Kate's Book Blog

Thankful Thursday: A Visit with Vermont Home Schoolers

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:13:59 GMT

I spent yesterday morning with a group of home schooled students in Williston, Vermont. They ranged in age from six to fourteen -- something that usually makes me a little nervous when I'm presenting, but with this group, it worked. The younger students were incredibly well-informed, and the older ones were generous and patient and had great questions of their own. I gave one of my newer presentations: Firing Cannons and Kissing Frogs: The Truth About Author Research, and I've decided this might be my new favorite because it talks about all the different kinds of research authors do and allows me to look back on just how many fun and challenging and downright strange things I've done in the name of research for all my books.

Best part of the day? After my presentation, as I was winding cords and shutting down my laptop, one of the younger boys came up to me with a huge smile on his face.

"Thanks!" he said. "That was a LOT more fun than I thought it was going to be."

I was very happy to have surprised him.

Thanks, kids (and parents!) for such a great morning with your group!

A Celebration of Reading in Rochester!

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:50:25 GMT

GIANNA Z. and I were part of a HUGE celebration of books and reading at the annual Rochester Chlidren's Book Festival this weekend. Families crowded into the festival at Monroe Community College to meet 42 authors and illustrators, make bookish crafts, listen to talks and read-alouds, and of course, pick out new books to have signed.   I was lucky enough to attend this festival two years ago and was so excited to be invited back. I mean, really...how can you not love a crowd like this, all cheering for books?

I loved visiting with all the kids, teachers, & librarians, and some LJ friends like deenaml too! The fantastic people at Lift Bridge Book Shop handled book sales for the event, and I was in awe of how efficient they were, even with such a great crowd.

Here's Peggy Thomas, my festival next-door neighbor with some of her fantastic, fun picture books.

And more author friends... Rebecca Stead and Michelle Knudsen. My daughter came with me to the festival and had been talking for weeks about meeting Rebecca because she loved WHEN YOU REACH ME so much. When she finally got to say hello, she was a little tongue-tied, but did get to have her own copy signed, which made her very, very happy. We picked up a signed copy of Michelle's new fantasy novel THE DRAGON OF TRELIAN, too - can't wait to read it!

Here are Herm and Mary Jane Auch, one of the friendliest and funniest couples in children's literature. E and I have been laughing over our signed copy of their picture book THE PLOT CHICKENS all weekend.

And here, from right to left (pay attention...I'm naming people backwards this time) here's author Elizabeth "Sibby" Falk, who organized this year's festival and is one of the kindest, most talented, and most organized people I know. You really had to experience this festival to appreciate the work that must have gone into making everything run so perfectly. (Thank you, Sibby!) In the middle is another delightful and talented Rochester author, my friend Kathy Blasi. Both Kathy and Sibby write beautiful historical fiction, so if you're a fan of stories from the past and haven't checked out their books, you'll want to do that.

And finally, on the left in the photo is Sibby's daughter Sarah. Take note of that purple shirt...the official uniform of the fabulous festival volunteers, who seemed to be everywhere. They set up and broke down the event, passed out programs, ushered authors to their presentations on time, and even came around with cookies at the end of a long day. The volunteers at this festival were amazing - so thank you, volunteers, if any of you are reading this. You made us all feel so very welcome and appreciated.

Rochester Children's Book Festival

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:47:35 GMT

I spent an amazing day at the Rochester Children's Book Festival. I love, love, love this event. Love it. And I'm so thrilled I could attend this year. My daughter spent the day with me, hanging out at my table and wandering around drinking in all the book-love. And what a day it was.

I have pictures of lots of author friends who were there and the HUGE crowd and the wonderfulness, and I'll post those when I get home. But tonight, I really want to say a huge THANK YOU to Sibby Falk, an amazing Rochester author who organized this year's festival.

Sibby's a warm, lovely person, a gifted writer, and an amazing organizer. The festival was just incredibly well organized - just perfect, and I know how much work went into that. Thanks, Sibby!

Friday Five

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:30:22 GMT

1. I've not been much of a blogger lately because I have been revising SUGAR ON SNOW, my Fall 2010 middle grade novel with Walker Books. And revising and revising and revising, pretty much into the wee hours of every morning for a few weeks. But last night right around midnight, I sent SUGAR ON SNOW back to my editor. I love that about email - you don't have to wait until someone is awake and at work. And so now, I am stretching and looking around, remembering that I have another book I'm drafting. And a blog. It's nice to see you all.

2. I'm finally reading GRACELING by Kristin Cashore. Now I see what all the fuss has been about.

3. Tomorrow, I'll be in Rochester for the Rochester Children's Book Festival. I LOVE this festival & hope to see you there if you're in the area. The full list of authors participating is here, and it includes many favorites and friends - yay!

4. THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z. got a Gold Star Award from TeensReadToo this week. This means a lot to me, as I love this review site for kids. Thank you!!

5. I really only had four, and I have to go finish getting ready for school now. Have a great weekend & I hope to see some of you in Rochester tomorrow!

How They Got Here: 2009 Debut Author L.K. Madigan

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:39:19 GMT

This post is part of a year-long series of blog interviews I'll be hosting with my fellow 2009 Debut Authors, called "How They Got Here."

It should be an especially helpful series for teens who write, teachers, and anyone who wants to write for kids. 2009 debut authors will be dropping by to talk about how their writing in school shaped the authors they are today, what teachers can do to make a difference, how they revise, and how they found their agents and editors. (You'll even be able to read some successful query letters!) If you know a teacher or two who might be interested, please share the link!

Today...L.K. Madigan, author of FLASH BURNOUT!

When I attended ALA this summer, there were a few advance reader copies I was so, so hoping to find, and FLASH BURNOUT was at the top of that list. L.K. Madigan and I share an agent, and I'd already heard great things about her book. It lived up to all the talk and more.

I was smitten with the main character's voice just a few pages into this debut YA novel. It's really, really funny at the same time it tackles some tough issues about family, teen romance, drug addiction, and friendship.

The book begins with a photography assignment for fifteen-year-old Blake, just experiencing his first real romance. When Blake inadvertently snaps a picture of his friend Marissa's mother, he launches her into a journey for which she desperately needs some support. That journey causes Blake to question what he thought he knew about love and friendship and takes readers on a wild ride of their own.

The voice in this book is really remarkable, and Madigan's rich characters with their hysterical dialogue reminded me of John Green at times. FLASH BURNOUT is a fantastic, fantastic debut - one that I highly recommend for high school and maybe some older middle school kids, too.

Congratulations, Lisa - and welcome! Tell us about the first thing you ever wrote that made you think maybe you were a writer.

I’ve been writing since I was a child, so in some ways, I never really questioned my fate. The first “novel” I ever wrote was an 80-page book about mermaids, complete with crayoned illustrations.

What books did you love when you were a kid?

The first book I can remember adoring as an independent reader was NO FLYING IN THE HOUSE, by Betty Brock. Then of course I loved HARRIET THE SPY, and A WRINKLE IN TIME. As I got older, I devoured teen problem novels. Now that I think about it, today’s “edgy” YA novels are no more shocking than some of the books I read back then.

Is there a particular teacher or librarian who was a mentor for you in your reading and writing life?

Wow … all of them! Every teacher who wrote compliments on my papers, or read my work aloud in class, or handed me an award for a winning story … all of them encouraged me and built up my confidence.

I remember a particular summer program at the Montavilla Library in Portland, for kids interested in writing … at the end of the program, all of our stories were typed up (on a typewriter!) and bound with plastic binding and cardboard covers. That was very, very impressive to me. Who knows? The idea may have been planted right then that I could write REAL BOOKS.

Do you have a favorite strategy for revision?

I don’t, actually. It’s more a matter of eliminating distractions and inserting my head firmly into the story.

What’s your best advice for young writers?

It takes a long time to find your voice. When you first start writing, you may mimic the writing style of authors you admire … at some point, your own unique way of telling a story will emerge.

What’s special about your debut novel?

It’s a contemporary realistic novel with a teen boy narrator bobbing in a sea of paranormal romances about vampires/werewolves/faeries and the girls who love them.

And as soon as I can stop laughing, I'll ask you about the process. What were the best and worst parts of writing FLASH BURNOUT?

The best part was how FUN it was to write.

The worst part was researching the effects of methamphetamine use … not just the physical damage to users, but devastation to the user’s families, especially children.

Any more books planned?

Remember that mermaid story I mentioned? My next book is a young adult novel about a surfer girl and a mermaid. It will be published in 2010.

Yay! Thanks for joining us, Lisa!

Read more about L.K. Madigan at her website. You can pick up your copy of FLASH BURNOUT at your local independent bookseller, order it through one of my favorite indies, Flying Pig Bookstore (they ship!), or find an indie near you by checking out IndieBound!

Adding to the Conversation on Amazon Vine

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:57:29 GMT

I've been home sick for three days now, which has given me entirely too much time to read blogs and now, some time to ponder over the Amazon VINE program.

Amazon.com has a program in which they get a whole bunch of books, often advance reader copies, from publishers and offer these to what they call "select reviewers," which I expect are people who have posted lots of reviews on the site that have been voted as helpful. People who participate in this program get a newsletter once a month and can choose up to two things (books and sometimes strange other items...software....sheets...diet energy bars...that I don't really understand) to receive and review. Then later in the month, another newsletter comes out with all the remaining review items, and participants can select two more books or whatever. The understanding is that participants review 75% of the items they request.

Amazon Vine's review program has come under fire this week from some blogger/book people for whom I have huge amounts of respect. Betsy Bird, Fuse #8 at School Library Journal's post is called "Said I Heard It Through the Amazon Vine," and Chasing Ray's is called "Three Controversies: One Bigger Issue." This one addresses not only Amazon's program but also recent news about Walmart's predatory pricing of bestsellers and Scholastic's reported pressuring Lauren Myracle, author of LOVE YA BUNCHES, to "change" a character's same-sex parents into a heterosexual couple so the book could be considered for school book fairs. There was an uproar over this. I'm proud to say I was part of it, as I've taught many kids with same-sex parents and have always believed that ALL kids need to see families like theirs respresented in books. I'm also proud of Scholastic for apparently realizing its mistake and scheduling the book for spring fairs, gay parents and all.

Anyway...back to the VINE thing. Here's why all the recent blogging has me thinking.

If you read this blog or visit my website, you know that I support independent bookstores. I don't order from Amazon unless I absolutely cannot get a book through one of my local indies, and I don't link to Amazon on my website. But I was a reader and a teacher and a book-pusher before I was an author, and I've always posted reviews of books that I like on Amazon, as well as on GoodReads and on my own blog because I think it helps both authors and readers.

When Amazon started this Vine program a couple years ago and asked me if I was interested in choosing books off a newsletter for possible review, I said sure. It was before my book was out, before anyone really knew my blog, before I had been a panelist for the Cybils, and before I was at any conferences where ARCs were being handed out. As a middle school teacher, it helps me a ton to have access to advance reader copies when I'm choosing books for literature circles, class reads, and just the classroom library. My public library isn't particularly well-funded, so new books take a while to get here. So the idea of getting a couple new books a month to review? Great.

I'm one of those people who gives all positive reviews. I only talk about books that I like a lot, and that goes for my blog, GoodReads - not just Amazon. So when I choose from those newsletters, I only request books that I'm pretty sure I'll like. From some newsletters I only request one book. Others I skip all together. And when I do receive books, I read them. If I like a book -- and I usually do because I like a huge variety of books -- I post a recommendation on GoodReads, on Amazon, and sometimes on my blog. I take it to school, book talk it to my students, and buy a hardcover copy for my class library or recommend it to our school librarian. If a book is especially great for discussion, we'll order five or six copies for literature circles.

And so even though I'm not a fan of Amazon as a corporation, being a part of this program seemed okay. To me, it was always more about helping books and authors and readers than something that was promoting Amazon. And yes...getting books in the mail rocks. It's helped me discover a lot of great books for my classroom that I might have otherwise missed.

I'm re-thinking that now, though. And I'd love to hear your thoughts.

I actually considered making this a friends-locked post, given the hooplah about the Vine program (I try not to insert myself into the middle of hooplah), but decided that would be kind of cowardly. And I really would love to hear a variety of thoughts on this before I decide what to do.

So fire away...

Bear Pond Books in Montpelier

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:35:25 GMT

If you have to go out on a blustery, rainy Saturday, I'm of the opinion that there's nowhere better to go than a wonderful, cozy bookstore. I had a GIANNA Z. event at Bear Pond Books in Montpelier Saturday, and it fit the bill just perfectly!

We had a lovely afternoon talking about books and research and writing, and I was especially happy to meet a couple librarians and home school kids who came out for the talk.

Alas, because of the rain and the rough ferry ride and the parking, I was running late and only have two photos. The second is one that you might not expect - the door to the Bear Pond bathroom, but it made me laugh, so I'm sharing.

The truth is, I didn't actually see Myrtle, but she does travel and was probably off in the pipes somewhere, perhaps visiting the coffee shop next door.

Thanks, Jane (and Myrtle, wherever you are!) and everyone at Bear Pond Books, for a delightfully cozy Saturday afternoon!

Authors at the New York State English Council Conference

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 03:02:47 GMT

I spent Thursday at the NYS English Council Conference in Albany and had a great time talking with colleagues in both of my worlds - the English teachers and authors alike.

Nancy Krulik, author of the Katie Kazoo series, was at the table next to me. She's written FORTY BOOKS in that series. 40!! I find that amazing and love that she still gets excited talking about new ideas for Katie.

From left to right, Tim Tocher, Joseph Bruchac, & Ann Burg

I met Tim Tocher, whose historical baseball novels look like just perfect for some of my boys at school. It was also great to see Joe Bruchac, whose work I always love, and Ann Burg, whose YA novel in verse ALL THE BROKEN PIECES is one of my favorite new books of 2009.

And here's Michael Buckley, of SISTERS GRIMM fame, with his new NERDS book. Michael captured all of our end-of-the-day silliness with his spirited hat. I'm not positive, but I think it's actually a hot dog in a bun. With mustard on top, too.

Many thanks to Scott and Alison of Merritt Books for hosting us at NYSEC!

Thankful Almost-Thursday

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:01:12 GMT

Lots of thankfulness to go around this week...

1, I'm plugging away at my revision for SUGAR ON SNOW, stealing bits of time wherever I can. I used to feel like I needed big chunks of time to get anything done, but that idea has sort of faded away for me, and I'm thankful for that. It makes it so much easier to find writing time when I'm not holding out for the two-hour block.

2, My brother Tom just finished his last training run for this year's Marine Corps Marathon to raise money for autism research. I don't get to see him much because he lives out in Colorado, and traveling with a teenager who has autism is a challenge, to say the least. But I'm so, so proud of his dedication to his family and his work with autism research, and I'm thankful I could help out with his efforts this year. Here's a link to his fund raising page in case you'd like to pitch in, too - I know he'd appreciate it.

3. Tomorrow, I'll be spending the day at the NYS English Conference in Albany, signing books and generally making merry with the folks at the wonderful Merritt Books, the official conference bookstore. I'm looking forward to chatting with teachers and touching base with some writer friends, too!

4. On Saturday, I'll be at Bear Pond Books in Montpelier, which makes me happy because it's a fantastic indie bookstore with a great kids' section. The event is at 2pm if you're in the area and would like to come by . I'm making Nonna's funeral cookies. Come on...you know you want to taste them...

5. Ever notice how little things can make a big difference in your day? It was almost four this afternoon and I was wrapping up work in my classroom when one of my students came running into the room. "My friend made cookies for the swim party today. They're chocolate chip and we thought you'd like one!" She put it on my desk on a napkin with a huge smile that brightened my day even more than the cookie.

What about you? Who made one of your days brighter this week?

Book Club Contest, Skyping into Wisconsin, and "Instructions"

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 02:55:23 GMT

A few quick updates tonight...before I get back to SUGAR ON SNOW revisions.

1. Thanks to all those who entered THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z. book club giveaway. The winner, drawn at random from those who entered, is Jeni from the Glenwood Schools for Boys and Girls in Glenwood, Illinois. Congratulations, Jeni! And for everyone else... please let me know if your book club chooses GIANNA Z. as a selection. I'd be happy to send along some signed bookmarks and find a time to have a Skype chat with your group after you read.

2. Speaking of Skype, I had a great visit with 6th graders in Mequon, Wisconsin this afternoon. We talked all about the research and writing process, and they had some fantastic questions. The author-tech-geek in me was pleased to discover that I can actually Skype and scroll through PowerPoint slides on my laptop at the same time. That allowed me to page through the slides and talk about them on one computer in my office while the teacher in Wisconsin projected the PowerPoint onto a screen in her classroom next to the Skype screen. Cool stuff, I tell you...and I was able to make it to my son's cross country meet afterwards, too. That would have been tricky with an in-person visit.

3. I read in Publishers Marketplace recently that Neil Gaiman's poem "Instructions" is going to be a picture book. This makes me happy - I love that poem, particularly when he reads it here ( melissa_writing just shared the link and reminded me how much I like it - thanks!). It makes me want to find a magical garden gate, too. Enjoy!

Celebrating the National Day on Writing: A Revision Gallery

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:34:55 GMT

A couple weeks ago, a school principal & teacher in California asked me where she could find pictures of real manuscripts from real authors going through the revision process to share with her students so they'd be more excited about revising. I didn't know of such a resource, but as a teacher, I absolutely loved the idea. As an author, I knew I probably had some writer friends who would be more than willing to help teachers by sharing a photo or two.

The result is here... a Revision Gallery with a collection of authors' notes and photos of their marked-up manuscripts. I thought today, NCTE's National Day on Writing would be the perfect day to share our stories.

The PowerPoint slides are below (as jpegs) for teachers who would like to save them & use them in the classroom, and the full presentation is also on SlideShare (though the conversion process distorted a couple of the images).

.

Thanks so very much to all of the authors who sent me photos of their marked up pages and words of revision wisdom for young writers. Your notes and pages were an inspiration to me, too. It really is quite a process, isn't it?

And teachers...feel free to save, share, post, download, link to, and use these images however you can to help your kids with writing and revision.

Happy National Day on Writing!

AUTHORS: If you'd like to add to this collection, feel free to post a revision note on your own blog or website with a photo or two of your marked-up manuscript. (If you write YA, please be sure to choose a page that's appropriate for younger readers, too!) Then leave a comment here with a link to your revision post, and our Revision Gallery can continue to grow!

How They Got Here: 2009 Debut Author Megan Crewe

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:08:51 GMT

This post is part of a year-long series of blog interviews I'll be hosting with my fellow 2009 Debut Authors, called "How They Got Here."

It should be an especially helpful series for teens who write, teachers, and anyone who wants to write for kids. 2009 debut authors will be dropping by to talk about how their writing in school shaped the authors they are today, what teachers can do to make a difference, how they revise, and how they found their agents and editors. (You'll even be able to read some successful query letters!) If you know a teacher or two who might be interested, please share the link!

Today...Megan Crewe, author of GIVE UP THE GHOST!

I had the good fortune to read an early copy of Megan's book, and I loved the mix of modern high school kids with that paranormal twist. A girl who sees ghosts is compelling enough, but the fact that she can talk to them AND that they feed her gossip? It adds up to a fantastic read (and just in time for Halloween, too!)

Welcome, Megan! Tell us about the first thing you ever wrote that made you think maybe you were a writer.

When I was in fifth grade, we had an assignment around Halloween to write a suspenseful story. I loved making up stories, so I put a lot of effort into mine, which I believe was about a werewolf. My teacher picked it as an example to read to the class. I remember looking around and seeing all the other kids totally wrapped up in the story, and realizing that maybe writing wasn't just something I loved, maybe I was good at it, too. Maybe I could be a "real" writer.

Moving on to the here and now, most writers admit that making time to write can sometimes be a challenge. When and where do you write? Do you have any special rituals? Music? Food & beverages?

Part of my bedroom is my sort-of office space: my desk, my special writing chair, bookshelves with my YA and reference books. When I have a project I'm working on, I write for a few hours every morning, on my laptop. And I'm not allowed to turn on the desktop computer with the internet connection until I'm done my goal for that day. During the rest of the day, I'm often jotting down ideas or outlining scenes in my notebook, wherever I happen to be.

Do you have a favorite strategy for revision?

I read over the previous draft and make notes on things that I want to change. If I've gotten critiques I consult them and add any ideas from those comments to my list. Then I either make an organized list of things to change/work on in each chapter, or, if I'm making larger changes, re-outline the book scene-by-scene to work in the changes. Finally, I open a new document and start writing the new draft from scratch--though I have the previous draft open beside it so any parts I'm keeping I'm really just re-typing.

What’s your best advice for young writers?

The most important part of becoming a good writer is just to keep trying. Write whenever you can. Read widely so you know what's out there and how other writers have handled different types of plots and characters. Study your stories and look for ways to make them better. Realize that it's okay that a story's not going to be perfect the first time you write it. Writing can be a lot of hard work, but if you love doing it, it's totally worth it.

What’s special about your debut novel?

Unlike most stories where the main character can see ghosts, Cass embraces her ability and actually feels more comfortable with the dead than the living. Exploring how she got to that point, and how she can move on from it, is something I feel makes the book special. :)

What were the best and worst parts of writing it?

The best part was getting to know Cass and the other characters better and better as I revised, and being about to show their stories more fully. The worst was struggling with feedback that Cass wasn't sympathetic enough, even though she was to me and some of my readers--finding a way to soften her up without losing the edge that was so important to her personality. But I think I've managed to do that!

How did you find your agent and/or editor?

I found my agent the usual way--no connections, just queried, sent the manuscript when requested, and got an offer of representation. And I found my editor through my agent, of course. :)

And here's the pitch from Megan's successful query letter:

Sixteen-year-old Cass McKenna would take the company of the dead over the living any day. Unlike her high school classmates, the dead don’t lie or judge, and they’re way less scary than Danielle, the best-bud-turned-backstabber who kicked Cass to the bottom of the social ladder in seventh grade. Since then, Cass has styled herself as an avenger. Using the secrets her ghostly friends stumble across, she exposes her fellow students’ deceits and knocks the poseurs down a peg.

When Tim Reed, the student council V.P., asks Cass to chat with his recently-deceased mom, her instinct is to laugh in his face. But Tim’s part of Danielle’s crowd. He can give Cass dirt the dead don’t know. Intent on revenge, Cass offers to trade her spirit-detecting skills for his information. She isn’t counting on chasing a ghost who would rather hide than speak to her, facing the explosive intervention of an angry student, or discovering that Tim’s actually an okay guy. Then Tim sinks into a suicidal depression, and Cass has to choose: run back to the safety of the dead, or risk everything to stop Tim from becoming a ghost himself.

Thanks for joining us, Megan!

You can read more about Megan at her website. You can pick up your copy of GIVE UP THE GHOST at your local independent bookseller, order it through one of my favorite indies, Flying Pig Bookstore (they ship!), or find an indie near you by checking out IndieBound!

Don't forget to enter the GIANNA Z. contest for book clubs!

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:06:15 GMT

One last thing...and then I'm back to my mug of tea and my revision...

Tomorrow is the last day to enter THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z. book club contest, where you can win a whole set of books for your reading group or classroom literature circles group. Click here for the easy details on how to enter!

I'd love to see more entries from mother-daughter book clubs, so if you know someone who runs one, please let them know about the contest! And if you have blog readers or Twitter pals who might be interested, please feel free to share the news - just one day left to enter. Thanks!

Revision Process: Tackling character and balance in SUGAR ON SNOW

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 10:58:56 GMT

I'll tell you right up front...this is going to be one of those long rambling posts about the writing process, photos included. If you don't want to be mired in a tour of my messy revision-mind, you should probably just move on now. Nothing to see here...

Still hanging around? Okay... here's the revision story. Last Friday, the UPS guy came with one of those big, thick, daunting envelopes. My editor at Walker had already emailed to let me know the second round of revisions for my December 2010 middle grade novel SUGAR ON SNOW were on the way. I love revision, but opening that envelope this time threw me for a bit of a loop at first. This revision feels bigger than the first one, and I have less than a month to turn it around if we're to make copy edits on time. But the more I read over the letter and thought about it, the more excited I got. What editor MK is suggesting is exactly what this book needs to get to the next level...to get ME to where I want to be as a writer.

The revisions fall into two main categories -- making relationships between characters deeper and stronger (and there are a lot of characters in this book!) and establishing a better balance between the main character's home/school life and her ice skating world. Here's what my revision process has been looking like so far.

There's the usual green tea, notebook, laptop, manuscript, & revision letter. That paper up on the envelope is actual a plot diagram that editor MK created showing the book's main plot points leading up to the climax. I'm not showing a closeup because it's kind of spoilery, but I'll tell you what it looks like. So I could better understand the balance issue, MK put the plot points that relate to ice skating under the timeline and the home/school stuff over the line. It's about an 80/20 division right now, heavy on the skating, and I agree with her that it would be stronger if it were more like 60/40.

This second editorial letter is four pages long, almost all focusing on individual character development and relationships. Good stuff.

I'm doing most of that work off the computer...right here.

This is one of those pricey notebooks with a thick cover that I bought for 80% off at a little paper goods store in SoHo on one of my authory trips to NY. I saved it for a time when I needed a special notebook that made me extra excited to write, and when I first felt overwhelmed reading that editorial letter, I knew that it was time to pull it out. I've been doing everything I can to develop the main character, Claire, more as a student and friend. I just finished character sketches of every one of her 7th and 8th grade teachers. I'm not sure yet which of those will make it into the new draft, but I know them now.

When I went back to the actual novel to start working on the computer again, the first thing I did was bring it scene by scene into Scrivener, the new writing software I started using after I finished this book.

See the colored index cards on my virtual bulletin board? The green ones represent scenes that focus on Claire's family & home life. The orange ones represent skating scenes in Lake Placid and the lavender ones are competition scenes. (The red ones are important but are sort of a secret - sorry.) And the turquoise ones are school scenes. But here's the thing... When I first set this up, there were only two turquoise cards. The others are blank scenes that I've added over the past few days - placeholders for the new school scenes that I'm going to write to help with the balance issue. I love that Scrivener lets you "see" the whole manuscript in such a conceptual way - it really helps me at times like this.

Interestingly enough, it was in thinking through one of those new school scenes that I came up with a way to build on one aspect of my main character that I'd sort of alluded to but didn't really develop fully in the earlier drafts. It's going to be really, really fun, so I'm saving the work on that thread for after I've tackled some of the new scenes that are going to be a little tougher to muddle through. I'll do that sometimes - use the fun stuff as a reward for sticking it out through the hard stuff.

I don't save the easy stuff, though, interestingly enough. The little line edits and quick fixes? I do those first for a couple reasons. If I wait too long and have made major changes, it's harder to find those line edits to make the changes. And also, accomplishing some small jobs helps me to ease back into a manuscript and feel competent in that world again, so that when I tackle the bigger issues, I'm able to do so with more confidence.

You may not hear a whole lot from me, blog-wise, until this revision is done, so I'll leave you to continue the conversation. What works for you when you're tackling a big revision? How do you break up the job so it doesn't feel overwhelming? Any unusual strategies that have led to breakthroughs? Go ahead....talk amongst yourselves... I'll try to stop by with some tea later on.

October Moments

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 18:33:52 GMT

My blog posts have been few and far between lately, mostly because I had two editorial letters for two different projects land on my desk last week, so I've been keeping my head down to revise. One of those books -- the picture book -- is just about ready to go back to my editor and off to its illustrator. My critique partners say it's pretty much set, so I'm just giving it a couple more days to brew, to make sure I don't have "senders' remorse" when I fire off that email.

The other revision, for my Dec. 2010 MG novel SUGAR ON SNOW, is....bigger. But I think I've figured out a good way to tackle it, and I promise a nice juicy process post about that soon, for those of you who are like me and can't get enough of the processy details.

Today, though, a breath of fall -- courtesy of my kids, who pulled me away from my laptop for a couple hours, and some other critters we hiked with at Point au Roche State Park.

Wooly bear caterpillars were everywhere, getting ready to hibernate in the next couple weeks.

I apparently got too close because this guy actually coiled up and struck at my camera. I think he fancies himself a rattlesnake.

It's funny... sometimes when I'm revising, I just need to be locked in a room with my laptop. But sometimes, getting out of that room is even more important to the process for me. Looking up through the trees, getting close to a caterpillar, close enough to see the green flecks on a snake, gives me new eyes for my story, too.

Wanted: Photos of Marked Up Manuscript Pages

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:59:07 GMT

This is a special request for my published author friends to help teachers of writing...

I got an email today from a school principal who works with a large number of economically disadvantaged kids and English language learners, and she's determined to help them become better writers through the revision process. She wondered if there was a place online where she could take them to see what published authors' marked up manuscripts look like when they come back from a critique group or an editor or just when the author is revising on paper. I don't know of such a resource, but I told her I'd see if I could pull something together. I'm hoping to create sort of a revision gallery or series of blog posts with this information:

Author's Name
Website
JPG of a marked up manuscript page
Title of published book (or soon-to-be-published book) from which the page is taken
And (optional) paragraph from the author about the revision process

If you'd like to be included, please take a photo of your marked up page and attach it to an email (kmessner at katemessner dot com) with your name, title of the book, website, and if you'd like, a paragraph about your revision process. If you'd prefer to post something like this on your own blog, that's great, too. Just send me a link & I'll do a round-up post with all of those. The kids using this will be all ages, so if you write for older readers, please make sure the page you share is one that's a good choice for teachers to share in the classroom.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help out with this. I think it could be a great resource and help to introduce kids to new authors, too!

Editing to add: I'm hoping to share a blog post and PowerPoint via Slideshare on Tuesday, October 20th to celebrate the National Day on Writing - so I'll need all photos by this weekend if you'd like to help. Thanks!

How They Got Here: 2009 Debut Author Lauren Bjorkman

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 10:34:27 GMT

Roz has a suspicion about Eva. In turn, Eva taunts Roz with a dare, which leads to an act of total insanity. Drama geeks clamor for attention, Shakespearean insults fly, and Roz steals the show in Lauren Bjorkman’s hilarious debut novel for teens. (Publishers' copy)

Welcome, Lauren! Tell us about the first thing you ever wrote that made you think maybe you were a writer.

In third grade, I wrote and illustrated a book called The Lava Monster. My dad laughed his head off when he read it, and that tipped me off.

What books did you love when you were a kid?

I lived on a sailboat with limited shelf space, so I read my favorites over and over--Harriet the Spy, James and the Giant Peach, and The Island of the Blue Dolphins.

Is there a particular teacher or librarian who was a mentor for you in your reading and writing life?

My 10th grade English teacher, Miss Vickers, was somewhat strange and not always popular because of her harsh grading. Yet her passion for stories and how they are told stays with me to this day.

Moving on to the here and now, most writers admit that making time to write can sometimes be a challenge. When and where do you write? Do you have any special rituals? Music? Food & beverages?

After I drop off my kids in the morning, I make a large cappuccino, prop myself up in bed with a bowl of something snackish next to me--chocolate chips, almonds, and sometimes dry cereal, goof off on the internet for half an hour until the caffeine kicks in, and then write. Yes, I really live it up.

Do you have a favorite strategy for revision?

I've tried everything. Over and over seems to be the best strategy :D
It also helps to pick one aspect (a single character, dialog, a plot element, sentence structure) to revise at a time.

What’s your best advice for young writers?

Know the rules.
And break them when it suits your purpose.

What’s special about your debut novel?

My wacky, exuberant, and sometimes (often) clueless main character.

What were the best and worst parts of writing it?

For me, critique is an essential ingredient to writing well. But the first few post-feedback hours are often painful. Oh no, my baby has a goomba hanging from her nose! Sometimes, though, the critique sparks an idea that will change my novel into something closer to flawless (ha!). That makes me happy.

How did you find your agent and/or editor?

At the end of a five day novel-writing workshop, my instructor offered to refer me to his agent based on the piece I shared with the class. It was a total and wonderful surprise.

Thanks for joining us, Lauren!

You can read more about Lauren at her website. You can pick up your copy of MY INVENTED LIFE at your local independent bookseller, order it through one of my favorite indies, Flying Pig Bookstore (they ship!), or find an indie near you by checking out IndieBound!

Dog Ate My Homework (The bookstore...not the excuse!)

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:21:31 GMT

I've had a bunch of book signings lately, and this weekend's was special for a few reasons. First of all, because it was at the fantastic Dog Ate My Homework Bookstore in Glens Falls, a fun, bright store with friendly owners (and a dog named Macy for a mascot!). Second, because it was a two-author event with my writer friend Eric Luper, whose YA novel BUG BOY set in 1934 Saratoga is one of the best historical novels I've ever read. Here's a picture of us with bookstore owners Kim & Mike Smith.

From left to right: Mike, me, Eric, Kim

Eric & I read from our books, answered questions, & were then treated to a Dog Ate My Homework tradition - dog-bone thank you gifts from Macy (chocolate chip cookie style!)

This giant, dog-bone shaped cookie was so delicious that by the time we enjoyed dinner out with Eric's family and drove home, the only thing left was the "Tha..." But I'll finish that word... THANKS, Mike & Kim and everyone at Dog Ate My Homework for a great, great afternoon!

Five Ways to Celebrate National Reading Group Month

Sun, 04 Oct 2009 14:01:13 GMT

October is National Reading Group Month, an initiative of the Women's National Book Association. Whether you're a long time book club fan or just wondering if one might be for you, here are five ideas for how to celebrate!

1. Attend a National Reading Group Month event in a city near you - the signature event is in Nashville, but there's plenty going on from coast to coast. You can check out Book Club Girl's blog for a fantastic list.

2. Are you already in a book club? Blog about your book group and share the link with Boston Bibliophile, who's putting together a National Reading Month roundup here.

3. Win books for your mother-daughter book club or school/library book group! Have you entered THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z. book club giveaway yet? You can click here for all the details.

4. Want to promote reading groups and literature circles at your child's school? Head to your favorite indie bookstore and purchase five copies of a great MG or YA title to donate to your child's classroom or library.

5. What's your favorite book to recommend as a book club selection? You get to choose three - one for adults, one for teens, and one for middle grade readers. Leave your top choices in comments, and I'll include them in a roundup past later this month!

Thankful Thursday

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 08:00:34 GMT

It's 3:30 in the morning as I write this, and I'm not particularly thankful to be awake just yet. But alas, I'm awake, and every cloud has a silver lining, so...

Things to be Thankful for in the Wee Hours of a Thursday

Upon waking in the middle of the night, I discovered that the Cybils (Children's & Young Adult Bloggers Literature Awards) are open for nominations, so I've been happily running amok, nominating bunches of my favorite books, while the rest of the world sleeps. It's great fun - check out the site if you have favorites from 2009, too!

My afternoon class participated in their first Twitter-chat yesterday. We have a classroom Twitter account (@MessnerEnglish) that we use to share books we like and put questions out there to the world. Yesterday, I saw that Sara Lewis Holmes, author of OPERATION YES, and her editor Cheryl Klein, were having a Twitter chat at noon. I had it projected on the screen via TweetChat when my kids arrived for class (I had been following for half an hour to make sure all was appropriate), and they were fascinated. We read a chapter from Sara's new book, got caught up on the chat about how it was written and edited, and had a chance to ask several questions before moving on to the rest of the day's agenda.

Today and Friday, I get to finish reading Rebecca Stead's WHEN YOU REACH ME with my students. I saved the last 40 pages for our final read-aloud session. I can't wait to see their faces when we get to the part where...well...if you've read it, you know....

I got the nicest email yesterday from a school librarian in Illinois, asking if I'd like to Skype in to be the guest author for their intergenerational family reading night. They're reading THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z. with their kids and have a whole night of activities relating to family stories & family memories. She's using the recipe from my website to make Nonna's Funeral Cookies for refreshments, and they're having tables set up where families can take the "What Tree Are You?" quiz. My Skype chat with the families will wrap up the evening. While her email was really only intended to give me the details of the night, it just about made me cry. After spending 14 years in the classroom, getting exciting about other people's books and developing cool activities to go with them, it was surreal to hear about someone doing that with my book. So, so cool. I'm really looking forward to that Skype visit in November!

My interview on THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z. with Jane Lindholm ran on Vermont Public Radio's Vermont Edition yesterday. If you missed it, you can listen here.

Hope you have a great Thursday!

How They Got Here: 2009 Debut Author Sydney Salter

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 07:36:16 GMT

This post is part of a year-long series of blog interviews I'll be hosting with my fellow 2009 Debut Authors, called "How They Got Here."

Today...Sydney Salter, author of JUNGLE CROSSING!

Despite her reluctance to go on a family vacation to Mexico, Kat ends up on a teen adventure tour where she meets Nando, a young Mayan guide. As they travel to different Mayan ruins each day, Nando tells Kat the legend of Muluc, a girl who lived in the time of the Ancient Maya.

This is actually Sydney's second title released in her debut year, after her YA novel MY BIG NOSE AND OTHER NATURAL DISASTERS - You can read my interview with her on that book here.

Welcome, Sydney! Writing across genres, do you find differences in your process between MG and YA?

Not really. I always try to get inside my characters' heads and write in their voices no matter what their age. I have found that writing every novel is a unique experience with its own joys and challenges. I guess they're kind of like people that way--complex and one-of-a-kind!

What did you learn launching your first book that you’ll remember when JUNGLE CROSSING is released?

Hopefully, not to stress out about things I cannot control--like reviews. I do think there's a big marketing difference between middle-grade and YA. Teen bloggers can really help spread the word about a YA novel they enjoy, but Jungle Crossing will depend much more upon parents, teachers, and librarians.

What’s next for you?

My second YA novel, Swoon At Your Own Risk, comes out in April 2010. But right now I'm exciting about figuring out what to write next! That will always be my favorite part--falling in love with a new character.

Thanks for joining us!

You can learn more about Sydney at her website and check out JUNGLE CROSSING at IndieBound!

THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z. on VPR's Vermont Edition

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:42:04 GMT

For Vermont blog friends and other people who love Vermont... My interview with the delightful Jane Lindholm of Vermont Public Radio is scheduled to air on Vermont Edition today at noon and 7:00 PM. Today's topics are Vermont's outdoor industry and THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z.

If you're not lucky enough to get VPR over the radio, I'm told you'll be able to check out the interview at the website after it airs.

And if you've found your way here from the broadcast, welcome! If you're looking for THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z. book club giveaway, you can click here for all the details.

Hope everyone has a brilliant fall day!

Many things on a Monday...

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 03:49:12 GMT

I'll be out and about signing books around the Adirondacks this weekend and would love to see you if you're in the Plattsburgh or Glens Falls area.

Plattsburgh - Borders at Champlain Center Mall
Friday, October 2nd - 4-6 pm

Glens Falls - Dog Ate My Homework Bookstore on Glen St.- Joint signing with eluper !
Saturday, October 3rd - 4-6 pm

I'm particularly excited about this event because I get to hang out with my critique buddy Eric Luper, author of the gritty, action-packed YA novel BUG BOY, set in 1934 Saratoga. The Glens Falls Post Star just ran a feature on our upcoming event with articles about both of our new books.

You can read the digital version here (Eric's article) and here (mine).

I love this review of THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z. from The Reading Zone, a blog written by a sixth grade teacher whose ideas I've followed and appreciated for a long time. Reviews from teachers who are sharing my books with readers in their classrooms are extra special to me.

A reminder for teachers, librarians, & book club parents... Have you entered THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z. book club giveaway yet? If not, you can read all about it and enter here. We'll be drawing a winner for a complete GIANNA Z. book club package, including up to twelve copies of the novel, some tree identification guides, bracelets, bookmarks, & more. The deadline is October 15th.

Some more great contests going on in the kidlitosphere right now...

L.K. Madigan is having a photography contest to promote her amazing YA debut FLASH BURNOUT. It's coming out in a month, and it's right up there with some of my favorites. Funny...poignant...and with a great teen voice. Anyway...look for the book at your favorite indie in October, and check out the contest while you wait.

Jo Knowles is having a contest on her blog to celebrate Banned Books Week. Write a haiku about your feelings on censorship and banned books, and you'll be entered to win a signed first edition of Jo's recently challenged (and beautifully written) YA novel LESSONS FROM A DEAD GIRL.

I hope you read whatever you want this week - and celebrate your freedom to do so.

How They Got Here: 2009 Debut Author Pam Bachorz

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 02:59:43 GMT

This post is part of a year-long series of blog interviews I'll be hosting with my fellow 2009 Debut Authors, called "How They Got Here."

It should be an especially helpful series for teens who write, teachers, and anyone who wants to write for kids. 2009 debut authors will be dropping by to talk about how their writing in school shaped the authors they are today, what teachers can do to make a difference, how they revise, and how they found their agents and editors. (You'll even be able to read some successful query letters!) If you know a teacher or two who might be interested, please share the link!

Today...Pam Bachorz, author of CANDOR!

I was lucky enough to read an advance reader copy of CANDOR (Egmont, 2009), a powerful YA novel about a "perfect town" where everything is far from perfect under the surface. Candor's "messages" program teenagers to behave perfectly, but what happens when one stops listening? What happens when a new message gets out there? It's a fantastic dystopian novel -- one that would make a great discussion choice for book clubs and literature circles. And without giving out any spoilers, I have to say that the ending of this book absolutely blew me away. I'm pleased to welcome Pam to the blog today for an interview!

Welcome! What books did you love when you were a kid?

My mother and I shared the LM Mongtomery books together--Anne, Emily, Pat, Marigold, all of them. As I grew older, I fell in love with the Sunfire Romance series, and then Lois Duncan and all the other authors writing "creepy" YA at the time (Mildred Ames, anybody?).

Is there a particular teacher or librarian who was a mentor for you in your reading and writing life?

I was so lucky to have a number of teacher and librarian mentors in my life, and I thank a number of them in my CANDOR acknowledgments. In particular, my middle-school English teacher, Emily Adams, convinced me that I had talent--and that I still would have to write draft after draft before my stuff was good enough for publication. She died a number of years ago, and I'm so sad that I can't send her a copy of CANDOR.

Moving on to the here and now, most writers admit that making time to write can sometimes be a challenge. When and where do you write? Do you have any special rituals? Music? Food & beverages?

I make a schedule every week for my writing, and post it on my study door. I also make goals for that time, such as writing 20 pages, outlining a third of the book, whatever. I do play a lot of music while I write, though sometimes I need total silence. I keep See's hard chocolate lollipops and decaf green tea close at hand!

Do you have a favorite strategy for revision?

I love Holly Lisle's One-Pass Revision method. Print your manuscript out and rip it to shreds with a pen--then enter it all in a computer. It stops me from the endless, addictive cycles of stopping in the middle of a manuscript and going back.

What’s your best advice for young writers?

Love your first drafts while you write them--but after that's done, spend a ton of energy and time on making them better. Lots of writers, whether young or old, make the mistake of thinking their first effort on a story is brilliant. It never is!

What’s special about your debut novel?

CANDOR was inspired by the 6 years I spent living in a planned community in Florida. It's filled with settings that were inspired by the town, and I tried hard to capture the feeling of living in a place like that.

How did you find your agent and/or editor?

A friend found my agent for me--she had posted on the Blue Boards that she was a new agent and was looking for people who had written smart YA fiction with a boy's voice. But I hadn't been checking the BB so I'm glad my friend was! My agent, thankfully, did the job of finding me my wonderful editor.

Thanks for joining us, Pam!

You can read more about Pam at her website (Check out the fabulous trailer for CANDOR while you're there!) You can pick up your copy of CANDOR at your local independent bookseller, order it through one of my favorite indies, Flying Pig Bookstore (they ship!), or find an indie near you by checking out IndieBound!

Burlington Book Festival

Sun, 27 Sep 2009 14:21:29 GMT

So I've discovered that I really love panel discussions.

I was on a panel about Writing for Children and Young Adults at this weekend's Burlington Book Festival, along with Jo Knowles, Linda Urban, Tanya Lee Stone, and Julie Berry. I'm pretty sure I enjoyed listening to my fellow authors at least as much as the people in the audience. We talked about writing process and outlining (turns out we are all "plungers" to one degree or another), book challenges, and the business of writing.

From left to right, that's me, Jo Knowles, and Julie Berry in front, Linda Urban and Tanya Lee Stone in back.

It was also great to meet the people who came to see us -- librarians and teachers and writers and readers. Thanks to everyone who came out -- and especially my fellow panelists -- for such a fantastic afternoon!