Workshop Transcript

Reading to Write

with Linda Sue Park

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*** Verla has set the topic on channel #Kidlit to Reading to Write Workshop here tonight at 9pm EST

Verla: Did everyone get a list of their favorite kid's books together for tonight?

_Lyra: I have TOO many favorite kid's books (g)

NOTE: (g) = Grin

Verla: Just a FEW of YOUR favorites, lyra!

Dani257: I have some

Verla: Anybody ready to set up the podium? Test the microphone? Arrange the chairs?

_Lyra: I have a cold--can't talk in the microphone

DonaV pretends she didn't hear there was work to be done

Verla kicks dona (but gently so as to not injure her for working...)

DonaV: ouch!

DonaV: did you say something Verla?

Verla: Just for THAT you get to set up all the chairs in the BACK of the room, Dona

Verla: lol

NOTE: lol = Laughing Out Loud

DonaV: Rats!

DonaV trudges off to set up the chairs

Verla sets up the chairs up front...

Verla: and dusts off the podium..

Verla: Pass out the silly string...OH! SQ isn't here yet...where is she? She always brings the silly string

_Lyra: I just bring the "silly me"

Dani257: tap tap Testing, Testing

Dani257: Jingle Bells! Jingle SCREECH! Oops, got too close to the mike, there

Verla: Oh...Woolfff...would you get Linda Sue a glass of water please? The purified water is in the fridge...right next to the apple pies

Verla: woolf?

Verla: hmmm. No response. Hara? You want to do it?

Dani257: Pie? Hey, I'LL get the water

woolfff: I'd rather eat apple pie!

Verla: Oh..okay, woolf. get the water and pass around the pies, okay?

Verla: Warm them first in the microwave...it's over there on the side of the room...and the ice cream is in the freezer.

woolfff: At Christmastime my family is known to pull-up to a pie...that's a pie per person!!

_Lyra: cool woolff!

DonaV: Maybe we should all go to Woolfff's for Christmas!

Verla: grin

Verla: I made LOTS of them, woolf

Verla: Dani...you want to dish up the ice cream? Lyra doesn't get any because she didn't help set up the room. Pfffffffth!

_Lyra: You know I don't do kitchens, Verla (g)

Verla: lol

Verla: true, lyra

Dani257: Ice cream, coming up!

woolfff: It's not dessert unless it's chocolate...

Verla: Well...

Dani257: Somebody better watch me. I made be tempted to eat it all:-)

Verla: Dani!

Verla: Not ALL of them!

Verla: I made 16 of them!

Dani257: Well, I'll leave some for the rest of you

Verla: thank you.

Dani257: 16!

Verla: Sheesh. She will be a BLIMP

Dani257: I can feel the pounds coming on now

Dani257: Okay, just two tiny scoops

Verla: certainly. Wanted to make sure there was enough for everyone in the room, dani. NO no. These are CYBER pies. No calories at ALL.

Verla: grin

_Lyra: But cyber taste just doesn't work

Verla: hmmm. ten to the hour. I'm getting nervous. Where is our fearless leader?

ClaraRose: how is everyone?

woolfff: HUNGRY!

Dani257: That's my line, woolff!

ClaraRose: lol... well can not help you out much with that one!

Dani257: We're waiting on our fearless leader

Verla: yikes! FIVE mintues to go

Dani257: What'll we do? What will we do?

_Lyra: giving Verla a massage to relax her nerves

_Lyra: I bet you didn't know I was so good at that, huh, V?

Verla: Lyra...I changed my mind. You may have pie a la mode after all!

_Lyra: good, V

**** pearlsue has joined channel #Kidlit

Verla: HOORAY!

_Lyra: our leader has arrived....

Harazin: Hi Pearl

Dani257: She's HERE!!!

Dani257: Hi, Pearl

pearlsue: Omigosh...I had trouble getting in! Panic and despair!

Verla: Our fearless leader has arrived! And just in time.

Verla: Never panic, Linda Sue. We would have waited for you. :-)

DonaV leads a round of applause!

ClaraRose: Hooray!!

Dani257: Have a piece of pie, and some ice cream

_Lyra: Despair is enough, Pearl---save the panic for publishing woes

pearlsue glares down at her waistband...post-thanksgiving blues...

Verla: We have a glass of water for you on the podium, LindaSue

Verla: This pie is fine to eat, LindaSue. It's cyber pie. NO calories!

pearlsue: Er--could I have something stronger please, Verla? A little Dutch courage, maybe?

Verla pours LindaSue a BIG glass of Brandy...(cyber Brandy - no bad after effects)

Verla: Okay...the workshop will begin in two minutes folks.

pearlsue: Pie and brandy...I'm happy now ;-)

_Enchanted: Uh, blackberry brandy here, please. That's about as strong a stuff as I can handle.

LindaSue: Who needs workshop? Let's just eat ;-)

NOTE: In the interests of clarity, pearlsue aka LindaSue will have her name edited to LindaSue for the rest of this workshop.

Verla: If you are new...we don't do Hello's or Goodbye's during the workshop.

_Enchanted: oh, good -- didn't start yet. I can still say HELLO.

Verla: And we ask that you hold all personal chatter until the hour is up. BUT...you are invited AND encouraged to join in the discussion with your comments and questions. If too many questions come too fast, either LindaSue or I will ask you to stop for a moment to let her catch up.

Verla: If you ask a question and it is not answered, it probably got missed...ask it again!

Verla: Okay...Tonight's topic is Reading to Write and our leader is Linda Sue Park. Would you like to tell us a little about yourself and this workshop tonight, LindaSue, before you begin?

*** Verla has set the topic on channel #Kidlit to Reading to Write Workshop in Progress

LindaSue: Sure. For those of you on the CW list, I'm Linda Sue Park.

NOTE: CW list = Children's Writer's List

LindaSue: I write picture books, middle-grade, poetry and adult fiction.

Verla: Wow. I didn't realize you wrote ALL of that, LindaSue. I'm impressed. :-)

LindaSue: In November of 1997, my first middle-grade novel was pulled from the slushpile at Clarion Books.

LindaSue: OK, that's my segway into the workshop. Seesaw Girl was my first try at writing a novel, and it was accepted first try. I'm absolutely CONVINCED it's because of the vast amount of READING I did before I made any attempt to begin writing a middle-grade.

Verla: Ah...the SECRET of publishing success...at LAST it is being revealed!

Dani257: first try? Lemme rub your shoulder for luck

LindaSue: I'm not talking about reading when I was a child...I'm talking about reading kids' books as an adult. I read for about TEN YEARS before I tried writing a kids' book. This was because I had babies and couldn't concentrate long enough to write. BUT it turned out to be a blessing in disguise! Verla: ah...

MaryP2000: (and look how your kids benefitted too)

Verla: And what kinds of books did you read, LindaSue? Or am I getting ahead of you?

LindaSue: I really and truly believe that this is the single most important secret to good writing. And I have to say I'm often surprised (appalled!?) when I meet people who say they are writing for children who don't know very much about kids' books at all.

Verla: (Uh, oh...has LindaSue been peeking into MY mind?)

_Lyra: I LOVE to read kids' books--have 13 shelves full in my house

LindaSue: Verla--I read mostly middle grade. And I don't think it's any coincidence that my picture books are much weaker and have not yet sold. I need to do more reading of picture books!

_Lyra: so true, LindaSue

_Lyra: I would like to do pic books--and thought I was getting close--but need to learn more first

Verla: Hmmm. Of course, I do read a lot of PICTURE books..and since that's the kind I usually write...I guess maybe I'm not so far off after all, then.

Verla: But I read VERY few midgrade or YA novels.

_Lyra: And I read MOSTLY midgrade, some YA

LindaSue: OK, first topic. INtensive vs. EXtensive reading.

LindaSue: I'm going to start with EXtensive reading. That's reading for sheer enjoyment--and quantity. Read a LOT. Read quickly! Don't worry about technique or craft. Just read for the sheer pleasure of it...

LindaSue: ESPECIALLY in the genre that you want to write.

Verla: ah.. I like that kind of reading, LindaSue

LindaSue: A good place to start: the prize lists.

LindaSue: The most comprehensive list of prize books is at the Children's Literature Web Guide--do you all know that site?

Verla: I'm not sure ... Is it on the Write4Kids site, LindaSue?

LindaSue: I have the URL here somewhere, Verla...if I can't find it I'll give it to you later...

Dani257: I've got it bookmarked on my web browser

NOTE: LindaSue gave us this website link towards the end of this workshop.

LindaSue: OK--I know there are disadvantages to the prize books. However...

MaryP2000: what disadvantages?

LindaSue: MaryP--many people feel that the prize books are what *adults* want kids to read rather than what kids want to read themselves. But I don't think there's any denying the quality of the WRITING in these books.

MaryP2000: I agree with both of those points!

LindaSue: Here's an example from my own recent reading. I've been thinking about writing a time-slip book. So I read Tom's Midnight Garden, by Philippa Pearce--a prize-winner in England.

Sammeow: Time-slip?

LindaSue: Sammeow--sometimes called 'time travel'. A kid goes back or forward in time.

Sammeow: Thanks...I wrote one...didn't know what it was called

Verla: ah...I love those kinds of books, LindaSue

_Lyra: My favorite time-travel book is by Peni Griffin

_Lyra: "Switching Well"

LindaSue: amazon.com is a GREAT reference tool. I loved "Tom's"--so I went into amazon and used their category boxes to find similar books

LindaSue: You look up the book on amazon, check the category boxes, and it comes up with a list of similar books.

SallyA: I've used Amazon for the same purpose and it's excellrnt.

LindaSue: Over the past month and a half, I've read eight time-slip books...

Verla: Wow. LOTS of reading, LindaSue

LindaSue: and I'm pretty sure now that I DON'T want to write one. But that's OK!

Verla: hmmm. Changed your mind, LindaSue?

Dani257: Are you afraid you'll be influenced too much by the other books? or is that just a concern of mine?

Verla: Ah...do you have that fear, dani?

Dani257: yep

LindaSue: Dani--good question, I'll get to that in just a minute. Verla--yes, I did change my mind, but it was largely the result of my reading. I wasn't happy with the way ANY of the time-slip devices were handled, except for in Tom's Midnight Garden. UNLESS I can come up with a device that's convincing, I don't think time=slip works well.

Verla: hmmm. I think if you only use the books you read for reference, you would not have a problem. Use them to "kickstart" your own imagination, dani. Pretend they are the "background" for your own story...like the "world setting" and then do YOUR story.

LindaSue: Dani--what you are talking about is definitely a danger with INTENSIVE reading, but not EXTENSIVE. With EXTENSIVE, you're reading lots of different authors and styles.

LindaSue: So that's my first tip--READ lots of books in whatever genre you want to write.

LindaSue: If I were running my own 'writing school', like the ICL course, the first YEAR would be nothing but reading assignments!

MaryP2000: excellent advice Linda Sue--you should be an instructor

_Lyra: She could be an instructor IF she wanted a full-time job

Verla: Ah...but writers NEED to write, too, LindaSue.

LindaSue: Verla--yes, but I truly believe that beginning writers should spend more time READING. They should write, of course! Journals, letters, poetry, ideas, notes...but until you know a genre well, starting a book of your own is premature and unless you're a one in a million talent, you're bound for disappointment when you start submitting.

Verla: So the first step is to read everything you can get your hands on in the genre you want to write in. Like YA's if you are writing Young Adult stories....or Picture Books if you are writing Picture Books. YEAH!

SallyA: Are you still talking about EXtensive reading - just for enjoyment?

LindaSue: Yes, SallyA--Extensive.

_Lyra: There is a rhythm to books that usually needs to be learned by READING

Verla: Hmmm. Good comment, lyra

LindaSue: Absolutely, Verla and Lyra!

LindaSue: You've done your EXTENSIVE reading, lots and lots of it. And there are two or three authors whom you really admire...

LindaSue: So...now what about INTENSIVE reading?

Verla: When you look hard at a book for HOW it is written?

Verla: Like...how did the author make you LOVE that character and hate this one?

Verla: Or how did he keep your attention at the end of each chapter...

LindaSue: That's it, Verla.

LindaSue: Here's an example. One of the most difficult aspects of craft is POINT OF VIEW.

Verla: Oh..I had a TERRIBLE time with POV for a LONG time, LindaSue

Verla: I finally had to stop and go through my manuscript looking at NOTHING but POV. And anything that was in the story that wasn't from the main character's Point of View, I circled...then went back and rewrote those sections until they whole thing was in the ONE POV

_Lyra: When I was writing for a teen romance line, I made up note-cards as I analyzed the structure

LindaSue: If POINT OF VIEW is a problem for you, I would suggest reading several different kinds of books that handle point of view differently.

LindaSue: Examples: Multiple POV: Bat 6, by Wolff. Whirligig, by Fleischman. Making Up Megaboy, by Walter. Armageddon Summer, by Yolen and Coville. View from Saturday, by Konigsburg.

LindaSue: 1st person POV: The Friends, by Yumoto. Breaking Boxes, by Amanda Jenkins. My Louisiana Sky, by Holt.

LindaSue: 3rd person limited: How Many Miles to Babylon? by Paula Fox. The Midwife's Apprentice, by Cushman.

Verla: Is Holt the name of the author of My Louisiana Sky, or the publisher, LindaSue?

LindaSue: Both, in that case, Verla! Author Kimberly Holt, publisher Henry Holt.

Verla: lol (Laughing Out Loud!)

LindaSue: Now, if you read all those books with a particular eye to point of view, you'd have a darn good idea of what feels most comfortable to you!

SallyA: What do you mean by "limited?"

LindaSue: SallyA--"limited" third-person is where you get no information but what the character perceives. Third person extended is where the narrator offers information that the character would take for granted--it doesn't come from their consciousness.

SallyA: Are most 3d persons extended?

LindaSue: Yes, SallyA, most 3rd is extended. Extended is different, however, from "omniscient", where the author is in everyone's head.

Verla: yikes. I just write. I don't know the "formal" names for that kind of stuff, LindaSue.

LindaSue: Verla--I "just write" too. But I find that the terms are useful in discussions--like this one!

SallyA: AHA! So that's what that means!!! Would you say, then, omniscient is more widely used?

LindaSue: SallyA--omniscient used to be very popular. Less so now.

_Lyra: Omniscient is more popular for adult mainstream books (like Danielle Steele)

_Lyra: When I write third person, I only stay in that one person's POV

LindaSue: Dani--going back to your question from before. I think the secret to not writing imitatively is to read a range of authors.

Dani257: So, you don't have just one style influencing you?

_Lyra: The more you read, the more you tend to find your OWN voice...what works best for you

Verla: Ah! Nice thought, lyra!

_Lyra: On the other hand--whenever I wanted to write a more edgy tone, I would read SASSY magazine first

Verla: Yes, I can see how reading lots of different authors would help to keep you from being an imitator...compared to reading a bunch of books from just ONE author.

LindaSue: Well Verla--your comment takes me a little ahead of myself, but that's fine. Reading deeply from ONE author is also useful...

Verla: Hmmm. So if you read books that have a tone that you LIKE, you are more likely to write in that kind of tone...

_Lyra: I think it depends on YOU...like are you someone who talks in an accent after being around someone with an accent?

Verla: Yikes. I am, lyra!

ElinorRigb: LOL Verla

Dani257: I am.

_Lyra: But you ALWAYS have your own way of speaking, even when writing like someone you admire

LindaSue: If you read a lot of books by a single author, it's possible that you'll start writing in 'their style'. THIS IS NOT A BAD THING!!

Verla: It's NOT, LindaSue?

LindaSue: If you read a lot of Seuss, for example, and start writing like him. That would be a BAD thing if you were to start submitting your stuff! However,

Verla leans forward to hear the rest of LindaSue's comment on Dr. Seuss

MaryP2000: Another author once suggested that when an author of book "clicks" with you , you should read it over and over again until the structure becomes internalized. I found that very helpful. I do study certain novels over and over again.

_Lyra: I think a good example is that I hear Verla's cryptic rhyme a lot and am used to the rhythm--but I'm not skilled at it like her or plan to be

Verla: Hey! Up there in the front row...stop talking so I can hear LindaSue!

Verla: Ah....thanks!

Verla: (And I DID mean to say, "Please.")

Dani257: You ARE in the front row, Verla

Verla: I am?

LindaSue: MaryP--REreading--that's part of INTENSIVE reading. I reread almost everything that I like! Internalization is crucial to becoming a strong writer.

MaryP2000: I agree--it needs to become second nature.

Dani257: I reread some stories so much, I can quote them. Then I put them away for awhile so they can feel fresh again

SallyA: Do you reread with certain points in mind? I like to reread, also.

LindaSue: SallyA--sometimes. Usually I reread just because something is so wonderful. Sometimes I re-read with a specific 'point' in mind. Like recently, when I went through the time-slip books for the second time, looking specifically at the time-travel devices.

Verla: Hmmm. I INternalized Linda Joy Singleton's books when I wanted to write a Young Adult novel.

Verla: Examined how she made her stories WORK

Verla: Because I think her stories are REALLY good

_Lyra: If they work, I just breathe a sigh of relief (g)

NOTE: Lyra is Linda Joy Singleton

_Lyra: I don't like to reread...but I can see it would be helpful

MaryP2000: I reread looking at different points--chapter openings, characterization, etc.

LindaSue: PACING. It's terrific to see how great authors pace their stories--how often the action heats up, how long a build-up lasts, etc.

Verla: yes! How many pages were devoted to each scene

SallyA: Sometimes it's to see how character is developed.

Harazin: One thing I do is to read literary criticisms of a work.

Verla: ah....another nice idea, harazin

_Lyra: yuck! Literary reviews tend to make me feel inadequate

LindaSue: Shirley--I was just getting to that, sort of. Not criticism, but books on writing by authors. I am NOT talking about how-to books here.

Harazin: I am actually referring to literary criticisms that evaluate theme etc.

_Lyra: I have a small collection of kid author bio's and how-to's

LindaSue: OK, I just have a couple more points here. Then I wanted to throw the floor open to a discussion of new books! :-)

LindaSue: I'm talking about 'authorship' books, in which an author discusses how he/she works. That's different from a how-to books. The how-to books imply that there's a 'formula' for successful writing, whereas authorship books are simply telling you, this is how I did it, it might not work for everyone!

_Lyra: Usually what works is very personal and differs with writers

Verla: Ah...but aren't a lot of How To write books exactly that, LindaSue?

Verla: Just what worked for THIS author?

Harazin: Susan Cooper wrote an excellant one LindaSue but I forget the name.

LindaSue: Verla--no, I think many of the how-to books are rather formulaic. I call it the Writer's Digest school of How To Get Published FAST!!

Verla: I think new writers can't get too much information on HOW to write though

Verla: Most new writers are LOST in the sea of WHAT DO I DO NOW?

LindaSue: Books ABOUT writing--not books on HOW-TO write. There's a big difference!

Verla: Hmmm. I don't really see a difference... (am I just dense?)

ElinorRigb: I enjoyed some of the how-to books, though

Dani257: I'm dense, too

LindaSue: Yes. I agree that the HOW_TO books are useful, to a point.

Harazin: You mean like Bird by Bird LindaSue?

LindaSue: Yes, Shirley. That's just what I mean. Now here is a list of my favorite "authorship" books. Please again be forewarned--these are not How-to books.

MaryP2000: Bird by Bird as opposed to 20 Master Plots?

LindaSue: Exactly, MaryP.

LindaSue: OK. Katherine Paterson: The Spying Heart. Gates of Excellence. A Sense of Wonder. (That's 3 separate titles).

Verla: Okay, LindaSue. I know that many of the the Writer's Digest books are How-To books. Like Viewpoints and Characters. But can you give me an example of an "authorship" book?

LindaSue: Susan Cooper: Dreams and Wishes.

LindaSue: E.L. Konigsburg: Talk Talk.

Harazin: (She is Kia)

Verla: Oh, GOODIE...You were already doing it while I was typing my question. LOL.

LindaSue: Bill Peet: An Autobiography.

LindaSue: M.E. Kerr: Blood on the Forehead.

LindaSue: Worlds of Childhood, edited by Maurice Sendak.

Verla: Yikes. I've never read ANY of those books, LindaSue!

ElinorRigb: There's one about children's writers on writing

ElinorRigb: Sense of Wonder ?

Dani257: I think I've read one of the Paterson's

ElinorRigb: Is that the name

LindaSue: These are books in which the authors write about their own journeys through writing. For example, Paterson writes about how the book "Bridge to Terabithia" came about.

tinaeva1: Why are authorship books so helpful?

LindaSue: tinaeva--that's a good question. I know there are plenty of people who prefer the how-to books! But I'll tell you why I find them helpful.

Harazin: They are inspirational and motivational to me.

ElinorRigb: Whoops, that's the one you mentioned earlier. Sorry. I missed it

Dani257: Would A Girl From Yamhill count?

LindaSue: Dani--I don't know that one! Thanks!

Dani257: IT's Beverly Cleary's autobiography

_Lyra: Like I have one by Lois Duncan called CHAPTERS: MY GROWTH AS A WRITER

ElinorRigb: I have Sense of Wonder by Paterson

_Lyra: or another I have is HOW I CAME TO BE A WRITER by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Verla: Oh...I SEE NOW! Books that are kind of like an autobiography of how the author became an author...and/or how the author came to write his/her own books!

LindaSue: Yes, Verla. Another example: Paterson writes about how with every single novel, she hits a stage where she's completely stuck and is convinced she will never finish.

LindaSue: Somehow I find that tremendously reassuring!

Verla: Grin. I hit that stage in most of my books!

woolfff: This is strange to me. These are the books I usually end up giving away after I've read them. I don't find them helpful at all.

LindaSue: Wolff--I understand! I know a lot of people who feel like that. I wanted to bring up these 'authorship' books here because I think many people are familiar with the how-to books, but less so the authorship books.

LindaSue: What these authorship books emphasize is the importance of finding your OWN PATH as a writer...rather than saying, follow these 20 steps and you'll get published!

Dani257: If only it was that easy;-)

ElinorRigb: But sometimes that security of "here's 20 steps" is kind of nice when you are first starting out and feeling insecure

LindaSue: Elinor--yes, I agree that they are a good place to start. But I object to the fact that the tone of these is often that writing is something that can be learned from a how-to book.

ElinorRigb: I know, LindaSue, I agree with you. Completely.

^GailM: You hang out in a Children's Book store. Or work in one, even if it is for free.

Sammeow: Yes, but with a poor library and a small book store...

Verla: yikes! Only 15 minutes left in the workshop folks....

Dani257: Extend it!

LindaSue: OK! I've got typing fatigue now :-). I thought we could finish the hour with a pseudo-Awards discussion. What new books would you like to see nominated for the major awards this year? Let's start with the Caldecott!

_Lyra: I think one of my fave books, ELLA ENCHANTED, already won something

Dani257: Yes, it was a newbery honor book

LindaSue: Lyra--Ella Enchanted was last year's Newbery runner-up. Time for this year's!

_Lyra: I also personally love everything Peg Kehret writes

Verla: hmmm. I know I found MY "own path." Wrote in rhyme, which was a no-no...wrote historical books..and aimed them at YOUNGER kids than most people do, because I felt like the younger kids didn't have enough for THEM on the subjects....because the schools usually teach these subjects later...

woolfff: I don't know my awards that well...but I loved MUSIC OVER MANHATTAN I believe that was the title?

Verla: I nominate Good Knight for the Caldecott, LindaSue...

Verla: Anastasia's Window Music is WONDERFUL and should be one of the nominees, too

LindaSue: Window Music has a good chance!

Verla: Window Music is written like my style of cryptic rhyme, LindaSue.

_Lyra: The one I just borrowed from Verla was good--AMONG THE HIDDEN by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Verla: Yes, I loved Among the Hidden!

LindaSue: Is that a middle-grade, Lyra, Verla--the Haddix?

Verla: yes, LindaSue

Verla: And a VERY good one.

_Lyra: Midgrade

Verla: Almost to a YA level

NOTE: YA = Young Adult

Dani257: I'm not up to date on my PB books

Sammeow: How do you find and read "the new books"?

_Lyra: Good libraries get the newest kid books

Harazin: Publishers weekly, Sam

Verla: Publishers Weekly has a lot of the newest books listed in it.

Harazin: Publishers weekly is online samm

Verla: Here's Publisher's Weekly's website for Bookwire

Harazin: thanks Verla!

Sammeow: Book lists aren't the same as reading the thing

Verla: Children's Book Council: Includes an extensive list of publisher names and addresses

Dani257: My Louisiana Sky should win the Newbery

LindaSue: Dani--I think "Sky" is wonderful. But it has some stiff competition!

LindaSue: Bat 6, Armageddon Summer...

Harazin: Personally, I loved "Holes" by Sacharr

LindaSue: Holes--that's another one, Shirley.

LindaSue: Just won the National Book Award for children's lit.

Dani257: Haven't read any of them. I think I'll plan a trip to the bookstore soon

Harazin: I just read it and found it very well written

_Lyra: I don't see hardbacks often--mostly when they come out in paperback

LindaSue: I also like Old Elm Speaks, by Kristin George. Poetry for kids--beautiful!

_Lyra: oh--for nonfiction, I think Deborah Nourse Lattimore's WHAT'S UNDER THERE book should win an award

^GailM: I believe that writers, in the trenches, do not have much money to spend on accumulating the newest books, and if your library is poor...I leave that to folks like Publisher's Weekly.

SallyA: My library still doesn't have "Sky." They're a couple of years behind the times.

LindaSue: I should also let you know--I am a library gal! I get almost everything at the library. My own local library is small, but it has an interlibrary loan system.

Dani257: I was very surprised to see Sky at my library, so I grabbed it

Verla: Sally, my local library is WAY behind the times...

LindaSue: Verla--they don't have interlibrary loan?

Verla: Yes, but only within the county, LindaSue

Dani257: I think that might be true of a lot of libraries

^GailM: I have a wonderful Children's Bookstore nearby, and she is very proactive. I will see her at local SCBWI tomorrow. I need to ask if she has Window Music!

NOTE: SCBWI = Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators

Verla: They don't even carry Children's Books in Print. :-(

SallyA: My librarian didn't even know there was such a thing as Children's Books in Print!!!

SallyA: I just bought several older Newberry paperbacks at a bookstore. Newer ones are still in hardcover.

^GailM: The Seattle system has been poor. Bill Gates gave them a pile of money a few weeks ago, more than Carneige would have dreamed of, but a big piece of that goes to buildings. Hopefully, my local will improve.

LindaSue: GailM--I'm still in the trenches...without the library I'd be dead! But I do read the latest picture books at Barnes and Noble...wish I could buy them!

^GailM: I am mad at Barnes and "ignoble." And besides, there is not one nearby.

Harazin: I usually order from Amazon

^GailM: Now Amazon. That is a good bookstore.

Sammeow: Don't forget Borders

Sammeow: I'm going to a book show this weekend...Shall I read everything I can lay hands on?

LindaSue: LOL, Gail--Barnes & Ignoble, I like that.

SallyA: If you're writing fiction around a certain subject, perhaps horses, it is sometimes difficult to find GOOD books to read/study.

LindaSue: For horses, you might have to say, child/animal relationships.

LindaSue: SallyA--that's true. You might have to broaden your search a little. For example, for my books, there were almost no historical novels set in Asia. So I just read historical novels, period.

LindaSue: The New York Times Best Illustrated books (published two weeks ago) are often Caldecott forerunners.

Verla: There is a Calecott website

^GailM: Calecott is for illustrations, right?

Verla: right, gail

LindaSue: That's right Gail. Caldecott goes to the illustrator. The Newbery goes to the writer.

Verla: And the Newberry also has a website

Verla: Awk! Our time is UP

LindaSue: Has anyone read Harry Potter yet?

Harazin: Not yet LindaSue

_Lyra: I would like to read it

LindaSue: Me too, Lyra. Gotta put that one on hold. Also heard of another good one today--King of Dragons.

_Lyra: But I seldom buy hardbacks unless I know the author

^GailM: Tell about Harry.

Verla: LindaSue...what was the name of that place that had the website you were going to share with us at the beginning of the workshop?

LindaSue: Children's Literature Web Guide, Verla. Hold on just a sec...

Verla: Thanks, Linda Sue..that's a new one to me, I think.

LindaSue: OK. Here it is. Children's Literature Web Guide.

Verla: Ah...THANK YOU, LindaSue!

NOTE: If you came here via the "end of this workshop link," Click HERE to return.

LindaSue: Also, two more good sites: The School Library Journal online. And Horn Book. Both have reviews of new fiction.

LindaSue: www.bookwire.com/slj has a lovely article called "Sleepers:100 books too good to miss"--books that DIDN'T win awards but should have!

LindaSue: And don't forget www.ala.org/booklist !

Verla: LOL. Sounds like MY library, Sally. They JUST got library cards last year!

Dani257: Just got library caards?

Verla: yes, Dani!

Dani257: wow

SallyA: You don't happen to live in PA, do you, Verla! LOL

Verla: No, in the Sierra Nevada mountains in California, Sally

Verla: Well, do you have anything else to say (quickly!) before we close, LindaSue?

LindaSue: No! Good heavens, haven't I talked enough already!??

Verla: Hip Hip Hooray! For a GREAT workshop, LindaSue. Thank you SOOOOOOOO much!

_Lyra: thanks. LindaSue

tinaeva1: Thanks very much, Linda. Bye all.

Verla: Whistle, Whistle, Stomp!

Dani257: Clap, clap Whistle!

DonaV: Thanks, Linda Sue

Harazin: thanks LindaSue

ClaraRose: Excellent, Excellent, Excellent JOB!!!!!

guest-Lyn: It's been great, LindaSue.

LindaSue: Thank YOU all! :-)

Dani257: Bye, Tina

_Enchanted: thank you, Linda Sue!

Verla: We really appreciate your time and effort, LindaSue!

SallyA: Wonderful job, LindaSue. Hate to see it end.

LindaSue: I appreciate the opportunity, Verla!

Marianne__: Thanks, Linda, even tho I'm very late, got some great urls...

Verla: You can see what you missed later when it's posted on my website, Marianne

^GailM: Good job. This is not easy! I know. Lots of text to read and respond to. You did a very good job.

LindaSue: Thanks, Gail. I hope I didn't miss any questions?

woolfff: Very informative, LindaSue. Great presentation...good night!

ElinorRigb: Next workshop, I'm going to hogtie my 5 year old down

LindaSue: Elinor--I banished both my kids to the attic--bribed them with a video and popcorn!

ElinorRigb: so THAT'S how you did it, LindaSue

ElinorRigb: I've been kicked, punched, slobbered on, had my eye poked, the keyboard grabbed...

Verla: Elinor! Who did that to you? No one in HERE, I hope!

ElinorRigb: And that was just from the CAT. My child was worse!

Verla: LOL

LindaSue: LOL, Elinor!

Dani257: Let's kidnap LindaSue and make her hold the workshop again

Marianne__: (:)

Verla: Next week is going to be another GREAT workshop, people

ClaraRose: goodie goodie

Verla: Finding More Markets with Janis Waldrop Field...

ClaraRose: alright

Dani257: YES! Just what I need

LindaSue: Wow! Can we throw Janis a shower too?

SallyA: I'd like to see someone cover "sub plots."

Marianne__: I missed her first workshop, looking forward to it.

Sammeow: Sounds like what I need

Harazin: Good idea Sally

Verla: She did a dynamo workshop last time...gave us GREAT ideas on how to make lots of money writing WHILE you are waiting for that next book contract

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