being loved.

To me, it means that your reasons for writing, your motivation, your validation, everything has come from within. By all means, accept critique from trusted friends and editors, but the rest of it you must block out. You can’t get distracted by rejections, bad reviews, or any of the other machinations of the publishing industry. “Work is its own cure.” If that’s true for you—if you can’t not write, then you write.

Do you have any rituals in your work habits? If so, describe them.

I make or buy a yummy drink and I clear off whatever table/couch/bench/rock where I’m sitting. I usually start with editing, so I’m not confronted immediately with the dreaded blank screen of a new chapter.

What do you listen to while you work?

I’ve never been able to listen to music when I work. I listen to the brown noise option from the sanity-saving SimplyNoise.com

What is your drink and/or snack of choice while you’re working?

Each of my novels has its own drink. This Girl is Different was iced coffee. Random was chai. The novel I’m currently writing is unsweetened iced tea. The drink becomes part of the ritual of focusing: make the drink, clear off the table, pop in the earbuds, take a sip, start writing. It becomes Pavlovian.

What keeps you focused while you’re working?

The white/brown noise helps. But it’s not an all-or-nothing venture; when I need a little break, I check Facebook or email, or I get up and walk around. I’m not a machine or anything. Really it just comes down to one basic question: Do you want to be an author, or don’t you? A writer is someone who writes. It’s that simple.

Do you write longhand, on a computer, or another way?

I generally start off a novel by writing notes longhand, although I dread doing so and kick and scream all the way. Then I put it in the computer—I use Scrivener, which is the best novel-writing software known to humans—and off I go.

How do you develop your story ideas? Do you use an outline, let the muse lead you, or another technique?

The writer Robert Olen Butler says everything you experience goes into a compost heap—everything you think and do and see and feel gets thrown in there, and breaks down into rich, fertile soil. That’s what you grow your novels in.

I’ve learned to respect the time it takes to think up a novel. A few months of busy daydreaming—repainting the house, teaching myself to reupholster furniture—that’s when stories coalesce. My house is filled with things I’ve made while "baking" my novels.

This painting of trees--eucalypts on the right, blending toward north american deciduous on the left, (24 x 36” acrylic)--is a product of my busy daydreaming while "baking" a novel.

When I’m ready, I start scribbling notes in my notebook. Then I take to the computer and get to page 50 or 100, and THEN I realize I probably should have made an outline. So I go back and write each scene on a sticky note and plot out a huge mind-map, which gets taped to the dining room wall for a while.

The map of my current novel. It’s approximately 3x5 feet of newsprint, and the stickies are color-coded. Chartreuse = scenes & plot points (it’s an escalating plot, you can tell by the shape of the line), Blue = "bad guys", Purple = surprises & plot twists, Pink = details to remember and character traits. Bottom right corner is a list of major themes. I’ve fuzzed the writing out because my editor would kill me if I gave away secrets!

If you were forced to share your workspace but could share it with anyone of your choosing, who would it be?

I’m constantly forced to share my workspace, and I can tell you who I LEAST like sharing it with: ice cube rattlers, cell-phone talkers, compulsive pen-clickers, and heavy sighers. Anyone else I can pretty much deal with.

What is the best piece of writing advice you’ve heard or received?

A fellow author once told me, “Your words are medicine for someone out there.” On bad days, that keeps me going. Find what keeps you going. And may the Force be with you.

Guest Post with Jennifer Ziegler (and a giveaway!)

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn (From the Mixed-Up Files)) — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Here's some Friday fun for you: A guest post from author Jennifer Ziegler! Jennifer is the author of Alpha Dog, How Not to Be Popular, and her latest is Sass and Serendipity, out in stores now. Sass and Serendipity is a tribute to both Jennifer's sister and Jane Austen's novel Sense and Sensibility, which celebrates its 200th anniversary this year.

And to kick the fun meter up a notch, we're giving away a copy of Sass and Serendipity! Comment on this post to enter yourself to win. Tweet, Facebook, or blog this post link for additional entries. (Let me know in the comments which you do.) You have until next Tuesday to enter, and I'll announce the randomly drawn winner on Wednesday.

In keeping with my Creative Spaces theme, Jennifer Ziegler shares some thoughts on writing in the wild (away from home).

SPACING OUT--WHEN THE WORLD IS YOUR OFFICE

I write in many places. I have to. With the demands of motherhood, jobs, home ownership and assorted life stresses, my schedule changes as much as a Central Texas weather forecast. Throw in a major house reorganization, and writing time becomes as hard to come by as, well, rain in Central Texas.

Whether the problem is noise, interruptions, or being constantly on the go, I’ve had to get creative with my creative spaces. Here is a quick tour of my home offices away from home office:

My favorite coffeehouses or branch libraries. Both are good options for when I want to escape the distractions of my desk phone, needy family members, or dirty dishes and other ignored tasks. The upside to libraries is that they contain research material and librarians. However, sometimes I find them too quiet. The upside to coffeehouses is that they contain caffeinated products and snacks. However sometimes I find them too noisy. Being out in public can also inhibit me. I often pantomime scenes to make sure I get the movements just right, but I’m never sure how a roomful of people would react to seeing me make out with an invisible guy.

Outdoors. Sometimes the best way for me to break out of writer’s block is to break out of the four walls of my home. Occasionally I will spread out a quilt beneath our pecan tree and write with a notebook balanced on top of my knees – just like I used to do when I was eleven years old. Perhaps replicating my youth helps the creativity flow. Perhaps substituting the chirps and buzzes of electronics with those of birds and cicadas is what does it. The advantages: sunshine, fresh air, no internet. Disadvantages: mosquitoes, extreme temperatures, no internet.

My Toyota. I discovered this option when my children would fall asleep in the car and I didn’t want to risk moving them to their beds. My kids don’t nap anymore, but I still sometimes use the “auto office” while waiting outside their school or theater camp. This is what I do: I raise the seat and push it back as far as it can go. Then I stack books and/or magazines on my lap to create a desk. (I do know that there are such things as lap desks, but I’ve never bought one. I always have things handy that work just as well – which will tell you just how messy my car is.) After that, I open the windows for a cross breeze, set the radio to a classical station, and I’m ready to work! It’s amazing how productive I can be. There’s something about being in a confined space that allows me to really focus.

Other people’s houses. I should start a non-profit. I should create flyers that read “Will house sit for free!” Instead of money, people could just give me a key and the code to their modem. I’ll even water their plants and feed their pets. I wrote sections of each of my three books in the homes of vacationing pals, and I have to say this could be the best alternate workspace of all. Privacy and the comforts of home without the distractions. Plus, I don’t feel too much at ease – not to the point where I convince myself that instead of revising Chapter Six, I should open a bag of Sun Chips and watch Ellen.

Thanks for stopping by, Jennifer! You can catch more with Jennifer Ziegler tomorrow (Saturday, July 16) at Mundie Moms.

A Peek at the Creative Space of Elizabeth Schoonmaker

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn (From the Mixed-Up Files)) — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 20:24:00 +0000

Joining us today is author and illustrator Elizabeth Schoonmaker. She is sharing not one but two creative spaces with us. Her indoor space where she creates her illustrations and her outdoor space where she creates. . . well, you'll just have to scroll to the end of the interview to see.

Square Cat, her picture book debut, is in bookstores now:

"Eula is the only square cat in town. Everything that normal cats do is hard for her--she can't get her square paw into mouseholes, she can't wear her favorite circle skirt, and all of her friends are round! Eula is sad until her two best friends show her how well a square cat can fit into this round world."

Elizabeth got the idea for Eula one day after she finished a sketch of her cat Stanleigh, who is a round cat:

Soon after, Eula the Square Cat was born:

You can learn more about Elizabeth Schoonmaker here, and you can learn more about Eula the Square Cat on her website and blog.

Describe your workspace.

My workspace is on the second floor of my home, perched on a hillside in rural upstate New York. I work at an old oval table placed perfectly for natural light and continuous looking out of the window.

Describe a typical workday.

I like to draw and paint in the morning. I work from eight to eleven followed by a three-mile walk. I love my walks. They energize my mind and my body, and reward me with ideas and directions. After lunch I write, keeping in mind the images of the day. Then it is supper, a bit of relaxation, music, books, movies, and sleep. My work is always with me.

What media do you use and which is your favorite?

I work in pencil, oil, watercolors, graphite, pen and ink, gouache, and luma ink on a variety of surfaces. I love materials. Hand to utensil to medium to paper is a lovely experience.

List three of your most favorite things in your workspace and why they are meaningful.

(1) My Table (covered with my cut marks, paint, and memories); (2) My plate of watercolors, which have become little castles nestled together on a plate like a faraway island; and (3) My many magnifiers. (They really help me see better!)

Do you have any rituals in your work habits? If so, describe them.

Keeping with my Dutch last name Schoonmaker, which means cleaner in Dutch, I do like a clean and organized work area. I always clean before I work.

What do you listen to while you work?

The hum of my refrigerator.

One of Elizabeth's oil paintings.

What is your drink and/or snack of choice while you’re working?

Green tea with honey from the bees my family keeps.

What keeps you focused while you’re working?

The pure excitement and joy of experiencing all of the basic elements of paintings and drawing coming to life.

What aspect of illustrating do you find most challenging and why?

For me, making the dummy book is the easiest aspect of developing a picture book, but I find it very challenging to keep the spontaneity of the dummy book in the finished book.

Do you write longhand, on a computer, or another way?

I write longhand notes and compose on a computer.

How do you develop your story ideas? Do you use an outline, let the muse lead you, or another technique?

I develop most all of my story lines on my walks. I then sketch first and add the words later.

If you were forced to share your workspace but could share it with anyone of your choosing, who would it be?

I would eagerly invite George and Martha, magnificently created by the late James Marshall, to my studio. I am one of their lifelong fans.

What is the best piece of writing/illustrating advice you’ve heard or received?

“Write and illustrate what you know.” Wise words of wisdom well received from my two darling daughters.

P.S. This is my outside creative space where I use nature’s finest willows and wild grapevines to make magical roadside attractions for all to enjoy.

A Change to the Roundup. . .

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn (From the Mixed-Up Files)) — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 23:21:00 +0000

Well, book-loving friends, I'm finding it a bit difficult to keep up the pace with posting both a weekly interview and a weekly book roundup, and it's only going to get more difficult for me in the near future as I have a writing retreat and a family vacation coming up. But I do want to continue the roundups so I've decided to change it to a monthly feature. Please keep your recommendations coming and I will include them in the August roundup.

But while we're on this topic, my friend Katherine alerted me to an NPR discussion that took place today between Megan Cox Gurdon (who wrote the original article that prompted my response in the form of the Light and Round Project) and YA author Lauren Myracle. There was also an additional discussion today with the original article writer and YA author Maureen Johnson. Both definitely worth listening to.

A Peek at the Creative Space of Michelle Ray

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn (From the Mixed-Up Files)) — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 16:00:00 +0000

Joining us today for Creative Spaces is author Michelle Ray. Her debut YA novel, Falling for Hamlet, was recently published. Falling for Hamlet is a modern retelling of Shakespeare's play told from Ophelia's point of view:

Meet Ophelia, high school senior, daughter of the Danish king’s most trusted adviser, and longtime girlfriend of Prince Hamlet. She lives a glamorous life, has a royal social circle, and her beautiful face is splashed across magazines and TV. But it comes with a price -- her life is dominated not only by Hamlet’s fame and his overbearing royal family but also by the paparazzi who hound them wherever they go.

After the sudden and suspicious death of his father, the king, Hamlet spirals dangerously toward madness, and Ophelia finds herself torn between loyalty to her boyfriend, her father, her country, and her true self.

Michelle is a contributor to Emu's Debuts where she's written about the creation of her book cover and the conundrum of planning a themed launch party for a book that centers on revenge, madness, and murder. To learn more about Michelle you can find her on Facebook as "Michelle Ray writer" or visit her website. And if you live in the southern California area, you can learn more about Michelle in person on July 18 when she'll be at Book Soup in West Hollywood at 7pm.

The butt imprint in the couch (covered by my laptop in the picture) proves that I put in the hours, but I don’t have a classic writer’s area.

Describe your workspace.

My workspace is a couch nestled between the kitchen and Barbie’s Funhouse. Sigh. Some writers I know have lovely rooms devoted to their work with natural light and inspiring art around them. My workspace is the hub of our house--the sitting room that seconds as a playroom. It has French doors that I sometimes close to block out the dulcet tones of Arthur and High School Musical. But everyone walks in while I’m working. Everyone. Constant interruption. My husband has gotten used to my scowls as he walks in to ask a question, but as he rightly says, “It’s hard to know when you’re working and when you’re just on Facebook.” Fair enough. But often I AM working, and because I’m in the middle of the house, the interruptions are frequent.

Writing wasn’t a regular part of my life when we moved in five years ago, so we didn’t set aside a space for it. Even if I had a separate place, I doubt I would be able to hide away and concentrate because I would still have to get someone a juice box or to change Barbie’s outfit. At least this way, the walk is that much shorter.

Describe a typical workday.

My typical workday begins at 5:45 a.m. when I get ready for my day job as a teacher. After classes and meetings and grading, I come home and have an hour or two before I pick up my kids from their aftercare program. In that time, I sometimes write, but usually I try to take care of other business (cooking dinner, checking email, writing a blog entry, napping, if I’m lucky). Family dinner is followed by homework, bath time, books, etc. My girls go to bed between 8 and 8:30, but they keep getting up! This is when my writing time begins, so if the trips out of bed are many, I get mighty peeved. Once I get writing, I might go until midnight (though I pay dearly the next day when I try to teach), or eleven o’clock, or even ten if my husband calls out that a new episode of Top Chef or How I Met Your Mother is on. It’s hard to balance all that I need and want to accomplish in a day, but I wouldn’t give up any of the things I do.

When I’m really into a project, it can be physically painful for me to have to wait so many hours to write. I’ve occasionally used a free period at school to write, but I have to make up that time later. I write in my mind during hall duty, when I’m driving, while cooking. Proctoring standardized tests is a terrific time to daydream about plot. But the number of hours I have to actually get my ideas on paper are few. I tend to be very efficient as a writer because of this. It shocks people how fast I can churn out pages.

List three of your most favorite things in your workspace and why they are meaningful.

My workspace, as I said, isn’t devoted to my work. It’s just a sitting room. However, I’ll tell you three things in it that I love.

1) We have a chair that’s supposed to be a pinto print, but everyone calls it “The Cow Chair.” It's comfortable and funny, and people fight to sit in it. Our old apartment was decorated with all kinds of foolish things, like retro Hawaiian ads, and was painted in crazy colors. When we bought our house, we decorated like grownups. Except for The Cow Chair. We let ourselves have one silly object.

2) A CD spinning rack that holds photos of four generations of family weddings. Great-grandma in a corset. Grandma in a flapper-ish gown. Mom in her Jackie O coat dress. My outdoor wedding.

3) A bookcase we’ve dragged cross-country twice. It holds photos, my husband’s history books (including the one he wrote), and my first novel, Falling for Hamlet.

Do you have any rituals in your work habits? If so, describe them.

Yelling at my kids to be quiet and just let Mommy work!

What do you listen to while you work?

Against my will: the TV across the house blaring some kids’ show or sports, someone playing with Barbie not five feet away (because she wants to be close, and I can’t refuse that!), and various other household noises.

By choice: Usually nothing. Though for my new project, I’ve been listening to Joshua Radin. Very mellow and romantic. It helps me tune out noise and focus on my characters.

What is your drink and/or snack of choice while you’re working?

Nothing. I’m always afraid I’m going to spill on my laptop, and when I write, I get so focused that I don’t stop for much of anything.

What keeps you focused while you’re working?

Knowing that I don’t have a lot of time.

Do you write longhand, on a computer, or another way?

My first manuscript was handwritten and I thought it was grand. But four notebooks later, I realized I was going to have to transfer them. I panicked, but faced it one page at a time. The next manuscript I wrote on the computer, and I’ll never go back. Now I even prefer editing on computer. My agent, editor, and I all use markup on the computer to get it done. It saves paper and space (I hate to throw printed drafts away), and is quicker.

How do you develop your story ideas? Do you use an outline, let the muse lead you, or another technique?

I’m working with an outline right now for the first time and it’s strange. I’ve never planned out a whole manuscript ahead of time. I usually have an idea for the climax or some big moment in the middle, then work my way from the beginning to that point and finish the rest. Falling for Hamlet had its own template, since it was Hamlet, but I left the script so often that it didn’t act as a perfect outline. The muse leads me here and there, though I do have big moments in mind from the beginning.

If you were forced to share your workspace but could share it with anyone of your choosing, who would it be?

My best friend, Lauren, would be great because she reads all my drafts anyway, she pushes me to write more to entertain her, and she gives killer foot rubs.

The better question is if I didn’t share my workspace with the family would I be more productive? Maybe not. When I have a lot of time alone, I tend to check email, Facebook, and search for snacks.

What is the best piece of writing advice you’ve heard or received?

Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird spoke to my early fears of how to keep going when I didn’t think I had enough to make a whole book, and then when the ideas were coming faster than I could write them down. She tells the story of her brother having to do a report on a variety of the birds. He was in a panic, so his mother told him he’d get it done “bird by bird.” It’s a great lesson on chipping away at a project and not letting oneself get overwhelmed.

The second is more about dealing with rejection and criticism. A couple of years ago, I was telling my friend Jimmy that I had been rejected by too many agents, and I was giving up on writing. He’s a successful composer/musician for television, and he pulled out his Blackberry and showed me criticism he’d gotten that day for some music he’d created. He said, “As the saying goes, opinions are like a**holes. Everyone has one.” That was when I decided to buck up and try again. And I did find an agent who sold my book at auction. I’m glad I didn’t give up.

Roundup #3! (Light and Round Project)

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn (From the Mixed-Up Files)) — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 20:07:00 +0000

Welcome to the weekly roundup of the Light and Round Project! If this is your first time hearing about it and you want to know more, visit this post for a full explanation or click on "Light and Round Project" under my header.

If you would like to recommend books for teenagers that you think the average person would consider not too violent, dark, or edgy, please email me at fromthemixedupfiles(at)gmail(dot)com with your suggestions and links to reviews if you have them.

Here is this week's list of recommendations:

Broken Soup by Jenny Valentine, recommended by Tammy Flanders of Apples With Many Seeds. “Rowan is handed a negative that she supposedly dropped, by a stranger. She knows it’s not hers but takes it anyways. The negative is of her brother who died two years prior. How can this be? The grief from her brother's death has unravelled her family. She's coping and juggling the pieces of her life while bit-by-bit the mystery of her brother comes to light. Though Jenny Valentine touches on death, grief, and teen issues none of it comes across as heavy. Great dialogue, humor, and a touch of mystery keep it real without melodrama.”

The Cardturner by Louis Sachar. (My recommendation.) I never thought I’d be recommending a book about playing bridge to teens, but I absolutely loved this book and think many young readers would too. It’s funny, poignant, has a dash of romance, lots of family intrigue and drama. The game of bridge comes alive as the highly strategic, competitive game that it is. For teens interested in playing poker or other card games, I think this novel will perk some interest in bridge too.

Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede, recommended by Rebecca of The Reading List. “My entire experience with Dealing with Dragons can be summed up with that word: fun. The plot was suitably thick, the wit was quick, new and unexpected characters were delightful, and I am very much looking forward to reading the rest of the series.”

Fairy Bad Day by Amanda Ashby, reviewed by Kelsey of The Book Scout. “This was my second novel by Amanda Ashby (the first was Zombie Queen of Newbury High) and I can't wait to see what's next for her. Her novels are always full of fun action, sweet romance, and unique paranormal creatures. Fairy Bad Day did not disappoint in that regard and I had a hard time putting it down.”

Finding Violet Parks by Jenny Valentine, recommended by Tammy Flanders of Apples With Many Seeds. “Lucas comes across a funerary urn for a woman named Violet Parks in the office of a taxi cab company in London. He feels an immediate connection and can’t stop thinking about who Violet was and why no one has claimed her ashes. Lucas decides to investigate her story and along the way we step inside his life with a missing father, preoccupied mother, rebellious sister, ailing grandfather and perhaps, guidance from Violet herself. Great build up and resolution. This British import was reissued in the U.S. as Me, the Missing and the Dead.”

Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs, reviewed by Kelsey of The Book Scout. “Forgive My Fins was a sweet and enjoyable read, that definitely left me wanting to read more of Tera Lynn Child's novels.”

The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross, recommended by Rebecca of The Reading List. “Kady Cross vividly describes the London of her imagination. With automatons performing household tasks and tiny portable telegraph machines that are basically the Victorian version of texting (clever!), as well as potent descriptions of odors and atmospheres, it was easy to fall into the story.”

The Lucky Kind by Alyssa B. Scheinmel, reviewed by Liz of A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy. “And here is one of the reasons I adore this book, and Sheinmel’s writing and choices. This is not 'and then the disillusioned teen drugged, drank, and violently acted out in all sorts of gritty ways.' No! This is much more true to life, much more real.”

Mistress of the Storm by M. L. Welsh, reviewed by Charlotte of Charlotte’s Library. “An immensely satisfying adventure, of the sort that has tons of appeal both for the young reader and for those of us adults who still turn to children's books for our own reading pleasure!”

Sean Griswold's Head by Lindsey Levitt, recommended by Katherine. “When Payton needs to focus on something other than her father's life-changing diagnosis of M.S. she tries to focus on. . . Sean Griswold's head. And then she finds that focusing on Sean helps her focus on a lot of other things too, like bike riding, family, and maybe even love.”

Starcrossed by Elizabeth C. Bunce. (My recommendation.) A high-fantasy adventure about Digger, a female thief on the run who escapes by joining a group of young nobility sailing out of her town. She takes on the role of ladies’ maid, thinking it will temporarily serve her fugitive purposes, only to find herself trapped in a snowbound castle and blackmailed into spywork and thievery against the people she is reluctantly beginning to consider friends. Digger's world is ruled by an intolerant monarchy that is persecuting people for differing religious beliefs, so there is some violence and serious themes are addressed. But it's not what I would personally consider a dark or edgy novel. Everything was handled in a way that upped the tension, fleshed out the world in a realistic way, and made it the action-packed, suspenseful read that it is.

Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter, reviewed by Emily of Emily’s Reading Room. “This book has just the right amounts of so many things that I love in fiction: travel, suspense, witty dialogue, interesting characters, and romance. The whole plot just blends together so nicely, and suddenly you are sucked into this world that you so much wish could be real. Because, how much fun would it be to re-steal some of the world's most valuable art?”

This Week Only . . .

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn (From the Mixed-Up Files)) — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 20:42:00 +0000

The Light and Round Project roundup will be moved to Friday. I'm out of town where a slow internet connection and sluggish laptop have conspired against me. Check back Friday for the latest recommendations!

A Peek at the Creative Space of Farhana Zia

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn (From the Mixed-Up Files)) — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Joining us today for Creative Spaces is Farhana Zia, the author of Hot, Hot Roti for Dada-Ji. (The illustrator of Hot, Hot Roti, Ken Min, shared his Creative Space earlier this year here.) Hot, Hot Roti, Farhana's picture book debut, earned a starred review from Kirkus who wrote, "Food, family and storytelling set irresistible hooks in this high-spirited double picture-book debut."

Farhana is an elementary school teacher in addition to writing children's books. Her stories blend humor and tradition, memories and contemporary moments.

Visit this link for an excellent interview with Farhana Zia and here for a booktalk with both Farhana Zia and Ken Min.

Describe your workspace. 

I do all my writing in my family room, which is just off my kitchen. I write in a deep leather side chair with the laptop on my lap and my feet up on the ottoman. If I need a pencil to scribble notes along the way, I keep it next to me, for lack of a better place to put it. I seem to always lose it and find it rolled into the sides of the chair. Very frustrating! The room is longer than wider. There is a leather sofa, brown leather reclining chair, TV, Yamaha console keyboard, and pictures of our kids and grandkids. From one set of windows, I can see the dense leaves of an oak tree in my backyard. From the windows of the adjoining room, I see the sky between more leaves. It is cozy where I sit and I can’t really imagine doing my writing anywhere else.

Describe a typical workday.

I am an elementary school teacher first, and my workday is primarily related to teaching fourth graders. I leave for work around 6:30 A.M. My students arrive at 8:20 A.M. And leave near 3 P.M. The time in between these hours is busy, invigorating and goes by in a flash. I return home at 4 P.M and begin my writing at 7. I generally write till 10 P.M. If I have a deadline to meet, I may go until 1 or 2 A.M. I do my writing with an eye on the news or whatever else my husband might be watching on TV.

List three of your most favorite things in your workspace and why they are meaningful. 

May I list four and categorize them as necessary rather than favorites? My laptop is the most invaluable. There would be no writing without it and as a writer I’d be completely lost.

The brown leather chair next to mine has great emotional importance. This is where my husband sits while I am doing my work. He sits in it and he reads while I sit in mine, and write. There is great comfort in this proximity.

The family photographs keep me rooted. I have photographs of my children, grandchildren, mother, and in-laws on the mantle, and on the walls.

The ottoman provides support and comfort for my feet.

Do you have any rituals in your work habits? If so, describe them. What do you listen to while you work?

I’ll combine two questions. . . The first thing I do is turn the TV on. I like to work with the TV going. The sound is never a distraction because I am terribly focused on my work. It more or less serves as white noise and it is soothing, and often necessary. I prefer not to work in quiet. This is just about the only ritual I have, other than the ritual of always beginning my writing after dinner.

What is your drink and/or snack of choice while you’re working? 

I drink lemon flavored seltzer water when I am thirsty. If I am hungry, I might snack on chips or crackers or might even dip into some ice cream, now and then. I try not to, though, but never succeed.

What keeps you focused while you’re working? 

My work keeps me focused. The deeper I am in my work, the more focused I get. If I have a deadline to meet, that keeps me focused. Generally though, to be focused I need to have the ideas flowing. It’s hard to write when there is nothing to write about. I sometimes run into this situation.

Do you write longhand, on a computer, or another way? 

I do all my writing on my laptop. If ideas come to me in bed, I jot them down on scraps of paper to use later. I use long hand only when my laptop is not available.

How do you develop your story ideas? Do you use an outline, let the muse lead you, or another technique? 

My writing tends to fan out from a focal point. Once the initial idea is in place, it’s a matter of building, layering, and developing. It usually takes a lot of writing and rewriting until I get to where I want to be. I can safely say that I enjoy the revision part of writing the most.

If you were forced to share your workspace but could share it with anyone of your choosing, who would it be? 

I’d give up my workspace to my husband, if I had to, and move my writing over to the sofa, on the other side of the brown leather chair.

What is the best piece of writing advice you’ve heard or received? 

At the 2011 Winter SCBWI conference in N.Y, I heard a keynote speaker exhort aspiring writers to read, read, and read. I’d tweak this advice by saying that writers ought to read books that are well written, especially in terms rich language. You never know where you might pick up a nugget that will help you say what you want to say just so.

Roundup #2! (The Light and Round Project)

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn (From the Mixed-Up Files)) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 01:55:00 +0000

Welcome to the second weekly roundup of the Light and Round Project! If this is your first time hearing about it and you want to know more, visit this post for a full explanation or click on "Light and Round Project" under my header.

If you would like to recommend books for teenagers that you think the average person would consider not too violent, dark, or edgy, please email me with your suggestions and links to reviews if you have them. (Or quotes about the books if you have thoughts you'd like to share.)

If you've reviewed one of the books mentioned in the archives and would like your review listed as well, please email me with the link.

Thank you to everyone who contributed this week. Once again, we have an excellent and varied assortment. (A lot of series in this roundup--18 entries but they represent over 40 titles.) Now on to the books!

As Easy As Falling Off the Face of the Earth by Lynne Rae Perkins. Recommended by Debra Bogart (Youth Services Collection Development Coordinator for the Eugene Library.)
“Fifteen-year-old Ry discovers his own resiliency and resourcefulness when he finds himself stranded and alone, with no cell phone coverage and hardly any money. A good Samaritan named Del becomes Ry's inspiration. Del is described as someone who dances to the beat of his own inner harmonica, and from him Ry learns the satisfaction of a noble act and the meaning of the word ‘impossible’. Adventure, resilience, and romance. . .”

Blood and Flowers by Penny Blubaugh, recommended by Jeannie Mobley of Emu’s Debuts. "From critically acclaimed author Penny Blubaugh comes this mesmerizing tale of family, faeries, and finding a place to call home."

Crosswire by Dotti Enderle, recommended by Jeannie Mobley of Emu’s Debuts. "With his family in turmoil and fence-cutters destroying his farm, thirteen-year-old Jesse faces more than the stifling drought of 1883. Dwindling water supplies have driven desperate cattlemen to snip fences in order to water their herds—targeting Jesse’s farm several times. When a lone drifter arrives in town, he’s quickly hired to work the farm. It should be a relief to have the extra help, but Jesse suspects the man is more than just a hired hand and is determined to uncover his mysterious secret."

Eyes of the Pharoah by Chris Eboch, recommended by Elizabeth Varadan. “. . . set in ancient Egypt during the reign of Ramses the Third. This is a fast-paced adventure, with historical details that plunge you into the era, engaging characters that feel realistic, and tension that never lets up.”

Girl 15, Charming but Insane, by Sue Limb (one of 4 books in this series), recommended by Jen Simms. "Girl, 15, Charming but Insane, huge bum, massive ears, seeks ... Well, seeks Ben Jones, but failing that, large Muslim-type burka garment to cover her deformities."

Head Games by Keri Milkulski, reviewed by Ms. Yingling. "Loved the tight knit teammates on the girls’ basketball team. I will have to buy this series because I know a lot of girls who will like it. The social interactions also ring true."

Love is the Higher Law by David Levithan, recommended by Debra Bogart (Youth Services Collection Development Coordinator for the Eugene Library). “Three teens meet in NYC on 9/11, the day everything changed and love became more illuminated than ever.”

Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco Stork. (My recommendation.) A beautifully written, page-turner of a book. I’d describe this as a cross between The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Life of Pi, and a legal thriller.

Milagros, Girl from Away by Meg Medina, recommended by Elizabeth Varadan. “Milagros means "miracle" in Spanish, and this is a story where the protagonist must make her own miracles.”

My Most Excellent Year: A Novel of Love, Mary Poppins, and Fenway Park by Steve Kluger, recommended by Debra Bogart (Youth Services Collection Development Coordinator for the Eugene Library). “Three teens experience coming of age in Boston from very different perspectives that culminate in firm friendships anyway.”

OyMg by Amy Fellner Dominy, recommended by Emily of Red House Books. “Jewish girl. Christian camp. Holy moly. Ellie Taylor loves nothing better than a good argument. So when she gets accepted to the Christian Society Speech and Performing Arts summer camp, she's sure that if she wins the final tournament, it'll be her ticket to a scholarship to the best speech school in the country.”

Pegasus by Robin McKinley, recommended by Debra Bogart (Youth Services Collection Development Coordinator for the Eugene Library). “Because of a thousand-year-old alliance between humans and pegasi, Princess Sylvi is ceremonially bound to Ebon, her own pegasus, on her twelfth birthday, but the closeness of their bond becomes a threat to the status quo and possibly to the safety of their two nations.”

The Princess Diaries series by Meg Cabot, recommended by Jen Simms. A 16-book series about an everyday girl who finds out her father is actually a prince. From Meg Cabot’s website: “I got the idea for The Princess Diaries when my mother, after my father's death in 1994, started dating one of my college professors. I began writing a book about a girl who is upset about her mother dating her Algebra teacher. I made the girl in the book a princess because my mom used to joke that when I was little, I thought my "real parents" were a king and queen who were going to come and take me away to live in a castle. I'm still waiting. . .”

The Queen’s Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner, recommended by Maryanne Fantalis of The Writer’s Notebook. “I’m going to urge you to read The Queen’s Thief series by Megan Whelan Turner. In fact, I’m going to insist. I might even beg. It’s that good. . . . The middle two books of the series--The Queen of Attolia and The King of Attolia--are two of the most perfect young adult books I have ever read. The characters are living, breathing people; the plots twist and turn with such clever mastery that you always feel surprised but never manipulated; the foreshadowing is subtle; the dialogue is realistic but just formal enough for you to believe that the characters are educated nobles in some far-off ancient land.”

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series by Ann Brashares, recommended by Jen Simms.

From School Library Journal: “A complex book about a solid group of friends, with each one a strong and courageous individual in her own right. They form a true sisterhood of acceptance and support, resulting in a believable and inviting world.”

This Girl is Different by J.J. Johnson. "Evie is different. Not just her upbringing--though that's certainly been unusual--but also her mindset. She's smart, independent, confident, opinionated, and ready to take on a new challenge: The Institution of School. It doesn't take this homeschooled kid long to discover that high school is a whole new world, and not in the way she expected. . . . Not one to sit idly by, Evie sets out to make changes. Big changes. The movement she starts takes off, but before she realizes what's happening, her plan spirals out of control, forcing her to come to terms with a world she is only just beginning to comprehend."

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen. (My recommendation.) From Publisher’s Weekly: “Mclean Sweet, named for 'the all-time winningest basketball coach of Defriese University,' has moved four times in two years, following her father's job as a restaurant consultant. Each time she moves she reinvents herself, not so much to try on a new identity but to rid herself of the original one—only daughter of a couple whose divorce was an awful, public scandal. . . . As Mclean figures out how to make peace with her mother, she relies on friends made at both school and at the restaurant her father is trying to save.”

“The Winnie Years” series (which includes Ten, Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen, and Thirteen Plus One) by Lauren Myracle, recommended by Ms. Yingling. “Myracle's younger books are my new favorite-- they remind me a bit of Lenora Mattingly Weber in that they describe all of the things that are NEW about being an up-and-coming teenager. I wanted to check 11 and 12 out of the library, but they had multiple holds on them. Drat.”

A Peek at the Creative Space of Lisa Schroeder

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn (From the Mixed-Up Files)) — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 15:28:00 +0000

Lisa Schroeder is the versatile author of young adult, middle grade, and picture book titles including Chasing Brooklyn (currently a finalist of the RWA Rita Awards--congrats, Lisa!); I Heart You, You Haunt Me; Far From You; It's Raining Cupcakes; and Chimp's Big Day. Her latest is the YA novel The Day Before which is publishing next week:

Amber's life is spinning out of control. All she wants is to turn up the volume on her iPod until all of the demands of her family and friends fade away. So she sneaks off to the beach to spend a day by herself.

Then Amber meets Cade. Their attraction is instant, and Amber can tell that he's also looking for an escape. Together they decide to share a perfect day: no pasts, no fears, no regrets.

The more time that Amber spends with Cade, the more she's drawn to him. And the more she's troubled by his darkness. Because Cade's not just living in the now--he's living like each moment is his last.

The Booklist review says, "Readers will find plenty of appeal factors in this outing. The basic frame is a sort of noir Ferris Bueller's Day Off, in which two teens decide to spend a perfect day together before their respective fates claim them."

Sprinkles and Secrets, a follow up to her middle grade novel It's Raining Cupcakes, will be published later this year in September.

If you're in the New York area, Lisa will be signing books at the awesome indie children's bookstore Books of Wonder with three other YA authors on June 30.

If you'd like to learn more about Lisa, visit her blog/website, follow her on Twitter, or "like" her author page on Facebook.

Describe your workspace.

I use the designated office space in our home for working. Most of my writing is done in that room. Sitting down at my desk says to me--okay, time to get to work. Besides a computer desk, I have two book shelves, a rocking chair in case I feel the need to take a reading break or look up something in a craft book, and lots of pictures and knickknacks that make me happy.

Describe a typical workday.

I get the kids off to school then I spend some time answering e-mails, preparing mailings to go out, tweeting, doing promotional stuff if I have some, etc. Then I'll open the document and hopefully get a couple of hours of writing in. Sometimes my husband comes home for lunch, and if so, I'll take a break and eat with him. During the school year, I have to pick one of my sons up early every other day, so I do that if necessary, and then come back and try to write for an hour or so more. When I'm revising instead of drafting, I may go back to the computer later for more work. But I find with a first draft, 2-3 hours in a day is really all I can do. By 3:00 or so, I'm done so I can do things around the house, run to the store if I need to, walk the dog, cook dinner, etc.

List three of your most favorite things in your workspace and why they are meaningful.

My dear friend, Lisa Madigan, made me a card to celebrate the release of my first novel, I Heart You, You Haunt Me.

She also made me a picture "It's Raining Cupcakes" to celebrate my middle grade novel by the same name. Lisa, as many know, passed away in February from pancreatic cancer. I miss her every day. She was a good friend and also gave me good advice when it came to my work. Sometimes it feels a bit like I'm writing without a right hand, not having her to bounce things off of or to read my work. So I'll look at the things she gave me and I draw strength from them. She would want me to keep going, to dig deep and do my best, even when it's hard.

The third item is a jar of buttons that belonged to my grandma Ellamae. I used to sit and play with the big box of buttons she had. It reminds me to never forget to be childlike with my writing--to play and have fun and to trust that part of the writing process is discovering things as you go along. I try to remember that we can't know everything going in to a story, and that's okay. In fact, it's not just okay, it's wonderful! Discovering hidden gems that make their way into the story is one of the best things that can happen as we write.

What do you listen to while you work?

Sometimes nothing. Sometimes a song or two that make me feel the way I want my reader to feel when they read my book. For me, it's all about the emotions the music brings out in me. When I was writing The Day Before, I listened to "Glitter in The Air" a lot as well as some music by Schuyler Fisk.

What is your drink and/or snack of choice while you’re working?

Tea for sure. When I'm revising, I crave diet coke too, in the afternoons, even though I'm trying not to drink the stuff. On the really hard days, I give in. It's like I bribe my muse--okay, you can have some if you give me some good stuff this afternoon. Promise? You do? Okay, I believe you.

What keeps you focused while you’re working?

Haha--focus? What IS that? I don't know if I have a good answer to this question. Mostly I think I give myself mini-deadlines. Write for an hour, then I can check e-mail and twitter. It's a beautiful thing when a scene sucks you in and you get lost in it and look up hours later and can't believe how much time has passed. I wish that would happen more often!

Do you write longhand, on a computer, or another way?

On the computer. I type really, really fast, so when I'm in the zone, I can get a lot of words down quickly. I write longhand for working out plot problems and other things. When I'm working on a book, I'll have pages of notes in a notebook, where I've written down thoughts, questions, etc.

How do you develop your story ideas? Do you use an outline, let the muse lead you, or another technique?

I start with what I call a few seeds of ideas, and then I plant them and see what happens. Usually I can tell a few chapters in if I have enough of a story to "grow" a whole book. Each project is different in terms of how I approach it. Sometimes I have some thoughts jotted down, sometimes I go in with nothing. Often, about halfway through the book, I do have to stop and take a close look at how my plot is developing and if I have all the necessary elements there. My friend, Lindsey Leavitt (author of Princess for Hire series) shared this link with me, and I find it really helpful when looking at how a plot should go: http://www.screenplaymastery.com/structure.htm It's written for screenplays, but I think it applies nicely to books as well.

If you were forced to share your workspace but could share it with anyone of your choosing, who would it be?

I'm gonna go with Sarah Dessen. She blogs a lot about TV shows and movies she likes, being a mom, and all kinds of things and I've always felt like if she lived next door, we'd be best friends. I'd love to share a workspace and find out if I'm right!

What is the best piece of writing advice you’ve heard or received?

Lisa and I went to a book signing with Markus Zusak a few years back and she asked him for his best writing advice in five words or less. He said, "Don't be afraid to fail." And I really think this is so important. We often hesitate to write that idea down in our head because we're afraid it won't be as good as how it is in our head. It probably won't be. But we have to try, and if it doesn't go the way we hoped, oh well. I think it also applies when we're wondering about trying something new--we often give up on ourselves before we even try, afraid of failing. But I always tell myself, how will I know unless I give it a shot?

Roundup #1! (Light and Round Project)

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn (From the Mixed-Up Files)) — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 17:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the first weekly roundup of the Light and Round Project! If this is your first time hearing about it and you want to know more, visit last week's post for a full explanation or click on "Light and Round Project" under my header.

People, thank you for the warm response you've given this idea! This project is all about showcasing the diversity that can be found in books for teens today, and I think our first roundup does exactly that. I was surprised that I didn't receive a single repeat suggestion--everyone suggested unique titles. Another testament to the variety of books being published today.

I hope I didn't let any suggestions fall through my email cracks--If you contacted me and don't see your title on this list, please contact me again so I can add it.

I'm already compiling the roundup for next Wednesday, so if you would like to recommend books for teenagers that you think most people would consider "light and round" please email me with your suggestion and links to reviews if you have them.

If you've reviewed one of the books mentioned today and would like your review to be linked in the archives up above, please email me with the link.

Also, coincidental to the timing of the recent "Is YA too dark?" conversations, but timely nonetheless, YA author Jennifer Ziegler wrote an excellent essay for Hunger Mountain on embracing her reputation as a writer of "light" fiction. I loved this line: "After all, it’s the sunshine that creates the shadows—not the other way around."

Enjoy this week's roundup!

Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson, submitted by Meg of Meg Writes! “Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour is an engaging, touching and ultimately hopeful novel centering around one broken girl and the adventure that begins to heal her.”

Best Friends Forever by Beverly Patt, recommended by Rosanne Parry. "After her Japanese American friend, Dottie Masuoka, and her family have been sent to 'Camp Harmony' following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, fourteen-year-old Louise Krueger dedicates herself to keeping a journal that she will be able to share with her best friend when she returns. The items in the scrapbook—from newspaper clippings, to hair ribbons, to letters from Dottie—are beautifully illustrated within Best Friends Forever and are accompanied by both heartwarming and heartbreaking journal entries by Louise."

Brain Jack by Brian Faulkner, submitted by Robin of robinreadsnwrites. “I liked the thriller feel to it; I loved the computer jargon.”

The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder, submitted by Robin of robinreadsnwrites. “The story and characters find their way into your heart as you read.”

Cinderella: Ninja Warrior by Maureen McGowan, recommended by Emily of Red House Books. "I have always loved Cinderella as a character. . . Now take that classic tale and turn said stepmother into a powerful evil magician, turn Cinderella into a kick ass ninja and replace the glass slipper and ball with more excitement (think actual true love and a magic completion). Win!"

Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can’t Have and My Life, The Theater, and Other Tragedies by Allen Zadoff, recommended by Deena at Author 2 Author. (A great interview with Allen Zadoff in addition to the reviews at that link.) “Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can’t Have (Egmont), had me laughing out loud (you must read the soccer scene!), and I obviously wasn't the only one; it was the winner of the Sid Fleischman Humor Award in 2010.”

The Fourth Wish by Elizabeth Varadan, reviewed by Michelle Fayard of Bird's-Eye View. "While on their way to see a magic show, Melanie, Cory, Erin and Arthur help a stranger pick up the spilled contents of a shopping bag. What the four don’t realize is the stranger, who introduces herself as Mrs. Seraphina, is the one who really is magic."

Good Enough by Paula Yoo, recommended by Christine. “A Korean-American girl whose parents are obsessed with her acceptance into HarvardYalePrinceton. Squeaky clean, light romance, very funny.”

Haunting Charles Dickens by Lewis Buzbee, recommended by Elizabeth Varadan. "Take an unexplained disappearance. Bring in a ghost who points the way. Add Charles Dickens, who knows London’s troubled neighborhoods only too well. Stir in a plucky, thirteen-year-old girl who will let nothing stop her from tailing a dangerous kidnapping gang. . ."

Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword by Barry Deutsch, recommended by Rosanne Parry. "A comic book about a troll-fighting 11-year-old Orthodox Jewish girl."

The Hidden Gallery (The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, Book 2) by Maryrose Wood, recommended by Rebecca from The Reading List. “The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place books are spoofs of classic governess novels (such as Jane Eyre) and poke a lot of fun at Victorian life and culture, and this second book in the series certainly delivers on those counts.”

The Mermaid's Mirror by L.K. Madigan, recommended by Rosanne Parry. From Booklist, *Starred Review* “With highly imagistic descriptions and savvy dialogue, Madigan offers a rewarding and credible story that uses fantasy elements to bare truths about family ties.”

Mind Blind by Jennifer Roy, recommended by Rebecca from The Reading List. “Nathaniel is fourteen years old, enjoys video games and The Amazing Race, and plays keyboards in a band with his best friend and the girl he adores. He is also a homeschooled university graduate, very skilled at mathematics, and has Asperger syndome. . . . Thoughtful, humourous, illuminating, and highly recommended.”

The Mozart Season by Virginia Euwer Wolff, recommended by Rosanne Parry. "Allegra Shapiro decides to enter a prestigious competition for young musicians, but ends up spending the summer doing more than practicing the violin. She learns important lessons about her family and herself, in this novel by the author of the National Book Award-winning True Believer."

My Most Excellent Year by Steve Kluger, recomended by Kerry Mockler of The Moving Castle. “Normally, I am not very sentimental, and my preferences tend to veer away from romance-driven plots, or any book featuring adorable small children. But somehow, Kluger's book (which is about both romance and an adorable small child) just worked for me. It is delightful. It was a joy to read. At one point, fairly late in the book, I had to go get some food; as I set the book down, I said [out loud, to an empty room] ‘I love these people!’ ”

How Not to be Popular by Jennifer Ziegler. “Maggie and Jack's relationship rings true, adding an irresistible sincerity to both characters that allows Maggie's self-discovery and growth to unfold naturally. Thoughtful and fun.”— Kirkus Reviews

Okay for Now by Gary Schmidt, suggested by Suzanne Morrone. "I actually read it because my 21 year old grandson recommended it. I had a few second thoughts [about recommending it for this list] since there is an abusive father and cancer both as part of the story. It is so uplifting, though, and the message to me was so positive."

The Opposite of Invisible by Liz Gallagher, recommended by Roseanne Parry. "In a bright debut novel set against the lively backdrop of Seattle, Alice must learn the difference between love and a crush, and what it means to be yourself when you're not sure who that is yet."

Possibilities of Sainthood by Donna Fritas, recommended by Roseanne Parry. "Antonia Lucia Labella has two secrets: at fifteen, she’s still waiting for her first kiss, and she wants to be a saint. An official one."

The Pull of Gravity by Gae Polishner, recommended by Emily of Red House Books. "I absolutely loved the interconnectedness of this story. So many great little pieces all fitting together in just the right way. Family love and loss, unfaltering friendship, first loves, dying wishes, Star Wars and Steinbeck. Everything fit perfectly!"

The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen, recommended by Abby the Librarian. “If I were to describe this book in one word, it would be "uplifting". Jessica's story is one of hope, of friends and family coming together to help, and of possibilities. It's about small victories and large victories and making the world a better place.”

Sass and Serendipity by Jennifer Ziegler. "This book is a tribute to two women: Jane Austen and my sister, Amanda."

Second Fiddle by Rosanne Parry. “If we had known it would eventually involve the KGB, the French National Police, and the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, we would have left that body in the river and called the Polizei like any normal German citizen; but we were Americans and addicted to solving other people’s problems, so naturally, we got involved.”

Science Fair Season: Twelve Kids, A Robot Named Scorch . . . and What it Takes to Win by Judy Dutton, recommended by Abby the Librarian. “Judy Dutton interviews eleven competitors with projects ranging from nuclear reactors to equine therapy programs to solar-powered heaters constructed from old car radiators and soda cans. Their stories will move and impress you - these are teens who are changing the face of science as we know it!”

Semester in the Life of a Garbage Bag by Gordon Korman, recommended by Kerry Mockler of The Moving Castle. “The funniest book I have ever read.”

Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer by Maureen McGowan, suggested by Emily of Red House Books. "Vampires are cool if done right and while the vampires in this story aren't the blood thirsty ruthless killers that vampires are suppose to be :) they are still pretty darn cool."

The Six Rules of Maybe by Deb Caletti and Stealing Heaven by Elizabeth Scott, recommended by Kate of Author2Author. “I grew up near the beach so I have lots of teen beach memories, which translates to ideas about beach books. I fully expect to write one someday, although my beach ideas haven't made it to the top of the queue yet. In the meantime, here are some beach books I read recently that made me feel less homesick.”

Steinbeck's Ghost by Lewis Buzbee, recommended by Elizabeth Varadan. "Reminded me all over again how much I love libraries, books, and John Steinbeck (not necessarily in that order). Buzbee captures that feel of how an author can send you to another world. . ."

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han, submitted by Meg of Write Meg! “Told in flashes between summers past and present, The Summer I Turned Pretty well captured the joy and pain of first love — and those crushes that just won’t quit.”

Tortilla Sun by Jennifer Cervantes, recommended by Elizabeth Varadan. "Tortilla Sun is a beautiful story of a young girl’s search for wisdom and truth and her discovery of her culture. The book moves at a leisurely pace that gathers in momentum and mystery with a touch of magic. The characters are richly drawn and the village blossoms with life. Izzy is a sympathetic protagonist, entirely believable."

Top 8 by Katie Finn, submitted by Meg of Meg Writes! “. . . light and highly entertaining look at life for high school junior Madison MacDonald, a whip-smart girl with a bevy of close friends and a gorgeous new boyfriend, Jason. Fresh from a vacation in the Galapagos Islands, Madison returns stateside only to discover someone has hacked into her Friendverse (read: Facebook, MySpace) profile and completely changed her profile. And broken up with her boyfriend. And said terrible things to her ‘friends,’ who promptly unfriend and alienate her.”

What I Saw, and How I Lied by Judy Blundell, recommended by Teacherdance. “It’s an excellent mystery, showing well the challenges of a young girl growing up and discovering the realities of her family life as well as that which is most important in life.”

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan, recommended by Katherine. "Two Will Graysons? How can this be? One night in Chicago Will Grayson and Will Grayson find out when they find each other. . . And both end up with roles to play in producing the first one hundred percent fabulously gay high school musical."

A Peek at the Creative Space of Aaron Zenz

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn (From the Mixed-Up Files)) — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Aaron Zenz is the author/illustrator of Chuckling Ducklings and Baby Animal Friends and The Hiccupotamus, and the illustrator of the Howie the dog "I Can Read!" series (written by Sara Henderson), Nugget on the Flight Deck (written by Patricia Newman), Skeleton Meets the Mummy (written by Steve Metzger), and numerous other books.

He is also the host of my favorite picture book review blog, Bookie Woogie where he reviews children's books with the Z-Kids (his children). Here's the description from their blog: "Here at Bookie Woogie we pick our favorite books, review them, and create some accompanying fan art. We'll alternate week to week between new releases discovered at our local library and older favorites from our own personal collection." It's fantastic--there is a transcript of their conversation about the book and the children's artwork inspired from the talk. It's such a fantastic example of how to make books a family affair and chronicle great childhood moments at the same time.

To learn more about Aaron Zenz visit his website.

Describe your workspace.

I am fortunate to have a whole room in our house to claim as my workin' place. It is full of my favorite things. . . favorite books, favorite knickknacks, prints from my favorite artists. It's as if a bit of what goes on inside my head all day leaked out into the room.

I have drawings from my kids lining all around the ceiling.

I have a nice window with a green leafy view.

We have bookshelves all over the house. . .

I believe there are 10 big bookcases in all, and every inch of them is tightly filled.

My room has a bookcase housing my favorites, and the girls' room has a wall of shelves where the majority of our children's book collection resides.

We have over 3000 titles in just the children's book collection alone. We love books!

Describe a typical workday.

I work a self imposed third-shift. I have six wonderful kids, and my lovely wife homeschools them. And I work from home. So we are all home, all the time. I've tried on numerous occasions over the years to get work done during the day, and it just doesn't happen. About 5 years ago it dawned on me that I had the freedom to set any schedule I wanted. So I work the "other" 9 to 5... that is, 9 at night 'til 5 in the morning. . . and then I sleep until around noon. After that I'm up and can be with the family for the whole rest of the day.

It's great! I get to work while it's quiet. The family gets to have me around longer than if I were holing myself away during typical daytime work hours. It works out swell for everyone!

List three of your most favorite things in your workspace and why they are meaningful.

I'd have to pick some treasures that my kids made me...

I love this set of Fraggles that Gracie cut out for me:

This lizard that Isaac sculpted for me is pretty cool:

And it may not seem like much, but this simple cloud that Lily painted once-upon-a-time has been a particular bright spot for me during difficult times:

Do you have any work habits? If so, describe them.

I am very much an "attack one thing at a time" kind of person. I'm the guy that works his way around the dinner plate, eating each item in turn. This shows up in my working life in a few different ways.

I like to wrap things up neatly in single sessions. So rarely will I leave part of an illustration unfinished to pick up the next day. I'll work an extra hour or two in order to get something done on the day I started it. Or I'll quit a little early rather than get part-way through the next item on the list.

I also tackle projects one at a time. I may do the all sketches for one book, then all the final art for another book, and then back to the final art for the first book. But I really can't overlap. I can't alternate between sketches for one and final art for another over the same period of time.

What do you listen to while you work?

During the writing, designing, sketching, planning stages I have to work in silence. But when I launch into creating final artwork, I don't have to be as focused. Then I like to listen to a wide variety of things. I listen to audio books. I'm a huge fan of movie scores, so that's where I turn if I'm feeling musical. I listen to a lot of podcasts: A Way With Words, This American Life, Studio 360. Lately I've been listening to the sermons of John Piper online.

What is your drink and/or snack of choice while you’re working?

I'm a cereal guy. I always eat a big dinner with the family. But other than that meal, I chow on cereal all throughout the rest of the day.

What keeps you focused while you’re working?

If everyone else in the house is asleep, I have no problem keeping focused on work. I easily plow straight through the night.

Do you write longhand, on a computer, or another way?

I start out with lots of notes scribbled on scraps of paper. But when it comes time to pull it all together, I type it up on the computer.

How do you develop your story ideas? Do you use an outline, let the muse lead you, or another technique?

I like to live with stories in my head for a long, long time. In my head, stories grow and flourish and change. Once I take the plunge and commit an idea to paper--when I formulate actual words--then it's very hard for me to imagine the idea any other way. So I live with stories in my head as long as I can.

What media do you use and which is your favorite?

For some projects I create art with colored pencil and for some I create art digitally. I'm a firm believer that "form follows function." So I'll turn to the computer if it makes sense for the subject matter (for instance, if there will be lots of geometrical forms.) I'll also go digital if the deadlines are really tight and speed is required for the project. When I work digitally, I create everything in Photoshop.

However my favorite medium is colored pencil, and I choose it whenever I can. I work completely with Prismacolor colored pencils - no mixed media. And I use them in an unconventional way, pressing extremely hard for solid coverage so that not a speck of paper shows through. People are often shocked to find out they are viewing colored pencil. To achieve the look, I go through a huge number of pencils for any given project and break hundreds of pencil tips along the way.

What aspect of illustrating do you find most challenging and why?

As a freelancer, I'm constantly working with different people. Each project introduces new art directors, new editors, departments full of new people. It's like getting a brand new boss every couple of months. So in addition to tackling the fresh book on my plate, I also have to figure out all these new people as well--what they like, how they communicate (or fail to), how much control/freedom they expect. The artwork is the easy part.

If you were forced to share your workspace but could share it with anyone of your choosing, who would it be?

It would definitely have to be another Creative. Someone who understands the demands and process of creativity. But I'd want it to be someone whose work inspires me--someone who does things I can't do. Someone who works in a different medium or has a vastly different style. I'd want to be awed at their output and encouraged to step up my own game.

What is the best piece of writing advice you’ve heard or received?

A person really has to be familiar with their desired field. If you want to write picture books, then read lots and lots and lots and lots of picture books. If you want to write YA, submerge yourself in that world. Learn from both the good and the bad. Figure out where other people fail and why. Learn what works and why.