1. I got an ARC in the mail this week that made me very, very happy.
This one is for older readers (12+) than Lisa Yee’s earlier books, and it’s terrific so far. More when I finish…
2. Sarah Miller, author of Miss Spitfire, posted a video-blog about her use of Darcy Pattison’s shrunken manuscript revision technique this week. If you’re looking for a way to see the big picture on a finished draft of a novel, you’ll want to check it out.
3. My 7th graders are doing a literature circles unit this month, and there have been some great moments in their discussions. Their selections this time include The Green Glass Sea by Ellen Klages, The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt, The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin, Cracker by Cynthia Kadohata, and The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex, among others. I had to deliver Kleenex to the table reading Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson yesterday. If you’ve read it, you know why.
4. I am plugging away on my new MG novel, Sugar on Snow. I was stuck last night but got on the treadmill for about twenty minutes, and that managed to shake loose an idea for Chapter 6. My goal is a finished draft by the end of November.
5. And finally, in what I can only appreciate as a brilliant twist of irony on the part of the universe…
I have very recently finished revisions on my Fall ’09 middle grade novel for Walker Books, The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z. It’s about a 7th grade girl whose school leaf collection project is ruining her life. I have been eating, breathing, and sleeping leaves since I started writing this book two and a half years ago. The day after sent in my line edits, my 7th grade son came home with a packet for me to sign from school… the requirements for a ginormous leaf collection project, due at the end of October.
hi Kate,
you were mentioned in the Sunday “Stars” section of the Syr. Post Standard (Fall Books issue) — do you have a copy? or would you like me to send it to you? 🙂
too funny on the leaves 🙂 hope your son has better luck than Gianna
I bet you might break the rules and offer a few tips for said son. OR you just might run away screaming––take your pick. 😀
This is the first I’ve heard of the Syracuse paper, Jen – I couldn’t find it online but would really love to see it if you have a copy floating around. I don’t think I have your email..but mine is kmessner at katemessner dot com. If you drop me a note, I’ll reply with a mailing address. Thank you!!!
We’ve had a good laugh about it already, particularly since son has decided that GIANNA Z is a “girl book” and refuses to read the manuscript. I keep telling him he might get some tips…
OMG, so jellus of the ARC!
YOU CAN’T ESCAPE THE LEAVES!!!!
I love Sarah’s sparkles (maybe I should start sprinkling fairy dust on my manuscripts)!!!!!
Too funny about the leaf project! 😀
Thanks for the link to Sarah’s post. I’m off to read it now….
It sounds like there is some sort of leaf karma going around…
I just got Absolutly Maybe in the mail last week but haven’t had the chance to start it yet. You’ll have to let me know what you think. I had to get out the tissues with Hattie Big Sky as well.
Ha on the leaf project! My class was in the woods today collecting samples. One of the students said she doesn’t see anything on rides in the car any more except trees she tries to identify.
You should be all over the leaf collecting after the research you’ve done for the book!