Tag: how they got here

How They Got Here: 2009 Debut Author Cindy Pon

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…Cindy Pon, author of SILVER PHOENIX!

No one wanted Ai Ling. And deep down she is relieved—despite the dishonor she has brought upon her family—to be unbetrothed and free, not some stranger’s subservient bride banished to the inner quarters.

But now, something is after her. Something terrifying—a force she cannot comprehend. And as pieces of the puzzle start to fit together, Ai Ling begins to understand that her journey to the Palace of Fragrant Dreams isn’t only a quest to find her beloved father but a venture with stakes larger than she could have imagined.

Bravery, intelligence, the will to fight and fight hard . . . she will need all of these things. Just as she will need the new and mysterious power growing within her. She will also need help.

It is Chen Yong who finds her partly submerged and barely breathing at the edge of a deep lake. There is something of unspeakable evil trying to drag her under. On a quest of his own, Chen Yong offers that help . . . and perhaps more.

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

probably a short story i wrote in 9th or 10th grade? i won some awards for district writing contests back in high school. made me feel like "a writer" and proud.

What books did you love when you were a kid?

noel streatfield’s dancing shoes and ballet shoes. island of the blue dolphins by scott o’dell. a little princess by frances h burnett.

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

mr. cox who i had for ap english junior and senior year. we didn’t do much creative writing, but he was the first teacher to introduce me to elements of style. and remains my favorite english teacher to this day.

What’s your best advice for young writers?

to keep writing. to believe in yourself. push yourself so you can grow as a writer. this is the only way to find your story and your voice.

What’s special about your debut novel?

i think mainly that it features an asian heroine in a fantasy setting that is ancient china.

How did you find your agent and/or editor?

i queried 121 agents and was fortunate enough to sign with bill contardi. we went on submission and my book went to auction. i was able to speak with the editors who were interested, but felt a connection with virginia from greenwillow books from the start. i couldn’t be happier that my book finds home there, and i feel very blessed.

You can read more about Cindy’s writing (and her beautiful brush art) at her website. You can pick up your copy of SILVER PHOENIX 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!

Up next in the "How They Got Here" Debut 2009 series… Danielle Joseph, author of SHRINKING VIOLET, will be stopping by on Monday.

How They Got Here: 2009 Debut Author Leigh Brescia

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…Leigh Brescia, author of ONE WISH!
If Wrenn Scott had only ONE WISH she’d wish to be thin. She desperately wants to be popular and snag a hot boyfriend. Her amazing voice (for once) overshadows her weight when she lands a lead role in the high school musical. Pushing to get thinner by opening night, Wrenn’s waistline shrinks as she learns all the wrong ways to lose weight from a new "it-girl" friend in the show. By opening night, the old Wrenn has almost disappeared. After a crisis reveals her weight-loss tricks, Wrenn realizes there are much more important things than being thin, popular, or even dating a hunk.

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

My mom signed me up for a poetry class at the local library when I was in the sixth grade. I wrote a poem about my cats Tiny and Tiffy, and my teacher loved it. I thought: “All right! I can do this.”   I can still quote the poem. 🙂

What books did you love when you were a kid?

My mom read to me a lot when I was younger, and I participated in the summer library reading program (you know: read 100 books and get a medal/trophy/certificate), but I remember devouring Sweet Valley Twins and Babysitters Club books. I couldn’t get enough of them.

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

Not particularly. All of my English teachers/professors impacted me in some way. I thank a number of them in the acknowledgements section of One Wish. I figured I should thank them all at once, in case I never publish another book. 🙂

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?

Because I teach online English courses, I usually write at night. My mid-morning to dinner hours I devote to grading papers and answering student emails. I do my serious writing when my little girl is in bed. And yes, there are rituals: I must have a glass of milk (and some kind of snack: chocolate, ice cream, cookies, etc.). I listen to music depending on my mood.

Do you have a favorite strategy for revision?

I try to edit as I go. Before I begin writing I’ll re-read the chapter/content I wrote the night before. After I finish the ms, I usually go back and re-read it twice on the computer. Then I print it and break out the red pen. I usually print and edit the ms 3-5 times before I think my agent is ready to see it.

What’s your best advice for young writers?

Read a lot of good books, and keep practicing. Don’t give up! Not everyone will understand why you want to be a writer, but if it’s meant to be you’ll make it happen.

What’s special about your debut novel?

I think a lot of teen girls will relate to Wrenn. I wasn’t overweight in high school, but I had many of the same thoughts and fears. Everyone wants to be accepted.

What were the best and worst parts of writing it?

This was the second book I officially wrote, and I think the best part, as I was writing, was knowing that I had the strength to finish it. When I was writing my first ms, I was so concerned about word count that I couldn’t focus on the story. Since I’d already proven that I could finish a book-length ms, I was able to focus more on plot and character development.

How did you find your agent and/or editor?

After I finished the ms, I bought a copy of Writer’s Market 2004 and started querying the agents who represented YA writers.

Thanks for joining us, Leigh!

You can learn more about Leigh at her website. You can pick up your copy of ONE WISH 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!

Up next in the "How They Got Here" Debut 2009 series… Sarah Cross, author of DULL BOY, will be stopping by on Thursday.

How They Got Here: 2009 Debut Author Deva Fagan

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…Deva Fagan, author of FORTUNE’S FOLLY!

I had the good fortune (no pun intended) to read an early copy of Deva’s book, and I SO wish this book had been around when I was ten years old.   FORTUNE’S FOLLY is the kind of book that made me a reader — the kind of book I would have disappeared with into my room for hours on end, until I knew everything would be okay, because these characters from another time and place feel so very, very real.

Thankfully, I haven’t grown up all that much.  I still love stories like this, and most of all, reading this ARC, I was excited for my students and my daughter because they’re just going to love Fortunata, a heroine who doesn’t wait around waiting to get saved.  This book has an enchanting romance, to be sure, but in no way does Fortunata compromise her sense of self or forget where she came from.  In fact, she’s the one who does the rescuing, with bravery, cleverness, humor, and pure will that will leave kids cheering. 

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

When I was in the fourth grade we did a unit on mythology, and had to come up with our own myths. I wrote a story about a bard who gives his lyre to a toothless whale so it can strain the krill from the ocean and get enough food to eat (thus bringing baleen into the world). What was even better, though, was that our teacher printed up a collection of stories, poems, essays and book reviews from everyone in the class (including my whale myth) and then we bound them into little books. I was so excited to have a story in a "real book"!

What books did you love when you were a kid?

I particularly loved (and still love!)  L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables series, Laura Ingles Wilder’s Little House books, the Mrs Piggle-Wiggle books by Betty MacDonald, the All-of-a-Kind Family books by Sidney Taylor, the Betsy-Tacy books by Maud Hart Lovelace, the Ramona books by Beverly Cleary, Susan Cooper’s The Dark is Rising series, Lloyd Alexander’s Chronicles of Prydain, Dragonsong and Dragonsinger by Anne McCaffery, The Blue Sword and The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley, C.S.Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia, Dogsbody and Witch Week by Diana Wynne Jones, So You Want to be a Wizard? and Deep Wizardry by Diane Duane, and The Darkangel by Meredith Ann Pierce.

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

When I was in High School, we had this excellent program in which some of us got matched up with students from nearby Princeton University, who served as mentors for whatever field we were interested. I worked with a young woman named Cara Garofalo, who was studying creative writing and English. She (very very kindly, I recognize in retrospect) encouraged me on my first novel (which is horrible, full of purple prose and a girl with silver eyes and an anti-hero who looked like my favorite pop star at the time). She also introduced me to the wonderful musical Into The Woods, which was really inspiring. And just going to visit her in the old gray stone towers of the wisteria-covered dorms was a really positive experience, seeing how much people valued education and literature and talking about ideas and books. I wish I knew how to find her now, so I could thank her for everything!

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 write in the early morning, usually. Since my day job involves sitting at a computer too, I like to do my creative work before I get burned out. I usually turn on the computer, make a cup of hot black tea with milk (the first of many!), and sit down. If I am in the groove, I sometimes just start writing. Other times I re-read what I wrote the day before, or turn on inspirational music, or spend some time playing out a little mental movie of the current scene.

Do you have a favorite strategy for revision?

If I am working on my own first revision of the rough draft and there is substantial work to do, I usually create a brand new document and cut and paste everything  I want to keep into it, with big "TO DO: " notes in bold red sprinkled throughout. I also like to redo my outlines when I am doing a major revision, to get a mental framework in place. If I am working from an editorial letter or feedback from critique partners, I generally do the smaller things first, then tackle the bigger issues.

What’s your best advice for young writers?

To read broadly, and think about WHY you love the books you love.

What’s special about your debut novel?

It’s the kind of book I particularly enjoyed when I was about 10 or 12: mixing adventure, romance, humor and fantastical settings. Also, it has some really horribly ugly shoes in it.

What were the best and worst parts of writing it?

The worst part was struggling to fix the ending. I knew something was wrong, and for a long time I was trying to just tweak it and coax it into something I liked. Finally I had an epiphany and realized I needed to rework it more substantially, by adding a new chapter and making the main character more proactive. But once I made those changes I knew it was better. Hopefully readers will agree!

The best part was writing it all in a madcap dash for NaNoWriMo. I started the first draft November 1 and finished it about 5 weeks later. I’ve never written so fast, and it was very thrilling! I would love to try writing like that again but I am not sure my schedule nowdays will allow for it.

How did you find your agent and/or editor?

I found my agent first, by researching (mostly online) to find agents who represented books like mine and mailing out lots and lots of queries. Eventually, I started getting positive responses, and ultimately an offer of representation. I had no connections or anything like that! There were definitely points where I thought about giving up and struggled with the hundreds of rejections, but I knew I had to stay determined and keep trying.

And here’s the pitch from Deva’s successful query letter:

All Prince Leonato needs to do to find a bride is to ride off on a snow-white steed, secure a magic sword, vanquish the wicked witch, recover the enchanted slipper, and rescue the princess who fits it. That is the prophecy Fortunata makes for the queen. The problem is: it’s not true!

Ever since her mother died and her father lost his shoemaking skills, Fortunata has survived by telling sham fortunes. Now, if her prophecy for the queen does not come true, her father’s life will be forfeit. To make matters worse, Prince Leonato is handsome, brave and kind, and Fortunata is falling in love with him.

(Deva had more great query letter material here, but it was spoilery…so that’s all you get for today!)

Thanks for joining us, Deva!

You can read more about Deva at her website.  You can pick up your copy of FORTUNE’S FOLLY 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!

Up next in the "How They Got Here" Debut 2009 series… Leigh Brescia, author of ONE WISH, will be stopping by on Tuesday, May 19.

How They Got Here: 2009 Debut Author C. Lee McKenzie

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…C. Lee McKenzie, author of SLIDING ON THE EDGE!

Shawna Stone is a heartbeat away from making the worst mistake anyone can. She’s close to taking her own life. Kay Stone is a grandmother Shawna has never known, and at sixty-four Kay feels there is little left in her life to look forward to. When they are thrown together they circle each other in a crucible of secrets and distrust until saving a doomed horse unites them and gives each a reason to live.

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

The first piece of fiction I ever wrote was a short story for an East Indian magazine. Now that I think of it, that was pretty audacious. I have no first-hand experience about India, but I won the $100 first prize! Naively, I patted myself on the back and decided I could publish just about anything. Not true!

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’m an early morning writer. I mean like sometimes 4 am if I wake up with a good idea. I write at my desk on my computer, sip a cappuccino, and work until sunup. Then I take a break, do chores, make my list and get dressed before going back to read what I’ve written and start the re-write or whatever.

Do you have a favorite strategy for revision?

I don’t have a specific strategy for revision. If I’m stuck I often do a printout and take a hard copy someplace away from my desk. Sometimes that gives me a new perspective on the critter that’s giving me problems.

What’s your best advice for young writers?

I guess I’d say, "Keep writing. You’ll only get better."

What’s special about your debut novel?

Well, obviously, the best part is I wrote it. Next, I don’t have to write it again. But if I were to be serious I’d have to say the best part is I think my book has appeal for younger and older readers. That’s what I’m hearing anyway, so I hope it’s true.

What were the best and worst parts of writing it?

The best part was when I wrote the chapters from two different points of view (pov). That is, I wrote what happened from my young main character’s pov; then I wrote the same set of events from her grandmother’s pov. That was interesting and fun to do.

The worst part was getting the opening paragraph. That took forever.

How did you find your agent and/or editor?

I always read the SCBWI Bulletin and WestSide was open to young adult submissions with edginess. "I’ve got one of those!" I said and sent off my query.

Thanks, Kate. Your questions were a challenge, but I enjoyed thinking about them.

You can read more about C. Lee McKenzie at her website.  You can pick up your copy of SLIDING ON THE EDGE 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!

Up next in the "How They Got Here" Debut 2009 series… Deva Fagan, author of FORTUNE’S FOLLY, will be stopping by on Sunday!

How They Got Here: 2009 Debut Author Aprilynne Pike

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…Aprilynne Pike, author of WINGS!

Aprilynne Pike’s WINGS is the first of four books about an ordinary girl named Laurel who discovers she is a faerie sent among humans to guard the gateway to Avalon. When Laurel is thrust into the midst of a centuries-old battle between faeries and trolls, she’s torn between a human and a faerie love, as well as her loyalties to both worlds.

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

I had a fiction instructor in college who would occasionally, at the end of a short-story critique, say, "Clean it up; send it out." It was the highest of compliments, and something she didn’t say often. I was part of an extremely talented class and I didn’t (still don’t) think my stuff was as good as theirs. But I had one story that I really liked and worked really hard on. And at the end of the class critique, my professor looked at me, met my eyes, and say, "Clean it up; send it out." That was the moment I thought it just might be possible to someday get something published.

What books did you love when you were a kid?

I loved way too many books to list here, but some of my most memorable ones were The Boxcar Children, anything by VC Andrews, The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi, The Fairy Rebel by Lynne Reid Banks, and The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis.

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

Janet Cain; my junior English teacher. She taught me to love literature, Not just books, and not just modern texts, she taught me to love all well-written literature. I read more classic literature in her class than any other I’ve ever taken . . . and half of it was unassigned!:)

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 have three young children and–until recently–a husband in law school. So I write when I can. Ideally, I like to lock myself in my office and get comfy with my laptop, but that’s not always possible. I like drinks and snacks while working, because I’ve learned that writing takes a degree of physical stamina as well as mental. I don’t generally listen to music, because I find myself typing the lyrics instead of my story.:) But I am a Diet Root Beer junkie and often have a cup of tea at hand as well.

Do you have a favorite strategy for revision?

I know a lot of authors who save everything they cut out of their manuscripts, just in case. I have found that I do better revisions when I just delete stuff. After all, if I decide later that I really do need that paragraph that I cut, I can probably write it better the second time anyway. I have to just move forward and not dwell on what parts of my original baby aren’t there anymore. I don’t hang on to them. (Unless they’d make a really fun deleted scene; I give myself one of those per book. Everything else goes.)

What’s your best advice for young writers?

Read. You will never learn more about story and plot than by reading. I think that authors who either don’t read, or don’t read much, are missing out.

What’s special about your debut novel?

I have faeries like no faeries you’ve ever seen before. It’s one of the things I am proudest of!

What were the best and worst parts of writing it?

The best part of writing my book was discovering the perfect ending.

The worst part was discovering that the previous ending that I thought was perfect, well, wasn’t. Not being able to write the right ending on WINGS was the first time I ever cried about my writing.

How did you find your agent and/or editor?

I was lucky enough to have a recommendation for my agent, however, there was a mix-up in the office and she didn’t actually get it for over ten months. During that time, I did the query thing. I got rejections (lots of them) and several requests for partials and fulls . . . and more rejections.;) Even though I ended up signing with the first agent I sent stuff to, I feel like experiencing the full gamut of querying was really good for me. Every author should be intimately acquainted with the sting of rejection. Then they are less likely to forget just how sweet that first yes is.

Thanks, Aprilynne!

You can read more about Aprilynne at her website. You can pick up your copy of WINGS 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!

Up next in the "How They Got Here" Debut 2009 series… C. Lee McKenzie, author of SLIDING ON THE EDGE, will be stopping by on Thursday.

How They Got Here: 2009 Debut Author Cheryl Renee Herbsman

This post is part of a year-long series of blog interviews I’m 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…Cheryl Renee Herbsman, author of BREATHING!

What if the guy who took your breath away was the only one who could help you breathe?  Savannah would be happy to spend the summer in her coastal Carolina town lying in a hammock reading her beloved romance novels and working at the library. But then she meets Jackson. Once they lock eyes, she’s convinced he’s the one—her true love, her soul mate, a boy different from all the rest. And at first it looks like Savannah is right. Jackson abides by her mama’s strict rules, and stays by her side during a hospitalization for severe asthma, which Savannah becomes convinced is only improving because Jackson is there. But when he’s called away to help his family—and seems uncertain about returning—Savannah has to learn to breathe on her own, both literally and figuratively.

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

I started out writing personal essays, journaling, etc. But then, over a period of five years, I wrote a novel for adults. That was when I said, hey, maybe I could really do this.

What books did you love when you were a kid?

I loved to read as a kid – anything from The Boxcar Children and Anne of Green Gables to A Wrinkle in Time and The White Mountains Trilogy. I would read pretty much anything.

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 write while my kids are at school. My writing space is my bed, where I sit with my laptop. I always have candles and incense burning to help me leave the daily world behind. I don’t eat while I’m writing. But afterwards, I often crave chocolate.

Do you have a favorite strategy for revision?

I’m not really a strategy type of person. I just sort of dive in wherever and see where it takes me.

What’s your best advice for young writers?

Read a lot, write a lot and never give up.

What’s special about your debut novel?

My novel is about learning to trust yourself and follow your dreams. Also, the main character, Savannah has very severe asthma. I don’t think there are a whole lot of novels about a character with asthma.

What were the best and worst parts of writing it?

Falling into the story and letting it happen was the best part. The worst part is those rare occasions of getting stuck.

How did you find your agent and/or editor?

I looked at Publishers Marketplace to see what agents had sold a young adult novel in the past year. Then I sent out e-queries to my top eight choices.

Thanks, Cheryl!  Click here to learn more about Cheryl at her website.  You can pick up your copy of BREATHING 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!

Up next in the "How They Got Here" Debut 2009 series… Aprilynne Pike, author of WINGS, will be stopping by on May 5th.

How They Got Here: 2009 Debut Author Sydney Salter

This post is part of a year-long series of blog interviews I’m 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…Sydney Salter, author of MY BIG NOSE AND OTHER NATURAL DISASTERS!

Seventeen-year-old Jory Michaels wakes up on the first day of summer vacation with her same old big nose, no passion in her life (in the creative sense of the word), and all signs still pointing to her dying a virgin. In spite of her driving record (it was an accident!), Jory gets a job delivering flowers and cakes to Reno’s casinos and wedding chapels. She also comes up with a new summer goal: saving for a life-altering nose job. She and her new nose will attract a fabulous boyfriend. Jory survives various summer disasters like doing yoga after sampling Mom’s Cabbage Soup Diet, enforced-mother-bonding-with-crazy-nose-obsessed-daughter night, and discovering Tyler’s big secret. But will she learn to accept herself and maybe even find her passion, in the creative (AND romantic!) sense of the word?

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

I felt like an impostor until I wrote my first novel JUNGLE CROSSING.

What books did you love when you were a kid?

I loved Jenny And The Cat Club by Esther Averill. I still long to have a little black cat that I can name Jenny, and possibly entice to wear a red scarf.

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

Mrs. Muth at Reno High School. She’s the first one (besides my mother) who believed in me–it still took me several years to believe in myself.

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 write while my daughters are in school. I love background music and I drink lots and lots of tea.

Do you have a favorite strategy for revision?

I make a numbered list of all the suggestions and then I march through the manuscript and cross them off as I complete them.

What’s your best advice for young writers?

Keep a daily diary–it will help you develop your voice without the pressure of having to write something others will read.

What’s a mistake beginning writers often make?

They don’t read enough. If you want to write, read, read, read as much as you can across all genres.

What’s special about your debut novel?

I really put a lot of myself into this novel–all those feelings of insecurity I had about my looks in high school. I think it makes the book stronger, but I still hate talking about my nose. And now I’m doing it all the time!

What were the best and worst parts of writing it?

I loved writing about some of my horrible experiences–like wrecking a delivery van and a wedding cake on the same day. Sometimes it was hard to write about difficult situations while keeping the novel’s overall tone light and humorous.

How did you find your agent and/or editor?

I queried Firebrand Literary at another agent’s suggestion and got picked up by a new agent Ted Malawer. He matched me with Julie Tibbott at Harcourt and I absolutely adore her!

Here’s the query letter:

Dear Ms. Cornier,

I would like you to represent my 65,000 word contemporary teen novel My Big Nose & Other Natural Disasters.

Seventeen-year-old Jory Michaels wakes up on the first day of summer vacation with her same old big nose, no passion in her life (in the creative sense of the word), and all signs still pointing to her dying a virgin. Plus, her mother is busy roasting a chicken for Day #6 of the Dinner For Breakfast Diet.

In spite of her driving record (it was an accident!), Jory gets a job delivering flowers and cakes to Reno’s casinos and wedding chapels. She also comes up with a new summer goal: saving for a life-altering nose job. She and her new nose will attract a fabulous boyfriend. Nothing like the shameless flirt Tyler Briggs, or Tom who’s always nice but never calls. Maybe she’ll find someone kind of like Gideon at the Jewel Café, except better looking and not quite so different. Jory survives various summer disasters like doing yoga after sampling Mom’s Cabbage Soup Diet, Enforced Mother Bonding With Crazy Nose Obsessed Daughter Night, and discovering Tyler’s big secret. But will she learn to accept herself and maybe even find her passion, in the creative (AND romantic!) sense of the word?

I have written for APPLESEEDS, Children’s Playmate, Confetti, FACES, Hopscotch, Story Friends, Wee Ones Magazine, the Deseret News, and Blooming Tree Press’ Summer Shorts anthology. I won the Utah Arts Council prize for Not-A-Dr. Logan’s Divorce Book. My novels Jungle Crossing and Going Native! each won first prize in the League of Utah Writers contest. I am currently serving as a Regional Advisor for SCBWI. 

I submitted My Big Nose & Other Natural Disasters to Krista Marino at Delacorte because she requested it during our critique at the summer SCBWI conference (no response yet).

Thank you for your time and attention. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Thanks, Sydney!  Click here to learn more about Sydney at her website.  You can pick up your copy of MY BIG NOSE AND OTHER NATURAL DISASTERS 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!

Up next in the "How They Got Here" Debut 2009 series… Cheryl Renee Herbsman, author of BREATHING, will be stopping by on Monday.

How They Got Here: 2009 Debut Author Heather Duffy Stone

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… Heather Duffy Stone, author of THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO TELL YOU!

Fraternal twins Nadio and Noelle share a close connection—and as Noelle’s best friend since they were five, Keeley Shipley fit perfectly into their world. But everything changes after Keeley spends the summer before junior year at Oxford. When Keeley returns, Nadio falls in love with her. Noelle, ripped apart by resentment, sees her as an ungrateful rich girl. But Keeley has a painful story that she can’t tell yet. As Nadio and Keeley hide their romance, Noelle dives into something of her own—a destructive affair with an older boy.

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

I can’t remember a time when I didn’t think I was a writer!

What books did you love when you were a kid?

I absolutely loved anything by Katherine Patterson. Bridge to Terabithia is still one of my favorites. Tuck Everlasting. A Summer to Die. I’ve always favored tragedy over comedy. I think, one day, I may force myself to write a happy ending! And the book that made me want to write YA was Over the Moon by Elissa Haden Guest. It’s a perfect story.

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

Jackie Nienow was my second grade teacher. She told me I should be a writer and I’m always thankful for that. Gareth Parizo was an 8th grade teacher who was completely supportive of my melodramatic ramblings. And then in high school I had so many supportive teachers. I wrote my first novel with Paul Lamar, an incredible guide and mentor.

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?  

I write whenever I can. I spend about ten hours a day at my day job, including the commute. In the evenings, if I can summon the energy, I write a little. I always reserve Sundays for writing and school vacations are sort of forced blocks of creativity. I try to write in my apartment but it is rarely successful. I often write at some nearby coffee shops, and I have a writing partner, because that companionship, someone else writing just beside me, is so motivating. I drink black coffee or tea and I listen to sad lyrical music, lately Eliott Smith and Rufus Wainwright—this is what’s working for now anyway!

Best advice for young writers?

Please please do everything in your power not to compare yourself to others. Your voice is unique and your story is your own and with each word you write you are changing and growing as a writer. So write for yourself first, and keep writing through all that is discouraging and distracting and frustrating. Those might be your best times.

What’s special about your debut novel?

That is a tough question. I mean, for me the experience of writing it was so special. But I think the reason this book is the book I sold, the reason I hope people respond to it, is the two voices. I wanted to tell a story about the way we fall in love for the very first time—but there isn’t any one way. And through the twins’ voices and experiences, I tried to represent this experience in a way that was true and that you as a reader could relate to.

What were the best and worst parts of writing it?

It was extremely hard, at first, switching back and forth between the two voices. But once I got going, I really loved writing it. I was so deeply involved with the characters—its actually been really hard to transition to a new project!

How did you find your agent and/or editor?

I was recommended to my editor, Andrew Karre, by a friend, the wonderful prolific chameleon, Micol Ostow. I sent him a query and the whole thing happened pretty fast. I knew I wanted to work with him. When Flux made an offer, I realized I needed an agent. Jenoyne Adams came to me through a series of strange connections and she was the perfect fit.

Would you like to share part or all of your successful query letter with blog readers?

Hmmm. I’ll share the first paragraph!

Dear ;

First (just so you get past line one of this letter) my friend Micol Ostow, , suggested I write to you. It’s true.

There is something about tattoos, and Noelle Carter is trying to figure out what that something is. There is something about the way the crawl up this boy’s arms and tell the story of his life that she wants to figure out. Meanwhile, her twin brother, Nadio, is finding that there is something about Keeley Shipley, lifelong neighbor and best friend to Noelle, that he wants to figure out. As for Keeley Shipley, there is
something about her summer that she does not want to talk about. But maybe, if Nadio is as safe as he seems, he can make the summer take up less space in her brain.

Thanks for sharing your journey, Heather!

You can read more about Heather at her website, and of course, you can ask for THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO TELL YOU at your local independent bookseller.  You can also order it through one of my favorite indies, Flying Pig Bookstore (they ship!), or find an indie near you by checking outIndieBound!

How They Got Here: 2009 Debut Author Neesha Meminger

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… Neesha Meminger, author of SHINE, COCONUT MOON!

Samar–a.k.a. Sam–is an Indian-American teenager whose mom has kept her away from her old-fashioned family.  It’s never bothered Sam, who is busy with school, friends, and a demanding boyfriend.  But things change after 9/11.  A guy in a turban shows up at Sam’s house–and turns out to be her uncle.  He wants to reconcile the family and teach Sam about her Sikh heritage.  Sam is eager, but when boys attack her uncle, chanting "Go back home, Osama!," Sam realizes she could be in danger–and also discovers how dangerous ignorance is.

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

It was a poem about teeth. I drew a huge mouth with all the teeth showing and the poem was sort of coming out of the mouth. This was in seventh grade. The teacher put it up and didn’t tell me she had. I noticed it on my way in one morning and thought, "Wow, that’s a really cool poem." It took me a while to realize it was my work.

What books did you love when you were a kid?

I love, love, loved Tuck, Everlasting. LOVED it. And Tiki, Tiki, Tumbo.

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

There were several teachers and librarians who "saved" me throughout childhood. The seventh grade teacher was one. Then, in tenth grade my English teacher read several of my short stories out to the class. She was so incredibly sweet and supportive of my work when I had absolutely no confidence in myself, whatsoever. I was quiet and kind of nerdy and tried, for the most part, to blend in to the classroom furniture. I loved my English teachers. They paid attention to me and showed me a part of myself I couldn’t see.

Librarians were my best friends, especially in eighth grade. I *lived* at the library. I’m not kidding. During the summer and on weekends, I was there before they opened the doors in the mornings and left right before they physically removed me from the premises. I knew the librarians all by name and they kept books aside for me based on what I’d read and what I asked for. They were amazing. In fact, Tuck Everlasting was a book one librarian held for me.

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? 

The only ritual I have is sometimes when I get stuck, I have to close my eyes and type. I let whatever thoughts pop into my head flow onto the page (or keyboard) and try to get unstuck that way. Sometimes I have to do it before each writing session — when I’m in a particularly stuck phase.

Do you have a favorite strategy for revision?

I go through the manuscript with a notebook at my side. I jot down changes I’d like to make and places where more needs to be written. I slash as I go along. Then, I go through the manuscript and write new bits as they come. Finally, I change the manuscript for my eyes. In other words, I change its entire look by changing the font and size and line spacing. This way, I can pretend it’s not mine and be more brutal with cutting parts :).

What’s special about your debut novel?

My debut novel is special because it is unique and occupies a space much needed in teen lit. Of course, there are other novels by South Asian and Indian-American authors. What makes mine unique is that it is a Sikh teen’s perspective about discovering her culture and her self in a post-9/11 setting.

What were the best and worst parts of writing it?

The best part of writing was writing it :). The worst part was hearing all the unbridled criticism from agents and editors.

How did you find your agent and/or editor?

I found my agent on a listserv email I had signed up for. He had made a deal for one of his clients and I looked him up. He seemed to like the type of work I produced, so I queried him. He requested the manuscript and while he was reading it, I received an offer of representation from another agent I had queried. I spoke with both agents and went with the one who felt like a better fit at the time.

Thanks for sharing your journey, Neesha!

You can read more about Neesha at her website, and of course, you can ask for SHINE, COCONUT MOON at your local independent bookseller.  You can also order it through one of my favorite indies, Flying Pig Bookstore (they ship!), or find an indie near you by checking out IndieBound!

Up next in the "How They Got Here" Debut 2009 series… Heather Duffy-Stone, author of THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO TELL YOU, will be stopping by on Thursday.

How They Got Here: 2009 Debut Author Carrie Ryan

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…Carrie Ryan, author of THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH!

In Mary’s world, there are simple truths.  The Sisterhood always knows best.  The Guardians will protect and serve. The Unconsecrated will never relent.  And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village. The fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth.

But slowly, Mary’s truths are failing her. She’s learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power. And, when the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness.

Now she must choose between her village and her future, between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded by so much death?

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

Actually the VERY first thing I wrote (that I remember) was a poem when I was in middle school. I read it to my dad and he was like "what book is that from?" and I told him I’d written it. I remember the look of surprise and pride on his face and it made me realize that I could write something he thought was publishable!

What books did you love when you were a kid?

Any and all books! I loved Nancy Drew and then Sweet Valley High and then Christopher Pike books. I learned how to speed read staying up until two in the morning reading Christopher Pike, too afraid to put his books down!

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

So many teachers were mentors to me and I was so excited to be able to send them a copy of my book! I wrote my first short story for Mrs. Carter, my high school English teacher and she encouraged me so much. She’s definitely one of those teachers who everyone remembers and everyone tells stories about at reunions 🙂

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?

With The Forest of Hands and Teeth I would write in the evenings after work. I was a lawyer preparing for trial during part of it and sometimes the only time I could find was the 8 minutes while I was waiting for the water to boil for Mac’n’Cheese! Now I’m a full time writer so I generally write during the day once the procrastination becomes too much!

I try really hard not to have any rituals, but most days I end up writing while I sit in my chair with a diet coke by my side (and often a cat draped somewhere).

Do you have a favorite strategy for revision?

Attack revisions! Generally I start with the big picture stuff, trying to think through the best way to approach the issues. Then, once I have a plan of action I go in and rewrite what needs rewriting and putting notes in the margins of other things to change. Finally I do a read through to make sure it all fits together. Mostly I just try to have an open mind and try to think of different ways to approach each problem.

What’s your best advice for young writers?

Read and write. I really think that reading is one of the best ways to learn craft, to see how other writers structure a story, structure characters, pacing, etc. I also feel like sometimes people really *want* to write, but never actually sit down and write.

Oh, and to remember the love — remember that you love writing and that’s why you do it 🙂

What’s special about your debut novel?

It’s special to me because I wrote it as a love letter to my fiance. I know that sounds kind of strange given what the story is about, but he was literally with me every step along the way as I wrote and wanted to know the ending as much as I did!

What were the best and worst parts of writing it?

The best were the moments that everything around me disappeared and I was in Mary’s world. When the words just flowed. The worst were the moments when I didn’t know what happened next and I was afraid of ruining the story!

How did you find your agent and/or editor?

Just sent him a query letter! I did a lot of research into agents and figured he might be interested based on other projects he represented. He emailed asking for more and then offered representation.

And here’s the letter!

Dear  ________:

I read on Publisher’s Marketplace about your recent sale of _______ ‘s zombie novel, ___________ , and thought you might be interested in The Forest of Hands and Teeth, my 70,000-word literary post-apocalyptic novel targeted to the young adult market.

Generations after the zombie apocalypse known as The Return, Mary’s life is as circumscribed by her community’s strict religion as it is by the fences that form her village’s only defense against the hordes of the undead — the Unconsecrated — who dwell in the surrounding forest.

Her faith is shattered the day her mother becomes infected by the Unconsecrated, and her belief in her community is destroyed when she secretly witnesses the Church leadership imprison, then condemn, a miraculously non-infected outsider who somehow finds a safe path to the village. The only other person who questions their Puritanical lifestyle is her betrothed’s crippled brother, Travis, who has been assigned to wed Mary’s best friend. Mary is torn between her duty to friends and society and her growing love for Travis.

When the Unconsecrated breach the fences and overrun the village, Mary, Travis, and their intendeds are among the few survivors. Now, their only chance is to brave the outsider’s path through the deadly Forest in an attempt to discover the only thing that Mary still believes in — that there is a world beyond the Forest of Hands and Teeth.

I am an active member in Romance Writers of America and several of its subchapters. The Forest of Hands and Teeth is my third completed manuscript and will appeal to fans of Alice Hoffman, Libba Bray, and Meg Rosoff.

Per the submissions guidelines on your agency’s website, I have pasted below the first chapter and synopsis. I would be delighted to send the full manuscript at your request. Thank you in advance for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Carrie Ryan

Thanks for sharing your fantastic query, Carrie!

You can read more about Carrie at her website, and of course, you can ask for THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH at your local independent bookseller.  You can also order it through one of my favorite indies, Flying Pig Bookstore (they ship!), or find an indie near you by checking out IndieBound!

Up next in the "How They Got Here" Debut 2009 series… Neesha Meminger, author of SHINE, COCONUT MOON, will be stopping by on Tuesday, March 24.