Terry Pierce: Children's Author

New Online Writing Course!

2013-04-26T08:29:00.000-07:00

I feel a bit like Steve Martin's character in The Jerk when he was elated that the new phone book came out.

The new UCLA Extension Summer Quarter 2013 catalog is out!

The new UCLA Extension Summer Quarter 2013 catalog is out!

Why am I so excited? Because on page 124 you will find the listing for my brand new course, Intermediate Picture Book Writing. The idea behind this course is to provide an opportunity for students who have taken either a beginning picture book or easy reader course (through UCLA Extension) and want to learn even more about picture books and have a chance to work on another manuscript. I'm thrilled to have the chance to teach this class!

If you didn't get the summer quarter catalog, you can learn more about the class by clicking here.

I hope to meet you in cyber-space again!

Introduction to Writing Easy Readers...Coming soon to a computer near you!

2013-02-22T14:57:00.000-08:00

My, oh my, how times flies! My upcoming UCLA Extension Writers' Program online course, Introduction to Writing Easy Readers, is on the spring schedule. It seems like I just finished my fall course! If you're interested in learning more about the upcoming class, please go to:
https://www.uclaextension.edu/Pages/Course.aspx?reg=Z0939.

And look for the upcoming summer course catalog to discover a brand new course I'll be teaching for experienced writers for young children (how's that for teaser?).

2012-07-31T09:44:00.001-07:00

Great news! Registration is now open for my upcoming online writing course, "Introduction to Writing Easy Readers" offered through UCLA Extension Writers' Program. The class will run from Oct. 3- Dec. 5.

For more information, please go to: https://www.uclaextension.edu/pages/Course.aspx?reg=Y6921.

I'm so excited to be able to teach this course again! I love exploring this often overlooked but oh-so-important genre of children's literature. Head on over to the link for details :-).

Cheers,
Terry

School Visit Tip

2012-03-28T08:50:00.010-07:00

On Monday, I had a fabulous school visit (there's nothing like being around elementary students to energize a children's author :-). The school I visited was highly experienced with author visits. We had made all the pre-visit arrangements, including having a laptop and projector set up for my PowerPoint slides. Everything was fine. All I had to do was show up with my flashdrive (amongst my other props).

But when I arrived at the school, they told me that they'd had a break-in at the school and their laptops had been stolen. Both the principal and librarian looked at me a bit helplessly and conveyed how terrible they felt that they couldn't provide me with the means to use my PowerPoint slides (which accounts for about half of my presentation!). Could a document projector work? Could I just do without showing the slides?

Luckily, I always carry a set of transparencies with me as a back-up, "just in case."Old school, yes, but when in a pinch... When I asked them if they had an overhead projector, the custodian (standing nearby) chimed in, "Yes! We do! They wanted to get rid of it but I knew someone would need it some day!" He was grinning ear to ear (the hero of the day) and then ran off to set it up for me. I can't tell you how grateful the principal and librarian were that I had come prepared. Multiple times during the day they thanked me for having a back-up plan. This was nice to hear, but more than anything, I was so glad that I didn't have to deal with "winging it" and giving the students less than they deserved. Because really, it's all about the students and what I can give to them.

Experienced visiting authors already know this, I'm sure, but I thought I'd pass the word along for anyone who might be just getting into this realm of being a children's author.

Author visit rule #1: Always be prepared with a back-up plan.
Author visit rule #2: Always be flexible :-)

UCLA Instructor Spotlight

2012-03-01T15:35:00.005-08:00

UCLA is doing an instructor feature article on me this month, to promote my upcoming class. Okay, that is SO COOL! I mean, it's U-C-L-A Writers' Program! Go Bruins! Grab those pens and write-write-write!

Interested in Learning about Writing Easy Readers?

2012-02-08T09:53:00.000-08:00

Registration is now open for my upcoming online course, Introduction to Writing Easy Readers, offered through UCLA Extension Writers' Program.

I am SO excited to teach this course. As some of you know from my workshops on this subject, I believe the Easy Reader genre is THE most important genre of children's books because it is the one that sets a child onto the path of independent reading. In other words folks, this is where we either hook kids as readers or let them get away.

If you're interested in enrollment and registration, please click here.

Hope to see ya'll in my virtual classroom!

And So Another Chapter Ends...

2011-08-19T18:24:00.001-07:00

Wow, it's hard to believe that it's been a month since I graduated from Vermont College of Fine Arts MWCYA program (that's Masters in Writing for Children and Young Adults), but every time I check the calendar it's confirmed. One month, all right. Here I am with my fellow graduates (L.E.C.S.) just last month at the beginning of the summer residency.

What an experience it was--too incredible to even begin to put into a blog post--and it's incredibly bittersweet that it's over. I'm happy to get my life back, but will sorely miss the learning experience and camaraderie of the VCFA community (yes, I can still stay in touch but it's not the same when life doesn't revolve around packet deadlines).

Maybe I can give more attention to my blog now--oh wait, revisions await, near-finished projects loom, there's that issue of finding an agent. And a job... Hmm... Never mind.

MINI-VIEW: RUTH A. MUSGRAVE

2011-05-26T12:46:00.000-07:00

MINI-VIEWS:
Pint-sized interviews that leave you smiling.

RUTH A. MUSGRAVE is the Director of WhaleTimes Inc. (http://www.whaletimes.org/) and an award-winning writer. In addition to National Geographic Kids Magazine, she has also written for Scientific American Explorations, SuperScience, and Ask. Her awards include Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Magazine Merit Honor Award for Nonfiction and two Emmy Awards from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences-Southwest.

In addition to teaching and writing, her background includes 25+ years developing and producing K-12 marine science education programs, curricula, professional development seminars, and a children’s television series.

While writing the NGK Everything Sharks, Ruth was inspired to create a holiday for sharks, called “Fintastic Friday: Giving Sharks a Voice.” She knew once kids discovered what magnificent and important animals sharks really are, they would want to protect them. Hosted by WhaleTimes, the holiday gives children a platform and opportunity to make a difference.

Congratulations on your success with National Geographic Kids Everything Sharks, just released this spring (April 2011). National Geographic is a "closed" house, meaning they don't take unsolicited submissions. Could you give us some background on how you broke into this extraordinary publishing house and what it's been like working for them?

Thank you. I'm so excited about my book. National Geographic Kids Everything Sharks is full of stunning shark photos and the layout is a delight to the eyes. Before you even get to the text, you can spend hours just looking at the photos. Writing it was fun because I was able to show sharks as they really are -- these incredible, diverse, sometimes odd and quirky creatures. It has a lot of humor and tons of great information.

The best part is, kids will read about sharks and fall in love with the real animal, not some fictional beast. The vicious animal portrayed in movies, books, and television doesn't exist. Sharks are extraordinary animals, but they are not invincible. They are in trouble and they need kids' help.

Hmmm, how I got my foot in the door at National Geographic Kids...well, Terry, I'd tell you, but then I'd have to...just kidding!

I have been fortunate enough to be a frequent contributor to National Geographic Kids Magazine for a many years. The editors knew about my marine science background and asked if I'd like to write about sharks for their very cool new "National Geographic Kids Everything" series. Working with such talented editors and a publishing house that loves animals, embraces the fun of science, yet prizes accuracy...well I still expect someone to wake me up from the best dream ever!

What is the best advice you can give for writers who want to write non-fiction (articles or books)?

This is a good question. Only write nonfiction if that's what you really want to write. Become an expert about the topics that you love, figure out what age levels you like to write for, and, as you're figuring that out, keep writing to find your own style or voice. I think readers want more than facts, figures, dates, or timelines. Your style should make the science, history, person, or whatever come to life.

What if you really want to write fiction, but heard from writer friends that starting in nonfiction is the easy way to go...get different friends! Okay, keep the friends, just get better advice! If you want to write fiction picture books or poetry or YA or...you should do that. Don't get sidetracked. Getting published is hard enough. Don't waste time and opportunities by writing in a genre you don't love.

What is your favorite children’s joke?

Let's see, how about my 10-year old daughter's latest and greatest joke from school:
Q: How do you get a tissue to dance?
A: Put a little boogie in it!

Thanks so much, Ruth!

"First Story" in Ladybug Magazine February 2011 Issue

2011-01-26T08:47:00.000-08:00

Some things just take time. Aged cheese, fine wine, glacially-carved valleys...and my first story in Ladybug Magazine. No, not my first story to be published, nor do I mean my first story in Ladybug (although this is my first one). I'm referring to the first children's story I ever wrote. Twelve years ago.

I wrote "The Desert Snow" when I first got that spark of an idea that I should try writing for children. The story idea came to me when it had snowed in the California high desert, where I live. I worked on it as a picture book concept for a few weeks then eagerly submitted it for a critique at the upcoming SCBWI National Conference. All fifteen pages of it. Yep, I'd written a 15-page picture book manuscript that had more twists and turns than Lombard Street in San Francisco (!). BUT, I was fortunate enough to have had Lisa Rojany Buccieri as my critiquer. She kindly told me that while my writing had real potential (okay, she used the term "great" :-}, I had to learn the basics of writing a picture book. My story was way too long and lacked focus and structure, but if I could learn how to do those things, it had publishing potential. That was all the encouragement I needed. Thank goodness for good editors!

I kept at this story off and on for years, and after many, many revisions, it was picked up by Ladybug Magazine in 2006. Four years later, I'm proud to say that the story will finally be published, featured in the February 2011 issue of Ladybug Magazine. Not only do I feel the pride in seeing a project through and getting to see it in print, but I have the joy of seeing it illustrated by Siri Weber Feeney, a talented writer-illustrator and good friend of mine (which Ladybug independently hired to do the art work--talk about serendipity!).

Despite having other works published, this story represents a real personal victory for me, as it validates that first inkling I had so many years ago, and the payoff of being a determined writer.

Ladybug has made the entire issue about the desert. Lots of fun games, songs, stories and poems all centered around this theme. If you click here you can also find a desert snow game, amongst other things. So look for the February issue in bookstores soon!

Picture Book Article in PW

2010-12-14T09:32:00.000-08:00

Here's a great article from Publisher's Weekly as a follow-up to the October NYT article that stirred up so much controversy about the state of picture books in today's market. I think this much better addresses the issues facing picture books.

Enjoy!

Five Reasons Why Children NEED Picture Books

2010-10-12T14:10:00.000-07:00

A New York Times article recently stirred up a lot of discussion amongst the children’s lit community about the future of picture books. I don’t think the decline in sales was news to anyone. Picture book sales have been slowly dropping for about the past ten years because of changing demographics. And with the economic downturn of 2008, no one is surprised that people are thinking twice before spending $16-$18 for a picture book.

However, the part of the article that concerned me was the claim that parents are “skipping” picture books and heading straight to chapter books in an effort to “advance their children’s skills.” The idea of doing this is simply absurd. This would be similar to a parent saying that they would not allow their baby to crawl because learning to walk sooner would make him/her a better runner, headed for an Olympic bid.

It just isn’t true. Or smart.

There are basic developmental stages a child progresses through in order to develop normally (by “normally” I mean develop according to the expected, universal stages of human development). And here is where picture books fit in.

Picture books offer benefits to children that no other genre can. One cannot simply “skip” them and advance onto chapter books because picture books and chapter books are NOT THE SAME. Just like crawling and walking. Crawling teaches forward movement, coordination of limbs and exercises both sides of the brain—all in the safety of being at ground level. Picture books enrich a child’s life in many aspects and prepare him for reading chapter books and his future learning--in the warm embrace of a parent or other caregiver. It is all good, and all necessary.

I hope there will be much discussion about picture books in the upcoming weeks, months and years. They are an important part of children’s literature and childhood. I believe the NYT article should serve as a reminder for us all to be picture book advocates. So, in my attempt to do just that, here are:

FIVE REASONS WHY CHILDREN NEED PICTURE BOOKS

LANGUAGE:
Young children (ages two-seven) are at a peak age for learning language. Dr. Jane Healy (Endangered Minds: Why Children Don't Think and What We Can Do About It) notes that the young child’s brain is ravenous for language stimulation. This is why it is often suggested that children learn a second language at this age. They soak up language like a sponge.

Because the average picture book only has about 500 words, an author must craft each and every word, sentence and paragraph with care. Editor Anne Hoppe once said of picture books: “The writer distills; the illustrator expands.” Picture book writers must distill language to its very essence. This is why the text in a picture book is often rich, evocative, and engaging. Hearing this type of language will enrich a child's language development.

BRAIN DEVELOPMENT:
Dr. Healy (Your Childs’ Growing Mind) also explains that during early childhood, the brain buzzes with extra neurological connections that are trying to establish patterns, cause and effect, and sequences. Picture books, with their verbal and visual nature, offer this to a child’s growing mind. For example, in Bill Martin Jr.’s Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? a child hears the verbal clue of a rhyming word and sees the visual clue of the upcoming animal to be named on the next page. This type of pattern and sequencing helps to build the neurological pathways in a child's brain. This kind of patterning within a verbal/visual format is unique to picture books.

PHYSICAL PARTICIPATION:
Another unique aspect of picture books is the child’s physical participation in the story via the page turn. The words and illustration allow the child to experience what is happening on any particular page; however, advancing the story—physically turning the page—requires action on his part. This type of participation sets up an interactive experience between the child and the story. This participation also keeps the child engaged and helps to establish cause-and-effect brain pathways, as mentioned above.

ATTENTION SPAN:
Because of their unique structure, picture books can help a child increase his attention span, going beyond an interesting story (which is common to all genres). How many picture books have you seen with a refrain that keeps a child listening—eagerly anticipating his moment to chime in? Children will sit on the edges of their seats (or knees) awaiting their moment to be an active part of a story. Have you ever seen a group of children listen to Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems?

PICTURE BOOKS ARE MULTI-SENSORY:
Children’s author Mem Fox says in her book, Reading Magic: "Children’s brains are only 25 percent developed at birth. From that moment, whenever a baby is fed, cuddled, played with, talked to, sung to or read to, the other 75 percent of its brain begins to develop. And the more stimulation the baby has through its senses of touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing, the more rapidly that development will occur.” Re-read that last sentence. The more stimulation through the senses, the more rapid the development occurs.

Multi-sensory learning is critical during the early childhood years, and no other book genre offers this kind of sensory-based experience. While listening to and looking at a picture book, a child sees the pictures, hears the words, touches the pages (or other tactile features, such as touch-and-feel books), and smells the pages (such as scratch-and-sniff books). The only thing a child wouldn’t do with a picture book is taste it (although infants and toddlers might disagree).

Dr. Maria Montessori advocated that children absorb impressions and knowledge directly from their environment via their senses. Picture books are an important part of the learning process. No other type of books gives young children the opportunity to experience a story on so many sensory levels.

I hope this has given you some reasons to consider the benefits that picture books uniquely offer a young child. For a comprehensive list of excellent picture books, please visit Elizabeth Bird’s Fuse #8 blog.

Happy reading!

Time is flying...

2010-10-07T11:12:00.000-07:00

Good heavens, I can't believe how quickly time passes by. This week I handed in my mid-semester evaluation for Vermont College (halfway through my third semester). Next week I turn in my (hopefully) final draft of my critical thesis (more on that later). And I just did my first virtual classroom visit via Skype with R.A Mitchell Elementary School in Alabama (and what a delightful group of third graders!).

It's been a busy week!

Oh, and for a good laugh, check out this book-related video clip. This one came from Julie Larios, my advisor extraordinaire. Not only is Julie an awesome writer and teacher, she's great at finding fun "distractions."

Check Out This Article

2010-09-09T11:32:00.000-07:00

Check out this article from Hunger Mountain by Nikki Grimes. She speaks to such an important topic, and just about says it all. People need to hear this.

Especially now.

The "Everything Under the Moon" Group

2010-07-16T09:25:00.000-07:00

This is the "Everything Under the Moon, Writing with Fingers on Fire" VCFA fall 2009 picture book semester group; and some of my most favorite writer friends on the planet.

Left to right, front row: me, Mary Cronin, and Kathi Appelt (advisor extraordinaire). Left to right, back row: Barabara Bishop (graduating on Tuesday--yea, Barbara!), Abby Aguirre and Meredith Davis.

Having lunch with these lovely ladies has been one of my personal highlights of the residency thus far because really--isn't there nothing like getting together with "old" friends?

My New Advisor!!!

2010-07-15T04:13:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's been forever since I've posted as I've allowed my wrist and thumb to heal, but I just found out who my next advisor will be for my 3rd semester at Vermont College. Drum roll, please........ Julie Larios! Okay, I'll admit it, when I saw my name in her group I let out a whoop. Julie is a fabulous poet, brilliant and just plain delightful. I AM THRILLED!

On the Injured Reserved List...

2010-05-31T12:59:00.000-07:00

It seems that I've injured my hand, writing and riding. Too much writing for the VC Master's program, and too much riding my bike (which keeps me grounded with all the work in the Master's program). Yes, torn tendons are a real pain. Anyway, it loooks like I won't be blogging 'til the end of the summer, most likely--that's when I'm anticipating my hand to be completely healed.

BTW, for my VC writing, I've been using a software program called, Dragon Naturally Speaking, an excellent voice-activated program. Unofrtunately, it doesn't seem to work for dictating posts for my blog though! But it's saving me with my other writing. Phew!!!

So, have a fantastic summer--sip some lemonade, read lots of good books and don't forget your sunscreen!

Upcoming Event: KRA Young Author Fair

2010-05-03T10:35:00.001-07:00

Next week, I'll be in Bakersfield, CA for the Kern Reading Association's Young Author Fair. I'll be speaking at the following sites:

May 10: Almondale School

May 11: Casa Loma School

May 12: Wayside SchoolMay 13: McKinley School

May 14: Owens Primary

May 14: YAF Author Dinner, Doubletree Hotel, 6:30 (open to public)

May 15: YAF Fair at University Square (corner of 20th and K Streets, Bakersfield, CA). 8:30-12:30. Free to public.

For the whole scoop, click here.

This is said to be one of the top author events in the nation, so I'm deeply honored to be a part of it. If you're in the area, please stop by and say hi!

Ya Gotta Love Squidoo!

2010-04-22T08:32:00.000-07:00

This link came across my desk this morning. Don't you just love Squidoo? If you're not familiar with it, it's a site where folks can post articles. For example, this one is about "Picture Books about Bears" and features a few favorite titles of the author's. And of course, Blackberry Banquet is featured!

Click here to find a Squidoo article that I wrote called, Ten Things to Do with a Children's Book.

You can find almost anything on Squidoo---now keep in mind that anyone can post an article, and there's a sort of "honor system" that people write about things with which they actually have some expertise--in other words, reader beware! I wouldn't want my doctor gleeming info from this site about practicing medician, if he's written a book and wants some book promotion ideas, then let him have at it!

A Lecture Everyone Should Hear or Read

2010-03-27T14:06:00.000-07:00

As you know, I had the priviledge of having Kathi Appelt as my advisor last semester at Vermont College. Last year, at the summer residency, Kathi gave a fabulous lecture that left me saying, "Everyone should hear that lecture. Every single person in the world. Especially if they're a writer and/or educator."

Well folks, I've got great news. Kathi's lecture, Blurring the Lines, is available online on the Hunger Mountain website. Please-please-please click here to read it (it's long, but worth every second of your time). Hunger Mountain is the journal of the Vermont College Fine Arts program. I was so happy to see Kathi's lecture in print, as I could savor it slowly (yes, like fine wine or Belgian chocolate).

In Kathi's poignant writing style, she gives us so many things to consider--as writers, parents, teachers, humans. With compassion and the knowledge of the scholar she is, she discusses the reactions to her award-winning novel The Underneath, the importance of reading, embracing your past, the overuse of standardized tests in today's schools, becoming more humanitarian, censorship, Ferdinand the Bull and the importance of blurring the lines that we often put up to distinguish "us" from "them." I laughed, cheered, and even gasped at times. You will be enlightened, comforted, and want to become a "book whisperer."

Here is one of my favorite quotes:

I’m worried that our children, expert test takers by the time they reach fifteen where every answer is true or false, will not have Ferdinand or the little old woman eating mush or beautiful Ginger [Black Beauty] because tests have taken over and the language of their childhood will always be age appropriate and standardized. It will be too conscious and not conscious enough. And someone whom we could drink a beer with will stand in front of the world and say, “bring it on,” without the ability to imagine the ramifications or the feelings of others, someone who forgot Ferdinand.

This is a beautifully written lecture/essay. Pour yourself a glass of wine, sit back and enjoy...

Good Golly, Where Is the Time Going?

2010-03-15T18:37:00.000-07:00

My goodness, I looked up at the calendar (which was still on February so I flipped it) and saw that we're halfway through March already. Ack!!!

WHERE is the time going?

Oh wait...I turned in my second packet today. Surely THAT'S where the time went. Into my packet preparation.

But I now have two more essays done, six chapters of my novel turned in and a bibliography (check-check-check!). Oh, and this time around I included a structural summary of my novel-in-progress. I think structure is *finally* starting to sink in with me. Finally!

I'd like to say I've earned a couple of days off to relax, catch up, and flip the rest of the calendars in the house, but with spring break next week (which translates to husband and kids being home), there's no time to rest. Gotta get as much done as I can this week. But maybe I can solicite some help in flipping the calendars next week. Of course by then we'll practically be in April. Maybe we should just skip March...

West Boron Elementary, Here I Come!

2010-03-01T10:21:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow I'll be heading down to Boron, CA, a small town in the high desert just south of where I live, to help the students of West Boron Elementary School celebrate Read Across America Day. I'm so excited about my visit--I love speaking to students about the writing process and getting them excited about reading. I still remember my fabulous fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Barnes, and how she turned me onto reading. Talk about a keystone year!

How are YOU celebrating Read Across America Day?

THIS is Why I Write for Kids

2010-02-25T08:15:00.000-08:00

Okay, I'm sitting here, teary-eyed. Truly touched.

Check out this article in the Chelsea Standard (it's short).

All I can say is: THIS is why I write for kids. It's just that simple.

MINI-VIEW: KATHI APPELT

2010-02-22T08:20:00.000-08:00

MINI-VIEWS:
Pint-sized interviews that leave you smiling.

KATHI APPELT is the author of over thirty books for children and young adults. Her book, MY FATHER’S SUMMERS (Henry Holt, 2004) won the Paterson Poetry Prize for Young Adult Literature and was selected as “Book for the Teen Age,” by the New York Public Library, as well as a “Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Readers.” Her picture book, BUBBA AND BEAU, BEST FRIENDS was given the Irma and Simon Black Award for excellence in children’s literature.

Her first novel, THE UNDERNEATH, was a finalist for The National Book Award, a Newbery Honor book, and the winner of the PEN USA Award for Children’s Literature.

Ms. Appelt is on the faculty in the Masters of Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults at Vermont College of Fine Arts. She and her husband Ken live in College Station, TX. For more information, check her website: http://www.kathiappelt.com/.

You're a master of picture book writing, whether it be non-fiction (MISS LADY BIRD’S WILDFLOWERS, ELEPHANTS ALOFT) or fiction (BATS ON PARADE, or your newest title, BRAND NEW BABY BLUES), to prose (the BUBBA AND BEAU series) to rhyme (ALLEYCAT’S MEOW, OH MY BABY LITTLE ONE). Can you tell us about your process? Are there some things that you consistently do with every story or is each one a new journey its own right?

What a good question! And oh, if only I had an answer. To be honest,

I used to pay a lot more attention to process than I do now. I hope that this lack of attention-paying is because I've just gotten more used to writing rather than a laziness on my part, but I'm not so sure about that. Certainly, each book has its own path. Some come a lot faster to me. Some, not so much. Most of my stories require multiple drafts, and we're talking multiple, like fifteen, twenty, more. I think I rewrote Miss Lady Bird's Wildflowers about fifty times.

If there is, in fact, a common process element, it's that I always begin with something from my own experience and life, even it means bats or cats or hound dogs. I'm also really kind to myself when it comes to early drafting. I try not to be too judgmental about what shows up on the page, at least not until I've gotten a couple of drafts down.

I also never talk about a book in progress. It's a superstition of mine. I learned this when I was a graduate student--that if I talked about a project before I had words on the page, then I found that I couldn't write it. My brain was already convinced that the project had been completed. And it's funny because when people start to tell me, "I have an idea for a book," I'm quick to say, "No, don't tell me. Write it. Then we can talk."

You're also an accomplished writer for older readers with many books for teens on writing, poetry and novels, including THE UNDERNEATH, which won a 2009 ALA Newbery Honor. Could you briefly share with us how winning a Newbery Honor affected your life? Can you tell us a little about your next novel?

In a million ways, writing The Underneath changed my life. Just the writing itself was where the change occurred. It's hard to explain, but I felt as though I had to simultaneously step out of my own skin in order to get the story down, but at the same time I had to dive as deeply as I could into the darkest realms of my own life in order to find the true story. Winning the Newbery Honor was amazing. Truly. It was a gift. I'm still amazed by it.

Next novel: Keeper. It's due out in mid-May and is about ten-year-old Keeper who lives with her foster mother, Signe, along the Texas coast. Keeper believes that her real mother, Meggie Marie, is a mermaid because the last time she saw her, Meggie Marie swam away. So, the book is Keeper's quest for her mermaid mother, who may or may not be a real mermaid. There's a companion dog and an errant seagull who go along for the ride. August Hall has created some beautiful art for the interior and his jacket is drop-dead gorgeous. I told my editor that I want to blow it up and paper my bedroom wall with it.

What's your favorite children's joke?

Hah!
Q: What do you have when you have snakes on the windshield?
A: Windshield vipers!

Hee-hee! Thanks so much, Kathi!

Semester Two: Packet One. Done!

2010-02-17T10:41:00.000-08:00

I turned in my first packet for this semester over the weekend. This semester my advisor is the fabulous Laura Kvasnosky. Whenever I turn in a packet I never quite feel like I'm done until I receive the feedback from my advisor. So, I sit on pins and needles, eagerly anticipating...

...until, TA-DA! My amazing advisor (at a lightspeed pace) sends back a complete and thorough set of comments about my entire packet of work. I love this aspect of the semester because I find out specifically what is working with my writing, and more importantly, what I need to learn more about--craft issues, suggested readings, revision tips, etc. It's like going to the candy store for writing-improvement.

This morning I fist-pumped and yelled, "YES!" when I read Laura's comment that I'd successfully used "objective correlative." (chuckle if you will, but this was new to me). I loved seeing her revision suggestions for my picture books--seeing how I can sculpt my stories into better pieces of art. I wrote an essay comparing dialogue in beginning readers and picture books; I knew, with her being an expert at this, that she'd have a lot to say on this subject. I definitely have a lot to think about on that topic and am looking forward to having a discussion with her about it.

Yes, packets are a stressful and joyful part of the Vermont College experience. To me, they're like a compass. They give direction and the hope that I'm heading the correct way.

Now, onto re-reading Laura's comments so they can sink in even more...

National Wildlife Federation Reading List

2010-01-25T08:34:00.001-08:00

I'm delighted to announce that Blackberry Banquet has been named on the National Wildlife Federation's Grab Bag list of recommended books.

I've always respected the NWF as a sensible animal conservation organization so I'm very proud to see my book included on their list. AND if you order a book through their website, NWF received a portion of the payment to help their efforts in conserving wildlife. How cool is that???

So please, hop on over and check out their Grab Bag list and learn more about their fabulous organization while you're there.