tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23746409398107880602024-02-21T06:00:28.584-08:00Writer Friendly, Bookshelf ApprovedAuthor Bethany Hegedus discusses craft, commitment, and hosts a bevy of bold and brilliant book folks.Bethany Hegedushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00024616444247083411noreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374640939810788060.post-53900741581398762292011-11-11T06:48:00.000-08:002011-11-11T06:48:16.938-08:00Update from Dublin: New content LIVE at Hunger Mountain, Art & Insanity issue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLS1x-g0TeOJdGsY-bDan3BnjdjhY1ef4866QjtmUQc7qbHmENunVDmej5PaDRj6T7Oz-QJSjps99txBkoDDFtbLQ__NHwOtU0ryPsDSpjXYF7n0s-JhK31oYy8xujIow_Smltthj34M/s1600/058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEULxqs_u_9BTQayhijudpE_0luHoDPzlhLNfkG-tFfXXeFPVSF4Ac8SZBB7rpqdSRYMbkSWo3HNv_uXT65qURGd39_ftigob_R5ozlCJ74TTek_ConZcTB8a8loELiaUh3Eq9zHHl_Ak/s1600/062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEULxqs_u_9BTQayhijudpE_0luHoDPzlhLNfkG-tFfXXeFPVSF4Ac8SZBB7rpqdSRYMbkSWo3HNv_uXT65qURGd39_ftigob_R5ozlCJ74TTek_ConZcTB8a8loELiaUh3Eq9zHHl_Ak/s320/062.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lemon Scented soap</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>So here I am in Dublin, a literary capital. A renowned whiskey town. It's raining. We went for a walk this am, a literary tour that took us by Oscar Wilde's home, Finn's Hotel, near where James Joyce met Nora and where she once worked as a chambermaid. We stepped into Sweny's chemist--a pharmacy featured in Ulysses, here lemon scented soap is purchased. We joined locals gathering for tea and for a reading. </strong></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLS1x-g0TeOJdGsY-bDan3BnjdjhY1ef4866QjtmUQc7qbHmENunVDmej5PaDRj6T7Oz-QJSjps99txBkoDDFtbLQ__NHwOtU0ryPsDSpjXYF7n0s-JhK31oYy8xujIow_Smltthj34M/s1600/058.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLS1x-g0TeOJdGsY-bDan3BnjdjhY1ef4866QjtmUQc7qbHmENunVDmej5PaDRj6T7Oz-QJSjps99txBkoDDFtbLQ__NHwOtU0ryPsDSpjXYF7n0s-JhK31oYy8xujIow_Smltthj34M/s320/058.JPG" width="239" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Now I sit on a cafe near Grafton Street waiting for V to finish his last meeting before we head to County Wexford for two days and then we continue on to Paris. I am sipping an Irish Coffee and wondering how and when life became so pleasantly unexpected. Here I sit, at age 39, on my first trip abroad in Ireland, from whence part of my family stems. (Ah, whence, would I be using that word if I were in Austin. Nope.)</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>I am doing what I love for a living. Writing. Teaching. Editing. I am so grateful. And speaking of editing, it is today's recent work at<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/young-adults-and-childrens-literature/"> Hunger Mountain</a>, that I am here to share. The children's lit team is extraordinary and our Assistant Editor, Caroline Carlson, who is repped by <a href="http://www.greenhouseliterary.com/index.php/news">Greenhouse Literary </a>just earned herself a three book deal! As stated on the Greenhouse website:</strong><br />
<br />
Caroline Carlson’s MAGIC MARKS THE SPOT, pitched as Eva Ibbotson meets Lemony Snicket with a twist of ‘yo ho ho’, to be illustrated with maps, journals and letters, in which a girl is rejected by the Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates and shipped off to a Finishing School for Delicate Ladies instead, from where she must escape and set sail with a motley crew including a governess, a budgerigar and a talkative gargoyle on a treasure hunt for the kingdom’s lost magic, to Phoebe Yeh and Toni Markiet at Harper Children’s, in a significant deal, in a pre-empt, in a three-book deal, for publication in 2013, by Sarah Davies at the Greenhouse Literary Agency (NA).<br />
<br />
<br />
Congrats, Caroline and thank you, thank you, thank you for all you do at HM. You make my job easier, more fun and even more inspiring. All good things! (And possibly some Writers' Tears Whiskey in your future.) Cheers.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDSvNojV42TfYhAoGHB27aWanLArCCbTAnJZGwKXmnJ58pO7_l8Y0sD3EcTgPg04oFFX3b4uX0qE-BnXKM8d8klSnDqluas9M8YfG3oHASSWRLw_8X1qOs6I6rVDKGw3jzDmcGrBQ3A0/s1600/231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDSvNojV42TfYhAoGHB27aWanLArCCbTAnJZGwKXmnJ58pO7_l8Y0sD3EcTgPg04oFFX3b4uX0qE-BnXKM8d8klSnDqluas9M8YfG3oHASSWRLw_8X1qOs6I6rVDKGw3jzDmcGrBQ3A0/s320/231.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
Now on to the latest over at Hunger Mountain...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><strong>This week, </strong>we welcome our Katherine Paterson prize winner and finalists, as judged by National Book Award winning author Kimberly Willis Holt:<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/him/"><strong> Him</strong></a> by Heather Smith Meloche; <strong><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/forty-thieves-and-a-green-eyed-girl/">Forty Thieves and Green-Eyed Girl</a></strong> by Christy Lenzi, and<strong><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/cesar/"> Cesar</a></strong> by Betty Yee. Another highlight is <strong><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/writing-from-both-sides-of-the-brain/"><em>Writing from Both Sides of the Brain</em></a>,</strong> a feature by Kelley Barson, which explains how both the left and the right sides of the brain are engaged in producing good fiction. We offer<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/la-bruja/"> <strong>several poems</strong></a> by Guadalupe Garcia McCall, author of the recent <em>Under the Mesquite</em>. This issue’s <strong><em>Flipside</em></strong> is unique. We offer three voices, a seasoned writing instructor,<strong> <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/teaching-writing-and-the-practice-of-illusion/">Uma Krishnaswami</a></strong>, author of <em>The Grand Plan to Fix Everything</em> and newer writing teachers,<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/making-a-community-that-promotes-creativity/"> <strong>Sarah Aronson</strong></a>, author of <em>Beyond Lucky</em> and <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/thetrueconfessions/"><strong>Debby Dahl Edwardson</strong></a>, a current National Book Award nominee for <em>My Name Is Not Easy</em>. Each shares her own unique method of <em>The Art & Insanity of Teaching Writing</em>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>And as a reminder, we are accepting pieces for submissions for consideration for our Winter 2012 issue <em>The Magic & Mystery of Identity</em> and our Spring 2012 issue <em>The Landscape of Literature</em>. Please see<strong><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/submit/"> here</a></strong> for submission guidelines. *<strong>Note</strong>: there is now a $3.00 submissions fee which is<strong> not</strong> a reading fee, but a charge that helps fund the cost of the online submissions manager. Since our readers and editors are scattered around the globe, snail mail submissions, which would also cost submitters roughly $3, are not viable. Thank you for your continued support of <em>Hunger Mountain</em>.*Bethany Hegedushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00024616444247083411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374640939810788060.post-58075470013985764462011-10-20T11:46:00.000-07:002011-10-20T11:46:03.291-07:00The Art & Insanity of Creativity issue is now LIVE at Hunger MountainThe long wait is over everyone! The annual print edition has been put to bed and before the year is up will be turning up in subscriber mailboxes as well as brick and mortar stores and the fall YA & Children's issue is rolling out new content.<br />
<br />
From my editorial letter:<br />
<br />
Dear reader,<br />
<br />
<strong></strong>Welcome to the <strong><em>Art & Insanity of Creativity </em></strong>issue. While this issue’s theme may sound tongue in cheek, it is anything but. To quote Greek writer Nikos Kazantzakis (1885-1957) “A person needs a little madness, or else they dare never cut the rope and be free.” Kazantzakis’ quote points to artist as rebel. Artist as free thinker. Artist going against the societal ties that bind us all. An artist is all these things—and therefore an artist needs the courage to examine the world we live in and our own human nature.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrzAzF3zfEhXUY4qjS9L5xYFlQ__Z9UofPNbxPaDzrsTCNs20_x2mDV2bp1y6DXaELnH1dlQVQ3HCv6sWXtCruzsp74UfcLrIbPEvpHDeBmjXHYDR3MJXB-ThUJ1kbr1CQz6dJMZbYFQ/s1600/twf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrzAzF3zfEhXUY4qjS9L5xYFlQ__Z9UofPNbxPaDzrsTCNs20_x2mDV2bp1y6DXaELnH1dlQVQ3HCv6sWXtCruzsp74UfcLrIbPEvpHDeBmjXHYDR3MJXB-ThUJ1kbr1CQz6dJMZbYFQ/s1600/twf.jpg" /></a></div>And then we have psychiatrist, scholar, and bipolar patient Dr. Kay Redfield Jameson whose book <em>Touched with Fire: Manic Depressive Illness and the Artistic Temperament</em> intends:<br />
<br />
<div style="padding-left: 60px;">…to make a literary, biographical, and scientific argument for a compelling association, not to say an actual overlap, between two temperaments—the artistic and the manic depressive—and their relationships to the rhythms and cycles, or temperament of the natural world. The emphasis will be on understanding the relationship between moods and imagination, the nature of moods—their variety, their contrary and oppositional qualities, their flux, their extremes (causing in some individuals occasional bouts of ‘madness’)—and the importance of moods in igniting thought, changing perceptions, creating chaos, forcing order upon that chaos, and enabling transformation. (5)</div><div style="padding-left: 60px;"><br />
</div>In reading Jameson’s book for research for an upcoming novel of mine, and to understand an illness that has touched my family’s life in many ways, I began to see and make connections I hadn’t before. Any illness—cancer, diabetes, bipolar disorder—is scary and can be life-threatening but it also can be life-affirming. That is where art and artistry comes in: exploring the dark, wandering there, with the sole purpose of finding the light.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigF7tqVlNvJFIg6mUleBfPBTJ1wy-U0CBzg3UqLlkE9GrIAOm1z1j0L9GwJNXIsY1hJfM3SR04hPh9utUzBs7RQowu4zk1Fc7hIN13lAAIC5eT91tf3rdaSmwjx_NXhyphenhyphenXWy3XNbnXmjBY/s1600/mnne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigF7tqVlNvJFIg6mUleBfPBTJ1wy-U0CBzg3UqLlkE9GrIAOm1z1j0L9GwJNXIsY1hJfM3SR04hPh9utUzBs7RQowu4zk1Fc7hIN13lAAIC5eT91tf3rdaSmwjx_NXhyphenhyphenXWy3XNbnXmjBY/s1600/mnne.jpg" /></a></div>In this issue, we will have pieces on the artistry of teaching (with <a href="http://www.debbydahledwardson.com/" target="_blank">Debby Dahl Edwardson</a>, current NBA finalist both last week and this week), the market’s “obsession” with dystopia, how to overcome fear in our work, an <em>In Response</em> essay by Andew Karre, Editorial Director at Carolrhoda Books on our <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/in-defense-of-ya/">In Defense of YA</a> piece and my <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/ya-is-not-a-genre/">YA is NOT a Genre</a> essay, which appears over at Hunger Mountain blog <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/category/another-loose-sally/">Another Loose Sally</a>, a word play exercise with Children’s Poetry Laureate, <a href="http://www.jpatricklewis.com/" target="_blank">J. Patrick Lewis</a>, as well as fiction and poetry which play with extremes and bring order to the chaos of the character’s lives.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEmENxHx1JFT8IC0NJ6K-u_vdKOyOfBjvrNFeXg3rUwC6EcTZ3-NmPtK7bH8Pe8KZ15d19PrunlqiIlFrTmDg_2RoHsoRijTQ3cR1Z7-TsuwR0tsmdsX4OlQTeYAeIbUBzZJGmuYPG_U/s1600/KirstenCappy-225x376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEmENxHx1JFT8IC0NJ6K-u_vdKOyOfBjvrNFeXg3rUwC6EcTZ3-NmPtK7bH8Pe8KZ15d19PrunlqiIlFrTmDg_2RoHsoRijTQ3cR1Z7-TsuwR0tsmdsX4OlQTeYAeIbUBzZJGmuYPG_U/s200/KirstenCappy-225x376.jpg" width="119" /></a></div><strong>This week, </strong>we welcome Kirsten Cappy of Curious City in our <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/its-the-end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it-and-i-feel-fine/"><strong>Industry Insider</strong></a> with her ode to REM, “It’s the End of the World as We Know It…” which delves into the multifaceted work that Kirsten does with her Curious City clients. We offer new fiction by novelist Jennifer Hubbard with <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/the-stage-manager/"><strong><em>The Stage Manager</em></strong><em> </em></a>and <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/a-cut-out-face/"><strong>A <em>Cut-Out Face</em></strong></a> by Mima Tipper—both of which are psychological studies as well as damn fine short stories. And, we debut the first of our features for this issue with Bobbie Pyron’s brave essay <strong><em><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/the-perks-of-being-bipolar/">The Perks of Being Bipolar</a>. </em></strong><br />
<br />
And lest this issue sound too serious—do not fear— there is plenty to chuckle at and laugh with in the pieces above and the pieces to come. So, please stop back often. Read, respond and let this issue aid the art and insanity in <em>your</em> creativity.<br />
<br />
Best,<br />
Bethany Hegedus, YA and Children’s Lit Editor<br />
<br />
<b></b><br />
We are now accepting pieces for consideration for our Winter 2012 issue <em>The Magic & Mystery of Identity</em> and our Spring 2012 issue <em>The Landscape of Literature</em>. Please see<strong><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/submit/"> here</a></strong> for submission guidelines. *<strong>Note</strong>: there is now a $3.00 submissions fee which is<strong> not</strong> a reader fee, but a charge that helps fund the cost of the online submissions manager. Since our readers and editors are scattered around the globe, snail mail submissions, which would also cost submitters roughly $3, are not viable. Thank you for your continued support of <em>Hunger Mountain</em>.*Bethany Hegedushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00024616444247083411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374640939810788060.post-75108282284333928872011-10-14T07:59:00.000-07:002011-10-14T08:05:39.167-07:00Fabulous Fall FridayThe temp here in Austin is now reaching a high of 87 with evenings in the cool 60s. This is fall for us--so I am going to take it. I do miss the fall foliage of upstate NY, the crisp apples, donning sweaters and walking to my beloved Brooklyn bagel shop and having coffee with friends on park benches. But, Austin has brought other Indian Summer pleasures--taking a walk with <a href="http://beboldlybrilliant.wordpress.com/">AK </a>down at Town Lake, writing outside at The Place with the ladies and as <a href="http://www.kaholt.com/Site/Welcome.html">K.A. Holt</a> said bogarting a picnic table for 5 hours, and finally opening <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Writing-Barn/248714441833855">The Writing Barn</a> to friends.<br />
<br />
This last Sunday, a rainy Sunday which the drought ridden soil so desperately needed we held the opening of The Writing Barn. (Also, a birthday celebration for my 39th.) The day before<a href="http://davewilsonphotography.500px.com/"> Dave Wilson</a>, a wonderful photographer, who just happens to be married to Austin author <a href="http://nikkiloftin.com/">Nikki Loftin</a> came to take professional shots of The Barn. It may have been gloomy outside but Dave, with his wide angle lense, and his talent made The Barn look bright and welcoming.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjP5VCanjq70vikaErK6Gil-TioJ6IoKUra4KsY8htLBUS8lFa-Lv5xkWQ8yjliPzxVoSxDXnFC1kfgb7WyK5ppbkBhAhyphenhyphen2JBidN407HNzybUdir7oB-2hSkgFfyew25h65NswDcOW_gY/s1600/Hegedus-0421_2_3_4_5_6_7-2+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjP5VCanjq70vikaErK6Gil-TioJ6IoKUra4KsY8htLBUS8lFa-Lv5xkWQ8yjliPzxVoSxDXnFC1kfgb7WyK5ppbkBhAhyphenhyphen2JBidN407HNzybUdir7oB-2hSkgFfyew25h65NswDcOW_gY/s320/Hegedus-0421_2_3_4_5_6_7-2+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fancy shot merging three solo shots. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6pONvhnaOPFh_QUt7wR67IgXvrXfRqjIzCiKh0MLEgNCZK6IacqiBmeAoQXvl_eOD0Yxy2e0KiEsCcLR2UmiE2GyWlKry6K_hfVisKTdH9b3MhZkrFVink2bFTrTv3BzFowYVhMIFtkg/s1600/Hegedus-0462_3_4_5_6_7_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6pONvhnaOPFh_QUt7wR67IgXvrXfRqjIzCiKh0MLEgNCZK6IacqiBmeAoQXvl_eOD0Yxy2e0KiEsCcLR2UmiE2GyWlKry6K_hfVisKTdH9b3MhZkrFVink2bFTrTv3BzFowYVhMIFtkg/s320/Hegedus-0462_3_4_5_6_7_8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guest bedroom, queen sized bed</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIDvEi5ZZewBq5jw6J6HC4yeKysa0qbYIzCTp3zs1Gn7HX0k9kUyv3GsuB3VNMVA8g4pqYaHW3fWujNq1nGIaEMBRHwlLK01CzlxBF3n2wk23X7Uw4J7VoBj5fTE9UXNmxTlniFiAxwC8/s1600/Hegedus-0483_4_5_6_7_8_9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIDvEi5ZZewBq5jw6J6HC4yeKysa0qbYIzCTp3zs1Gn7HX0k9kUyv3GsuB3VNMVA8g4pqYaHW3fWujNq1nGIaEMBRHwlLK01CzlxBF3n2wk23X7Uw4J7VoBj5fTE9UXNmxTlniFiAxwC8/s320/Hegedus-0483_4_5_6_7_8_9.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cozy loft space to read or write</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAYi-T2x3zT34oU_wGrGGVQ8Kh6s3gzNJdxN1cgDsoQfaJfSigYNUex10LhmanQ7yXlAD3eJckcu8H_7EM0wR9cgir9UTOZTEOVgC-kCiDUHy_B99yUDphuUA26gXTC4HxxVcqyNJhr-4/s1600/Hegedus-0517_18_19_20_21_22_23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAYi-T2x3zT34oU_wGrGGVQ8Kh6s3gzNJdxN1cgDsoQfaJfSigYNUex10LhmanQ7yXlAD3eJckcu8H_7EM0wR9cgir9UTOZTEOVgC-kCiDUHy_B99yUDphuUA26gXTC4HxxVcqyNJhr-4/s320/Hegedus-0517_18_19_20_21_22_23.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A place to rock and read</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DpfKavepMl88msULi9TLZfIuF1_uQz4Sk01U6N3xbnhz39YDH0da7LA5AlghKp8KuQ66mv3svd9caST2qzv5Qe7fU3HnJ0Wzwyi8SCLAmfa5LmXseVWCGRBDnC92YL9WDUIWTU-j95w/s1600/Hegedus-0526_27_28_29_30_34_36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DpfKavepMl88msULi9TLZfIuF1_uQz4Sk01U6N3xbnhz39YDH0da7LA5AlghKp8KuQ66mv3svd9caST2qzv5Qe7fU3HnJ0Wzwyi8SCLAmfa5LmXseVWCGRBDnC92YL9WDUIWTU-j95w/s320/Hegedus-0526_27_28_29_30_34_36.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Screened in porch</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAbAsPyPYz77-jjrh9NXXvAgxihUnbNm4O5UXfmltvHUSE5RQWGeJR3VDRKrORRFmrvDJk_nlKdEzGSjXTJqqRtCPYeV1b7p6pMhanxASN-CwxK0EO4UF5qho0Nf3C20e1dscjj2EUDVc/s1600/Hegedus-0537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAbAsPyPYz77-jjrh9NXXvAgxihUnbNm4O5UXfmltvHUSE5RQWGeJR3VDRKrORRFmrvDJk_nlKdEzGSjXTJqqRtCPYeV1b7p6pMhanxASN-CwxK0EO4UF5qho0Nf3C20e1dscjj2EUDVc/s320/Hegedus-0537.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely courtyard in front of The Barn</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The rain continued to fall for the Barn Warming on Sunday afternoon but friends came--ready to eat, drink, and be merry! Abou Sylla and band were incredible!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Wqq0cZOnHsXQnmoqNdLdup2sVO9jNX5V3gGUkwHSNzPCASHzykBSIsrwHpPM9AFJPUgicJGvc2geoQb3OGvNijcM7-Ji2RBOENnwtmlIu_nj9p-X7vcLVIU71wfpSWZooF1Rk5y07ZM/s1600/311808_10150493448047575_782252574_11471200_174129093_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Wqq0cZOnHsXQnmoqNdLdup2sVO9jNX5V3gGUkwHSNzPCASHzykBSIsrwHpPM9AFJPUgicJGvc2geoQb3OGvNijcM7-Ji2RBOENnwtmlIu_nj9p-X7vcLVIU71wfpSWZooF1Rk5y07ZM/s320/311808_10150493448047575_782252574_11471200_174129093_n.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff Crosby, Shelley Ann Jackson, and E. Kirstin Anderson chat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUomLa4sB5Jstz0sNW0mKhEHfYO1LyZIHSPz6ZhBS2PBzx8hRgI-KLQceKcMVj5ee_FEAkgnCGL89bnd9bWBoN-0Ous9GofjKu7RGCv_fZdXazglNjsZfQy36-XHgYGIy76kmaTiAGaaU/s1600/313539_10150493465982575_782252574_11471302_148958355_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUomLa4sB5Jstz0sNW0mKhEHfYO1LyZIHSPz6ZhBS2PBzx8hRgI-KLQceKcMVj5ee_FEAkgnCGL89bnd9bWBoN-0Ous9GofjKu7RGCv_fZdXazglNjsZfQy36-XHgYGIy76kmaTiAGaaU/s320/313539_10150493465982575_782252574_11471302_148958355_n.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gather ye round for cake. From R to L, Vanessa Lee, Cynthia Leitich Smith, Jenny Moss, and Don Tate and his lovely wife.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPixfAsfOUPGyM0qY9tAdFfF3DdxO95rYqHwDXH7SU-VAaYJmLiMn-3AuROxT9W6gxfc7I7OX5AiUvUgWMvEtAotB4TBheffdWLlkOvj006R0wprPwxSepeIo0mUMj9QL6lcYSOCq7LtQ/s1600/294347_2450546112830_1527315206_2659183_883317767_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPixfAsfOUPGyM0qY9tAdFfF3DdxO95rYqHwDXH7SU-VAaYJmLiMn-3AuROxT9W6gxfc7I7OX5AiUvUgWMvEtAotB4TBheffdWLlkOvj006R0wprPwxSepeIo0mUMj9QL6lcYSOCq7LtQ/s320/294347_2450546112830_1527315206_2659183_883317767_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abou Sylla breaks it down. Pic by Jen Bigheart.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3nqAVqyZGGOzWCfhZct4j8YSosRw-GaL6hfRoeluxm7TgB7YIcQh5errigH2icWpc8Z-37h4TyXvAC0QZ1O0Qd_ZnHuGKE9m_U72-ZiZItT-o78tZA8G5nAPg_t_-TZUl1lxcLXCdmIs/s1600/311808_10150493448017575_782252574_11471198_1069299190_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3nqAVqyZGGOzWCfhZct4j8YSosRw-GaL6hfRoeluxm7TgB7YIcQh5errigH2icWpc8Z-37h4TyXvAC0QZ1O0Qd_ZnHuGKE9m_U72-ZiZItT-o78tZA8G5nAPg_t_-TZUl1lxcLXCdmIs/s320/311808_10150493448017575_782252574_11471198_1069299190_n.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The birthday carrot cake ala Central Market</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a class="uiPhotoThumb largePhoto" data-ft="{"type":41}" href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=254643847907581&set=a.254643844574248.59110.248714441833855&type=1&ref=nf" rel="theater" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Thrilled to host our first book launch party at The Writing Barn for HARNESS HORSES, BUCKING BRONCOS & PIT PONIES: A HISTORY OF HORSE BREEDS at the Writing Barn on Sunday, Oct. 16th from 2-4 pm. Written and illustrated by Jeff Crosby Illustrator/Author and Shelley Ann Jackson."><img alt="" class="img" height="225px" src="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s320x320/301113_254643847907581_248714441833855_680415_269935997_n.jpg" width="225px" /></a>It was a wonderful to see so many friends, old and new, and to break in the barn the right way--mud and all--before The Barn's first event this weekend, a book launch party for<span class="messageBody translationEligibleUserMessage" data-ft="{"type":3}"> HARNESS HORSES, BUCKING BRONCOS & PIT PONIES: A HISTORY OF HORSE BREEDS at the Writing Barn on<b> Sunday, Oct. 16th from 2-4 pm.</b> Written and illustrated by Jeff Crosby and Shelley Ann Jackson. <a href="http://donnabowmanbratton.blogspot.com/2011/10/q-shelley-ann-jackson-and-jeff-crosby.html">(For an excellent interview with Jeff and Shelley see Donna Bowman Bratton's blog.</a>) </span><br />
<br />
<span class="messageBody translationEligibleUserMessage" data-ft="{"type":3}">Lots of other goings on this week, <b>In Austin</b></span><br />
<br />
<span class="messageBody translationEligibleUserMessage" data-ft="{"type":3}">Don't miss Cynsations interview with Tu Books (Lee and Low) Editor Stacy Whitman and Author Karen Sandler. Comment and you will be eligible for a 10 page critique by Editor, Stacy Whitman. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="messageBody translationEligibleUserMessage" data-ft="{"type":3}">Publisher's Weekly featured <a href="http://www.bookpeople.com/">BookPeople</a> in this week's Children's Bookshelf. Meghan Goel, book buyer for BookPeople was asked 3 Questions. To find out what they are--<a href="http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/48997-three-questions-for-a-children-s-bookseller-meghan-goel.html?utm_source=Publishers+Weekly%27s+Children%27s+Bookshelf&utm_campaign=89562d3c4e-UA-15906914-1&utm_medium=email">go here. </a></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span class="messageBody translationEligibleUserMessage" data-ft="{"type":3}">Outside Awesome Austin</span></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBGMd9rVVhUmft8hsOFWwqUckpUzajFjEcFX37bIQCGkXtbaVxAfDQrwZ-M-4cd7r9bgEo-hPU1Hkrsim6B8_jzlpdvPddjPSFKQ3lzIYz9zuTvB_qJ0fvctYZ0YTvSG1E_v6YaF8AAE/s1600/6482-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBGMd9rVVhUmft8hsOFWwqUckpUzajFjEcFX37bIQCGkXtbaVxAfDQrwZ-M-4cd7r9bgEo-hPU1Hkrsim6B8_jzlpdvPddjPSFKQ3lzIYz9zuTvB_qJ0fvctYZ0YTvSG1E_v6YaF8AAE/s1600/6482-1.JPG" /></a></div><span class="messageBody translationEligibleUserMessage" data-ft="{"type":3}"><a href="http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/49073-nba-finalists-announced-for-young-people-s-literature.html?utm_source=Publishers+Weekly%27s+Children%27s+Bookshelf&utm_campaign=89562d3c4e-UA-15906914-1&utm_medium=email">The National Book Award nominees were announced</a>. A big congrats to all nominees but a special congrats to friend Debby Dahl Edwardson for <i>My Name is Not Easy,</i> and the two other VCFA names in the mix--the wonderful Lauren Myracle for <i>Shine</i> and current VCFA faulty member Franny Billingsley for <i>Chime</i>!</span><b><span class="messageBody translationEligibleUserMessage" data-ft="{"type":3}"></span></b><br />
<b><span class="messageBody translationEligibleUserMessage" data-ft="{"type":3}"><br />
</span></b><br />
<b><span class="messageBody translationEligibleUserMessage" data-ft="{"type":3}">Over at Hunger Mountain</span></b><br />
<b><span class="messageBody translationEligibleUserMessage" data-ft="{"type":3}"><br />
</span></b><span class="messageBody translationEligibleUserMessage" data-ft="{"type":3}">The annual print edition is DONE, which means new content to the YA & Children's section for the fall issue, <b>The Art & Insanity of Creativity</b> will be launching soon. Look for content by <a href="http://www.bobbiepyron.com/">Bobbie Pyron</a>, <a href="http://ronkoertge.com/">Ron Koertge</a>, <a href="http://www.lindseylane.net/about.html">Lindsey Lane</a>, <a href="http://www.debbydahledwardson.com/">Debby Dahl Edwardson,</a> <a href="http://www.umakrishnaswami.com/">Uma Krishnaswami,</a> <a href="http://writerjenn.livejournal.com/">Jennifer Hubbard</a>, <a href="http://www.saraharonson.com/">Sarah Aronson,</a> <a href="http://www.jpatricklewis.com/">J. Patrick Lewis</a>, and more. </span><br />
<span class="messageBody translationEligibleUserMessage" data-ft="{"type":3}"> </span><br />
<span class="messageBody translationEligibleUserMessage" data-ft="{"type":3}"><b></b></span><br />
<span class="messageBody translationEligibleUserMessage" data-ft="{"type":3}">I was invited by Claire Guyton to write an essay for the<i> Hunger Mountain Voices </i>series going on at the blog, Another Loose Sally. The first essay was written but nabbed up for a future Writer's Life, Inc piece. So I began drafting a new one--that effort <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/ya-is-not-a-genre/"><b>YA Is Not a Genre</b></a>--I hope clears up some of the misinformation about YA. Thank you to my Hunger Mountain colleagues--the woman at the head of the ship, Miciah Bay Gault, and our extraordinary social media intern, Kris Underwood for their participation in the conversation. </span>Bethany Hegedushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00024616444247083411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374640939810788060.post-10294634715919947882011-10-12T04:30:00.000-07:002011-10-12T04:30:01.353-07:00Inside the Writer's Studio with Tess Hilmo<div style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267"> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style> <![endif]--> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHBybErNFvENs6yncAXaZAiN2BGhcmqkbLcaFJcyMYWCrTDtp4DdCJv3Vmq9ciTZ1_hCXjZYZRZAwAJmUSO-499bsqNdluEEKgldiXDYj6yM0xk3HzInL8zoPnVwAXYgm1jWIY9Mae5o/s1600/Tess+Hilmo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHBybErNFvENs6yncAXaZAiN2BGhcmqkbLcaFJcyMYWCrTDtp4DdCJv3Vmq9ciTZ1_hCXjZYZRZAwAJmUSO-499bsqNdluEEKgldiXDYj6yM0xk3HzInL8zoPnVwAXYgm1jWIY9Mae5o/s320/Tess+Hilmo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Today at Inside the Writer’s Studio we welcome debut author <a href="http://tesshilmo.blogspot.com/">Tess Hilmo</a>. Tess is a member of <a href="http://www.classof2k11.com/">The Class of 2k11</a> and writes in the genre I most love: Southern Middle Grade!</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">About the book:</span></span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">From the Publisher--FSG</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">When Ollie’s daddy, the Reverend Everlasting Love, pulls their travel trailer into Binder to lead a three-day revival, Ollie knows that this town will be like all the others they visit— it is exactly the kind of nothing Ollie has come to expect. But on their first day in town, Ollie meets Jimmy Koppel, whose mother is in jail for murdering his father. Jimmy insists that his mother is innocent, and Ollie believes him. Still, even if Ollie convinces her daddy to stay in town, how can two kids free a grown woman who has signed a confession? Ollie’s longing for a friend and her daddy’s penchant for searching out lost souls prove to be a formidable force in this tiny town where everyone seems bent on judging and jailing without a trial.<span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Welcome, Tess! Thanks for being with us today!</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Is there a story behind the story that you wish to share? (Ie: the ah-ha or lightning moment where the story inspiration struck.)</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I grew up loving southern gospel music and have memories of singing songs like <em><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swing_Low,_Sweet_Chariot"><span style="font-style: normal;">Swing Low Sweet Chariot,</span></a></em> <i><a href="http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Let_My_People_Go/">Let My People Go</a></i> and<i> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/This_Little_Light_of_Mine">This Little Light of Mine</a> </i>as a little girl. I'd sing them while I was walking home from school or doing my chores. I'd sing them in the shower or after an argument with a friend. Now you should know that I am a terrible singer but that didn't matter. Those songs made me believe in myself. Fast forward many, many years and you would find me, now a busy mom, trying to write novels for kids. I decided that I wanted to write a novel that would embrace these songs I love so much. With <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Name-like-Love-Tess-Hilmo/dp/0374384657/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1304860296&sr=1-1">A Name Like Love</a> </i>is that story.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">How do you stay inspired to face the dreaded blank page? Is it something you dread? Look forward to? Share a bit about your writing process.</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'd love to tell you that I have a strict writing schedule...that I follow the good advice to sit down and write some every day, but I don't. My creative process takes a lot of musing. I need to go on long drives and sit in parks. I need to gaze out windows and let my mind wander. Sometimes I even need to eat whole tubs of Ben and Jerry's ice cream. It's a hard life, but someone's got to live it :)<br />
<br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"></span> </span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">How does “place” come through in your writing? How important is place in this current novel/picture book? Is it tied to a place you once lived or are familiar with or is it a new world entirely?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2xk-cpRHP2jKr43_ubnYprrsbPFUrieY69ZiLekU_oy9kT5Ix5N0nb7zS6CaLe5MYZKHeeRd4J_Il8gN6cwBw08o40Z2q8pAUhyphenhyphenCS0b78tpfuOB3IBZC1m9bgok_5vN4R3ObPHrPNGg/s1600/arkansas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2xk-cpRHP2jKr43_ubnYprrsbPFUrieY69ZiLekU_oy9kT5Ix5N0nb7zS6CaLe5MYZKHeeRd4J_Il8gN6cwBw08o40Z2q8pAUhyphenhyphenCS0b78tpfuOB3IBZC1m9bgok_5vN4R3ObPHrPNGg/s1600/arkansas.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I knew this story would need to be set in the south, but really had little experience of the south myself. Generations ago, I did have distant relatives in Arkansas and a great uncle who was an itinerant preacher. I honestly believe those angels looked down from heaven and guided my writing. I read some of their journals and lots of books on Arkansas. I combed the internet. I wrote key facts on paper and taped them all around my workspace. I did my best to imagine the world they lived in and make it come to life for Ollie and her family.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHIozJlJajCKy5BTj2YwZawIFQnm5k1rYuFwksxnbXXoKe_P0LFzxpEu95iADQ6bMoii6y-naOjlsyLTz5GSkdJkh6XYq8D3BRZkJk-0iJ5R93deKcrS8gBCnjmiRABBzPStWKrR6zHUU/s1600/lizzie+bright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHIozJlJajCKy5BTj2YwZawIFQnm5k1rYuFwksxnbXXoKe_P0LFzxpEu95iADQ6bMoii6y-naOjlsyLTz5GSkdJkh6XYq8D3BRZkJk-0iJ5R93deKcrS8gBCnjmiRABBzPStWKrR6zHUU/s1600/lizzie+bright.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Writers love books; we love reading. What book do you turn to over and over again and why do you love it?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Anything by <a href="http://www.randomhouse.com/author/60511/gary-d-schmidt">Gary Schmidt</a> is a favorite. His writing style is very different from mine, but it inspires me. I can imagine myself dancing on the rocky cliffs with Lizzy Bright from<i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lizzie-Bright-Buckminster-Readers-Laurel-Leaf/dp/0375841695/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1304860773&sr=1-1"> Lizzy Bright and the Buckminster Boy</a> </i>or tossing a baseball with Doug Swieteck in is most recent (and amazing) novel,<i> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Okay-Now-Gary-D-Schmidt/dp/0547152604/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1304860828&sr=1-1">Okay For Now. </a> </i>Everything he writes encourages me to strive for real characters living in a real world. No one does characterization better.<span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">If your protagonist and antagonist were competing on American Idol what songs would each sing? And who would have the better voice?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I couldn't pass this question up! Ollie sings old gospel songs that her daddy teaches her and her sisters ... at one point in the novel she sings <i>Let My People Go</i>, her daddy's rich voice guiding her in her head. If she were to be on the American Idol stage, she'd sing that song and rock the house! There are a few antagonists in the story...I'll chose Esther Roberts for this question (a pinch faced shop keeper who is mean as they come) and say she'd stand on the stage and start singing I<i>'m A Little Teapot </i>--- but about two sentences in, she'd stop singing and tell everyone how dumb the whole competition is before stomping off stage. That woman is a pain in the hind end!<span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #17365d; line-height: 115%;">In ode to Maebelle, the main character in my new book Truth with a Capital T, who keeps a book of little known facts about just about everything, please share a wacky piece of trivia that has stuck with you or please share a little known fact about YOU.</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLCCRN0zdaJwmxyy4Wnyp6bOlRGGuVzEh1MxfNmd2ivMzU_88u56bY4raI6XJFgn0oM31mglK6cbh7LMZ2bTFo82MoDrJ7SghH63HehQSTh_W7RDKlTVIfbuG-5xmyMzB81gDkfxIDCus/s1600/knives+and+forks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLCCRN0zdaJwmxyy4Wnyp6bOlRGGuVzEh1MxfNmd2ivMzU_88u56bY4raI6XJFgn0oM31mglK6cbh7LMZ2bTFo82MoDrJ7SghH63HehQSTh_W7RDKlTVIfbuG-5xmyMzB81gDkfxIDCus/s1600/knives+and+forks.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> I used to be terribly superstitious as a child...always careful never to step on cracks in the sidewalk or pick up "tail side up" pennies. I even recall separating all of the silverware in the dishwasher because I was afraid the knives would hurt the forks and the forks would hurt the spoons. It may have been extreme, but it was for their own good.<span style="color: #17365d; line-height: 115%;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Tess, thanks for being with us and thanks for keeping those forks and spoons safe!</span></span></div>Bethany Hegedushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00024616444247083411noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374640939810788060.post-38023680487897786532011-10-07T07:01:00.000-07:002011-10-07T07:01:11.797-07:00Busy, Busy, Busy: A Round Up Between Bursts of Busy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8zxTty-Jx4xJnrMex_SAZk8qQGmoX_VrdlH0ijoy2vFYYgT3MHnwefaimTMECG-2hwGaH4MDJeGsxjpWC3r0kyoi_3vjpjvYaQc4J8829m0vpZlEpCYPN2wCP2Xb833jEYhKpcBFamUU/s1600/photo-206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>It's Friday--which means it is round up time and there is much going on in the kid lit scene one must read about.<br />
<br />
<b>In Awesome Austin</b> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6zxSwp4Nn9enEtmObVCy5gupygZ4YRpggz6eRNjqubVvOuopFm4t4o9oDnljIiVo0vepx1nZFNFZOQRYf9fNZpf5IwFqenbulwWJMEaKqNSxdHCsbEBgc790Gj6tVHs5uhUeaTh01qU/s1600/Snuggle_Mountain_A_1148484k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6zxSwp4Nn9enEtmObVCy5gupygZ4YRpggz6eRNjqubVvOuopFm4t4o9oDnljIiVo0vepx1nZFNFZOQRYf9fNZpf5IwFqenbulwWJMEaKqNSxdHCsbEBgc790Gj6tVHs5uhUeaTh01qU/s1600/Snuggle_Mountain_A_1148484k.jpg" /></a></div>The <a href="http://www.austinscbwi.com/">Austin SCBWI </a>hosts Storytelling in the Digital Age tomorrow at St. Edwards. The event itself, and author/speaker <a href="http://www.lindseylane.net/">Lindsey Lane</a>, got some wonderful coverage in the Austin Statesman, in their article, <a href="http://www.statesman.com/life/storybook-apps-for-kids-a-major-topic-among-1891340.html">"Storybook apps for kids a major topic among children's book writer's and artists."</a> <br />
<br />
"It astounds me the possibilities of what you could do with a story and touching the screen, opening up different worlds for kids," Lane said.<br />
<br />
If wanting to register, <a href="http://www.austinscbwi.com/wp-content/uploads/Storytelling-in-the-Digital-Age-Registration-Packet5.pdf">see here. </a><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>The Austin Teen Book Festival </b><br />
I was one of the 25,000 attendees at The Austin Teen Book Festival at the Palmer Center last weekend. I snapped many a picture, chatted with many a fellow author, and was overwhelmed at the excitement in the air. The teens came out in full force to see a line up of stellar YA writing rock stars. Check out today's coverage from<a href="http://www.austinscbwi.com/wp-content/uploads/Storytelling-in-the-Digital-Age-Registration-Packet5.pdf"> Publisher's Weekly</a>, including a fabulous quote from <a href="http://www.varianjohnson.com/">Varian Johnson</a>, Austin author of<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Saving-Maddie-Varian-Johnson/dp/0385738048/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1317994390&sr=1-1"> Saving Maddie</a>. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKSut4YgyTGgjHpBwtYY9Kh5R4zDYyXwjQvmibKjWIVJPYwio8yAh4b8KZLkSdw5TFGQRgwQgJh8fOOYrevJAA9nG4-_qCymYzf60dH1zdHpQW56ag7pnZQFVuImgkl6-i9h-DfDAMmKc/s1600/photo-205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKSut4YgyTGgjHpBwtYY9Kh5R4zDYyXwjQvmibKjWIVJPYwio8yAh4b8KZLkSdw5TFGQRgwQgJh8fOOYrevJAA9nG4-_qCymYzf60dH1zdHpQW56ag7pnZQFVuImgkl6-i9h-DfDAMmKc/s320/photo-205.jpg" width="239" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A young fan of author Jennifer Ziegler</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8zxTty-Jx4xJnrMex_SAZk8qQGmoX_VrdlH0ijoy2vFYYgT3MHnwefaimTMECG-2hwGaH4MDJeGsxjpWC3r0kyoi_3vjpjvYaQc4J8829m0vpZlEpCYPN2wCP2Xb833jEYhKpcBFamUU/s1600/photo-206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8zxTty-Jx4xJnrMex_SAZk8qQGmoX_VrdlH0ijoy2vFYYgT3MHnwefaimTMECG-2hwGaH4MDJeGsxjpWC3r0kyoi_3vjpjvYaQc4J8829m0vpZlEpCYPN2wCP2Xb833jEYhKpcBFamUU/s320/photo-206.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An attendee in full steampunk regalia. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYf8A6PrCKLvVv4zDkTGW6IHtoTe8oBkCEs8tJwcKHpu8LlzlOdfrWXcX2CIN3Uoh1FUHCZxY5i_U43LToKrdQioKUjY8hbmiUAiQJdbvfB6vuiQ8T7giW5eUBoDyW5mDG1-GYz0bT51A/s1600/photo-209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYf8A6PrCKLvVv4zDkTGW6IHtoTe8oBkCEs8tJwcKHpu8LlzlOdfrWXcX2CIN3Uoh1FUHCZxY5i_U43LToKrdQioKUjY8hbmiUAiQJdbvfB6vuiQ8T7giW5eUBoDyW5mDG1-GYz0bT51A/s320/photo-209.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Authors Jennifer Ziegler, Christina Mandelski, Stephanie Perkins and Simone Elkeles</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxyHh6Qw9mi7sRuZmastlokzGh1WmV9DMtKE6DjTjgMdmxEfjStMf3trQhcCtf4gpYs2H_9zrVcF4k7LIu9qFev4LJBN57dYnlxOuHZVSFAGegiywDKX1mzTqsVe4HakW6Ajw3k0TBwV8/s1600/9780547608495_lres.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxyHh6Qw9mi7sRuZmastlokzGh1WmV9DMtKE6DjTjgMdmxEfjStMf3trQhcCtf4gpYs2H_9zrVcF4k7LIu9qFev4LJBN57dYnlxOuHZVSFAGegiywDKX1mzTqsVe4HakW6Ajw3k0TBwV8/s200/9780547608495_lres.png" width="133" /></a></div>For more photos of the outstanding event, see <a href="http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2011/10/event-report-austin-teen-book-festival.html">Cynsations Event Report </a>by Austin Teen Book Festival featured author <a href="http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/">Cynthia Leitich Smith</a>, whose Tantalize series drew in plenty of fans. And, see also<a href="http://greglsblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/austin-teen-book-festival-2011-wrap-up.html"> Greg Leitich Smith</a>, whose new novel Chronal Engine is coming soon! <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>The Writers' League of Texas</b><br />
<br />
As usual, much is going on at the Writers' League of Texas, including a fundraiser for the WLT this Sunday evening. Check out information for the<a href="http://www.writersleague.org/"> Raise the Roof Party Here.</a><br />
<br />
<b>The Texas Book Festival</b><br />
<br />
I am up to my ears in books for this year's TBF. Please join me on Saturday at 2pm, Oct. 22nd for:<br />
<br />
<h1>Zombies, Odd Girls, and My Other Middle School Classmates</h1>with Mac Barnett, K.A. Holt, René Saldaña Jr., and Jo Whittemore<br />
<br />
Date: Saturday, October 22, 2011<br />
Time: 2:00 - 3:00<br />
Location: Family Life Center (1300 Lavaca) <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIZJTG1R0wmcyhFkfdYMS_vjCnzjShFXq_pt-GI2zhveUO2p5l_7-DLUrQn1lRWAjHyq9Q5-uUmRqhGAGRYosyZbncdK5zj5OVgQGqeUvknL2DvZTSOagPAMmkmXeTvUQiuLVmyAYCKk/s1600/51rbBO2KFrL._BO2%252C204%252C203%252C200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click%252CTopRight%252C35%252C-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIZJTG1R0wmcyhFkfdYMS_vjCnzjShFXq_pt-GI2zhveUO2p5l_7-DLUrQn1lRWAjHyq9Q5-uUmRqhGAGRYosyZbncdK5zj5OVgQGqeUvknL2DvZTSOagPAMmkmXeTvUQiuLVmyAYCKk/s1600/51rbBO2KFrL._BO2%252C204%252C203%252C200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click%252CTopRight%252C35%252C-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
In middle school, most kids are afraid to be themselves. So we want to celebrate those daring middle schoolers who are proudly unique - the sullen odd girl in Jo Whittmore's <i>Odd Girl In</i>, the brain-eating zombies in K. A. Holt's <i>Brains for Lunch</i>, and the crime-solving detectives in Mac Barnett's <i>It Happened On a Train</i> and René Saldaña Jr.’s <i>The Lemon Tree Caper</i>. Because if you can't be yourself, you might as well be (un)dead.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgabpXoWNnAlYQcZlXAfOM_HCnnqFbk75WoagGhoP1hsLk723hHWO8xJ4ftq2J8rs7aaugdsLvIE7dwJRJRlM-S3seN9ZZ9vibXOh89ggXko71H4iavLoRFNjBozEub8kriT4zgOz1Ihs0/s1600/Train_182_wide.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgabpXoWNnAlYQcZlXAfOM_HCnnqFbk75WoagGhoP1hsLk723hHWO8xJ4ftq2J8rs7aaugdsLvIE7dwJRJRlM-S3seN9ZZ9vibXOh89ggXko71H4iavLoRFNjBozEub8kriT4zgOz1Ihs0/s1600/Train_182_wide.png" /></a></div><br />
Moderator Bethany Hegedus is the author of <em>Between Us Baxters</em> and <em>Truth with a Capital T</em>, both of which were named to the Best Books list by the Bank Street Awards Committee. Forthcoming is the picture book <i>Grandfather Gandhi</i>, co-authored with Arun Gandhi, grandson to the Mahatma. Bethany serves as the Young Adult & Children's editor for the literary journal <em>Hunger Mountain</em>. <br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="http://www.texasbookfestival.org/Author_Page.php?aid=4388">Jo Whittemore</a><br />
<a href="http://www.texasbookfestival.org/Author_Page.php?aid=4464">René Saldaña, Jr.</a><br />
<a href="http://www.texasbookfestival.org/Author_Page.php?aid=4410">K.A. Holt</a><br />
<a href="http://www.texasbookfestival.org/Author_Page.php?aid=4186">Mac Barnett</a><br />
<br />
<em></em><br />
<br />
<em></em><br />
<b>At the Writing Barn</b><br />
<br />
<em></em><br />
Please join us for<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Writing-Barn/248714441833855"> The Writing Barn's </a>first event,<b> October 16th, 2-4 pm. </b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<div class="description summary">Please join <a href="http://www.jeffcrosbyillustration.com/">Jeff Crosby</a> & <a href="http://shelleyannjackson.com/">Shelley Jackson</a> to celebrate the release of their newest children's picture book, HARNESS HORSES, BUCKING BRONCOS & PIT PONIES: A HISTORY OF HORSE BREEDS! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga21XPJuyFEB_mr6HuBy0XVns3XGQF9mOdhELmoSeCHPvEpYmzUsrsAPZpM8vLSPsl3CQTPSWI2RWyycmPyjQOzC5XIBtJbZZs418_w5VZ1iINXRnucbAo8SDVhBeQ5JlcJf284bio39A/s1600/51M6AyLhG1L._SL500_AA300_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga21XPJuyFEB_mr6HuBy0XVns3XGQF9mOdhELmoSeCHPvEpYmzUsrsAPZpM8vLSPsl3CQTPSWI2RWyycmPyjQOzC5XIBtJbZZs418_w5VZ1iINXRnucbAo8SDVhBeQ5JlcJf284bio39A/s1600/51M6AyLhG1L._SL500_AA300_.jpg" /></a></div><div class="description summary"><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.minisandfriends.org/">Minis and Friends</a>, a charitable organization that benefits disabled children, will be at the event with live miniature horses to pet. Original art from the book will be on display, prints will be for sale, and copies of HARNESS HORSES will be available for purchase and to get autographed. We'll also have snacks, horsey games and more! <br />
</div><div class="description summary">This event is open to the public. The Writing Barn is located at 10202 Wommack Road in Austin. Parking will be available inside the property and overflow parking is available on Riddle Road and Wommack Road. </div><div class="description summary"> </div><div class="description summary">It's sure to be a fun event for horse lovers, book lovers, and art lovers of all ages!</div><br />
<br />
Happy Friday!<br />
<br />
<em></em>Bethany Hegedushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00024616444247083411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374640939810788060.post-73326180992593340012011-09-28T06:13:00.000-07:002011-09-28T06:15:38.504-07:00Inside the Writer's Studio with Monika Schröder<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmh7mm1Tu5p05UyMx2L9Vy6795prBagXEgo3efpLUqd2VkEjTF00sNXquCDX2COQI8fUl-Ec0NUo-w4d7IWS-4za6VcohyfBpJf_93n0uPMAgwrQH-Z4ooCnztTaUSA6O6_5LbL4XPNlQ/s1600/Monika-Schroeder-225x337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmh7mm1Tu5p05UyMx2L9Vy6795prBagXEgo3efpLUqd2VkEjTF00sNXquCDX2COQI8fUl-Ec0NUo-w4d7IWS-4za6VcohyfBpJf_93n0uPMAgwrQH-Z4ooCnztTaUSA6O6_5LbL4XPNlQ/s320/Monika-Schroeder-225x337.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">Today for Inside the Writer’s Studio we have with us Monika Schroder, author of<i> The Dog in the Woo</i>d, <i>Saraswati’s Way</i>, and the newly released <i>My Brother’s Shadow</i>. I was introduced to Monika by the irrepressible Kirsten Cappy, the brain behind <a href="http://visitcuriouscity.wordpress.com/">Curious City</a>. Shortly thereafter, Monika was working on a piece for <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/what-my-last-book-taught-me-learn-to-drive-in-the-dark/">Hunger Mountain</a> about the writing of <i>My Brother’s Shadow</i>. It is an honor to have her with us today to dig into her process and her keen insights into human nature. </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">Welcome, Monika. And let us all welcome <i>My Brother’s Shadow</i> to the shelves. </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">A bit about the book:</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">From the publisher, FSG</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">As World War I draws to a close in 1918, German citizens are starving and suffering under a repressive regime. Sixteen-year-old Moritz is torn. His father died in the war and his older brother still risks his life in the trenches, but his mother does not support the patriotic cause and attends subversive socialist meetings. While his mother participates in the revolution to sweep away the monarchy, Moritz falls in love with a Jewish girl who also is a socialist. When Moritz’s brother returns home a bitter, maimed war veteran, ready to blame Germany’s defeat on everything but the old order, Moritz must choose between his allegiance to his dangerously radicalized brother and those who usher in the new democracy.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">And though out only one day, the reviews are in and they are outstanding!</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“A good choice for sharing across the curriculum, this is a novel readers will want to discuss.” --<i>Booklist</i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5TqStKa5UFxAnw4hjlewfF32ljmYEMvFnXPfwkBJTnZfG1wK6BmfOLBInNm6eukDQGbDHHHprtcJfV89SlwgNwnTrlVdVckUm3NAEH-YffW5-XKqN9hocR-lil4d-fJ2rQ-mykhUQVng/s1600/41QaVyFvbFL._BO2%252C204%252C203%252C200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click%252CTopRight%252C35%252C-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5TqStKa5UFxAnw4hjlewfF32ljmYEMvFnXPfwkBJTnZfG1wK6BmfOLBInNm6eukDQGbDHHHprtcJfV89SlwgNwnTrlVdVckUm3NAEH-YffW5-XKqN9hocR-lil4d-fJ2rQ-mykhUQVng/s1600/41QaVyFvbFL._BO2%252C204%252C203%252C200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click%252CTopRight%252C35%252C-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">"In this nuanced and realistic work of historical fiction, Schröder (<i>Saraswati’s Way</i>) immerses readers in her setting with meticulous details and dynamic characters that contribute to a palpable sense of tension. Moritz’s intimate narration captures the conflicts, divided loyalties, and everyday horrors of the period." --<i>Publishers Weekly</i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">" 'War gives meaning to some men's lives. For other men, the experience of war extinguishes all meaning in life,' says a man who becomes Moritz's mentor; Schröder makes this sad and ever-timely lesson all too clear."--<i>Kirkus Reviews</i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“The sorrow and the pity of World War I haunt every page of this unsparing coming-of-age story set in Berlin during the war’s final days. Monika Schröder skillfully sketches in the fractured political background of a disintegrating imperial Germany. She doesn’t miss a beat in her fast-paced first-person narrative as sixteen-year-old Moritz copes with his family’s misfortunes, finds his calling, and discovers love…This is a memorable and instructive novel.”—<a href="http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/contributor.jsp?id=1766">Russell Freedman</a>, Newbery-award winning author of <i>The War to End All Wars: World War I</i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">Now on to the interview!</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">Monika, how do you stay inspired to face the dreaded blank page? Is it something you dread? Look forward to? Share a bit about your writing process.</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">I dread writing the first draft. I am not good at tapping into the “white heat” some writers describe that lets them write pages and pages of unedited text in one swoop. My “inner editor” is always on and I experience a constant struggle between the part of my brain that thinks about structure and function of a scene or a chapter and the part that just feels what needs to happen next. So probably like every writer I dread the blank page, but over time I have learned that sitting and staring is part of the process. When I talk to kids I tell them that one secret of writing is to just “keep your butt in the chair.” I don’t have a rule about minimum amount of pages per day, but I am very disciplined when it comes to just spending time in front of that page, be it empty or partially filled, and waiting until I can write the next sentence.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">I much prefer revising to composing a first draft. Once there is something to shape it is easier to get into the flow. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">Name a writer whose work and/or career you admire. And why do you admire them?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">I like the books by <a href="http://www.avi-writer.com/">Avi,</a> since I enjoy the way he makes place and time come alive. And I also admire <a href="http://www.jenniferholm.com/">Jennifer Holm</a> who writes always with a strong voice and has a gift of creating lively characters in historical fiction.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">Theme can be seen as a dirty word but as writers I believe we all have something to say, something we want to share with the world. What is that <i>something </i>for you?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">I think that one theme I have investigated in my writing is how war and political transitions affect regular people and children in particular.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">I have always been interested in history. Germany, my home country, has started two World Wars in the last century. Both wars not only brought death and terror to large parts of Europe but also ended in defeat followed by fundamental changes of the political system. I have tried to imagine how regular people dealt with these changes. I find it fascinating that a German person born at the beginning of the 20<sup>th</sup> century could have experienced a monarchy, a failed democracy, a fascist dictatorship, a socialist totalitarian regime and then again a democracy, just within one life span. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">In my first novel,<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dog-Wood-Monika-Schr%C3%B6der/dp/1590787013/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317213687&sr=8-1"> THE DOG IN THE WOOD</a>, I wrote about the end of World War II and how people in a small village in east Germany experienced the arrival of the red Army. My new novel, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/My-Brothers-Shadow-Monika-Schr%C3%B6der/dp/0374351228/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_3">MY BROTHER’S SHADOW,</a> is set in 1918, another important transition time in German history. I tried to imagine what it might have been like for a young man who had grown up under the Kaiser to see the monarchy disappear and be confronted with socialist ideas and women’s emancipation. The defeat in the war led to a socialist revolution in Germany. The split between those who considered this a hopeful event and those who thought of it as treason foreshadowed the conflicts to come during the Weimar Republic.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/46jLWcswcfk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">What do you feel is your strength as a craftsperson? How do you turn your weaknesses into strengths?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">I hope that my strength lies in pacing and characterization. I believe my weakness is voice. I hope to have tackled this weakness by writing <a href="http://www.amazon.com/My-Brothers-Shadow-Monika-Schr%C3%B6der/dp/0374351228/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_3">MY BROTHER’S SHADOW</a> in first person. The book I am currently working in is also told in first person. And I have another work-in-progress that I am trying to tell in two alternating voices. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">How does “place” come through in your writing? How important is place in this current novel/picture book? Is it tied to a place you once lived or are familiar with or is it a new world entirely?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">I think place is very important in my books. I have written two novels set in Germany and one set in contemporary India, and I hope that readers feel transported to those locations while reading the books.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">MY BROTHER’S SHADOW is set in Berlin, my favorite city. I have lived in Berlin in the late 1980 and early 1990s and was always fascinated with the city’s history. When I wrote the book, which takes place in the year 1918, it was easy to imagine what Berlin looked like at the time. Also, there are a lot of photographs and even early film reels available to help an author see the setting.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">Currently, I am working on a book set in the 1830s. The story starts in Boston and the character takes a boat to Calcutta. I have visited both cities but the historical time period requires a lot more research for me to depict it authentically. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">How do you balance the internal and external arc in the story? Which comes to you first—the external action or what is emotionally at stake? How do you weave the two together? </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEAq6um-Zq70UuAaWB5CkGmtlYP58WIomgvgSa-EZBDXgu2RIyuvUJgzK8OVV1vw6NVtaLnabMoUcyc0b65DER4VHiJjUWbB2MbmDlakOZShoPfaBNe9bSufcIxj9u_scvPFdIM1fPdQ/s1600/51JJLHRs9gL._BO2%252C204%252C203%252C200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click%252CTopRight%252C35%252C-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEAq6um-Zq70UuAaWB5CkGmtlYP58WIomgvgSa-EZBDXgu2RIyuvUJgzK8OVV1vw6NVtaLnabMoUcyc0b65DER4VHiJjUWbB2MbmDlakOZShoPfaBNe9bSufcIxj9u_scvPFdIM1fPdQ/s1600/51JJLHRs9gL._BO2%252C204%252C203%252C200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click%252CTopRight%252C35%252C-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">I seem to develop the external plot structure first. For THE DOG IN THE WOOD I had to slowly create a character that this story could happen to. Akash, the main character of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Saraswatis-Way-Monika-Schr%C3%B6der/dp/0374364117/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1">SARASWATI’S WAY,</a> was fleshed out in my mind early on and I knew that his internal journey would be connected to his relationship to his gods and how he defines fate. I knew the story’s arc would take him from his village to the train station in New Delhi, but I didn’t learn about the obstacles along his way until I wrote the book. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">When I started to write MY BROTHER’S SHADOW I knew it would be a story about disillusionment, about how the main character, Moritz, deals with the loss of what once was and adjusts to a completely new world. I knew that Moritz’s brother would return from the war and join the reactionary forces in Germany, opposing his mother’s involvement with the socialist movement. But the details of his journey and the emotional development that he went through I had to discover through the process.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">Which literary character, yours or another author’s, do you most relate to? And why?</span></b></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">In my own work I can relate to Akash. He is a math wizard (I used to be very good in math), he has a burning desire to fulfill his dream and the stamina to pursue it, but he has to learn patience (I still haven’t learned to be patient).</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">Inspired by the Actors Studio, what sound do you love? What sound do you hate?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">I love silence. When my husband and I spend the summers at our cabin in Northern </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">Michigan I enjoy the absolute silence at night. Having lived in big, noisy cities for the last 15 years probably has made me crave silence even more. We have now left New Delhi, a noisy city of over 17 million, and moved to the mountains of North Carolina, where it is more silent.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">But if you ask me about my least favorite ones I might name a few: I don’t like the sound of chain saws or loud machines but I also have some quirky dislikes: I don’t like hearing someone clipping his nails or cracking his knuckles or the sound of people jingling coins in their pockets. (I know this is weird.)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">Be brave. Share a paragraph from a WIP. </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: small;"> As I passed the reverend’s room I noticed that the door stood ajar. I peeked inside and found his chamber empty. I gave the door a light push and it opened without the familiar squeak. The reverend must have fixed it himself as I noticed a dark oil stain around the hinges. I entered the room where the bag stood on the bed. Next to it a large map was spread out on the cover. I recognized the almost triangular outline of India, as I had read about the country in Uncle Ezra’s magazine. On the left bottom of the map was written: <i>“A New Map of Hindoostan by Major James Rennell, Surveyor General to the Honorable East India Company.</i>” I stepped next to the bed to study the tiny names of cities and rivers. A circle was drawn in red pencil around a city in the northern part of the country. Leaning closer I tried to decipher the name. <i>Dehly</i>. I wondered if this was the location of the reverend’s brother’s mission. Looking at the bag I contemplated a quick search for the heavy object that caused the clanging sound earlier but I didn’t dare to touch it. When I heard footsteps on the stairs I quickly hurried from the room. I had just reached the hallway when the reverend appeared on the landing, wearing his coat and hat. “You are still awake, Caleb?” he asked, eyeing me suspiciously. <br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"> “I’m just about to go to bed,” I said, glad the loud banging of my heart was inaudible to him, and that I could slip into my room without another word.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #17365d; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">In ode to Maebelle, the main character in my new book<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Truth-Capital-T-Bethany-Hegedus/dp/0385738374/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1317215471&sr=1-1"> Truth with a Capital T,</a> who keeps a book of little known facts about just about everything, please share a wacky piece of trivia that has stuck with you or please share a little known fact about YOU.</span></b></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">I only drink three kinds of beverages: water, red wine (preferably Merlot from South America) and high end second flush Darjeeling tea.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">Thank you to Monika for being with us. I will always have water, red wine and Darjeeling tea on tap for you! </span></b></span></div>Bethany Hegedushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00024616444247083411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374640939810788060.post-91131293811300329582011-09-26T08:16:00.000-07:002011-09-26T08:16:52.630-07:00Hunger Mountain, 2012 Submission Calls PLUS The Opening of The Writing Barn<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">It officially has only been fall for a few days (though the temps in Austin are still 100) but things have been busy on this end. <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Writing-Barn/248714441833855">The Writing Barn </a>is soon to open and as YA and Children's Editor of Hunger Mountain, I wanted to let all readers know about our 2012 Submissions Needs. </span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
</span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/young-adults-and-childrens-literature/">Hunger Mountain </a>Submissions Call</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The Hunger Mountain Children’s & YA page continues to showcase the best and brightest in children’s literature, from new voices to award-winners. We spotlight industry issues as they happen and create a dialogue between writer, reader, librarian, parent, and all interested in kid-lit. <span><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> *We are also interested in sneak-peaks into new books coming out, deleted chapters from books, short stories, etc.* Hunger Mountain buys first world serial rights and upon publication, the rights revert back to the contributor. For sneak-peaks, publisher and rights department approval is needed. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">For those interested in submitting, please visit the <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/submit/">Hunger Mountain submissions page</a>. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jan-March 2012</span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Mystery & Magic of Identity</span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Hunger Mountain is actively seeking submissions for the Winter 2012 issue The Mystery and Magic of Identity. We are looking for <b>essays, fiction, poetry, non-fiction and humor</b> that touch on the themes of identity—gender, sexual, ethnic, privilege, author branding, online identity, explorations of self, along with the mystery and magic of world building in fantasy and novels that deal with time travel. For picture books—identity issues as a child, sibling relationships, the magic of word choice, the mystery of the page turn etc. </div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">April-June 2012</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Landscape of Literature</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Hunger Mountain is actively seeking submissions for the Spring 2012 issue, The Landscape of Literature. We are looking for <b>essays, fiction, poetry, non-fiction and humor</b> touching on the importance of setting, place, regionally distinct pieces (Not just Southern), use of dialect, heritage—literary heritage as well as author’s heritage, where historical novels now fit, illustrators incorporating setting details in their work, setting as character, <span> </span>from YA, MG and PB contributors.<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Along with our features, each issue we would like to include one or two essays for our regular columns:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Flipside—two authors various take on one issue. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This Writer’s Life—essays on and about the writer’s life. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">INKlings—essays on and about the illustrator’s life and/or techniques.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In Response—an essay adding to or commenting on the conversation from the prior HM issue.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Toolbox—craft based essays on a variety of topics. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">What My Last Book Taught Me—A short essay on what the author’s last book taught them.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">New Work—fiction, poetry, short stories, opening chapters of WIP, etc. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Please see our most current issue here:<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/young-adults-and-childrens-literature/" target="_blank"> http://www.hungermtn.org/<wbr></wbr>young-adults-and-childrens-<wbr></wbr>literature/</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/young-adults-and-childrens-literature/" target="_blank"><br />
</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Do not miss the Art & Insanity of Creativity fall issue which will launch later this month.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Do not miss content from the Hunger Mountain C&YA Archives, some highlights include:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Young Adult and Children’s Literature</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in;"><br />
</div><ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Anderson, E. Kristin</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">…<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/topography/" target="_blank">Topography (poem)</a> (Spring 2010)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Anderson, Jessica Lee</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">…<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/finding-bigfoot/" target="_blank">Finding Bigfoot (MG Novel Excerpt)</a> (Spring 2010)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Appelt, Kathi</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">…<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/blurring-the-lines/" target="_blank">Blurring the Lines</a> (Winter 2009)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Atkins, Jeannine</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">…<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/scrap-by-scrap-turning-history-into-poems/" target="_blank">Scrap by Scrap: Turning History into Poems</a> (Spring 2010)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Auseon, Andrew</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">…<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/the-kid-stays-in-the-pictures/" target="_blank">The Kid Stays in the Pictures</a>(Summer 2009)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Brosnan, Rosemary</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">…<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/missing-norma/" target="_blank">Missing Norma</a> (Winter 2009)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Cupala, Holly</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">…<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/tell-me-a-secret/" target="_blank">Tell Me a Secret (YA Novel Sneak Peek)</a> (Spring 2010)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Davis, Tanita</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">…<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/reflected-faces/" target="_blank">Reflected Faces</a> (Spring 2010)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dionne, Erin</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">…<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/contemporary-cinderella-inner-changes-and-transformation-make-a-modern-princess/" target="_blank">Contemporary Cinderella: Inner Changes and Transformation Make a Modern Princess</a> (Winter 2009)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Fagan, Deva</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">…<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/proactive-princess-re-imagining-the-fairy-tale/" target="_blank">Proactive Princess: Re-Imagining the Fairy Tale</a> (Winter 2009)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jahn-Clough, Lisa</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">…<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/so-you-want-to-write-about-sex/" target="_blank">So You Want to Write about Sex?</a> (Winter 2009)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jones, Carrie</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">…<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/hunting-big-foot-why-i-write-fantasy-by-carrie-jones/" target="_blank">Hunting Bigfoot: Why I Write Fantasy</a> (Summer 2009)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Knowles, Jo</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">…<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/helping-inmates-find-their-truth-using-writing-prompts-to-explore-personal-journeys/" target="_blank">Helping Inmates Find Their Truth: Using Writing Prompts to Explore Personal Journeys</a> (Spring 2010)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Lewis, J. Patrick</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">…<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/can-childrens-poetry-matter/" target="_blank">Can Children’s Poetry Matter?</a> (Winter 2009)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Mazer, Anne</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">…<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/my-mother-the-writer/" target="_blank">My Mother, the Writer</a> (Winter 2009)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Millward, Carol Larese</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">…<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/an-excerpt-from-star-in-the-middle/" target="_blank">Star in the Middle (YA excerpt)</a> (Winter 2009)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Neri, G.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">…<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/wahoo-the-incredible-adventures-of-chief-wahoo-mcdaniel-wrestling-superstar/" target="_blank">Wahoo! The Incredible Adventures of Chief Wahoo McDaniel: Wrestling Superstar</a> (Summer 2009)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Neri, G.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">…<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/creating-the-book-how-to-hook-urban-nonreaders/" target="_blank">Creating <i>The Book</i>: How To Hook Urban (non)Readers</a> (Summer 2009)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Neri, G.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">…<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/the-run/" target="_blank">The Run (YA)</a>(Winter 2009)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Nuzum, K.A.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">…<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/damn-it-jim-im-a-writer-not-a-paleontologist/" target="_blank">Damn it, Jim. I’m a Writer, Not a Paleontologist</a> (Summer 2009)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Nye, Naomi Shihab</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">…<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/maximum-security/" target="_blank">Maximum Security (a poem)</a> (Spring 2010)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Paterson, Katherine</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">…<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/fellow-travelers/" target="_blank">Fellow Travelers</a> (Summer 2009)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Patron, Susan</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">…<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/what-my-last-book-taught-me/" target="_blank">A Lucky Break</a> (Summer 2009)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Perkins, Mitali</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">…<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/teens-do-judge-a-book-by-the-cover/" target="_blank">Teens Do Judge a Book by the Cover</a> (Spring 2010)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Wiles, Deborah</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">…<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/speaking-through-the-veil/" target="_blank">Speaking Through the Veil</a> (Winter 2009)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Stein, David Ezra</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">…<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/the-making-of-pouch/" target="_blank">The Making of <i>Pouch</i></a> (Winter 2009)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Teplick, Anne</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">…<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/the-quieter-we-become-the-more-we-are-able-to-hear-writing-with-teens-in-a-psychiatric-hospital/" target="_blank">The Quieter We Become, the More We Are Able to Hear: Writing with Teens in a Psychiatric Hospital</a> (Spring 2010)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Williams-Garcia, Rita</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">…<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/warning-characters-may-appear-as-they-are-or-why-i-write-realistic-fiction/" target="_blank">Warning: Characters May Appear as They Are </a>or <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/warning-characters-may-appear-as-they-are-or-why-i-write-realistic-fiction/" target="_blank">Why I Write “Realistic” Fiction</a> (Summer 2009)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Wong, Janet S.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">…<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/a-poets-process/" target="_blank">The Poet’s Process</a> (Summer 2009)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Wynne-Jones, Tim</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">…<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/the-uninvited/" target="_blank">The Uninvited (YA Novel Excerpt)</a> (Summer 2009)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Zarr, Sara</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">…<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/hold-on-loosely/" target="_blank">Hold On Loosely</a> (Summer 2009)</span></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Interviews</span></b></div><ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Corcoran, Jill</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">…<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/interview-with-literary-agent-jill-corcoran/" target="_blank">Literary Agent Jill Corcoran in conversation with Hunger Mountain YA/Children’s Lit editor Bethany Hegedus</a> (Summer 2009)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">LaReau, Kara</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">…<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/flying-solo-kara-lareau-of-bluebird-works-consulting/" target="_blank">Flying Solo: Editor of Bluebird in conversation with Hunger Mountain YA/Children’s Lit editor Bethany Hegedus</a> (Summer 2009)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">McVeigh, Mark</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">…<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/interview-with-agent-mark-mcveigh/" target="_blank">Literary Agent Mark McVeigh in conversation with Hunger Mountain YA/Children’s Lit editor Kekla Magoon</a> (Summer 2009)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Smith, Cynthia Leitich</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">…New York Times Bestselling Author of <i>Eternal</i> <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/in-conversation-with-cynthia-leitich-smith/" target="_blank">in conversation with Hunger Mountain editor Bethany Hegedus</a> (Winter 2009)</span></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUTiHa1wMhzYAVx8AY-HeyGKS2JouWMKjS38ty12KfJJPNWUSUdGb2hyZ0ZPJvNgE9-MQVqKwL9FCr9IvyCZtzVsIiID-ESDIJic_ADLnTL0-VgLp3eYXsNam2hWQC-sEcs37AllQfay0/s1600/photo-80.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUTiHa1wMhzYAVx8AY-HeyGKS2JouWMKjS38ty12KfJJPNWUSUdGb2hyZ0ZPJvNgE9-MQVqKwL9FCr9IvyCZtzVsIiID-ESDIJic_ADLnTL0-VgLp3eYXsNam2hWQC-sEcs37AllQfay0/s320/photo-80.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><b>And in Writing Barn News!</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><b>A bit about the barn...</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><b> </b></span></div><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Writing-Barn/248714441833855" target="_blank">The Writing Barn,</a> a writing retreat and book launch party space is available for rental in S. Austin. Operated by author <a href="http://www.bethanyhegedus.com/" target="_blank">Bethany Hegedus</a>, The Writing Barn, which features floor to ceiling book shelves, cozy loft, large covered porch, free wifi, spacious bedroom with queen-sized-bed, half bath, and kitchenette, is a haven for all book lovers. <span> </span>For more information visit:<span> </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Writing-Barn/248714441833855" target="_blank">The Writing Barn</a> (web site under construction) and/or email bahegedus at <a href="http://gmail.com/" target="_blank">gmail.com</a> for rates and availability.<br />
<br />
<b>The Barn's FIRST Event... October 16th, 2-4 pm. </b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<div class="description summary">Please join <a href="http://www.jeffcrosbyillustration.com/">Jeff Crosby</a> & <a href="http://shelleyannjackson.com/">Shelley Jackson</a> to celebrate the release of their newest children's picture book, HARNESS HORSES, BUCKING BRONCOS & PIT PONIES: A HISTORY OF HORSE BREEDS! </div><div class="description summary"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga21XPJuyFEB_mr6HuBy0XVns3XGQF9mOdhELmoSeCHPvEpYmzUsrsAPZpM8vLSPsl3CQTPSWI2RWyycmPyjQOzC5XIBtJbZZs418_w5VZ1iINXRnucbAo8SDVhBeQ5JlcJf284bio39A/s1600/51M6AyLhG1L._SL500_AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga21XPJuyFEB_mr6HuBy0XVns3XGQF9mOdhELmoSeCHPvEpYmzUsrsAPZpM8vLSPsl3CQTPSWI2RWyycmPyjQOzC5XIBtJbZZs418_w5VZ1iINXRnucbAo8SDVhBeQ5JlcJf284bio39A/s1600/51M6AyLhG1L._SL500_AA300_.jpg" /></a></div><div class="description summary"><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.minisandfriends.org/">Minis and Friends</a>, a charitable organization that benefits disabled children, will be at the event with live miniature horses to pet. Original art from the book will be on display, prints will be for sale, and copies of HARNESS HORSES will be available for purchase and to get autographed. We'll also have snacks, horsey games and more! <br />
</div><div class="description summary">This event is open to the public. The Writing Barn is located at 10202 Wommack Road in Austin. Parking will be available inside the property and overflow parking is available on Riddle Road and Wommack Road. </div><div class="description summary"> </div><div class="description summary">It's sure to be a fun event for horse lovers, book lovers, and art lovers of all ages!</div>Bethany Hegedushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00024616444247083411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374640939810788060.post-40789312026134855462011-09-11T04:59:00.000-07:002011-09-11T04:59:08.862-07:00Rembering 9/11This year, maybe because of the 10th anniversary, maybe because of the floods and the fires and natural disasters, I sheltered myself of all images of 9/11, save the gorgeous New York Times magazine piece on the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/08/31/us/sept-11-reckoning/skycowboys.html">iron-working, sky-walking men who are working on the rebuild. </a><br />
<br />
Today, I share something I wrote on my bravebethany blog in 2005, four years after that day. That ten years have passed is mind boggling. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am never quite sure what to do with myself on 9/11. <br />
<br />
I was there--across the street in 1 WFC. I was sitting at my reception desk, about to sip my coffee, eat my yogurt from home and orange I bought from the vendor right in front of the WTC before crossing into the bridge that led into my building. I evacuated my floor, screaming when the first plane hit. (I was a fire searcher and the last one off the top floor of the 1WFC both times we evacuated.) I hit the staircase with the rest of the people in my building, and when no news came on the intercom system, my boss who was the fire warden and I got out of the stairwell so she could call downstairs. We were in a brokerage firm which had no cubicle or office dividers. It was one big, huge, open space. <br />
<br />
I had friends working in the WTC. The one that was hit first. I went to the window. Was pulled to the window. I wish I hadn't have looked. I still wish I hadn't have looked. <br />
<br />
With no news, and people jumping from the burning building, we thought it best to stay where we were. We went back upstairs--I worked on the 31st floor, in the elevator. I tried to call my parents in Georgia. I didn't get them. I got my aunt who saw it on the Today show. An airplane pilot had a heart attack, I was told. I wanted to believe it. My shaking hands wanted to believe it. I called my brother who had no idea why I was borderline hysterical, while he stood in line in a parking lot in Georgia at the DMV. I called an actor friend, so she could spread the word that I was ok. I woke her. She had no idea what was happening. Not long after the second plane roared over our building--so close it roared in our ears--it hit the WTC, the tower diagonal to us, across the street. I screamed. Threw down the phone and took to the staircase again.<br />
<br />
This time, the staircase was silent. No one brought their coffee or morning bagel. Everyone, at least in their heart, knew we were under attack. There were whispers that there was a bomb in our building. I tried to recite my favorite prayer, "The Prayer for Protection" that strangely enough I say every time I am on a plane, before take off and landing. I could not remember the words. My body prayed them for me. <br />
<br />
Out on the street, crowds stood and stared. I wouldn't look up. Couldn't look up.<br />
<br />
My boss had had a premature baby that almost died. We were concerned with getting her home. Getting her home to her son. We headed for the ferry by the Wintergarden. So much glass. Glass everywhere. I kept my head down. Tripped over my feet. My legs carrying all my fear. We pushed on to one of the last ferries going across. People were standing in line for tickets. We weren't buying any. "They aren't charging us," I said. <br />
<br />
Out on the water, I looked up. Two huge holes. Smoke, heavy smoke, billowing into the blue, blue sky. <br />
<br />
Once we got to Hoboken, I got on a PATH train to Jersey City, where I was living. We sat and sat and sat on the train. I was mute. I didn't say a word. No one knew I had been there. Other people talked. I listened. I learned about the Pentagon. I worried about my friends at the UN. I looked at people's faces, memorizing them, but feeling, looking, I am sure, so blank. Just blank. <br />
<br />
When the Path train came up, a tall thin man said, "They're gone. The towers are gone." I didn't believe him. I couldn't see the two buildings that were my touchstone. Since moving to NYC I lived in many apartments but I held only one job. The towers were my home. They were reminders of how far I had come. I looked at them every night from NJ thinking I work there. I moved from Georgia and I work there. There. <br />
<br />
There was gone. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<br />
For my old roommate Nicole, who lost her dad that day, and for all the other lives lost, for NYC, for our country, I offer this prayer.</span> <span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<br />
The Prayer of Protection<br />
<br />
The light of God surrounds us;<br />
The love of God enfolds us;<br />
The power of God protects us; <br />
The presence of God watches over us;<br />
Wherever we are, God is, and all is well. Amen.</span></div>Bethany Hegedushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00024616444247083411noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374640939810788060.post-1182424453545848652011-09-09T12:21:00.000-07:002011-09-09T12:21:03.655-07:00Last of The Varying Shade of Shadow issue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9PsLOQovpvKi0isGsM3Z-kvO3r5Kb_KVqY5pf8EtuIae0BO6s7CaZxEYJj7JGA68o6ScIoN-40EXdNmKSq0AeGMQxtOp2vy9dgFP_DX4MzlZx5bGnzbQExk5l6vS4Wh_PloN4yxJ01Q/s1600/51v1jAEhh6L._SL500_AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9PsLOQovpvKi0isGsM3Z-kvO3r5Kb_KVqY5pf8EtuIae0BO6s7CaZxEYJj7JGA68o6ScIoN-40EXdNmKSq0AeGMQxtOp2vy9dgFP_DX4MzlZx5bGnzbQExk5l6vS4Wh_PloN4yxJ01Q/s200/51v1jAEhh6L._SL500_AA300_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><strong>This week</strong> the Varying Shade of Shadows issue comes to a close with the much anticipated, <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/in-defense-of-ya/">In Defense of YA</a>, a round up of YA reader and writer voices that comment on the <em>Wall Street Journal</em> pieces by Megan Cox Gurdon that lit up the twittersphere with the creation of #YAsaves in June. By now, much has been written about in reaction to the question <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303657404576357622592697038.html">Darkness Too Visible?</a> but here at <em>Hunger Mountain</em> we care not only what we writers think, we care about what the readers think. The teen readers. YA is after all for young adults. What they think matters. Thank you to the teens who took time out of their summer vacation plans to lend their voices, their intellect, and their wit to join with YA authors everywhere who tackle darkness, light, and everything in between.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjID4zIfT5P6WPqKT1whNyEmocJiWtI8185MpTXpoL38wdl8Mm7PRKmN1uImcINlrCI0podbt2wOg8zGmPCOisizVHn412Usy3jouYWdV_nShr_JFLbs3efDAw9I7-r7BrwATRGgTmTw/s1600/51grGgHvgDL._AA160_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjID4zIfT5P6WPqKT1whNyEmocJiWtI8185MpTXpoL38wdl8Mm7PRKmN1uImcINlrCI0podbt2wOg8zGmPCOisizVHn412Usy3jouYWdV_nShr_JFLbs3efDAw9I7-r7BrwATRGgTmTw/s1600/51grGgHvgDL._AA160_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjID4zIfT5P6WPqKT1whNyEmocJiWtI8185MpTXpoL38wdl8Mm7PRKmN1uImcINlrCI0podbt2wOg8zGmPCOisizVHn412Usy3jouYWdV_nShr_JFLbs3efDAw9I7-r7BrwATRGgTmTw/s1600/51grGgHvgDL._AA160_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjID4zIfT5P6WPqKT1whNyEmocJiWtI8185MpTXpoL38wdl8Mm7PRKmN1uImcINlrCI0podbt2wOg8zGmPCOisizVHn412Usy3jouYWdV_nShr_JFLbs3efDAw9I7-r7BrwATRGgTmTw/s1600/51grGgHvgDL._AA160_.jpg" /></a></div> Our issue also closes with a sneak peak into the much anticipated historical novel <em><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/jeffersons-sons/">Jefferson’s Sons</a> </em>by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, as well as a Toolbox piece, <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/searching-for-truth-in-historys-shadows/">Searching for Truth in History’s Shadows: Finding the Characters in Jefferson’s Sons</a><em> </em>, also by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley.<strong></strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
Congratulations are also in order for Hunger Mountain Young Adult & Children’s Assistant Editor E. Kristen Morse, who along with Miranda Kenneally, whose popular website <a href="http://dearteenme.com/">DearTeenMe</a>, will now be an anthology, with new and original content, forthcoming from Zest Books in 2012. Since coming on board here at Hunger Mountain Emily’s expertise and enthusiasm is much appreciated. We wish her and Dear Teen Me, the book, every success.<br />
<br />
And don’t forget our next issue, The Art & Insanity of Creativity is coming soon. We are still accepting fiction submissions. Please see<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/submit/"> here</a>, for guidelines.<br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>Earlier content from The Varying Shade of Shadows issue. </strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ3bU3tgl9athW7fqB0Rhm2N0XDn5P8FNY4x3dyvC6LQjFYvrpnpz_zCk-SYdnoIV5PkCYoDkaTUTEk8ZlACQRWEUOqd1OC3HH0Dpsmc8a_Ibx0Qm6QWiqIbzM2hIS9Lc3HyzYtmjVVs8/s1600/Duke+ellington.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ3bU3tgl9athW7fqB0Rhm2N0XDn5P8FNY4x3dyvC6LQjFYvrpnpz_zCk-SYdnoIV5PkCYoDkaTUTEk8ZlACQRWEUOqd1OC3HH0Dpsmc8a_Ibx0Qm6QWiqIbzM2hIS9Lc3HyzYtmjVVs8/s200/Duke+ellington.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Our industry is not just about the writing but about the illustration as well, from books for the very young to teens and beyond. We at <em>Hunger Mountain</em> are thrilled to champion the illustration and ingenuity that goes on in our field by featuring three sneak-peeks into books that are soon to hit the shelves. Award-winning illustrator Betsy Lewin offers a snapshot into creating <strong><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/little-bitty-bakery/"><em>The Little Bitty Bakery</em></a></strong> by Leslie Muir. This delectable treat will leave you wanting more…look for <em>The Little Bitty Bakery</em> to be released August 30th. Author/illustrator Don Tate takes us into his Austin studio with his piece <strong><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/duke-ellingtons-nutcracker-suite/">Toot Toot Tootie Toot: an Illustrator Captures Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite,</a></strong> detailing his choices and art-in-progress for his October release<em></em>. And <em>New York Times</em> bestselling author Cynthia Leitich Smith in her piece,<strong> <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/going-graphic/">Going Graphic</a>,</strong> details how she and illustrator Ming Doyle created the visual world for her characters to inhabit, in the eagerly awaited <em>Tantalize: Kieren’s Story</em>. Fans of the gothic series will not be disappointed.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong></strong> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghsC_RRJooiTayBZ6zBYlw18ki8qYxNrrrDXQ0x6zmdzipmIHv6GFBtm8AxZuFnxsfAaj1btQtqk3Pq4ymQe6h2M5a7ELHbhBPWoRRqWJbUlSJ1-KVWlg5AVJ984o-UKgL5NpZCFq9JgA/s1600/41HO35Ulj-L._SL500_AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghsC_RRJooiTayBZ6zBYlw18ki8qYxNrrrDXQ0x6zmdzipmIHv6GFBtm8AxZuFnxsfAaj1btQtqk3Pq4ymQe6h2M5a7ELHbhBPWoRRqWJbUlSJ1-KVWlg5AVJ984o-UKgL5NpZCFq9JgA/s1600/41HO35Ulj-L._SL500_AA300_.jpg" /></a></div><strong></strong> <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/when-along-with-her-characters-an-author-gets-in-trouble/"><strong>When, Along with her Characters, an Author Gets In Trouble</strong></a> by Ellen Levine, describes running into a wall of silence with her latest book, <em>In Trouble.</em> <strong><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/the-monsters-in-us-all-in-defense-of-ya-literature/">The Monsters in Us All</a>,</strong> by Dr. Ilsa J. Bick is a precursor to <em>Hunger Mountain’s </em><strong>In Defense of YA.</strong> We chose to spotlight Ilsa J. Bick’s thoughtful but cutting response now as she not only disagrees with Megan Cox Gurdon—she also agrees, with certain points, that is. As always, please feel free to weigh in in the comments section of each piece.<br />
<br />
<em>For<strong> What My Last Book Taught Me, </strong></em>Monika Schröder advises us to <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/what-my-last-book-taught-me-learn-to-drive-in-the-dark/"><strong>Learn to Drive in the Dark</strong></a> as she takes a trip back to discover what her latest novel,<em> My Brother’s Shadow</em>, taught her as a writer. Lastly, as all the world is a stage, we offer <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/jest-a-minute/"><strong>Jest A Minute</strong></a>, which pokes fun at all the dark/light publishing hullabaloo, with a list of <strong><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/jest-a-minute/">Ten Classics Revamped to Capitalize on the Dark YA Trend </a></strong>(created by none other than moi) and a second list–of <strong><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/jest-a-minute/">Ten New Titles to Please All</a></strong> by author and humorist K. A. Holt. Read, respond, enjoy!<br />
<br />
<strong>Also check out</strong> <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/the-politics-of-story/"><strong>This Writer’s Life: The Politics of Story</strong></a> by Neesha Meminger author of <em>Shine, Coconut Moon</em> and <em>Jazz in Love.</em> Neesha explores and argues, with great clarity, how writing fiction is and always will be a political act. In our <strong>Industry Insider</strong> we host a<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/interview-with-anita-silvey/"><strong> Q & A with Anita Silvey</strong></a>, author, children’s literature scholar and the creator of the popular Children’s Book-a-Day Almanac. We also add to our growing list of new fiction with<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/quarry/"><strong> Quarry</strong></a>, a short story by Kevin Waltman that captures the delight and danger in a trip to a forbidden place.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioxC6ONPdV1dU4FF9738q8DK-0TVql0kuf2IeFDU3IcGZkQpUX9DwICiqFuAdp2HwxrFHFU1jmNCwRzXjLj4ZLvS5x5je93MFlV-APNO0hU3l4oA5BjXi_SmCW6LnifKQR4MavNCm_IRY/s1600/Sass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioxC6ONPdV1dU4FF9738q8DK-0TVql0kuf2IeFDU3IcGZkQpUX9DwICiqFuAdp2HwxrFHFU1jmNCwRzXjLj4ZLvS5x5je93MFlV-APNO0hU3l4oA5BjXi_SmCW6LnifKQR4MavNCm_IRY/s1600/Sass.jpg" /></a></div><strong>Don’t miss </strong>a timely FlipSide, <strong>The Light and the Dark of It</strong><em>,</em> highlighting Jennifer Ziegler’s <strong><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/let-there-be-light/">Let There Be Light </a></strong>and Clare Dunkle’s<strong> <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/on-the-dark-side/">On the Dark Side.</a></strong> Both authors had their pieces well in the works before the June 4th <em>Wall Street Journal</em> article by Meghan Cox Gurdon asked the question: <em>Is Darkness Too Visible?.</em> Also be sure to check out new fiction: <strong><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/stone-field/">Stone Field</a></strong>, a re-imagining of <em>Wuthering Heights,</em> by Christy Lenzi; <strong><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/starcatcher/">Starcatcher</a>,</strong> a unique fantasy by Penny Blublaugh author of <em>Blood & Flowers</em>; <strong><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/monsters/">Monsters</a></strong>, a surprising and raw read by Jennifer Hubbard; <strong><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/the-proposal/">The Proposal</a>, </strong>fiction by Lindsey Lane that dives deep into the hiddenness of our human natures and our desires to be both safe and loved<strong>. </strong><br />
<br />
You can also read earlier features:<strong></strong> an exploration of self and sisterhood by Janet Gurtler in<strong> <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/embracing%20shadows/">Embracing Shadows</a></strong>; also <strong><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/in-the-half-light/">In the Half-Light</a><em>, </em></strong>an essay detailing the shadowy subconscious that aided <em>Hunger Mountain</em> <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/open-wounds/">Sneak Peek</a> author Joe Lunievicz in creating his debut novel, <strong><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/open-wounds/" title="read chapter one of Open Wounds"><em>Open Wounds</em></a></strong> (WestSide Books, 2011); the wickedly smart investigation into the use of elision by Janet Fox in <strong><em><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/the-shadowy-landscape-of-dreams-where-reader-and-writer-meet/">The Shadowy Landscape of Dreams Where Reader and Writer Meet</a>. </em></strong>Our Industry Insider Column offers<em> </em>an interview with Elena Mechlin and Joan Slattery in <strong><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/hunger-mountain-interview-new-faces-at-pippin-properties/">New Faces at Pippin Properties</a></strong><em></em>. Be sure to check out the instructive Toolbox piece,<strong> <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/where-the-teens-are-5-ways-to-freshen-up-ya-fictions-favorite-settings/"><em>Where the Teens Are: 5 Ways to Freshen Up YA Fiction’s Favorite Places</em> </a></strong>from Deborah Halverson, author of the newly released, <em>Writing Young Adult Fiction For Dummies,</em> and the <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/in-response-passion-for-the-picture-book/"><strong>In Response</strong> </a>essay to the <strong><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/passion-for-the-picture-book/">Passion for the Picture Book </a></strong>special feature by the outstanding author Liz Garton Scanlon.<br />
<br />
<strong></strong><strong></strong><br />
<br />
So, please stop back often. Read, respond, share your thoughts, delight in the darkness and luxuriate in the light. They both offer respite and reward. Go ahead, see for yourselves.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVSXr6UgDMtOheMWBVwdPrCpi5xfycobMsUkHpQGtKUn6UgQe99cMbbb23pOCzKCpN3fOwIJOVcUz1mltxCSpjlGDj-tfraSqpUDoiSIePKecQO-mWesSN4vWtidTRre8keYx2kG3dYk/s1600/Bethany+3+words.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVSXr6UgDMtOheMWBVwdPrCpi5xfycobMsUkHpQGtKUn6UgQe99cMbbb23pOCzKCpN3fOwIJOVcUz1mltxCSpjlGDj-tfraSqpUDoiSIePKecQO-mWesSN4vWtidTRre8keYx2kG3dYk/s320/Bethany+3+words.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
Best,<br />
Bethany Hegedus, Editor<br />
<strong><br />
</strong>Bethany Hegedushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00024616444247083411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374640939810788060.post-15410240871258228222011-09-07T04:30:00.000-07:002011-09-07T04:30:02.410-07:00Inside the Writer's Studio with Tommy Greenwald<div style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267"> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style> <![endif]--> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">It is my pleasure to welcome funny man <a href="http://tommygreenwald.com/charlie-joe-jackson/">Tommy Greenwald</a> to Inside the Writer’s Studio today. Tommy, a life-long reader, who as his day job creates ads for Broadway (Not a bad day job. There is a fun pic of him and Kelsey Grammar and teen heartthrob Corbin Blue on his website—go here to check it out!) of course has three boys who would give their lives NOT to be readers. Hence, <i>Charlie Joe Jackson’s</i> (His three son’s names? Charlie, Joe, and Jackson, of course.) <i>Guide To Not Reading</i> was born. Though the title may be tongue and cheek Charlie Joe Jackson’s plight is not.<span> </span>From the publisher (Roaringbrook): </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mPegaUQmCaOH5ziOwSSDI2nkVJ7I5yZzRhKGaI1X00wlcMPdfgTV-800NeNezo7HvIFSHJuaaSSZk9YdS-IJtYAvLJ0je0jY9GHVP0gtrd8LUUozv9-3uTT1llRKDCAcCR9qVBw_K4g/s1600/book-cover-with-tape.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mPegaUQmCaOH5ziOwSSDI2nkVJ7I5yZzRhKGaI1X00wlcMPdfgTV-800NeNezo7HvIFSHJuaaSSZk9YdS-IJtYAvLJ0je0jY9GHVP0gtrd8LUUozv9-3uTT1llRKDCAcCR9qVBw_K4g/s320/book-cover-with-tape.png" width="253" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Charlie Joe Jackson may be the most reluctant reader ever born. And so far, he’s managed to get through life without ever reading an entire book from cover to cover. But now that he’s in middle school, avoiding reading isn’t as easy as it used to be. And when his friend Timmy McGibney decides that he’s tired of covering for him, Charlie Joe finds himself resorting to desperate measures to keep his perfect record intact. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Know any reluctant readers out there? Then, this book is for them. Take my word—and the word of these accolades—they won’t be reluctant for long. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>“In author Tommy Greenwald’s raucous debut…this comedy of comeuppance shows its true colors, and, irony of ironies, is impossible to put down!” --<b>Disney's <i>Family Fun</i></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span> </span>“This is a fun, fast-moving look at middle-school life through the eyes of a kid who would rather clean his room than pick up a book. Reluctant readers will be pleased.” <b>--<i>SLJ</i></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>"Kids who do peruse the book will enjoy Charlie Joe’s chuckleworthy tips on keeping reading at bay, even if they take exception to his list of “helpful oxymorons: 1. good book, 2. happy reader, 3. important author, 4. nice library, 5. favorite bookstore.” <b>--<i>BCCB</i></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>"Charlie Joe’s insider knowledge of the inner machinations of middle-school cliques will make younger readers smile in anticipation, and his direct address to readers makes make him feel like an older buddy showing the way…Slackers everywhere have a new, likable hero in Charlie Joe Jackson.” <b>-- <i>Kirkus Reviews</i></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>"Hilarious...This debut is filled with passages that beg to be shared...With its subversive humor and contemporary details drawn straight from kids’ worlds, this clever title should attract a wide following.”<b> --<i>Booklist</i>, STARRED review</b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Thank you Tommy for being with us today. Let the laughs begin! On to the interview.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Is there a story behind <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Charlie-Joe-Jacksons-Guide-Reading/dp/1596436913/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1314805176&sr=1-1">Charlie Joe Jackson’s Guide to Not Reading</a> that you wish to share? (Ie: the ah-ha or lightning moment where the story inspiration struck)</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I have three sons, Charlie, Joe and Jack. (Charlie Joe Jackson? Get it?) They’re teenagers now, but when they were middle-schoolers they hated to read. HATED it. They would rather stare at the wall than read. I could never get them to read a book. So one day on my train commute, I had the idea to write a book about a boy who hates to read. The first draft was a picture book, called THE BOY WHO HATED READING. I sent it to my friend Michele Rubin, who’s an agent at Writers’ House. She loved the idea but thought I should turn it into a middle-grade novel. I hit on the idea of Charlie Joe Jackson, and that was that.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/fEf84kf7RZI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">How do you stay inspired to face the dreaded blank page? Is it something you dread? Look forward to? Share a bit about your writing process.</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I always dread writing. But I guess I dread not writing more. The guilt kills me. I’ve been a professional copywriter and creative director for twenty years, so I’m good with creating stuff that lasts about 30 seconds. I also wrote a couple of screenplays that were optioned, and one musical called <a href="http://www.mtishows.com/show_detail.asp?showid=000239">JOHN & JEN</a> that ran off-Broadway and still gets produced around the country. So even though I do have a few legit writing credentials, the act of writing itself is always a challenge for me. I’m lazy, and would rather be reading the paper or a book or watching TV. I will say that attacking Charlie Joe was a bit different, though, because once I found his voice, I really enjoyed becoming him. I actually looked forward to writing, which was definitely a first for me. As for the actual writing process, I commute from Connecticut to New York, which is about an hour train ride each way, so I do a lot of writing on the train. On weekends I’ll go to Barnes and Noble, grab a frozen lemonade from the café and start writing.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Theme can be seen as a dirty word but as writers I believe we all have something to say, something we want to share with the world. What is that <i>something </i>for you?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1gcg-HpBhiGDOl8B7BJlTEgfILvfyPqpCX0lk0Fyma3vkM8xocnrv5BYNppyAa8brX6Ala7th8bnRQDdGkUUtqRVhM2ye8HX8uXomj2trpqvv9DBrhVxWIyBHCq7dT8oFCpJB94ztWO8/s1600/StackOfBooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1gcg-HpBhiGDOl8B7BJlTEgfILvfyPqpCX0lk0Fyma3vkM8xocnrv5BYNppyAa8brX6Ala7th8bnRQDdGkUUtqRVhM2ye8HX8uXomj2trpqvv9DBrhVxWIyBHCq7dT8oFCpJB94ztWO8/s320/StackOfBooks.jpg" width="227" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Sometimes I think I should write something deeper and more meaningful, and my musical was much more intense, but I think it turns out that as a children’s book writer my job is to be funny, entertaining and hopefully write characters that kids can relate to. Charlie Joe Jackson is a kid who’s smart but a bit lazy, and would rather spend his energy figuring out how to get out of doing work, rather than doing the work itself. It’s a sport for him, which will be expanded upon later in the series. (Right now we’re hoping for at least three or four books in the Charlie Joe Jackson series.) So I guess what I want to share with the world is that part of letting kids be kids is letting them do a bit of scheming and conniving – it’s a great way for them to use their imaginations, and can be just as much a harbinger of future success as straight A’s.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Is there anything that you are afraid/worried/concerned of tackling in your work? Genre-wise? Audience-wise? Topic-wise?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Not really. CHARLIE JOE JACKSON’S GUIDE TO NOT READING has obvious appeal to reluctant readers, especially boy reluctant readers, but I’m hopeful that everyone – boys, girls, readers and non-readers alike – will find something to enjoy in his adventures.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">What were some of the challenges you encountered when working on this novel/picture book? How did you overcome those challenges?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Well, when your main character is someone who hates to read, you get a little nervous about biting the hand that feeds you. Would any publisher publish a book in which the goal of the main character is to help everyone else avoid books? Would the booksellers be mad? How about the librarians? But then I realized, this is who Charlie Joe Jackson is. While encouraging other kids how to avoid reading, he’s actually getting kids who hate books to read a book! So I decided to embrace Charlie Joe’s subversiveness all the way.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">How important is voice in your work? How does “voice” come to you?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Voice is everything. I haven’t had any formal training as any kind of writer, much less as a children’s book writer, so the only thing I really feel confident tackling is trying to write the way a middle-grade boy might speak. If I can nail that, than hopefully things like character, plot and pacing will fall in line. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn’t – but if you can get the voice right, the other things are a lot easier, believe me. I think I got the voice of Charlie Joe by raising three boys. There are definitely parts of Charlie, Joe and Jack in Charlie Joe Jackson.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">I once heard <a href="http://debcaletti.com/">Deb Caletti</a> say when asked how her life has changed since becoming a published author that she feels she is living the life she is meant to live. How has your life changed since you became a published author? Has it? What lessons have you learned that you’d care to share since becoming published?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Well, my book has just come out so my life hasn’t really changed much in any external ways. You can bet I’m hoping to supplement my income with a few bucks from Charlie Joe, which would sure help put three kids through college! But enough about that… internally, I do feel great about being published, for sure, but I also feel a lot of pressure. Writing the next books in the Charlie Joe Jackson series will be a daunting task, not because it will take forever, but because whenever I start again, I have a deep flash of insecurity. Will it be as good as the last one? Will I be a one-book wonder? Can I do it again? It can get to you if you let it. And also, with my full-time job, trying to churn out book after book is freakin’ tiring. I think I’m more tired than I’ve ever been in my life.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Writers love books; we love reading. What book do you turn to over and over again and why do you love it?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I’m not one who reads books over and over again. Too many new books to read. And becoming a writer has really cut into my reading, believe it or not. But there are certain authors I turn to over and over again, knowing that they’ll deliver the goods: <a href="http://www.carlhiaasen.com/index.shtml">Carl Hiaasen</a>, <a href="http://www.curtissittenfeld.com/">Curtis Sittenfeld</a>, <a href="http://www.curtissittenfeld.com/">Thomas Hardy</a> come to mind.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Which character of yours do you hope your readers most relate to? And why?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Well, for the boys it’s definitely Charlie Joe Jackson, because he’s my main guy, and if readers don’t relate to him, I’m sunk! But hopefully his sense of humor, creativity and inherent laziness will appeal to the typical middle-school male. As for girls, I’m hoping Katie Friedman jumps out as someone whose intelligence and warmth make her the type of girl other girls would want to be friends with.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Inspired by the Actor’s <span> </span>Studio, what sound do you love? What sound do you hate?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I love white noise at night to help me sleep. But I HATE the sound of the alarm clock in the morning.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRWJpvZzXWjTQgwqDVKor71HGlCZuo7jBx2IGVGL2uCLUkB4Os3ZIA5VcSHvQK__AYUXvIhL5OQF97nvz6AQ-i_SaQr6BBImhafyr1qRYtnTP6s28Z-eAwF25vwOTlm6-Q1vWF8NERh4/s1600/hamburger-Double-Cheese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRWJpvZzXWjTQgwqDVKor71HGlCZuo7jBx2IGVGL2uCLUkB4Os3ZIA5VcSHvQK__AYUXvIhL5OQF97nvz6AQ-i_SaQr6BBImhafyr1qRYtnTP6s28Z-eAwF25vwOTlm6-Q1vWF8NERh4/s1600/hamburger-Double-Cheese.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Describe your main characters favorite meal? And why do they love it?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Charlie Joe Jackson is definitely a cheeseburger, fries and shake kind of kid. And also, sugary cereal for any occasion!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Be brave. Share a paragraph from a WIP. </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Here is the very beginning of the next book in the series, CHARLIE JOE JACKSON’S GUIDE TO EXTRA CREDIT.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">How I ended up trying out for the school play is actually a pretty funny story. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Because if you know anything about me at all, you know I’m not exactly a </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: small;">‘school play’ kind of guy. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">In fact, I’m the exact opposite of a ‘school play’ kind of guy.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Which made the fact that I was standing there on the stage of our middle school auditorium, singing a song about paper towels, all the more ridiculous.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="" name="_GoBack"></a><b><span style="color: #17365d; line-height: 115%;">In ode to Maebelle, the main character in my latest novel <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Truth-Capital-T-Bethany-Hegedus/dp/0385738374/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1314806503&sr=1-1">Truth with a Capital T,</a> who keeps a book of little known facts about just about everything, please share a wacky piece of trivia that has stuck with you or please share a little known fact about YOU.</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">In my professional life I’m known as Tom Greenwald. But my family and friends outside of work have called me Tommy all my life. So when I became an author, I decided that since it was a very personal project, my name should reflect that. Thus, Tommy Greenwald.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Check out the book trailer.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/JBzmNIepzbU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> Thanks Tommy for being here! <b>And, please comment and list your top tip for NOT reading to win an ARC of <i>Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to Not Reading. TWO</i> winners will be drawn on October 3rd. </b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div>Bethany Hegedushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00024616444247083411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374640939810788060.post-16884188939789357382011-09-02T13:30:00.000-07:002011-09-02T13:46:44.230-07:00Weekly Round Up: End of Summer Style (Please Let It Rain!)Like the rest of the country, I anxiously watched the footage of Irene. I lived in NYC for 13 years and while there I had my fair share of snowstorms, power outages, flash flooding, subway problems. (The terrorist attacks do not belong in this grouping, but yes, I was there for that too.) When I first moved to NYC I lived in what I lovingly call the "ghett-o" right across from the projects off Hoyt near Smith Street in Brooklyn. We were on the top floor and I had a turkey pan duct taped to my ceiling to keep the water from the hole in the ceiling dripping into a huge pot I'd empty every hour. The hole was right above my closet. I called in sick to work during one tropical storm to be sure the ceiling didn't cave in over everything I owned. I was lucky that day and I was glad this week when I awoke to see NYC had been spared. But, my beloved Vermont was hit hard. For anyone considering a way to help, please see the <a href="http://www.redcrossvtnhuv.org/general.asp?SN=8084&OP=8085&SUOP=16069&IDCapitulo=44W8UXGL8L">VT Red Cross. </a><br />
<br />
Here in Austin though, we have been praying for rain. Some may come this weekend. What was a 60% odd is now a 20% odd but I don't believe in odds. I believe in hope, and prayer, and believing things into being. So I am going to believe it will rain, even if it is only a steady stream of my sweat dripping off my nose.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>The Writing Barn</b> is pretty much done and I have began hosting mini-celebrations for those hard working writers who have recently landed an agent or their first book deal. (Or in Nikki Loftin's case, her first two book deal!). It's been a pleasure to celebrate the dedication, talent, and triumphs of <a href="http://www.shellicornelison.com/">Shelli Cornelison </a>and <a href="http://www.donnabowmanbratton.com/">Donna Bowman Bratton </a>both who signed with <a href="http://www.redfoxliterary.com/">Red Fox Literary</a> and <a href="http://nikkiloftin.com/">Nikki Loftin</a>, whose first novel <i>The Sinister Sweetness of Splendid Academy</i> is due out in the fall of 2012.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTB8OrB3J1a0ek2A7gDJBcTpH7bt6Qvebh0CkOm_55YtB5KpPlc_O0b_FaYo7o7upfIs1Cz1RD3EqC95BIO9eYFH0-pjmkG0vb2d4ht2BgXFn1VXBCrCXT1_MaAtwy-C2pypNmu3dZ8W8/s1600/b3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTB8OrB3J1a0ek2A7gDJBcTpH7bt6Qvebh0CkOm_55YtB5KpPlc_O0b_FaYo7o7upfIs1Cz1RD3EqC95BIO9eYFH0-pjmkG0vb2d4ht2BgXFn1VXBCrCXT1_MaAtwy-C2pypNmu3dZ8W8/s320/b3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shelli, Bethany and Nikki. Three writer ladies.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpTKWHeOW7D2UiSZ1tZAZZ7PhvWm195CuWs2D2tjC_sdGwaqcbpRIQh4i7MQrGG5pKVQYFr7l__MYI1w6Dc97rCGU4ad52uO1Wg0xWMPYqsZfuafD_UWKVryPyeu8vdPBV8fdDt8NH6E/s1600/d3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpTKWHeOW7D2UiSZ1tZAZZ7PhvWm195CuWs2D2tjC_sdGwaqcbpRIQh4i7MQrGG5pKVQYFr7l__MYI1w6Dc97rCGU4ad52uO1Wg0xWMPYqsZfuafD_UWKVryPyeu8vdPBV8fdDt8NH6E/s320/d3.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Donna rubs her magic genie lamp--every writer needs one. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>There is nothing like signing with an agent (your first agent!) or selling that first book. Suddenly, the years and years of hard work, near misses, tears at certain rejections disappear and a writer (though we should never fully look outside for confirmations) feels validated. It is a heady and scary time. There is always more work to do. More growth in our words, our stories, ourselves. But there is also time to raise a glass and cheer our success. I might be as corny as a Hallmark card or Walt Disney but dreams do come true. That's why the barn mascot is this little guy.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDa9Ld7FJNjm9uOgc7qwvZ5yqgvBe5ZhzXHkyb4XrA0kULvVFhtwhqZMUyOAL0s20YlsRqUR2EI96TzSZu1nlypzluFbJJpLZueI-vYb1KZJpV8N2dtZHxi7mYpuxt6jT5csfOMaF3KU/s1600/photo-62.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDa9Ld7FJNjm9uOgc7qwvZ5yqgvBe5ZhzXHkyb4XrA0kULvVFhtwhqZMUyOAL0s20YlsRqUR2EI96TzSZu1nlypzluFbJJpLZueI-vYb1KZJpV8N2dtZHxi7mYpuxt6jT5csfOMaF3KU/s320/photo-62.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barn Mascot: Betty, the Believer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I will be hosting another day/evening at the barn for <a href="http://ekristinanderson.blogspot.com/">E. Kristen Anderson,</a> one of the brains behind Dear Teen Me, which will be a BOOK and a blog! From the Publishers Marketplace announcement:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://mirandakenneally.com/">Miranda Kenneally </a>and E. <b>Kristen Andersons's<a href="http://dearteenme.com/"> DEAR TEEN ME</a>, based on the website of the same name, a compilation from adult writers to their tee</b>n selves, to Hallie Warshaw of Zest Books, in a pre-empt for publication in 2012 by Sara Megibow of Nelson Literary Agency.<br />
<br />
I am super excited by this news! E. Kristen (known to me as Emily, the Hate Mongering Tart and beloved Associate Editor at Hunger Mountain) is an amazing writer and a force to be reckoned with. She is smart, savvy, hilarious and has such energy. The Dear Teen Me idea struck Emily and she had the courage and persistence to pursue it as a blog--to invite well-known and up and coming authors to participate. She found a partner in crime in Miranda and they have gone on to great things. I wish nothing but success to the project and to the readers of DEAR TEEN ME--the soon-to-be-book and the blog. Betty, my day-dreaming pig is beside herself with glee!<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>More at the Barn--</b>I hope to get a website together in the coming weeks for <b>The Writing Barn</b>. I will be teaching there, working with my private students, and opening the space for community events and classes. Look for Lisa Yee to make a pit-stop while she is in Austin at the <a href="http://www.austinscbwi.com/">Austin SCBWI conference in Feb</a> to teach a Master Class at The Barn. She and Peep will be leading a one day intensive on <a href="http://www.austinscbwi.com/conference2012/2012-conference-registration/">Creating Compelling Bad Guys and Bullies. </a>Registration for the conference and for the one day event is filling up quickly so <a href="http://www.austinscbwi.com/conference2012/2012-conference-registration/">REGISTER NOW</a>. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOr0abfnk2KcQEvIrJNuUqnqliUFrJh6sezNIWBUNOstsvXmdvpgd06ZRCI58ZoozR_V7qmPNZKgukVvYWr9_uWXkmEIzNjDaJXOROCJOKaWfQiXv_O-vdCN3Hpw-V5TrpCHcfNPZUqM/s1600/b5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOr0abfnk2KcQEvIrJNuUqnqliUFrJh6sezNIWBUNOstsvXmdvpgd06ZRCI58ZoozR_V7qmPNZKgukVvYWr9_uWXkmEIzNjDaJXOROCJOKaWfQiXv_O-vdCN3Hpw-V5TrpCHcfNPZUqM/s320/b5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sun setting on The Writing Barn.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The Writing Barn will also be available for rental--whether it be for a small writing retreat--an in-town get away or a cool and unique place for the out of town book lover to stay. Think of us and look for the website coming soon!<br />
<br />
<b>Work-in-Progress</b><br />
<br />
As I work on my new WIP, I am amazed at the serendipity coming my way. Today, thanks to the lovely Suvi, this am I toured the inside of Casa Neverlandia and met owners and artists James Edward <a href="http://www.talbotworld.com/">Talbot </a>and Kay Pils. Talbot and Kay are in two words awe-inspiring. I loved meeting them and stepping into their colorful world. All in Austin should turn out to celebrate Talbot's "Essential Magnificence" official unveiling on Sept. 10th at 9:00am. See <a href="http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/aipp/calendar.htm">here </a>for details. I will be there coffee in hand.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFp9Za6MKz3VTJGT4PCcgG2YagcXOZtSgwK9pMDwcoDQjMqk7OtANeEyZn1retbkdhmVneBB6JgsikxFtyTKlwzXwfINZ_LQ2kzwzPHgr1vRi9t3hXxbtUnbe57RF3nppyCBUG0yydwgU/s1600/s5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFp9Za6MKz3VTJGT4PCcgG2YagcXOZtSgwK9pMDwcoDQjMqk7OtANeEyZn1retbkdhmVneBB6JgsikxFtyTKlwzXwfINZ_LQ2kzwzPHgr1vRi9t3hXxbtUnbe57RF3nppyCBUG0yydwgU/s320/s5.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My "Essential Magnificence" is displayed with eyes closed. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<b>Grandfather Gandhi</b><br />
<br />
<br />
Grandfather Gandhi, (forthcoming Antheneum S&S) has a an illustrator and not just any illustrator the amazing <a href="http://evanturk.com/">Evan Turk.</a> Evan is new to the publishing industry but based on the samples I've seen of the work he did to land the Gandhi book--he won't be new for long. His work is filled with energy, a zest for life, and he is well-traveled and respectful of all cultures. I am honored to have his name on the cover alongside Arun Gandhi and myself! More updates on the book coming soon!<br />
<br />
<br />
Bethany Hegedushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00024616444247083411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374640939810788060.post-53949429434351068652011-08-22T14:44:00.000-07:002011-08-22T16:10:31.739-07:00Back to School, Back to Blogging<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">So, today was back to school day here in Austin. And, I figured that was a good time to get back to blogging. I meant to only be away for a month (Sorry, those who have interviews scheduled with me. I shall be posting them soon!) and I had pre-blogged. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">I was in Maui for much of June and early July. Rough, right? I know. My fiancé had a conference he was hosting at one of the area hotels and we stayed there for two weeks and then spent two weeks in Paia, this funky little hippy town. While there I let myself decompress from the work-a-day world and made my transition into the write-a-day world. I kept up with my editorial duties at Hunger Mountain, and with the work of my one-on-one students, but I took time to breathe again. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYBpZDnHgl2QsspGfTVaXsOTR98e737xBg7k-LI0ifC_4tKk_k08VB628nr3qTUkviNvstOBr83NqBTho69wGRCcRqLNglJYidRBnbK4ZlYJ-GUQMHZ6PVwZr1Xsxb0F3L7TRfGd45Nw/s1600/forest5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYBpZDnHgl2QsspGfTVaXsOTR98e737xBg7k-LI0ifC_4tKk_k08VB628nr3qTUkviNvstOBr83NqBTho69wGRCcRqLNglJYidRBnbK4ZlYJ-GUQMHZ6PVwZr1Xsxb0F3L7TRfGd45Nw/s320/forest5.jpg" width="239" /></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">To be Bethany again. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvFZuPL6EwHWRgKHapDimLLvWwwuw1r6w8L6uzf7XurjtZv9aIZr9_Ytd1RYlt1soZbnHUvbFKE31Lwsa8cwWidOjzktmZYJXjrR5bN0FdBsn_Bx5w6h-B65vvpqlzf36tm3fEHiLyvY/s1600/a36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvFZuPL6EwHWRgKHapDimLLvWwwuw1r6w8L6uzf7XurjtZv9aIZr9_Ytd1RYlt1soZbnHUvbFKE31Lwsa8cwWidOjzktmZYJXjrR5bN0FdBsn_Bx5w6h-B65vvpqlzf36tm3fEHiLyvY/s320/a36.jpg" width="239" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKX904dCiMc79a0uN2Bi63qd4JPKrpJ6LDnL4JX9shYUNaRctxPU2kZuN2Vws7fg-0nI80cPXIUoqKOCknOPEceJ-m2tjHXa-fgFNSiHOED5ihzew0lLrtiELPxCLHqeJ5c9hpDNuc4jk/s1600/anothergorgeous+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKX904dCiMc79a0uN2Bi63qd4JPKrpJ6LDnL4JX9shYUNaRctxPU2kZuN2Vws7fg-0nI80cPXIUoqKOCknOPEceJ-m2tjHXa-fgFNSiHOED5ihzew0lLrtiELPxCLHqeJ5c9hpDNuc4jk/s320/anothergorgeous+day.jpg" width="239" /></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">To explore. To laze on the beach. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">To sip cocktails and read, read, read and write, write, write. </span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">Each day new words found me. I jotted them all down. A week before leaving I had 40 pages down and usually that is the time I take those pages, those mountains of words, and I hit delete. I had found my characters a bit and now I could start again. I could begin.</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikOvkWGjVEi0S-nD5KV0RBIp1wb1lEsU0HwqJN37gXN36POg9Bw6YqP8hVZn7c0WO4t8bVtLfafDn2G_3048QXelyln8ZnyDn8wFRyB6B1VlRTBYZC_uVV4cSHyp9P4XBZeTDZ2_qrhM/s1600/h16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikOvkWGjVEi0S-nD5KV0RBIp1wb1lEsU0HwqJN37gXN36POg9Bw6YqP8hVZn7c0WO4t8bVtLfafDn2G_3048QXelyln8ZnyDn8wFRyB6B1VlRTBYZC_uVV4cSHyp9P4XBZeTDZ2_qrhM/s320/h16.jpg" width="239" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5ebsNX7Dv_Z6D0njnmUOAuqxKOw91yQdlRnDJDVeGiFOglK2Hnwmr6O3VmCJ67Ot-exgZvXSHNN7gPKEUf9PAIDz0hxjsiIazHgzlJiL0N7jnJvmjj13gvJMR7iPa_7UN340o4TObrg/s1600/dbf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5ebsNX7Dv_Z6D0njnmUOAuqxKOw91yQdlRnDJDVeGiFOglK2Hnwmr6O3VmCJ67Ot-exgZvXSHNN7gPKEUf9PAIDz0hxjsiIazHgzlJiL0N7jnJvmjj13gvJMR7iPa_7UN340o4TObrg/s1600/dbf.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"> Strangely, or not so strangely really, two days before leaving Maui I realized the manuscript I was writing would be a beach book. A summer vacation story which would bring my two MCs to Maui the summer’s after Sophomore year, Junior year, and Senior year. I have always loved beach books and walking through airports have purchased <a href="http://www.dotfrank.com/">Dorthea Benton Frank</a> and <a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/45-FE2-ElinHilderbrand.html">Elin Hildebrand</a> for years (though I can’t read a Nicolas Sparks book I can partake of the movies made from them). I never—never—thought I would write my own beach book. Those that know me well know that I hate summer. Since I was a kid I felt like summer fun is prescribed and is supposed to be a prescription for all that has ailed ye all year long. Summer fun by definition is giddy and outdoorsy. I am not giddy or outdoorsy. Maui opened me up to see another side of summer—and another side of me. The sunsets, the sunrises, the people, the tropical flowers and afternoon showers all created this opening in me. An opening to do what I wanted—write, watch locals collect seaweed, walk on the beach, hear music, play with kids in the water—splashing and doing tricks. It took me away from myself. From my year round concerns and healed the overworked, treadmill part of me. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">When I arrived back in Austin, about a month ago now, I didn’t find it hard to write but I did find myself resisting blogging. I love to blog. I do. But I needed time for my story to come first. I am now at 100 pages in my RD and feel grounded in where I may be headed. I have been missing blogging. Missing adding my voice to the kid lit conversation. Missing trumpeting the horn of my fellow writers and all their accomplishments. I have missed the in-depth interviews and have some fabulous ones I shall be posting in the weeks to come. I now miss the outer world as much as I missed my inner world before my time away. So, thanks for having me back! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">Next week I will begin a month (or more long) series on Adventures While Teaching, using thoughts I garnered from reading Roger Rosenblatt’s <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Unless-Moves-Human-Heart-Writing/dp/0061965618/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1314046679&sr=8-1">Unless It Moves the Human Heart: The Craft and Art of Writing.</a></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i>In <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/young-adults-and-childrens-literature/">Hunger Mountain</a> news:</i></b></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZbXhFSmmSHKjD6NuC0Ph4t6W_PeSEI52b1GgZQLb6MBgUjz9z4ZBt6triUFZ0kfP4-lmv2w_CD1vVcXT3GYMequ9kOmGhos1t_oBMH6EtwjjaDrU4CWXmolktiF6cVh-Zx0Fi3FcwCY/s1600/js.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZbXhFSmmSHKjD6NuC0Ph4t6W_PeSEI52b1GgZQLb6MBgUjz9z4ZBt6triUFZ0kfP4-lmv2w_CD1vVcXT3GYMequ9kOmGhos1t_oBMH6EtwjjaDrU4CWXmolktiF6cVh-Zx0Fi3FcwCY/s1600/js.jpg" /></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">Look for, later this week, the In Defense of YA Round-Up that was promised to readers back when the whole WSJ brouhaha began in June, as well as a Toolbox piece by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley and a sneak-peak into her new novel, Jefferson’s Sons. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">We are still accepting fiction for the fall issue: <a href="http://bethanyhegedus.blogspot.com/2011/03/hunger-mountain-young-adult-childrens.html">The Art & Insanity of Creativity</a>. See here to submit and to see guidelines: <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/submit/">http://www.hungermtn.org/submit/</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">The <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/katherine-paterson-prize-for-young-adult-and-childrens-writing/">Katherine Paterson Prize has</a> closed (though there is always next year so start polishing those submissions) and the judging is going on now. Who will NBA winner <a href="http://www.kimberlyholt.com/">Kimberly Willis Holt</a> choose as the 1k winner??? Keep a look out. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">2012 Winter and Spring Themes to be announced soon as well as those pieces from 2011 that have been selected to be a part of the annual print edition, which will be on sale in bookstores and sent to Hunger Mountain subscribers. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i>In Awesome Austin, a round up of the summer awesomeness.</i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">Since I last posted two incredible Austin authors have welcomed wee ones (and this time I mean babies—not books). Congrats to Varian and Crystal Johnson on the arrival of Savannah Parker and to Mari Mancussi Beach and Jacob Beach on the arrival of Avalon. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">Get ready for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Chronal-Engine-Mr-Greg-Leitich/dp/0547608497/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1314045694&sr=1-1">Chronal Engine</a> by Greg Leitich Smith. I have seen some of the cover art and interiors for his 2012 release and this time-traveling dinosaur book is going to knock you out. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4tAoCibDfwAOENnsmbghJip4WbUkED15814fW7MdSIKI75Bd6mZA7Jb2E3BdOYXkAOD0FaFDI4TB8mLbsaYm9ZyF6xr-L4tl4J3C8QFaLfOCzbp7eE_zZGI1VA7MRCgFT8gDHW3dSdx4/s1600/a3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4tAoCibDfwAOENnsmbghJip4WbUkED15814fW7MdSIKI75Bd6mZA7Jb2E3BdOYXkAOD0FaFDI4TB8mLbsaYm9ZyF6xr-L4tl4J3C8QFaLfOCzbp7eE_zZGI1VA7MRCgFT8gDHW3dSdx4/s320/a3.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Greg, Vanessa Lee and Jenny Moss pour over a Chronal Engine slideshow</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">Congrats to Jeannette Larson’s <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hummingbirds-Folklore-Americas-Jeanette-Larson/dp/1580893325/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1314045599&sr=1-1">Hummingbirds: Facts and Folklore of the Americas</a> illustrated by Adrienne Yorinks being chosen to represent Texas in the National Book Festival. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCtDeB-_JXqLjNaQhZPUIpeNb9ftz_w3pfiSBr8t2q1dSY3HJWeahZr9WqGrtQvunE78ZQ9yhwbrYhyphenhyphenoYTs3knf4dPjt1oGPB4SzFlWc_AQOtKwZybotjUMoB7lMlNSUI8tHjxIUqRS_M/s1600/a1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCtDeB-_JXqLjNaQhZPUIpeNb9ftz_w3pfiSBr8t2q1dSY3HJWeahZr9WqGrtQvunE78ZQ9yhwbrYhyphenhyphenoYTs3knf4dPjt1oGPB4SzFlWc_AQOtKwZybotjUMoB7lMlNSUI8tHjxIUqRS_M/s1600/a1.jpg" /></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">Three cheers for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tantalize-Kierens-Cynthia-Leitich-Smith/dp/0763641146/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1314045558&sr=1-1">Tantalize: Kieren’s Story</a>, a new graphic novel by Cynthia Leitich Smith and illustrated by Ming Doyle which releases tomorrow. To get a peak into Cynthia’s process of turning her best-selling novel into a graphic novel with new content see her Hunger Mountain article <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/going-graphic/">Going Graphic. </a> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">The Austin Statesman this weekend <a href="http://www.statesman.com/life/books/extend-the-fun-a-little-longer-with-these-1768277.html?cxtype=rss_ece_frontpage">featured a review</a> of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Calli-Jessica-Lee-Anderson/dp/157131699X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1314045083&sr=1-1">Calli</a> by <a href="http://www.jessicaleeanderson.com/">Jessica Lee Anderson</a>, calling the book: “finely wrought, with emotional twists that will absorb your teen reader.” (14 and up) To <a href="http://carmenoliver.livejournal.com/35773.html">see an interview with Jessica</a>, head on over to Carmen Oliver’s blog and read their in-depth Calli chat. To read a chapter from Jessica’s work-in-progress, check out the Hunger Mountain archives and read <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/finding-bigfoot/">Finding Bigfoot.</a></span></div><h3><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal;">A big whoo-hoo for the Writer’s League of Texas 2011 Children’s Book Award Finalists: </span></span></h3><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WQd6fplNXJDpzAm-OrFvCA1BzmJVYxbwIbBO5Q8vxODRWl9yXBlOvvOIWx6VdJV6qNMO7AQ2g052_srRw65fO3KVtMiA4D8S-XH-Gi00LKwUEGxVf7VzfYQ9v8msFH5TTQU1gbIjkxA/s1600/41mM53KjoML._AA115_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WQd6fplNXJDpzAm-OrFvCA1BzmJVYxbwIbBO5Q8vxODRWl9yXBlOvvOIWx6VdJV6qNMO7AQ2g052_srRw65fO3KVtMiA4D8S-XH-Gi00LKwUEGxVf7VzfYQ9v8msFH5TTQU1gbIjkxA/s200/41mM53KjoML._AA115_.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><h3><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal;">Shark Vs. Train</span></i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal;"> by Chris Barton, <i>A Million Shades of Gray</i> by Cynthia Kadohata, <i>Holler Loudly</i> by Cynthia Leitich Smith, <i>Pop! The Invention of Bubble Gum</i> by Meghan McCarthy, <i>Betti on the High Wire</i> by Lisa Railsback, and <i>Crossing the Tracks</i> by Barbara Stuber.</span></span></h3><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">And triple woo-hoos for Austinites <a href="http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/">Cynthia Leitich Smith</a>, <a href="http://www.lisarailsback.com/">Lisa Railsback</a>, and <a href="http://www.chrisbarton.info/">Chris Barton</a>. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWHwrDBiPngo_4TDGB3Cs36gds77CQj-XI1BolAtX-2-bEj9ReC3mtC314Xh-ksLv1c-5D6ojnk3YsBUFR24MdZE33LjJJ8mgNbG7BMqfMKzf9fMrZ-tBEpd2SvKgQ0oiZkNACyAu96s/s1600/prom10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWHwrDBiPngo_4TDGB3Cs36gds77CQj-XI1BolAtX-2-bEj9ReC3mtC314Xh-ksLv1c-5D6ojnk3YsBUFR24MdZE33LjJJ8mgNbG7BMqfMKzf9fMrZ-tBEpd2SvKgQ0oiZkNACyAu96s/s320/prom10.jpg" width="239" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">E. Kristin Anderson, Jennifer Ziegler, moi, and Holly Green</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">I attended the Keep Austen Weird celebration for Austin author <a href="http://www.jenniferziegler.net/">Jennifer Ziegler’s</a> new release Sass & Serendipity. Plenty of fun was had by all and with my long gown I won the award as the Most Serendipitous. And for all you Jennifer Ziegler fans go vote for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sass-Serendipity-Jennifer-Ziegler/dp/0385738986/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1314045989&sr=1-1">Sass & Serendipity</a> at Justine magazine as your favorite summer read. Vote <a href="http://justinemagazine.com/summerfling_form.htm">here.</a> Or read her Hunger Mountain essay, <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/let-there-be-light/">Let There Be Light</a> on the writing of the novel and how Jane Austen influenced her and her work. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">Big rah-rahs for Austinites <a href="http://www.shellicornelison.com/">Shelli Cornelison</a> and <a href="http://www.donnabowmanbratton.com/">Donna Bowman Bratton</a> for signing with Red Fox Literary. See <a href="http://kathytemean.wordpress.com/2011/06/26/new-literary-agency-red-fox-literary/">Kathy Teman’s wonderful interview with the folks at Red Fox</a>.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">Solstice, the new e-book, by <a href="http://www.pjhoover.com/books_teens.php">PJ Hoover</a> continues to sizzle this summer. Check out: </span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/6SMVNzgFD14?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> and</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://0.gvt0.com/vi/m_KzWl2lvkQ/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/m_KzWl2lvkQ&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/m_KzWl2lvkQ&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">I may have missed someone’s accolade (sorry if I did) so don’t miss the <a href="http://www.austinscbwi.com/">Austin SCBWI</a> website where Debbie Gonzales is always celebrating the Austin kid lit writing community’s successes. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>For the Calendar </b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">Don't miss the <a href="http://austinteenbookfestival.com/">Austin Teen Book Festival,</a> Oct. 1st. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">or <a href="http://www.texasbookfestival.org/">The Texas Book Festival</a> Oct. 22-23rd. </span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span>Bethany Hegedushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00024616444247083411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374640939810788060.post-14192017268929051522011-07-11T14:29:00.000-07:002011-07-11T14:29:25.827-07:00Latest Content over at Hunger Mountain Young Adults and Chilren's.Today my Hawaiian vacation comes to an end but the work over at Hunger Mountain never ceases. This week we bring you some powerhouse pieces. Content just officially went live and our first feature by Ellen Levine has already wracked up 30 comments so far.<br />
<br />
Here is info from my Welcome From the Editor letter. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJEQqWR3WlgJ2HSkpLZFP-WyPbPh_LrJiipyGqE6eZSTHOI4D7aCUrErbjBMvekyomCkpBE0zooR6Ppyp4WNrRqzJWlVnWHBxQGHv86IN6SVJ4H6kaRKT_qQW69FpiydldUunnBXcdqE/s1600/Ellen-Levine-225x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJEQqWR3WlgJ2HSkpLZFP-WyPbPh_LrJiipyGqE6eZSTHOI4D7aCUrErbjBMvekyomCkpBE0zooR6Ppyp4WNrRqzJWlVnWHBxQGHv86IN6SVJ4H6kaRKT_qQW69FpiydldUunnBXcdqE/s200/Ellen-Levine-225x300.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><strong>This week</strong> <em>The Varying Shade of Shadows</em> adds two more features. The first, <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/when-along-with-her-characters-an-author-gets-in-trouble/"><strong>When, Along with her Characters, an Author Gets In Trouble</strong></a> by Ellen Levine, whose career is varied with award-winning nonfiction and fiction alike, describes running into a wall of silence with her latest book, <em>In Trouble.</em><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQX88-CzBrAQHE5L0fhtv7sclE4Qk2eyvf6tnl_v95RYBQnB_By3npraL4brckVQ75ji-mM6Ql2JjfES0aXz15W31QC6Ggz7CcaHXZRGivW6x-eYgfULRvZFYPe2OU71frUPOm2xjzYWU/s1600/ashes+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQX88-CzBrAQHE5L0fhtv7sclE4Qk2eyvf6tnl_v95RYBQnB_By3npraL4brckVQ75ji-mM6Ql2JjfES0aXz15W31QC6Ggz7CcaHXZRGivW6x-eYgfULRvZFYPe2OU71frUPOm2xjzYWU/s1600/ashes+cover.jpg" /></a></div>The second, <strong><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/the-monster-in-us-all/">The Monster in Us All</a>,</strong> by Dr. Ilsa J. Bick is a precursor to <em>Hunger Mountain’s </em><strong>In Defense of YA,</strong> which will feature a round up of voices from teen readers, authors, publishers, and parents discussing their reactions to the <em>Wall Street Journal</em> pieces by Megan Cox Gurdon, asking is “<em>Darkness Too Visible?”</em> We chose to spotlight Ilsa J. Bick’s thoughtful but cutting response now as she not only disagrees with Megan Cox Gurdon—she also agrees, with certain points, that is. As always, please feel free to weigh in in the comments section of each piece.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGcn3YEYjBoorFTa3Wjhe_uN5bxvvsn3rW6SJvpS6-0Ht137F335SPK6mBJen2sLLwWF-PkaUhzXehnEaUmH6rMjg3J5PXXd4SpcsnlsjZ2Qz9DAvIbJzQSPsat0Wp-4S_N1rCAGJZnbk/s1600/Brothers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGcn3YEYjBoorFTa3Wjhe_uN5bxvvsn3rW6SJvpS6-0Ht137F335SPK6mBJen2sLLwWF-PkaUhzXehnEaUmH6rMjg3J5PXXd4SpcsnlsjZ2Qz9DAvIbJzQSPsat0Wp-4S_N1rCAGJZnbk/s1600/Brothers.jpg" /></a></div><em>For<strong> What My Last Book Taught Me, </strong></em>Monika Schröder advises us to <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/what-my-last-book-taught-me-learn-to-drive-in-the-dark/"><strong>Learn to Drive in the Dark</strong></a> as she takes a trip back to discover what her latest novel, <em>My Brother’s Shadow</em>, taught her as a writer.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicgMeMGZIjdsGpw76pCdrFasTaM3mvK9h2YuOG5ejn1E7rNhi-LMn27g1s-qP2jsyGK3UD-4XqesJ3nqP8aG6qpZhGwfXAuHWq5TrKSnml-EZIuLWoLDBcgOcFJaukCU4rFTg-33q_W00/s1600/brains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicgMeMGZIjdsGpw76pCdrFasTaM3mvK9h2YuOG5ejn1E7rNhi-LMn27g1s-qP2jsyGK3UD-4XqesJ3nqP8aG6qpZhGwfXAuHWq5TrKSnml-EZIuLWoLDBcgOcFJaukCU4rFTg-33q_W00/s1600/brains.jpg" /></a></div>Lastly, as all the world is a stage, we offer <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/jest-a-minute/"><strong>Jest A Minute</strong></a>, which pokes fun at all the dark/light publishing hullabaloo, with a list of <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/jest-a-minute/">Ten Classics Revamped to Capitalize on the Dark YA Trend </a>(created by none other than moi) and a second list–of <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/jest-a-minute/">Ten New Titles to Please All</a> by author and humorist K. A. Holt. Read, respond, enjoy!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And for all content, peruse the entire issue, with more pieces yet to come!<br />
<br />
<strong>Last week</strong> <em>The Varying Shade of Shadows </em>invited you into <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/the-politics-of-story/"><strong>This Writer’s Life: The Politics of Story</strong></a> by Neesha Meminger author of <em>Shine, Coconut Moon</em> and <em>Jazz in Love.</em> Neesha explored and argued, with great clarity, how writing fiction is and always will be a political act. In our <strong>Industry Insider</strong> we hosted a<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/interview-with-anita-silvey/"><strong> Q & A with Anita Silvey</strong></a>, author, children’s literature scholar and the creator of the popular Children’s Book-a-Day Almanac. We also added to our growing list of new fiction with<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/quarry/"><strong> Quarry</strong></a>, a short story by Kevin Waltman that captured the delight and danger in a trip to a forbidden place.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Don’t miss earlier content: </strong>a timely FlipSide, <strong>The Light and the Dark of It</strong><em>,</em> highlighting Jennifer Ziegler’s <strong><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/let-there-be-light/">Let There Be Light </a></strong>and Clare Dunkle’s<strong> <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/on-the-dark-side/">On the Dark Side.</a></strong> Both authors had their pieces well in the works before the June 4th <em>Wall Street Journal</em> article by Meghan Cox Gurdon asked the question:<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/welcome-from-the-editor-may-2011/Bront%C3%ABhttp:/online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303657404576357622592697038.html"> <em>Is Darkness Too Visible?.</em></a> Also be sure to check out new fiction: <strong><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/stone-field/">Stone Field</a></strong>, a re-imagining of <em>Wuthering Heights,</em> by Christy Lenzi; <strong><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/starcatcher/">Starcatcher</a>,</strong> a unique fantasy by Penny Blublaugh author of <em>Blood & Flowers</em>; <strong><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/monsters/">Monsters</a></strong>, a surprising and raw read by Jennifer Hubbard; <strong><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/the-proposal/">The Proposal</a>, </strong>fiction by Lindsey Lane that dives deep into the hiddenness of our human natures and our desires to be both safe and loved<strong>. </strong>You can also read earlier features:<strong></strong> an exploration of self and sisterhood by Janet Gurtler in<strong> <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/embracing%20shadows/">Embracing Shadows</a></strong>; also <strong><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/in-the-half-light/">In the Half-Light</a><em>, </em></strong>an essay detailing the shadowy subconscious that aided <em>Hunger Mountain</em> <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/open-wounds/">Sneak Peek</a> author Joe Lunievicz in creating his debut novel, <strong><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/open-wounds/" title="read chapter one of Open Wounds"><em>Open Wounds</em></a></strong> (WestSide Books, 2011); the wickedly smart investigation into the use of elision by Janet Fox in <strong><em><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/the-shadowy-landscape-of-dreams-where-reader-and-writer-meet/">The Shadowy Landscape of Dreams Where Reader and Writer Meet</a>. </em></strong>Our Industry Insider Column offers<em> </em>an interview with Elena Mechlin and Joan Slattery in <strong><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/hunger-mountain-interview-new-faces-at-pippin-properties/">New Faces at Pippin Properties</a></strong><em></em>. Be sure to check out the instructive Toolbox piece,<strong> <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/where-the-teens-are-5-ways-to-freshen-up-ya-fictions-favorite-settings/"><em>Where the Teens Are: 5 Ways to Freshen Up YA Fiction’s Favorite Places</em> </a></strong>from Deborah Halverson, author of the newly released, <em>Writing Young Adult Fiction For Dummies,</em> and the <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/in-response-passion-for-the-picture-book/"><strong>In Response</strong> </a>essay to the <strong><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/passion-for-the-picture-book/">Passion for the Picture Book </a></strong>special feature by the outstanding author Liz Garton Scanlon.<br />
<strong></strong><strong></strong><br />
So, please stop back often. Read, respond, share your thoughts, delight in the darkness and luxuriate in the light. They both offer respite and reward. Go ahead, see for yourselves.<br />
<br />
Best,<br />
Bethany Hegedus, Editor<br />
Please note: submissions are still open for The Art & Insanity of Creativity issue for fall 2011, and we welcome submissions through our <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/welcome-from-the-editor-may-2011/www.hungermtn.org/submissions/">Submissions Manager</a>. Look for 2012 themes to be announced this fall.Bethany Hegedushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00024616444247083411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374640939810788060.post-27248626102799918052011-06-30T13:06:00.000-07:002011-06-30T13:06:11.149-07:00Last Day to Enter the Katherine Paterson PrizeBreaking news! (And once home from Maui--I will return to my regular three day a week blog format.) Today is the last day to enter Hunger Mountain's Katherine Paterson Prize for Children's & YA fiction.<br />
<br />
<h2>What is the Katherine Paterson Prize for YA and Children’s Writing?</h2>An annual prize for writing for children. A chance for your writing for children to be read by <em>Hunger Mountain </em>editors and guest judges!<br />
<h2>What will the winner receive?</h2>One overall first place winner receives $1,000 and publication!<br />
Three runners-up receive $100 each. We choose one runner-up from the YA (young adult) entries, one from the Middle Grade entries, and one from the Picture Book or Writing for Young Children entries.<br />
<h2>Who can enter the contest?</h2>Anyone! Everyone!<br />
<h2>Who is this year’s judge?</h2><div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_6049" style="width: 132px;"> <img alt="" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-6049" height="99" src="http://www.hungermtn.org/uploads/Kimberly-Willis-Holt-132x99.jpg" title="Kimberly Willis Holt" width="132" /> <div class="wp-caption-text">Kimberly Willis Holt</div></div>The 2011 judge is Kimberly Willis Holt, author of the <em>Piper Reed </em>series, <em>My Louisiana Sky</em>, <em>Mister and Me</em>, <em>Dancing in Cadillac Light</em>, <em>Keeper of the Night</em>, <em>Waiting for Gregory</em>, <em>Part of Me</em>, and <em>Skinny Brown Dog</em>; winner of the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>National Book Award </strong></span>for Young People’s Literature for <em>When Zachary Beaver Came to Town; and </em>winner of the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>2011 YALSA BEST FICTION</strong></span> for Young Adults for <em>The Water Seeker. </em><br />
<h2>When is the deadline?</h2>The postmark deadline is June 30th<br />
<h2>Where is last year’s winning entry?</h2><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/steve/">Right here</a>! Read “Steve” by Jaramy Conners, chosen by Holly Black.<br />
Or read runner-up in Young Adult fiction, S.E. Sinkhorn’s<strong><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/chasing-shadows/"> Chasing Shadows</a></strong>; runner-up in Middle Grade Fiction Marcia Popp’s<strong><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/the-ugliest-dog-in-the-world/"> The Ugliest Dog in the World</a></strong>; and runner-up in picture book/writing for Young Children Jane Kohuth’s<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/something-at-the-hill/"><strong> Something at the Hill</strong>. </a><br />
You might also read the 2009 winner, <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/crazy-cat/">“Crazy Cat”</a> by Liz Cook, chosen by Katherine Paterson or <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/tornado/">“Tornado” </a>by Susan Hill Long and <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/no-mistake/">“No Mistake</a>” by Tricia Springstubb, two runners-up from 2009.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>For information on how to send your submission and entry fee online, please go <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/katherine-paterson-prize-for-young-adult-and-childrens-writing/">HERE. </a></b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <b><br />
</b></div><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Good luck!</span></b>Bethany Hegedushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00024616444247083411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374640939810788060.post-31765603638919743632011-06-28T10:45:00.000-07:002011-06-28T10:45:47.817-07:00New Content LIVE at Hunger Mountain, Varying Shade of Shadows IssueIt's that time again...new content to read and digest over at Hunger Mountain! Check it out!<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3><strong><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/welcome-from-the-editor-may-2011/">Welcome from the Editor (June 27, 2011)<br />
</a></strong></h3><strong>by Bethany Hegedus</strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIdpIM-l0v7lJkXFNKzhi_BC3oyUUkesJWMy83CMPKlRkLSEaI5oAJJ4xRETeMCI5mgVZsYgOJPwe-a_94Z5X5AKOyLA1u3b9WYQE7ksjxi7F835Vwe3ZWFJ3jhvmhb-jGnDoDkTTcBE/s1600/Shine+coconut+moon+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIdpIM-l0v7lJkXFNKzhi_BC3oyUUkesJWMy83CMPKlRkLSEaI5oAJJ4xRETeMCI5mgVZsYgOJPwe-a_94Z5X5AKOyLA1u3b9WYQE7ksjxi7F835Vwe3ZWFJ3jhvmhb-jGnDoDkTTcBE/s1600/Shine+coconut+moon+cover.jpg" /></a></div><br />
This week <strong>The Varying Shade of Shadows</strong> invites you into <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/the-politics-of-story/"><strong>This Writer’s Life: The Politics of Story</strong></a> by Neesha Meminger author of <em>Shine, Coconut Moon</em> and <em>Jazz in Love.</em> Neesha explores and argues, with great clarity, how writing fiction is and always will be a political act.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKQF4oDuGtiuRZIDOZQMX5AYHcu5TmVJW92UkZwiEfQ2lu_STlKiT4Qz0gQcwKQscb27L3UE4lYYmrQWKEtKzd9ORFLsfxPSXawaxGDG27-aHU5yocVs5qeTPgo86N2H4d8XOC1fD2KY/s1600/Everything+I+need+to+know+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKQF4oDuGtiuRZIDOZQMX5AYHcu5TmVJW92UkZwiEfQ2lu_STlKiT4Qz0gQcwKQscb27L3UE4lYYmrQWKEtKzd9ORFLsfxPSXawaxGDG27-aHU5yocVs5qeTPgo86N2H4d8XOC1fD2KY/s1600/Everything+I+need+to+know+cover.jpg" /></a></div>In our <strong>Industry Insider</strong> we host a<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/interview-with-anita-silvey/"><strong> Q & A with Anita Silvey</strong></a>, author, children’s literature scholar and the creator of the popular <a href="http://childrensbookalmanac.com/">Children’s Book-a-Day Almanac</a>. We are thrilled to host Anita; it is a special treat to have her with us.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Lastly, we add to our growing list of new fiction with<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/quarry/"><strong> Quarry</strong></a>, a short story by Kevin Waltman that captures the delight and danger in a trip to a forbidden place.Bethany Hegedushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00024616444247083411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374640939810788060.post-63814515792203128042011-06-27T04:30:00.000-07:002011-06-27T04:30:02.179-07:00Falling Into a Funk<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267"> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style> <![endif]--> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_wDX0XZxwv_M_gkOxw2IT8i3BnvjhIY-LHQs4p62-SJg_E5omc7dpR025QhcHHxO8UrSzPBoUqUEVMZwlc6vtrU7dZRtPBfzAmH3LTxRweeJGTp_n39bEQ40c81rH9EbCqzJ96imcKVs/s1600/depressed+writer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_wDX0XZxwv_M_gkOxw2IT8i3BnvjhIY-LHQs4p62-SJg_E5omc7dpR025QhcHHxO8UrSzPBoUqUEVMZwlc6vtrU7dZRtPBfzAmH3LTxRweeJGTp_n39bEQ40c81rH9EbCqzJ96imcKVs/s320/depressed+writer.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">This week along with brave souls Bayles & Orland, authors of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Art-Fear-Observations-Rewards-Artmaking/dp/0961454733/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1306426698&sr=1-1">Art & Fear: Observations On The Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking,</a> we are going to fall into a funk. Don’t worry. I promise—funks are part of the process. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">If you’re like most artists we know, you’re probably accustomed to watching your work unfold smoothly enough for long stretches of time, until one day—for no immediately apparent reason—it doesn’t. Hitting that unexpected rift is commonplace to the point of cliché, yet artists commonly treat each recurring instance as somber evidence of their own personal failure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nominees for Leading Role in a Continuing Artists’ Funk are: (1) you’ve entirely run out of new ideas forever, or (2) you’ve been following a worthless deadend path the whole time. And the winner is: (fortunately) neither. One of the best kept secrets of artmaking is that new ideas come into play far less frequently than practical ideas—ideas that can be reused for a thousand variations, supplying the whole framework for a whole body of work rather than a single piece.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(55-56)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha81cdYjmI_rEuNVh6wpZAMwoeD4M3wgGp-QIseERIcuXgUe5gSQT1ZdUQzCeeHneuGv8hy8yZ2EjAA3UKLGoSYIOvYbhxl_LePtEmKMcgIGpTZ2XgHObNF4MPUIGbhUtt93v8HTN0tEM/s1600/vein+of+gold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha81cdYjmI_rEuNVh6wpZAMwoeD4M3wgGp-QIseERIcuXgUe5gSQT1ZdUQzCeeHneuGv8hy8yZ2EjAA3UKLGoSYIOvYbhxl_LePtEmKMcgIGpTZ2XgHObNF4MPUIGbhUtt93v8HTN0tEM/s1600/vein+of+gold.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">Hmmmm? Doesn’t this go against everything we thought about what art is—and who we have to be to make it? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Original? Daring? Brilliant? Nope—it doesn’t. The passage above reminds me of Julia Cameron’s—<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vein-Gold-Journey-Creative-Heart/dp/0874778794/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1306426604&sr=8-1">The Vein of Gold—</a>it’s not about being practical really—it’s about tapping into what we care about most. What calls to us, informs us, makes us who we are—we can use in a variety of ways. Think about what we read, view, and listen to as consumers. I do like things outside of my favorite genres—but I definitely have my favorites. Singer/songwriters from James Taylor to Tracy Chapman to the Indigo Girls. Books—family oriented middle grades—from Winn Dixie to Keeper to Harriet the Spy. Television—Law and Order to the Chicago Code to NYPD Blue. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEituhDlHROTZEk0JFJUzhhXzchkH1l2Tb5AqDz2Pfg4iEwJbtvZcfobVhBJyAU4qQ47kc4-Y86eEyaxwrRC_oZWjwWlIO4pnqpN9baQbW6gH8dG6smMM4XmsdGtquE3fSUwCHP2rgPGdZ4/s1600/Truth+with+a+Capital+T.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEituhDlHROTZEk0JFJUzhhXzchkH1l2Tb5AqDz2Pfg4iEwJbtvZcfobVhBJyAU4qQ47kc4-Y86eEyaxwrRC_oZWjwWlIO4pnqpN9baQbW6gH8dG6smMM4XmsdGtquE3fSUwCHP2rgPGdZ4/s200/Truth+with+a+Capital+T.jpg" width="132" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12pt;">Whether it is a singer I love; a book I love, or a TV show I am addicted to the forats and these artists are all different but they resonate with a similar energy. For me, words matter. Families matter. Injustice and corruption matter. Put it all together and what you get is what I write about—families, justice, and words. It could be a blog post, an essay, a novel, a picture book, or even a poem. It could be a book set in the past as <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Between-Us-Baxters-Bethany-Hegedus/dp/1934813028/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1306428581&sr=1-1">Between Us Baxters</a> is, a novel set here today—as <a href="http://www.blogger.com/Truth%20with%20a%20Capital%20T">Truth with a Capital T </a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is—or it could be a picture book about the relationship between a boy and his world leader grandfather, ala <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Grandfather Gandhi </i>(forthcoming--Antheneum). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it practical to write from this vein of gold? Perhaps. But more importantly it is simply what matters to me most. </div>Bethany Hegedushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00024616444247083411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374640939810788060.post-78801274362854018362011-06-20T04:30:00.000-07:002011-06-20T04:30:02.450-07:00Beginner’s Luck? Not For This Schmuck<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYhjO92uiDDUY3f1UC40x5ylm88EIBj1IYiRkwSni67j_jBLKsjr2l0bfG1L2t-XdP70xRxWDdmXtqQ2EYNF04rw9_nJ_bSyOi49zq04wznUfo0_7Lc3PaA5N7ehBSflMJDXx2Dnfx2g/s1600/art+and+fear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYhjO92uiDDUY3f1UC40x5ylm88EIBj1IYiRkwSni67j_jBLKsjr2l0bfG1L2t-XdP70xRxWDdmXtqQ2EYNF04rw9_nJ_bSyOi49zq04wznUfo0_7Lc3PaA5N7ehBSflMJDXx2Dnfx2g/s1600/art+and+fear.jpg" /></a></div><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267"> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style> <![endif]--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Another Monday with our friends, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Art-Fear-Observations-Rewards-Artmaking/dp/0961454733/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1306426698&sr=1-1">Art and Fear.</a> At least I hope they are getting to be our friends—our good friends—since they are always with us. Too bad David Bayles and Ted Orland are not, but we do have their gem of a book to keep us company and buoy our spirits. <div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal">In Chapter V, Finding Our Work, Bayles and Orland go into depth on how our work is always honest. Brutally honest, if we look close enough.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">Look at your work and it tells you how it is when you hold back or when you embrace. When you are lazy, your art is lazy; when you holds back, it holds back; when you hesitate, it stands there staring, hands in its pockets. But when you commit, it comes on like blazes. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRe3JVs3VWacHWLeslEisVr46SbS8KnnnbpC9zDRgpc7rc3-_L2PLzo9DL17VrLisz05QSEcXCTNprd1Z-WxRS2gXYZvgyORQlowlmR1HfT4TCecWvag8VqVhrP1W5ZAxDl2GJXrkGL8/s1600/dancer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRe3JVs3VWacHWLeslEisVr46SbS8KnnnbpC9zDRgpc7rc3-_L2PLzo9DL17VrLisz05QSEcXCTNprd1Z-WxRS2gXYZvgyORQlowlmR1HfT4TCecWvag8VqVhrP1W5ZAxDl2GJXrkGL8/s320/dancer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Bayles and Orland go on to talk about a visual artist friend who took up dance. She threw herself into her new passion, taking classes, dancing with abandon. Soon, she was asked to join a dance troupe. The thought of performing and dancing for others—and not just herself—had her dancing fall apart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where she danced with abandon before now she was stilted and over thought each movement. She stopped—frustrated and depressed. But after a few weeks of withdrawal she is back at it. Finding her way in dance—balancing her passion with the expectations of others. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvLFo1CGmD8w9HCbpcJnNAhTEAmsw0Vo8hihVtOOt6sxHRd-kKOn7hA7ZaSOe4BE-zKVznam0KdUHNb_GOec9HbeDOj3du9qFd9y0Rwk6tDAeLJaLVJMsMKBGeDDlHLKU96T2BS5WkPU/s1600/dancer+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvLFo1CGmD8w9HCbpcJnNAhTEAmsw0Vo8hihVtOOt6sxHRd-kKOn7hA7ZaSOe4BE-zKVznam0KdUHNb_GOec9HbeDOj3du9qFd9y0Rwk6tDAeLJaLVJMsMKBGeDDlHLKU96T2BS5WkPU/s320/dancer+2.jpg" width="213" /></a>At the <a href="http://www.writersleague.org/">Writers’ League of Texas</a> where I used to work, a writer came in one day. She had questions about publishing and which class would benefit her the most. She said, “I have beginner’s luck. What I write first comes out the best, and when I revise things fall apart.” I listened and while I believe in the abandon of beginners luck—I told her her best work would come from a combination of abandon and critical thinking. I mentioned my own version of the above. Balancing our inner critic and the external critic makes work we begin to takes seriously amp up in importance. Our words can get as stiff and over thought as a dancer’s moves. Then we have to work to stay limber—we have to work to remind ourselves not to hesitate; to be brave. We have to make choices and commit—no holds barred. We then see these choices through to the end and then we can make new choices if need be. To be brilliant we can’t be timid. We must be bold. We must let ourselves fail and flail, because, you know, many novels are began on a whim but they aren’t completed, sold, or published on a whim. We can tap into the “beginner’s mind” but it is not necessary to stay there to succeed—that makes the hard work of art feel like a game of chance—and art isn’t about chance. It may feel like Russian roulette with the variety of critical opinions that pop up when we put our work out there—but the creating, the deep down soul searching a work requires daily is a muscle we build—and muscles grow over time and use. They don’t atrophy. </div>Bethany Hegedushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00024616444247083411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374640939810788060.post-28924905818417423442011-06-15T12:12:00.000-07:002011-06-15T12:12:07.982-07:00Hunger Mountain: Varying Shade of Shadows--FlipSide and More<h3><strong><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/welcome-from-the-editor-may-2011/">Welcome from the Editor (June 12, 2011)</a></strong></h3><h3><strong>New content at Hunger Mountain is now LIVE. I am enjoying the every two week addition of new material. Aren't you?<br />
</strong></h3><h3><strong><br />
</strong></h3><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg24-pE9wEAAQf0vqgZw7vAjElpLwXvd_WnhfNQeaDFxmu_TrZbEUY3A5V_G9gaa5Bo_LeOrVJtqC7WFhgKwujgcO9oCmv7pBWez3C8VDtkiLnJqBKHWHjpz8NO5MTNozXuTwK4INsd6qk/s1600/DeadMaidscover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg24-pE9wEAAQf0vqgZw7vAjElpLwXvd_WnhfNQeaDFxmu_TrZbEUY3A5V_G9gaa5Bo_LeOrVJtqC7WFhgKwujgcO9oCmv7pBWez3C8VDtkiLnJqBKHWHjpz8NO5MTNozXuTwK4INsd6qk/s320/DeadMaidscover.jpg" width="205" /></a></div><br />
This week <strong><em>The Varying Shade of Shadows </em></strong>introduces a timely FlipSide, <strong>The Light and the Dark of It</strong><em>,</em> highlighting Jennifer Ziegler’s <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/let-there-be-light/">Let There Be Light </a>and Clare Dunkle’s <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/on-the-dark-side/">On the Dark Side.</a> Both authors had their pieces well in the works before the June 4th <em>Wall Street Journal</em> article by Meghan Cox Gurdon asked the question:<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/young-adults-and-childrens-literature/Bront%C3%ABhttp:/online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303657404576357622592697038.html"> <em>Is Darkness Too Visible?</em></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBjLBWIRQiBDQgXhWwee0Au8Ry1jhPReTBLkU5wxYz7sDVd3BRLllnZIvIISse7wHnx-yZ7L14J7YeAH1IZ2sIGFLbZTx1zEBndsDlOZP_HNuoTos2l5nNdidxx95lsIm8C6Q2BgjTIc/s1600/Sass+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBjLBWIRQiBDQgXhWwee0Au8Ry1jhPReTBLkU5wxYz7sDVd3BRLllnZIvIISse7wHnx-yZ7L14J7YeAH1IZ2sIGFLbZTx1zEBndsDlOZP_HNuoTos2l5nNdidxx95lsIm8C6Q2BgjTIc/s1600/Sass+cover.jpg" /></a><br />
While Ziegler and Dunkle do not comment directly on the WSJ article, their essays touch on what draws an author to the lighter side or the darker side–one influenced by Jane Austen, one by Emily Brontë, and each writing true to the way she views the world. That does not mean to say that <em>Hunger Mountain</em> isn’t interested in adding our voice to the conversation sparked by Gurdon’s article. Look for <strong>In Defense of YA</strong> a report and round-up of authors, teens, librarians, and booksellers who have something to say In Defense of YA coming to <em>Hunger Mountain</em> in early August.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMEtri6_B56ZGfksrMSjSbza601rVjmkcLpYR-z3lkZCd0dP3oTuj90EdDu3j0t7ep6cr5XSt-Wklpf6jFPTII4v41I07gI014ZB59aiseWq5LYEbJttPV48iviHVVfKLxkRcuh7iRt9s/s1600/blood+and+flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMEtri6_B56ZGfksrMSjSbza601rVjmkcLpYR-z3lkZCd0dP3oTuj90EdDu3j0t7ep6cr5XSt-Wklpf6jFPTII4v41I07gI014ZB59aiseWq5LYEbJttPV48iviHVVfKLxkRcuh7iRt9s/s1600/blood+and+flowers.jpg" /></a></div>We also welcome two new fiction pieces. <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/stone-field/">Stone Field </a>by Christy Lenzi draws some darker material from <em>Wuthering Heights </em>but contains a uniquely Western setting all its own. <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/dreams-of-the-starcatcher/">Starcatcher</a>, a unique fantasy adds to the canon of works by Penny Blublaugh author of <em>Blood & Flowers</em>.Bethany Hegedushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00024616444247083411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374640939810788060.post-75354741692412202602011-06-13T04:00:00.000-07:002011-06-14T11:25:38.716-07:00Art & Fear: Acceptance and Approval<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Those wise men, David Bayles and Ted Orland, authors of <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780961454739">Art& Fear</a> are at it again. This time with words of wisdom on acceptance vs approval.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“The difference between acceptance and approval is subtle, but distinct. Acceptance means having your work counted as the real thing; approval means having your work liked.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">They go on to add:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdpPP61DvW8Ep1PL_PHUpIoiWEInAZ2JetT7SaGjOPduPHtVQ9qAaM9eFQorQUB4UCAjENFk8dhWNVrxvNLogu0BlyqHNPIkzrJ_B0UMDQjOcgi_DkCWefedmQm7RSXPKB-shFXFey-Rk/s1600/Connection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdpPP61DvW8Ep1PL_PHUpIoiWEInAZ2JetT7SaGjOPduPHtVQ9qAaM9eFQorQUB4UCAjENFk8dhWNVrxvNLogu0BlyqHNPIkzrJ_B0UMDQjOcgi_DkCWefedmQm7RSXPKB-shFXFey-Rk/s1600/Connection.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Art of Connection</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">…"Courting approval, even that of peers, puts a dangerous amount of work in the hands of the audience. Worse yet, the audience is seldom in a position to grant (or withhold) approval on the one issue that really counts—namely, whether or not you’re making progress in your work. They’re in a good position to comment on how they’re moved (or challenged or entertained) by the finished product, but have little knowledge or interest in your <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">process.</i> Audience comes later. The only pure connection is between you and your work.” (page 47, Art & Fear)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">There can be a connection between author and audience—an important one—but the connection to one’s work, where one is<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> that</i> day, in the present moment and the only thing really an artist can count on. But as much as I believe in doing the work and being in the process first and foremost, the desire to be accepted and approved isn’t a condition merely of an artist—it is a human condition. Wrestling with any and all of my humanness, is what I think, and hope, makes me a decent writer. Of course, I can’t let the desire for approval get out of hand, and more than anyone else's approval what fiction writing and the study of craft has taught me is to seek my own approval—not just in my writing choices but in all my decisions. </div>Bethany Hegedushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00024616444247083411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374640939810788060.post-51711841141568397572011-06-10T06:41:00.000-07:002011-06-10T07:05:08.766-07:00YA and the WSJ<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ah, so much has been written in the last week since the June 4th Wall Street Journal article by Meghan Cox Gurdon asked the question:<a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303657404576357622592697038.html#articleTabs%3Darticle"> Is Darkness Too Visible</a>? There has been the outcry on twitter and the creation of #yasaves thanks to author Maureen Johnson. There have been the blog posts of Laurie Halse Anderson, S<a href="http://halseanderson.livejournal.com/331230.html">truck Between Rage and Compassion</a>:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Books don’t turn kids into murderers, or rapists, or alcoholics. (Not even the Bible, which features all of these acts.) Books open hearts and minds, and help teenagers make sense of a dark and confusing world. <b>YA literature saves lives. Every. Single. Day.”</b> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://readroger.hbook.com/">Read Roger,</a> the Horn Book Editor who advised: </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">"If you're a teen who is running your reading choices by your parents, grow up. If you're a parent who feels compelled to approve your child's reading, shut up. The books and the kids are all right."</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">and <a href="http://i%20refuse%20to%20justify%20my%20art./">Barry Lyga's</a> triumphant declaration:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> "I refuse to justify my art." </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">There have been the parodies, the funniest by Sarah Ockler in her post <a href="http://sarahockler.com/2011/06/07/all-this-darkness-what-to-buy-the-grownup-reader-a-parody/">All This Darkness! What to Buy the Grown Up Reader? (A Parody)</a>:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">“I recently stood slack-jawed in the adult fiction section of my local big box book store, having decided that supporting my community while getting personalized recommendations by professionals who generally adore books and make it their business to know exactly what sorts of things a reader will love was just not on my to-do list this year, feeling stupefied and helpless.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Salon.com responded with their own online article: <a href="http://www.salon.com/books/feature/2011/06/06/WSJ_young_adult_literature_too_dark">Has Young Adult Fiction Become Too Dark?</a> </span><span style="font-size: small;"> in which the Mary Elizabeth Williams who spoke for many parents born and raised as readers in the 1970’s and 80’s:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">“I grew up on Judy Blume too. I also loved V. C. Andrews. Believe me when I say that the latter's books, with their themes of brutal family abuse and incestuous rape, are trashy as hell -- and there was not a girl around for 3,000 miles who could keep her hands off them. And let me further assure you, an entire generation of women managed to devour the "Flowers in the Attic" series without having sex with their brothers.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">There have been YA history lessons, there has been debate—mostly heated—some of it respectful, some of it not. (My own local listserve posted comments to one another of varying opinions and despite the passion of both sides we were able to keep it civil.) As Editor of the <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/young-adults-and-childrens-literature/">Young Adult & Children’s section of Hunger Mountain</a>, my new Assistant Editor, <a href="http://www.ekristinanderson.com/">E. Kristin Anderson</a> and I got started on a Hunger Mountain Round-Up of voices <b>In Defense of YA</b>. Within twenty minutes or so of putting out the call to YA authors and readers had a list of twenty plus authors who were willing contributors to the Hunger Mountain article which will be published in early August. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Why is <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/young-adults-and-childrens-literature/">Hunger Mountain</a> chiming in so late when this is the week to let our voices be heard? Because the story is still going on. Meghan Cox Gurdon, with the WSJ, says she has more to say and though we may not want to hear it, we do want to report on it. To consider it. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">And, then there was yesterday’s WSJ Speakeasy post by Sherman Alexie, author of The True Diary of the Part Time Indian, that was attacked in the WSJ “editorial” along with several other books. Alexie’s response <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2011/06/09/why-the-best-kids-books-are-written-in-blood/?mod=wsj_share_facebook">Why The Best Books Are Written in Blood</a> which brought new relevance to the conversation—just when we thought no more on the issue could be said. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">“And there are millions of teens who read because they are sad and lonely and enraged. They read because they live in an often-terrible world. They read because they believe, despite the callow protestations of certain adults, that books-especially the dark and dangerous ones-will save them.</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">As a child, I read because books–violent and not, blasphemous and not, terrifying and not–were the most loving and trustworthy things in my life…And now I write books for teenagers because I vividly remember what it felt like to be a teen facing everyday and epic dangers. I don’t write to protect them. It’s far too late for that. I write to give them weapons–in the form of words and ideas-that will help them fight their monsters. I write in blood because I remember what it felt like to bleed.”</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Alexie’s response brought my teen self to the surface. I am writing an older YA—one where there is darkness and violence, mental illness, suicide, blood but no gore. There are lots of questions and no easy answers, which is exactly how I felt as a teen. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I remember going into the school library before classes and at lunch periods—sometimes with a book—other times with only my pen and paper. I wrote poems—thousands of bad poems. I remember writing with one thought: “One day, I will be heard.” The girl I was had a voice and the woman I am today has the strength to let that voice be heard. She also has the strength to listen to the conversations that swirl around her. No one had to tell me that the world was dark. I didn’t read that in a book or see it for myself on TV. I saw it in my everyday life. But I did learn about hope from stories. I learned about it in fiction—I learned about it in sharing our mutual brokenness. I learn about light each time I read a book where “darkness is visible,” and each time I encourage myself to write so that “one day, I will be heard.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I’ve come to the conclusion, that if YA is too dark, it is because our world is too dark. It is also because no one is looking at the light that is there. The hope, courage, and truth that comes from writing and reading books that have us bleed. Though we may live in the dark when we write and read a little bit of light always finds us. Always. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9FI20h6mL36nlTg9s0lKXSZx9kRI9SvaAla86N1t1eDtbnpjd2s4gpHVEl6lhEfOEjT5vzAADcj2C6jlLYXz5CmDtDjdzkHFe2ObTEa4nvhbaPN8wGK8CCCBKDrwRPRl3C2qelQK8so/s1600/light+darknessjpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9FI20h6mL36nlTg9s0lKXSZx9kRI9SvaAla86N1t1eDtbnpjd2s4gpHVEl6lhEfOEjT5vzAADcj2C6jlLYXz5CmDtDjdzkHFe2ObTEa4nvhbaPN8wGK8CCCBKDrwRPRl3C2qelQK8so/s320/light+darknessjpg.jpg" width="296" /></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">Maybe that is why long before this brouhaha started, over at Hunger Mountain, the theme of May through Sept. issue was dubbed <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/welcome-from-the-editor-may-2011/">The Varying Shade of Shadows.</a> I wrote in the original Welcome Letter to the issue: "We writers love dichotomy—for it is in the exploring of seeming polar opposites that we find the “good stuff”—the betwixt, between-ness of our natures." So with all this talk of darkness, what we are really doing is exposing the light. And I, for one, thank Meghan Cox Gurdon for that. </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>Bethany Hegedushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00024616444247083411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374640939810788060.post-82506024374383398962011-06-08T04:30:00.000-07:002011-06-08T19:18:44.792-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2klu2WP2pqUTGHIao5NdsUEPLr_mdhea0QvGMb3vJzh9Cc8gA3sqGUlKQFWSl28zkFA19xRF8aTfeDJ7LWgAJF2kejhvtj6sO7mr9v87APb12Lmf5A7_hBdQvJ1If3Ex-5kDMlabohk/s1600/Sarah+Sullivan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2klu2WP2pqUTGHIao5NdsUEPLr_mdhea0QvGMb3vJzh9Cc8gA3sqGUlKQFWSl28zkFA19xRF8aTfeDJ7LWgAJF2kejhvtj6sO7mr9v87APb12Lmf5A7_hBdQvJ1If3Ex-5kDMlabohk/s1600/Sarah+Sullivan.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Today for Inside the Writer’s Studio we celebrate an ode to an American Musical tradition—fiddling—by West Virginia author <a href="http://www.sarahsullivanbooks.com/">Sarah Sullivan.</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Passing-Music-Down-Sarah-Sullivan/dp/076363753X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1304879396&sr=1-1">Passing the Music Down</a>, written by Sarah and illustrated by <a href="http://picturebookillustration.blogspot.com/2007/07/barry-root.html">Barry Root</a> is a thing of beauty. I was lucky enough to hear Sarah read from the then manuscript when she was a visiting alumna at a VCFA Special Day. And, I was lucky enough to secure Sarah as a contributor to Hunger Mountain. Her essay, <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/songlines/">Walking the Songlines,</a> depicts how much care, effort, and skill it takes to be at the top of picture book form (as Sarah is). Sarah is the author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Root-Beer-Banana-Sarah-Sullivan/dp/0763617482/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_4">Root Beer and Banana</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dear-Baby-Letters-Your-Brother/dp/0763621269/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_3">Dear Baby: Letters from Your Big Brother</a>, and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Once-Upon-Brother-Sarah-Sullivan/dp/0374346356/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_2">Once Upon a Baby Brother.</a> She is a graduate of <a href="http://www.vermontcollege.edu/low-residency-mfa/writing-children-young-adults">VCFA</a> (we were in the same graduating class!) and she speaks to adults and children across the country. </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">A bit about the <i>Passing the Music Down</i> from the publisher (Candlewick Press)</span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1Bj6pYgDxvqFk18EioKYaXfuUZp1XUP_DS-LmRg_HH70dSZ8Nfl2to6zzZUB0248y4jcGsPDweT36N_svoAC_yuKhNZCTzrBgFip1OESV6657emeZdXDAf1wx6Fnqxr365CnuNzXQVU/s1600/passingthemusic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1Bj6pYgDxvqFk18EioKYaXfuUZp1XUP_DS-LmRg_HH70dSZ8Nfl2to6zzZUB0248y4jcGsPDweT36N_svoAC_yuKhNZCTzrBgFip1OESV6657emeZdXDAf1wx6Fnqxr365CnuNzXQVU/s1600/passingthemusic.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>A warmhearted ode to an American musical tradition and to generational ties, told in lyrical free verse with atmospheric illustrations</b><br />
<br />
A young boy travels to the hills of Appalachia to meet the old-time fiddle player whose music he has admired, and so sparks a friendship that will forge a bond between generations. The boy develops under the man’s care and instruction, just as seedlings grow with spring rain and summer sun. From playing on the front porch to performing at folk festivals, the two carry on the tradition of passing the music down. This touching, lyrical story, inspired by the lives of renowned fiddlers Melvin Wine and Jake Krack, includes an author’s note and suggested resources for learning about the musicians and the music they love.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Thanks Sarah for being with us! I am such a fan of the way you use language, create story, and share your process.</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Is there a story behind the story that you wish to share? (Ie: the ah-ha or lightning moment where the story inspiration struck)</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Passing-Music-Down-Sarah-Sullivan/dp/076363753X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1304879396&sr=1-1">Passing the Music Down</a></i> </b>is inspired by the lives of two real people, an old-time fiddle player named Melvin Wine and his student, Jake Krack. Melvin won multiple awards, including the NEA's National Heritage Fellowship, the U.S.'s highest award for traditional musicians and artists. Jake was a young fiddle student in Indiana when he first heard recordings of Melvin's music. His teacher told him he ought to go to a festival called Clifftop in West Virginia so he could hear the old-time fiddle players, people like Melvin Wine and Lester McCumber, because their music had been passed down by oral tradition and, when they died, their music would die with them. So, Jake did just that. At Clifftop, he met Melvin Wine. They became friends and Jake's family ended up moving to West Virginia so that Jake could study with Melvin and Lester McCumber and a younger man named Bobby Taylor. For years I heard Melvin and Jake play at the Vandalia Gathering in Charleston and at other festivals and fairs, including once, an appearance at my local independent bookstore, Taylor Books. When I read an article in the <i>New York Times </i>about Jake being formally apprenticed to old-time musicians, I realized it was not just me who had a fascination with this story. There was indeed something universal about it and I wanted to capture that in a picture book. It seemed like a story that needed to be told, particularly after 9/11 when many of us were wondering about the future and what endures.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Bo1pOlK7yVw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">How do you stay inspired to face the dreaded blank page? Is it something you dread? Look forward to? Share a bit about your writing process.</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I try to trick myself by pretending I'm writing a letter and relating a story to a friend. If I can do that, the negative inner voice goes silent, at least for a few minutes. Friends are forgiving. They don't demand perfect prose. They just want to hear from you. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I dread writing the first draft of a brand new scene that is only a concept in my head. What helps is to find one line which belongs in that scene. It can be a line of dialogue or of narration. That doesn't matter. What IS important is that, it feel like the line "fits."</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I love, love, LOVE editing and revising!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">How important is community in keeping you inspired? What authors are a part of your virtual and/or hometown community? How do they keep you inspired?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Community is so important to lifting flagging spirits during the long slog that revising a manuscript can be. My writing community is almost entirely virtual. That's a large part of the reason I went to Vermont College. The writing friends I made there are my writing community today. A certain writer named Bethany Hegedus has been a daily inspiration, especially during our first years after completing the program. We had "virtual" coffee chats each workday morning and they were really important to me! (Thanks, Bethany!) (<b>Awww—thanks Sarah! I miss our virtual morning cups of coffee.)</b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">And a dear friend and fellow writer, <a href="http://www.ledaschubert.com/">Leda Schubert</a>, who is now a faculty member at Vermont College provided invaluable support, encouragement and critical input during the writing of <i>Passing the Music Down. </i>In fact, I don't know that I would even have had the courage to send that manuscript to my now-editor if not for Leda's enthusiasm about it. Ironically, it turns out that Leda – who plays fiddle music herself, had not only heard of Melvin Wine. She had actually taken a class from him at the Augusta Heritage Center in Elkins, West Virginia. When I read my manuscript out loud to a small group of fellow writers at a retreat in Vermont, we shared one of those small world moments when she told me about studying fiddle tunes at Augusta. Leda continues to provide that kind of encouragement and critical support. I'm quite sure I would never have made it this far without friends like Leda and Bethany and so many others, including my whole class at Vermont College, the "Wild Things – Class of Winter 2005" and newer writing friends, like <a href="http://www.francannonslayton.com/">Fran Slayton</a> who lives in Charlottesville and visits West Virginia from time to time. They are all very dear to me.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Is there a favorite quote you turn to when the rejection blues get to you?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5Ju2_bbzS6Hx0UYncn9lG8AwudsgShKYW2tpvS0l20zIu8J03yw_EqhOBMHJWsgdNLnpJvRvRj8eaxfIVIkm-AFuXbGrrYlGiGLM5662xvq4PxRTyQQEaOpdlR9046nzOLKtgTcHgBk/s1600/Ephron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5Ju2_bbzS6Hx0UYncn9lG8AwudsgShKYW2tpvS0l20zIu8J03yw_EqhOBMHJWsgdNLnpJvRvRj8eaxfIVIkm-AFuXbGrrYlGiGLM5662xvq4PxRTyQQEaOpdlR9046nzOLKtgTcHgBk/s1600/Ephron.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">"It's all copy." <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nora_Ephron">Nora Ephron</a> attributes this quote to her mother, the screenwriter Phoebe Ephron. It means, if something bad happens, don't get upset about it. Think about how to use it in a story.If you get rear-ended at a stoplight, <i>it's all copy.</i> If you get chigger bites in embarrassing places during a hike in the woods, <i>it's all copy.</i> That quote has helped me through a lot of aggravating moments!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Name a writer whose work and/or career you admire. And why do you admire them?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">There are so many, but one of my favorites is <a href="http://www.eudorawelty.org/">Eudora Welty</a>. Her work is so drenched in place, not only Mississippi, but there's a section from <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Writers-Beginnings-Lectures-American-Civilization/dp/0674639278/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1304880539&sr=1-1">One Writer's Beginnings</a> </i>where she writes about her grandparents' farm in West Virginia, not far from where I live. You can almost smell the iron in the water being drawn up from the well in that piece. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0kl58ZqWRr0vzKdNFQed6cCWO5EWwx6IJKBuW8o6vboGR6V2K23JDGJ3SIIAanimt7TC1M3wSIjpuUnX7JRv1up91Eu-pyWTBqPQu7POVi-ZcPd526kLr2TDSeXKiMJAHbMfsOE4NdI/s1600/eudora+welty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0kl58ZqWRr0vzKdNFQed6cCWO5EWwx6IJKBuW8o6vboGR6V2K23JDGJ3SIIAanimt7TC1M3wSIjpuUnX7JRv1up91Eu-pyWTBqPQu7POVi-ZcPd526kLr2TDSeXKiMJAHbMfsOE4NdI/s1600/eudora+welty.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I also love the way she writes with such compassion and charity about very flawed human beings. Take the narrator of <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Collected-Stories-Eudora-Welty/dp/0156189216/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1304880643&sr=1-1">Why I Live at the P.O., </a> </i>for example, a young woman consumed by resentment of her sister. And yet as readers, we feel sympathy for her. On top of that, the whole time we're experiencing those conflicting feelings, Welty is making us laugh. How does she do that?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">How important is voice in your work? How does voice come to you?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Voice, on those rare occasions when I find it, is the opiate that keeps me hooked on writing. It's magic when some character's voice begins channeling through my thoughts. If only I could figure out how to summon voice at will. But, alas, it doesn't seem to happen that way. Voice has mysterious origins that are perhaps best left unquestioned. I don't want to do anything that would make the magic go away.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">How does “place” come through in your writing? How important is place in this current novel/picture book?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">A sense of place is absolutely critical to <i>Passing the Music Down. </i>Ironically, or perhaps logically, I don't know, if I feel like if I've achieved the proper sense of place in that book, it makes the story feel universal. I think it's because putting characters in their proper setting make a story feel authentic. It's part of the challenge of making a story true. If a writer can make something true enough, it will be universal. And stories can only be true if they are set in the proper place. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Writers love books; we love reading. What book do you turn to over and over again to study craft and why do you love it?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjec0jj7zpyY09oIXN02f5f0JqovGooi8bFK-hvlLY3kkt0jr9avSDTXhq6TCs9S2CaKnDASrwEbTjG44_BGgxbgD_iQ91KAujLVJ9mvqJquEevP6C8Ua9Mx5VsGWMRYJFOUnMotNGuiO0/s1600/walk+two+moons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjec0jj7zpyY09oIXN02f5f0JqovGooi8bFK-hvlLY3kkt0jr9avSDTXhq6TCs9S2CaKnDASrwEbTjG44_BGgxbgD_iQ91KAujLVJ9mvqJquEevP6C8Ua9Mx5VsGWMRYJFOUnMotNGuiO0/s320/walk+two+moons.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">There are so many. <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Collected-Stories-Eudora-Welty/dp/0156189216/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1304880643&sr=1-1">The Great Gatsby</a>. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_28?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=winn+dixie+by+kate+dicamillo&sprefix=winn+dixie+by+kate+dicamillo">Because of Winn-Dixie. </a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Walk-Two-Moons-Sharon-Creech/dp/0060560134/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1304880751&sr=1-1">Walk Two Moons. </a> Goodbye My Brother –short story by John Cheever. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kill-Mockingbird-50th-Anniversary/dp/0061743526/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1304880778&sr=1-1">To Kill A Mockingbird. </a> </i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">What these books have in common is voice. And there is a bit of poetry in the voices of each of these books. I think the intimacy a writer achieves with his or her reader in a strong voice is a large part of what makes a book compelling to me. It's what draws me back to the book over and over again. Read the first page of <i>The Great Gatsby. </i> Are you not drawn in immediately? And the poetry of it! I want music in the words and <i>Gatsby </i>has that in spades. <i> </i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Inspired by the Actor’s Studio, what sound do you love? What sound do you hate?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Love – the birdsong of a <a href="http://birdsongs.info/bobwhite.htm">Bob White</a> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Hate – Leaf blowers</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://3.gvt0.com/vi/2rTqtp_8pMM/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2rTqtp_8pMM&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2rTqtp_8pMM&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">In ode to Maebelle, the main character in my new boo<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Truth-Capital-T-Bethany-Hegedus/dp/0385738374/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1304881799&sr=1-1-spell">k Truth with a Capital T, </a>who keeps a book of little known facts about just about everything, please share a wacky piece of trivia that has stuck with you or please share a little known fact about YOU.</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sophia Tolstoy, (aka Mrs. Leo Tolstoy) hand-copied the manuscript of <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/War-Peace-Oxford-Worlds-Classics/dp/0199232768/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1304880888&sr=8-1">War and Peace</a> </i>from beginning to end 7 times. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">Would you do that for the significant other in your life or, would you ask him or her to do that for you?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Oh, Maebelle would love that little known fact and she may just ask Isaac to transcribe her notebook 7 times from beginning to end right after learning it. Isaac though wouldn’t go for 7 but I bet he’d type it up once for her. </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Sarah, thank you for being with us. Congrats on Passing the Music Down and keeping the history of fiddle music alive and kicking!</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div>Bethany Hegedushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00024616444247083411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374640939810788060.post-13363061829867498532011-06-06T04:30:00.000-07:002011-06-06T04:30:00.721-07:00<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267"> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style> <![endif]--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Today, we’re going to talk about The Others. Nope, not those people from <a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/lost">Lost</a> who walked around at first in regular looking clothes and then wore burlap bags—or about the feeling of “otherness” we writers sometimes (oftentimes) feel. But about—others—expectations outside of ourselves. Expectations, desires, and even our own projections as seen from the outside in. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780961454739">Art & Fear</a>, our text for the last month and for all of June as well, David Bayles and Ted Orland write:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96sJmFfNRf8XVrxKK14yQ7bpJMGOESJaPfkCJhIx4a-0fmRijr_0nfBpVJH7fzct-_Dx-y_MqeCuBzYRqkLt1ZcaWJqOrZhyphenhyphen_L7uK9PZKcb2ltY99i3lG3CGShRMVu4EST5umOl5OlL0/s1600/art+and+fear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96sJmFfNRf8XVrxKK14yQ7bpJMGOESJaPfkCJhIx4a-0fmRijr_0nfBpVJH7fzct-_Dx-y_MqeCuBzYRqkLt1ZcaWJqOrZhyphenhyphen_L7uK9PZKcb2ltY99i3lG3CGShRMVu4EST5umOl5OlL0/s1600/art+and+fear.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The problems arise when we confuse others’ priorities as our own. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We carry real and imagined critics with us constantly—a veritable babble of voices, some remembered, some prophesized, and each eager to comment on what we do. ..As an artist you are expected to make each successive piece uniquely new and different—yet reassuringly familiar alongside your earlier work. You’re expected to make art that’s intimately (perhaps even painfully) personal—yet alluringly and easily grasped by an audience that has never known you personally.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">When the work goes well, we keep such inner distractions at bay, but in times of uncertainty or need, we begin listening. We abdicate artistic decision-making to others when we fear that the work itself will not bring us the understanding, acceptance, and approval we seek.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal">(Chapter IV, page 37-38)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Hmmm…many of us, those that are published or agented have an “official” Other. We have an editor, an agent, or both. Or many. We publish with more than one house, our editors move to other houses or leave publishing, agent/author relationships may end and new business relationships begin. It can be—if we let it—be to our artistic detriment. So how then do we keep the worries about Others out of our work, when as Bayles and Orland stated THE WORK isn’t going well?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCHJyWDLU91Y593Mb3Wrho1aRFTDRsXTIE8aasiLf3OmNUmY9IRln4Qx89aGzqoexqgsuZnUQxruEgEq3zrEl-PiERrDvbmmKUTe9T-bO7eq1EcPclU8iLHlXvysz1OCFUpsQsMhrMx_o/s1600/Fear-brain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCHJyWDLU91Y593Mb3Wrho1aRFTDRsXTIE8aasiLf3OmNUmY9IRln4Qx89aGzqoexqgsuZnUQxruEgEq3zrEl-PiERrDvbmmKUTe9T-bO7eq1EcPclU8iLHlXvysz1OCFUpsQsMhrMx_o/s1600/Fear-brain.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">To be honest, I am not sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have the voices of Others—well, the imagined voices of Others in my head, because those in my artistic life are thankfully supportive. One esteemed Other said to me recently, “Write the book you most want to write. The one you are afraid of writing.” And also encouraged me to “use your gifts of voice and dialogue” in doing so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was given a task but the direction and the outcome are all up to me, so why do I feel so afraid?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could say, because this time it matters, this is a make or break point in my career, that I want to be more widely read, touch more lives, etc. But I have had similar fears at all stages of my writing career—if I get this first book—publishing the next will be easier. If I make this list, I am all set. Basically, it is all baloney. And my baloney has a first name—f-e-a-r, fear. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So I keep learning. I have learned not to negotiate with fear but to let it just sit with me while I work. I don’t pour it a cup of tea, nor do I berate it for being there—I simply try to welcome it and when I let it take a seat at my table—somehow, thankfully, the invitation has <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">some </i>of the fear—the most strangling kind—evaporate. And the fear that is left—the water in the boiling pan—helps me churn my work into something I care about. </div>Bethany Hegedushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00024616444247083411noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374640939810788060.post-74629715201439972922011-06-03T10:23:00.000-07:002011-06-03T10:23:02.175-07:00New Content LIVE at Hunger Mountain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnXN494rSpOKWcYInMqET7w8kXqVw8FLhVt3qjQJ4j73Gizn-uVtBxoyW9-jfCgBryslPfjfAH3fdBv7CATZYs8zqQIcoNdOFs1KnfWSw2-6LZQrF4lJ4cgz6GDNc2DWWH1yUmhcTvJU/s1600/I%2527m+not+her.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnXN494rSpOKWcYInMqET7w8kXqVw8FLhVt3qjQJ4j73Gizn-uVtBxoyW9-jfCgBryslPfjfAH3fdBv7CATZYs8zqQIcoNdOFs1KnfWSw2-6LZQrF4lJ4cgz6GDNc2DWWH1yUmhcTvJU/s200/I%2527m+not+her.jpg" width="131" /></a></div><strong>This week</strong> <em>The Varying Shades of Shadows</em> welcomes an exploration of self and sisterhood by Janet Gurtler in<strong> <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/embracing%20shadows/">Embracing Shadows</a></strong>. Janet’s new novel <em>I’m Not Her</em> was just named to the <em>LA Times</em> Summer Reading List. Also new is <strong><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/in-the-half-light/">In the Half-Light</a><em>, </em></strong>an essay detailing the shadowy subconscious that aided Hunger Mountain Sneak Peek author Joe Lunievicz in creating his debut novel, <strong><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/open-wounds/" title="read chapter one of Open Wounds"><em>Open Wounds</em></a></strong> (WestSide Books, 2011) which has earned a PW starred review. We are honored to showcase new fiction by Jennifer Hubbard, author of <em>The Secret Year.</em> <strong><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/monsters/">Monsters</a></strong> is a surprising and raw read. Lastly, in our Industry Insider column we have an interview with Elena Mechlin and Joan Slattery in <strong><a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/hunger-mountain-interview-new-faces-at-pippin-properties/">New Faces at Pippin Properties</a></strong><em>. </em>Elena and Joan were both kind enough to offer critiques in the HM/VCFA e-bay auction and both agents saw their bids go sky high! We thank them and all the other auction participants and bidders.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fwa0PcOo0_u5doC_AJhqIWbRZLFNMaz3G_7nt-CtIkM_fTLygz9ixG4Pil2Qw-J2dqlNrUJOaXlaPglXFs7kZw7SiJBsvIoPHRi0cREYQgun_q0lQB25iD9M9wesoOTxzz3sSbcuwoo/s1600/e.+Kristin+Anderson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fwa0PcOo0_u5doC_AJhqIWbRZLFNMaz3G_7nt-CtIkM_fTLygz9ixG4Pil2Qw-J2dqlNrUJOaXlaPglXFs7kZw7SiJBsvIoPHRi0cREYQgun_q0lQB25iD9M9wesoOTxzz3sSbcuwoo/s200/e.+Kristin+Anderson.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">E. Kirstin Anderson, HM new Assistant Editor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Along with new content, we have some editorial announcements. <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/the-faces-of-hunger-mountain/">Caroline Carlson</a> began as an Assistant Editor working most directly with <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/the-faces-of-hunger-mountain/">Miciah Bay Gault</a>, Managing Editor, earlier this year. Caroline has been a tremendous resource, both editorially and in the creating of the web pages for the Hunger Mountain Young Adult and Children’s pieces. Thank you, Caroline. We also welcome E. Kristin Anderson to our staff as Assistant Editor. Emily is a poet (her work has been <a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/topography/">published here at HM</a> and at the <em>Cimarron Review</em> and others), an up-and-coming novelist (we will be featuring a chapter from her WIP <em>Myself Behind Myself</em> this fall), a book blogger (<a href="http://www.ekristinanderson.com/">The Hate Mongering Tart</a>) and is one of the brains behind the popular <em><a href="http://dearteenme.com/">Dear Teen Me</a></em> website. Emily will begin by helping to shape content for our fall—The Art (& Insanity) of Creativity— issue. Welcome, Emily.Bethany Hegedushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00024616444247083411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374640939810788060.post-42082304718549089542011-06-01T04:30:00.000-07:002011-06-01T05:43:55.455-07:00Inside the Writer's Studio with Liz Gallagher<div style="font-family: inherit;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxrC0Y3FFYqO0T46JUDa6LVF_pKc9ezmsdbpF2_ftX_m1WFhFgvvJ-2q0wGwkiv8NwYDC91f4xA2Y_2buwBVOzO5fhNZoY-7PHkakRmWo4C73v4l0EkFYz596R-4uKrmGXFolnDK2qrE/s1600/liz+gallagher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxrC0Y3FFYqO0T46JUDa6LVF_pKc9ezmsdbpF2_ftX_m1WFhFgvvJ-2q0wGwkiv8NwYDC91f4xA2Y_2buwBVOzO5fhNZoY-7PHkakRmWo4C73v4l0EkFYz596R-4uKrmGXFolnDK2qrE/s200/liz+gallagher.jpg" width="166" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Today at Inside the Writer’s Studio we welcome friend and VCFA alumna <a href="http://www.lizgallagher.com/">Liz Gallagher. </a>While in grad school I would often run into Liz in downtown Montpelier at one coffee shop or another. I’d pull up a chair and we’d talk shop and share our thoughts over cups of strong coffee. Liz lives in Seattle and if there is one thing aside from the craft of YA that she knows it is where to get a good cup of Joe. </b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>About the book (from the publisher, Wendy Lamb Books)</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i>My Not So Still Life</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqQQAJMTY3nxPKz2g5O9CUvHNeu46PgYd_gX7JgozK8vD4LT8fBPRRGC49Q0IgSLUef2ao6-b8wmjZHqngWYKig8VCdFLb_tCna5K1ctAU9tH7Z_cBbhNDmsGwpwyN4_nVWxQHr016PE/s1600/Still+Life.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqQQAJMTY3nxPKz2g5O9CUvHNeu46PgYd_gX7JgozK8vD4LT8fBPRRGC49Q0IgSLUef2ao6-b8wmjZHqngWYKig8VCdFLb_tCna5K1ctAU9tH7Z_cBbhNDmsGwpwyN4_nVWxQHr016PE/s320/Still+Life.png" width="213" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Vanessa is wise beyond her years. She's never really fit in at school, where all the kids act and dress the same. She's an artist who expresses her talent in the wacky colors she dyes her hair, her makeup and clothes. She's working on her biggest art project, and counting the days until she's grown up and can really start living. That adult world seems closer when Vanessa gets her dream job at the art supply store, Palette, where she worships the couple who runs it, Oscar and Maye. And she's drawn to a mysterious guy named James, who leads her into new, sometimes risky situations. Is she ready for this world, or not.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Thanks for being with us today Liz. I nabbed an ARC of My Not So Still Life at TLA and I absolutely adore the cover and can’t wait to dig into what I know will be a fine, fine read. Now, on the interview..</b><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">How important is community in keeping you inspired? What authors are a part of your virtual and/or hometown community? How do they keep you inspired? How do you inspire them?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Community is a huge part of keeping me inspired! I'm fortunate to have the <a href="http://www.vermontcollege.edu/low-residency-mfa/writing-children-young-adults"><span style="color: windowtext;">Vermont College</span></a> community, which is mostly virtual for me now. Also virtually and via cross-country phone calls when we get a second, I often lean on <a href="http://www.zeisgeist.com/"><span style="color: windowtext;">Lara Zeises</span></a> to talk out the writing life. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm so lucky to live in Seattle, where lots of other YA and kids' writers also live. I met <a href="http://www.kevinemerson.net/"><span style="color: windowtext;">Kevin Emerson</span></a> a few years ago at the coffee shop where we both write. I literally tapped him on the shoulder because the barista told me he wrote for kids too. Ever since, he's been someone I love to bounce ideas back and forth with. <a href="http://heatherdavisbooks.com/"><span style="color: windowtext;">Heather Davis</span></a> and I are close friends. We get together on the weekends to have writing dates, where we work and talk. I have a teen librarian friend, Jackie Parker, who's also fabulous for book chat. Plus, the Seattle chapter of SCBWI is bursting with talented writers who I adore. The<a href="http://www.readergirlz.com/"><span style="color: windowtext;"> Readergirlz</span></a> Divas and former Divas are a great support for me too. <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/My-Not-So-Still-Life-Liz-Gallagher/dp/0375841547/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1304867339&sr=1-1"><span style="color: windowtext;">My Not-So-Still Life</span></a></i> wouldn't have a name without my writer friends! I literally had Heather, Lara and Jackie stewing on ideas. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Theme can be seen as a dirty word but as writers I believe we all have something to say, something we want to share with the world. What is that <i>something </i>for you?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I agree, I think we all have some idea we're chewing on. For me, it's to do with how every person feels unsure of themselves at some point. And how that's okay. I write about kids whose lives haven't been touched by any major issues, kids who are just going about their lives in a basically happy, well-adjusted way. Yet, these kids still have problems. They aren't sure where they fit in. They feel out of sorts. They might have low self-esteem. Publishers Weekly recently reviewed <i>My Not-So-Still Life</i> and I think they hit the nail on the head when they talked about my main character, Vanessa:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%;">For all the trappings of the outsider indie artist that Vanessa flaunts … she's actually quite insecure, naïve, and--gasp--normal underneath. That is perhaps where Gallagher's story is most successful: demonstrating that even the most outwardly confident teens often still have a lot of growing up to do.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">My theme is the universal ways in which growing up isn't easy and isn't something you can rush.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">How important is voice in your work? How does “voice” come to you?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Voice is very important to me in my own work and in the work I enjoy. When I see a movie, I might not even be able to tell you the plot points a week later—but I'll be able to tell you how I felt, the mood. And I think the mood of a book is so closely connected to voice. I almost always write in first person. I think that's because I need to hear my character talking in order to know what she's feeling. I want the reader to feel close to her too, so I tend to use the voice reveal my character. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_wkLSMPAPS9RY8Og7kkQA7B8YyWjqp0yNSQin-LKklBmUxVQcCP_rZAz_bq-6X6VkuMxA3pjsaNNxNoto8PmiwvP0kBV-gd5QEPwiOnp_FGkzXgg9V1RQkGiC5SLOpS4t4_gI1Fc_Ag/s1600/opposite+of+invisible.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_wkLSMPAPS9RY8Og7kkQA7B8YyWjqp0yNSQin-LKklBmUxVQcCP_rZAz_bq-6X6VkuMxA3pjsaNNxNoto8PmiwvP0kBV-gd5QEPwiOnp_FGkzXgg9V1RQkGiC5SLOpS4t4_gI1Fc_Ag/s1600/opposite+of+invisible.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">The voice of Vanessa, the main character in <i>My Not-So-Still Life</i>, came to me when I was writing <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Opposite-Invisible-Liz-Gallagher/dp/0375841539/ref=bxgy_cc_b_img_b">The Opposite of Invisible</a></i>. In that book, she's a (semi-)minor character. We only get her voice through dialogue because the story is told in another character's first person narration. So when I started writing MNSSL, I read through everything Vanessa said in the first book. It was tricky because the voice had to get much more intimate for her to narrate her own story. I think having to decode what was going on in her mind when she was talking is how I got to know her as her own strong character. What came out was a lot of short, declarative sentences because she's a confident girl who thinks she knows what she's doing all the time, even when she falters. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">How does “place” come through in your writing? How important is place in this current novel/picture book? Is it tied to a place you once lived or are familiar with or is it a new world entirely?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSKHCEy_Z9d_UsUILhK5cxddtFayuYQ_9rY3GNJLKChziFkJK3lpjZjaIY96EFcKbv22t9JQO1xV4B9KXFYHaKIfAwgP3przU4NAGy62PLBGJURB-IdO_pV2_H1scpaBwt13aEiptmQ8/s1600/cherry+blossoms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSKHCEy_Z9d_UsUILhK5cxddtFayuYQ_9rY3GNJLKChziFkJK3lpjZjaIY96EFcKbv22t9JQO1xV4B9KXFYHaKIfAwgP3przU4NAGy62PLBGJURB-IdO_pV2_H1scpaBwt13aEiptmQ8/s1600/cherry+blossoms.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I want to set all of my stories in real places. Still, I know that the world of the book will be different from the real world. Part of the magic of fiction is making the reader feel as if they've been somewhere specific. I'm definitely inspired by Seattle, where I live. My two published novels are both set here. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I wanted the first book to feel cozy because the main character is in a cocoon of a best friendship. To me, the Seattle rain makes a great stage for that. She's always burrowing into sweatshirt hoods, she's getting warm lattes at real coffee shops, she's curling up under blankets. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I like to think I present a different Seattle in <i>My Not-So-Still Life</i>. It's spring in this book, and the setting is the Ballard neighborhood, where Opposite is set in Fremont. Ballard is very connected to the water, so I made water a favorite thing of Vanessa's family. Her grandfather spends a lot of time in the garden too, which connects to the theme of growth. Vanessa's happy that it's warm enough to wear fishnets instead of tights. Throughout the story, she's looking for cherry blossoms to bloom. She's got an outward vibe where Alice, in <i>Opposite</i>, has an inward one, and I think the two views of Seattle support each character's mood.<span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Do you have a favorite craft book? If so, what is it? And what is your favorite take away? </span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUavKqRMNlwiD_rvpMhDnACT0MLOOCIuD2Uv655iTl_Zj-2PI_cnv-welY1VMnFTEgHEeFuT9_7G9RTH0q754luOuOArb4hnRGNs5eqIc0rU7ywghIm95DccKJaAOXGUCZKHkMBn93gBs/s1600/from+where+you+dream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUavKqRMNlwiD_rvpMhDnACT0MLOOCIuD2Uv655iTl_Zj-2PI_cnv-welY1VMnFTEgHEeFuT9_7G9RTH0q754luOuOArb4hnRGNs5eqIc0rU7ywghIm95DccKJaAOXGUCZKHkMBn93gBs/s1600/from+where+you+dream.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yes, I do! My favorite craft book is Robert Olen Butler's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Where-You-Dream-Process-Writing/dp/0802142575/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1304867616&sr=1-1">From Where You Dream: The Process of Writing Fiction</a>. I often think about how he says that writing is part of the sensual experience. I think that's where I get a lot of the ideas about setting that I mentioned here. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Describe your main characters favorite meal? And why do they love it?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Vanessa and her best friend Nick eat a lot of microwave burritos. I think she loves them because she can make them herself, quickly. She wants to be self-sufficient. At a late point in the book, she makes pancakes for her family and that's a big step toward making an effort to be at home in her life rather than to try and grow up to fast and leave the nest.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Be brave. Share a paragraph from a WIP. </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>When she wakes up in the night, Livvy shivers. Her blanket is all the protection she has against nightmares and it's not enough. She pulls it up to her nose, but breathing is hard. So she reveals her entire face to whatever unseen things might be in the room. She continues to shiver.</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">In ode to Maebelle, the main character in my new book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Truth-Capital-T-Bethany-Hegedus/dp/0385738374/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1304867708&sr=1-1">Truth with a Capital T</a>, who keeps a book of little known facts about just about everything, please share a wacky piece of trivia that has stuck with you or please share a little known fact about YOU.</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Little known fact about me: My mom and I have matching tattoos, the same rose with another little bud. I wanted to get it in honor of her because her middle name is Rose. She decided to get one too, so we went together. I couldn't believe how calm she was! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thanks for having me, Bethany! You're definitely part of my virtual community of writers.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Thanks for being here Liz. Aside from devouring your latest book I now want to devour a microwave burrito!</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div>Bethany Hegedushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00024616444247083411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374640939810788060.post-74776116569574588092011-05-30T04:30:00.000-07:002011-05-30T06:15:11.757-07:00Mystery & Magic<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267"> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style> <![endif]--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><b>May & June: Observations on Art & Fear</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpC64zBcvLYnioMfX2R3okDZRmqZv5uFzBwBtFYLiWlvTBzAQX6jBF9S6G17CruLu_hmORr4l2rXNBFLQX0Jny8k90wycMx0d6sW5TblSFjh87IRT62SA8OuhgpID_e2bYlCZIf65gDu0/s1600/actor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpC64zBcvLYnioMfX2R3okDZRmqZv5uFzBwBtFYLiWlvTBzAQX6jBF9S6G17CruLu_hmORr4l2rXNBFLQX0Jny8k90wycMx0d6sW5TblSFjh87IRT62SA8OuhgpID_e2bYlCZIf65gDu0/s1600/actor.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My idea of an "actor"</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Back in the 90’s when I wanted to be an actor I had a stereotype in my head of what an actor should be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An actor should be thin, wear back, stand tall, be unafraid, be adventurous, be sullen, be the life of the party, be out there—living on the edge. I don’t know why I thought this. Some of my friends, most of my friends were actors, and some of them were all those things but only some. I wasn’t an actor because I didn’t see myself as one. It came down to that…the mystery and the magic of a self-proclamation.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>I talk to students from seventeen to seventy who are afraid to call themselves writers. I get it. I understand it. But I do think holding up that banner and announcing to the world: I care about THIS; THIS is who I am is important. Publishers may accept our work or pass on it. I do in my role as editor of the<a href="http://www.hungermtn.org/young-adults-and-childrens-literature/"> YA and Children’s portion of Hunger Mountain</a>, we may dub or bestow someone with the title “author” but what we can’t do is ever bestow the power of the self-definition of writer on someone. That has to be done long before publication in any form, arts journal, small press, or major publishing house can or will. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4pcoXxo93ZBw1m7auRRNXl56BIZw9379IaOFG7OeLdQui_ltYd68ek191gnLMLT39UfnDqoYjjp5GPaXSE8HFNQDs0ldmzPOES4o2NYfztiHNDdml7J-DosxagQ7bqbR3T1oTPXhuF_E/s1600/art+and+fear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4pcoXxo93ZBw1m7auRRNXl56BIZw9379IaOFG7OeLdQui_ltYd68ek191gnLMLT39UfnDqoYjjp5GPaXSE8HFNQDs0ldmzPOES4o2NYfztiHNDdml7J-DosxagQ7bqbR3T1oTPXhuF_E/s1600/art+and+fear.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">In <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780961454739">Art & Fear,</a> Bayles & Orland state: “ The belief that ‘real’ art possesses some indefinable magic ingredient puts pressure on you to prove your work contains the same….” And later when talking about comparing oneself to others, this is stated: “Whatever they (other artists) have is something needed to do their work—it wouldn’t help you in your work even if you had it."</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal">I didn’t need to be tall and thin and wear black and be bold and adventurous to be an actor. Lots of actors aren’t. I also don’t need to be or do anything but be who I am as a writer. All I need to do is do the work, the exhausting but exhilarating work. I need to sit down and write. I need to capture my thoughts, work with them, shape them, and then share them. Share them to small groups first and hopefully with large audiences later. That is all the mystery and magic there is—hard but enjoyable work.</div>Bethany Hegedushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00024616444247083411noreply@blogger.com2