I have known about the many writers/bloggers who post a poem each Friday. Even my incredible editor, Molly O'Neill, does this. Until now, I've avoided participating, wondering that if I start, do I have to post a poem every Friday? Or can I just post them sporadically? Are there rules to poetry Friday? Who started poetry Friday? And what is this person posting today?
My friend and fellow writer, Jill Corcoran, is a poet. I came across a recent post of her's with this poem. She said I could post it here. I chose this as my first poem to post for three reasons:
1. I used to be a teacher, and it felt familiar.
2. I have two sons, and I've heard them say this to me.
3. It reminded me about voice, and how I must remember to remove myself from my main character's thoughts.
Here it is:
If time
Outs are my time
To think things out, why then
Do you come in and tell me what
To think?
Jill Corcoran 2009
In my opinion, this is the perfect first choice to join the poetry Friday club. I hope you'll agree.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Sarah Bean, Teen Librarian
Sarah Bean has been a teen librarian for a little over a year. Before that, she was a children's librarian. In addition, she reads and writes reviews for TeensReadToo. And if that's not enough to keep her busy, she's getting married in May! I got to interview her recently. Here's what we talked about:
Me: How long have you been reviewing books?
Sarah Bean: I’ve been reviewing books for a year now, both through my blog and on TeensReadToo, but I’ve always been willing to give my opinion and talk about books!
Me: How did you get started with TeensReadToo? How are books assigned to you?
Sarah Bean: Since I work as a teen librarian, I had been using TeensReadToo as a resource for reading reviews and finding out when books were released. I decided to e-mail them about becoming a reviewer and sent in a sample review and was accepted. There is a list that the reviewers can choose books from, which is how I get most of the books to review, but I also get books through work or will read a book that doesn’t have a review posted, so I can submit those as well.
Me: How many books do you typically review in one month?
Sarah Bean: It really depends on what that month holds! For TeensReadToo I typically do three-four reviews, depending on what’s on my review list at the time and if any other reviews are needed. As for my book blog, I try and post around three-four books reviews a week, which means I really have to keep up on my reading!
Me: How do you receive books? Who sends them to you?
Sarah Bean: I pick a lot of the books I review from my wish list of books to read and I get them at the library. (It helps that I work there and can pick out what books to order!) I also will get advanced copies of books from publishers and authors requesting reviews. It takes time to get your name out there, but once you’ve got a good blog going and have some loyal followers, don’t be shy about promoting yourself to publishers and authors! You might not get every book you want, but at least you’re getting yourself out there.
Me: What do you do if you receive a book that you do not connect to, but you still have to write a review for it? How do you handle this situation?
Sarah Bean: Sometimes it can be hard since I review teens and children’s books, to really think about the audience. I’m not a teen anymore, so I’m not reading it from a teen’s point of view. I always try to think about who the book is written for and who will like it and point those aspects out in my review, so that hopefully, the right reader for that book will find it. I also try to think back about what I liked when I was a teen and what about the book would appeal to my inner-teen self. On the flip side, there are books that I might like as an adult, but teen readers don’t like at all. You have to always think about who out there would like to read it.
Me: What was the first book you ever reviewed?
Sarah Bean: The first review I wrote was for The Wedding Planner’s Daughter by Colleen Murtagh Paratore. The first book that was sent to me for review was School Spirit by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel. I really enjoy both series because there were some of the first books I reviewed, so they have a special place in my heart
Me: How many hours do you spend reading each week?
Sarah Bean: Again, that depends on my week and what’s going on! Right now I don’t read nearly as much as want since I’m going to grad school and planning a wedding, but typically I read about 20-25 hours every week. I always read on my lunch break at work and I try to read a little bit before I go to bed each night. I also listen to audiobooks-in my car and at work-so I’m sure that means I read even more!
Me: If you could live inside one book, which one would it be and why?
Sarah Bean: I have to pick two and I’m sure there are so many more! I wish I could live on Avonlea like Anne in Anne of Green Gables. I loved that series growing up and still enjoy reading it. It’s a series that no matter where you are in life or how old you are, there’s always an Anne book you can read and relate to. Plus, Gilbert is so charming and wonderful and a big book boy crush for me! There’s something about the more simplistic time that always appealed to me too.
I also wish I could go to Hogwarts, because how cool would that school be?? I would love to able to interact with all the Harry Potter characters…well, maybe not Voldemort, and learning some of those magic spells and flying on a broom would be pretty awesome!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
hello, Simon Rose!
Simon Rose. The first thing I think when I hear this name is that he must be famous. Who goes around with a name like Simon Rose and isn't a somebody? As it turns out, Simon Rose is a science fiction author. I had the chance to interview him recently. His latest book, The Doomsday Mask is just out. Here's what we talked about:
Is Simon Rose your real name?
Indeed it is and it has been for more years now than I care to remember. No middle name either.
I have a real fondness for science fiction because my grandmother wrote it. How did you start writing this genre?
One of the best things about writing for kids is that I can write about the kinds of things that fascinated me when I was young. Stories can be very imaginative if they are for children, which makes writing them so much fun. And, of course, in science fiction or fantasy, more or less anything you can imagine is possible, as you craft stories involving ancient mysteries, the unexplained, the paranormal, science fiction, time travel, parallel universes, alternate realities, weird and wonderful characters and a multitude of what if scenarios.
How long have you been blogging? What do you like to blog about?
I stayed away from blogging for a long time, largely because so many of the blogs I did come across were unbelievably dull or about the most trivial aspects of some one's life. I mean, do the creators really think that anyone really cares if they are having their second cup of coffee or that the cat is sick today? When I did finally take the plunge about a year ago, it was really to use the blog as a marketing tool, to announce events, promote my services for writers such as editing, manuscript evaluation, workshops for kids and adults, both in person and online, and so on, since my website, although very detailed and comprehensive, is primarily a static ad on the web. I avoid the personal musings that you see on some blogs and tend to post news about me and the books, extracts from interviews, articles about writing for children or science fiction, pieces about time travel and the need for historical research, advice about editing and revision, that kind of thing. I also try and post something every three days or so, so that the blog is active and picked up elsewhere on the Internet.
I see it usually takes you about 6-8 months to write a book, but how long did it take you to write your first book?
The first one, The Alchemist's Portrait, took a couple of years and went through a lot of revisions and plot changes during the writing process. The others have taken less time to write, so hopefully I'm improving as I go along.
Tell us how you became involved with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Society.
My daughter has a hearing disability and I try to do what I can to help children in a similar situation, although as I'm sure many people involved in this kind of thing are aware, it never seems like we are doing enough. One of my ongoing projects is to have my books adapted for the deaf and hard of hearing community. I have been working on this with the Canadian Cultural Society of the Deaf, although trying to generate interest is a very frustrating business and obtaining funding is proving to be an enormous challenge
Do you have a favorite of all of your books?
Not really. I like them all and have enjoyed writing them immensely. Of course, I tend to have a fondness for The Alchemist's Portrait, but only because it was my first one and what started the ball rolling. I also always seem to like the most recent one, I think because the story is still so fresh in my mind.
Tell us about your writing routine. Where do you write and during what time of day?
When I still had a regular day job, I did all my writing at night, often until the early hours, and still tend to do a lot of writing, either for novels or for articles and the various other things that I do, at night. However, I have been doing more things creatively in the day in recent years, although I'd hesitate to call it a routine. I have an office space, of sorts, in my home and do all my writing there, but occasionally use the kitchen table if I need to get away from the computer from time to time, usually if I have printed off part of a manuscript to work on with pen and paper or plan out a school workshop or something that requires more space to work.
Do you use the same publisher for all of your books? Do you have an agent?
I have had the same publisher for all six books so far, but was a contributing author to the Complete Guide to Writing Science Fiction: Volume One with a different publisher. I do not have an agent, although I have approached them many times in the past and no one has wanted to represent me, not sure why.
Do you belong to a critique group?
No I don't and have never belonged to a group like that.
If you could live inside one of your books, which one would it be and why?
Well, they all feature very exciting worlds - traveling into the past through magical paintings, visiting medieval England, journeying into a bizarre comic book universe, so it's a tough decision. However, if I had to choose, it would probably be one of the ones about time travel, which has always fascinated me and I am also hooked on history.
Here is Simon's website: http://www.simon-rose.com/
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Freaked is out today!
This week, I’ve been lucky to interview a fellow member of the Class of 2K9—J. T. Dutton. Her book, Freaked is just released today, March 17, 2009. I love the first paragraph in her book. Be sure to read it! I think you’ll agree it’s very well written.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: Tell us about your book.
J.T. Dutton: Freaked is about fifteen year old Scotty Douglas, a boy who is deeply inspired by the Grateful Dead. He wants to get to a show at Freedom Coliseum so he record a bootleg tape of the song Dark Star, but first he needs to ditch school, figure out how he is going to arrive, acquire a ticket, and deal with the emotional baggage of having a mother who is America’s best known sex self-help expert.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: How long did it take to write?
J.T. Dutton: I wrote a three page version of Freaked as a voice exercise for an undergraduate class at Columbia University in the early 1990s. People really responded, so I kept expanding the project, first to a short story, then a novella, and finally the first draft of a novel which I finished in 1995. The book sat around in a drawer for ten years clumsy and unfinished. Finally, in 2006, I decided to take six or eight months to revise and send it out.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: Did you sell your book with the help of an agent? Do you think writers today need an agent?
J.T. Dutton: I definitely needed an agent and I was lucky I found a really good one. I sent a query letter and a few sample pages out to a series of agencies and received rejections from all but one—the Jodie Rhodes Literary Agency in San Diego. I didn’t have much experience self-marketing, but Jodie dug through her thousands of other unsolicited materials, looked past my unprofessional cover letter, the document typos, and uninspiring resume and discovered something that struck her. She specializes in new voices, which suggests to me that her heart is in the words more than the money. I really admire her and am grateful she is out there advocating for writers like me.
After offering me representation, Jodie went to work selling on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. By Saturday she e-mailed me with the news that a couple of editors were interested. By Sunday, I had a pre-emptive offer on the table that included a second book which I am just finishing.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: What was the ONE book you read that made you want to become a writer? How old were you when you read that book?
J.T. Dutton: Everything I pick up makes me want to become a writer, a thing I’m still working on. I have writer’s envy. If I read something and it contains a lot of suspense or interesting characters, then I have to figure out how that writer made their magic. Put me in the hands of a writer like Tolstoy or Shakespeare, and I’m in deeper than deep. I like watching masters at work. I love to read, which naturally led, somehow, to loving to write and really caring about how the pieces came together.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: How do you write? Do you have a routine?
J.T. Dutton: When I was in my teens, twenties, and even the first half of my thirties, the word routine could make me break out in hives. But then I got a dog, and after that I married and had kids, and now I am bounded by rituals. I include writing in the mix—it’s part of my life and I enjoy it. I don’t always work regularly, but I do work steadily.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: If you could give your book to just one person to read, who would that person be?
J.T. Dutton: I like when people laugh. My ideal reader would be someone who thought I was funny and enjoyed even my lamest jokes.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: What is your most favorite line in your book?
J.T. Dutton: I like the last line: “Though I miss Jerry with all my heart, I was compensated by the loveliness of the world he left behind.” Not only is a tribute to Jerry Garcia, but it is my version of a thank you. Plus, I think how a person comes to feel grateful makes a great story.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: What is your most favorite Newbery or National Book Award book?
J.T. Dutton: I liked The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. It’s very funny and possibly his best work though he is an amazing short story writer too.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: What are you working on now?
J. T. Dutton: I’m working on a novel about girl cousins living in small town Iowa. A baby is discovered abandoned in a cornfield and there is a great deal of local suspicion about how it got there. The girls grow closer as the mystery is resolved.
Thank you very much for letting me interview you, Jen. Here is a link so anyone who wants to may purchase your book, and here is a link to J. T. Dutton’s website in case anyone would like to get in touch with you.
http://www.amazon.com/Freaked-J-T-Dutton/dp/0061370797
www.jtdutton.com
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: Tell us about your book.
J.T. Dutton: Freaked is about fifteen year old Scotty Douglas, a boy who is deeply inspired by the Grateful Dead. He wants to get to a show at Freedom Coliseum so he record a bootleg tape of the song Dark Star, but first he needs to ditch school, figure out how he is going to arrive, acquire a ticket, and deal with the emotional baggage of having a mother who is America’s best known sex self-help expert.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: How long did it take to write?
J.T. Dutton: I wrote a three page version of Freaked as a voice exercise for an undergraduate class at Columbia University in the early 1990s. People really responded, so I kept expanding the project, first to a short story, then a novella, and finally the first draft of a novel which I finished in 1995. The book sat around in a drawer for ten years clumsy and unfinished. Finally, in 2006, I decided to take six or eight months to revise and send it out.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: Did you sell your book with the help of an agent? Do you think writers today need an agent?
J.T. Dutton: I definitely needed an agent and I was lucky I found a really good one. I sent a query letter and a few sample pages out to a series of agencies and received rejections from all but one—the Jodie Rhodes Literary Agency in San Diego. I didn’t have much experience self-marketing, but Jodie dug through her thousands of other unsolicited materials, looked past my unprofessional cover letter, the document typos, and uninspiring resume and discovered something that struck her. She specializes in new voices, which suggests to me that her heart is in the words more than the money. I really admire her and am grateful she is out there advocating for writers like me.
After offering me representation, Jodie went to work selling on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. By Saturday she e-mailed me with the news that a couple of editors were interested. By Sunday, I had a pre-emptive offer on the table that included a second book which I am just finishing.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: What was the ONE book you read that made you want to become a writer? How old were you when you read that book?
J.T. Dutton: Everything I pick up makes me want to become a writer, a thing I’m still working on. I have writer’s envy. If I read something and it contains a lot of suspense or interesting characters, then I have to figure out how that writer made their magic. Put me in the hands of a writer like Tolstoy or Shakespeare, and I’m in deeper than deep. I like watching masters at work. I love to read, which naturally led, somehow, to loving to write and really caring about how the pieces came together.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: How do you write? Do you have a routine?
J.T. Dutton: When I was in my teens, twenties, and even the first half of my thirties, the word routine could make me break out in hives. But then I got a dog, and after that I married and had kids, and now I am bounded by rituals. I include writing in the mix—it’s part of my life and I enjoy it. I don’t always work regularly, but I do work steadily.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: If you could give your book to just one person to read, who would that person be?
J.T. Dutton: I like when people laugh. My ideal reader would be someone who thought I was funny and enjoyed even my lamest jokes.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: What is your most favorite line in your book?
J.T. Dutton: I like the last line: “Though I miss Jerry with all my heart, I was compensated by the loveliness of the world he left behind.” Not only is a tribute to Jerry Garcia, but it is my version of a thank you. Plus, I think how a person comes to feel grateful makes a great story.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: What is your most favorite Newbery or National Book Award book?
J.T. Dutton: I liked The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. It’s very funny and possibly his best work though he is an amazing short story writer too.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: What are you working on now?
J. T. Dutton: I’m working on a novel about girl cousins living in small town Iowa. A baby is discovered abandoned in a cornfield and there is a great deal of local suspicion about how it got there. The girls grow closer as the mystery is resolved.
Thank you very much for letting me interview you, Jen. Here is a link so anyone who wants to may purchase your book, and here is a link to J. T. Dutton’s website in case anyone would like to get in touch with you.
http://www.amazon.com/Freaked-J-T-Dutton/dp/0061370797
www.jtdutton.com
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Meet Marya, A Day in the Life of a Writer, Post # 1
A few weeks ago I met Marya Jansen-Gruber when she interviewed me for her Through the Looking Glass Reviews book blog. She is a dear, and we decided, after several emails back and forth, to do a series of postings about our lives as aspiring writers. We are calling them A Day in the Life of a Writer, and posting them on the 15th of every month. Each 15th, you'll see a journal entry from her on my blog, and my own journal entry on her blog. Here's Mayra's blog:
And here's her first entry, A day in the Life of a Writer, Post One:
Just the other day I was thinking about all the roles I have played in my life so far. I have been a daughter, a schoolgirl, a college student, an employee, a wife, and a sick person. Just before I became a mother - about ten years ago - I decided to try to find some meaningful work that I could do from home. I wanted to be able to be an at-home mother and have a job as well. This was how I ended up reviewing children’s books for other people. After a few months of this, I decided to branch off on my own and create an online children’s book review magazine, Through the Looking Glass Book Review.
A few years later, when my daughter started to go to school, I began to evaluate manuscripts for people who hope to have their children’s story published. Then I began blogging, and I discovered a whole new world, the kidlitosphere.
Recently I added yet another role to my life. Now I am a writer as well. Trying to juggle being a mother, a wife, a reviewer, an evaluator, a blogger, and a writer is quite a challenge. I feel very lucky, and a bit stretched.
These days, because there are not fifty hours in a day, I often find myself wondering if I am crazy to be doing this. How do I review twenty books a week, write three picture book stories, write two toddler stories, and write blog entries? All of this while trying to have a life. Hmmm.
Join me in a month to find out how I am doing in this new adventure.
Friday, March 13, 2009
blog talk radio
Today I spoke with Suzanne Lieurance, host of Kids Book Bites for Blog Talk Radio about The Year the Swallows Came Early via telephone. She was lovely. Here's the link to our conversation:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/bookbitesforkids/2009/03/13/book-bites-for-kids-promo-day
My sister kept texting me throughout the interview. "I can hear you on the computer loud and clear!", she wrote.
My mother kept calling through on my cell phone. "How does this thing work?", she whispered.
Two completely different generations!
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/bookbitesforkids/2009/03/13/book-bites-for-kids-promo-day
My sister kept texting me throughout the interview. "I can hear you on the computer loud and clear!", she wrote.
My mother kept calling through on my cell phone. "How does this thing work?", she whispered.
Two completely different generations!
Monday, March 9, 2009
Launch Event at A Whale of a Tale Children's Bookstore
This Saturday, March 14, at noon I'll be at the beautiful children's bookstore known as A Whale of a Tale, in Irvine, California. You can see a picture of Alex Uhl, the owner, above. She's owned the bookstore for over 20 years, and has been a long time advocate for children's literacy. She's also had a few pretty famous authors inside her store. If you visit her bookstore, you'll see framed original artwork that has been given to her by many different children's illustrators.
The people who work there really know kid's books. They've read most everything, and after just a short conversation with you or your child about what they've read and their interests, you'll be handed a new book they'll most likely love. I know this because Alex worked this magic with my 12-year-old.
Here's the flyer for the event. I hope I'll see you there!
And here is a link to the website at A Whale of a Tale Bookstore:
Saturday, March 7, 2009
getting to know Meredith Smith
Meredith Smith, aka Dolce Bellezza, keeps a blog about books and other things. She is a teacher, a reader, and a book reviewer, among other things. I recently interviewed her about how she got started reviewing books. Here's what she had to say:
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: Tell me about how you chose the name of your blog. Is there any secret story to it?
Meredith Smith: When I started this blog I didn't have a specific focus. I still don't, really. I knew I wanted it to reflect the beauty in this world, and I also wanted to reflect my faith in Christ. Paul wrote in the New Testament that women should have the inner beauty of a gentle spirit: "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." 1 Peter 3:3
All the names with Beauty that I could think of were taken by previous bloggers, so I turned to my Italian heritage and looked up Gentle Beauty in Italian. It turned out to be Dolce Bellezza. Now I'm afraid that sounds rather prideful when I really intended it to be humble.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: I see you read a lot of classic novels. If you had to pick just one, though, which would be your most favorite classic?
Meredith Smith: I have a passion for Russian literature. Tolstoy is my favorite Russian author, and so I'd have to say my favorite classic would be Anna Karenina. I've read it several times, as a reflection of Russian life in the turn of the century, but also for the lessons Tolstoy has to teach us about love.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: I know you are an elementary school teacher. Do you read to your class every day? What are you reading to them right now? Do you ever ask them to write reviews of books?
Meredith Smith: I absolutely read to my class every day, usually for at least half an hour. So much reading instruction can be done through a Read Aloud book! We make predictions, inferences about the characters, and examine the author's purpose or point of view. I try to read to them from a variety of genres, but usually we hit fantasy, mystery, and fiction in general. I also read them poetry, and nonfiction, but we're die hard fiction fans in my room. Right now I'm reading them a Jerry Spinelli book called The Library Card. It's the first time I've read a work of his, and he's a little mature for my third graders, but they're good listeners, and they appreciate good literature.
I make it a point to read the novel before the movie if it all possible (last year we read several from the Narnia series so that Disney's film Prince Caspian wouldn't taint the experience). I was going to read them Coraline, as the film was just released, but I think it's too scary for them.
I don't ask them to write reviews of books, or book reports, but they do respond to what they've read in a journal. That way I can see what they're thinking as they process their books. I think it would be a good idea, though, for them to write a review. Adults are always reading reviews for their book suggestions, why shouldn't the kids?
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: How many books do you typically read and review each month?
Meredith Smith: I only read about four or five adult books a month, but I don't review all of them. If they haven't captured my interest sufficiently, I don't want to give them the time on my blog. I read many, many children's books a month especially if they're picture books. There again, only the spectacular ones are the ones I'll review on my blog.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: What is your favorite genre to read and why?
Meredith Smith: My favorite genre is fiction because I like to escape in the story. I also like very powerful works of literature which have something to teach me about relationships or life lessons.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: There are many blogs listed on your site. How many of them do you normally follow each day?
Meredith Smith: Oh dear, I'm bad about following blogs each day. A few bloggers and I have developed a friendship through blogging to the point where we send each other birthday cards and Christmas gifts, but for the most part, I make certain I comment on the blogs who have left me a comment each day. And, on the weekend, I try to get through all the rest of them.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: What was the first book you reviewed? How long ago was this?
Meredith Smith: The first book I reviewed was Broken For You when I began my blog in June of 2006. I think I just posted a particularly meaningful excerpt from that book because I was so intimidated about fully reviewing books. It was hard to believe that anyone would be interested in my opinion. Now I know that bloggers look to one another's opinions on books all the time.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: Have you ever thought of writing a book? Do you think you might in the future?
Meredith Smith: At one time I thought it would be wonderful to publish a book. I like creative writing, and I've kept a journal since I was five...about 43 years. All of them are in various boxes, and they're hugely meaningful to me; better than a photo album for reviewing one's life. But, I'm not a good enough writer to publish a book. I'm content to read others' books, and write my little blog. So far. ;)
Thanks for asking me these questions, Kathryn. It was fun to think about them and answer them for you. It was also a great privilege to review The Year The Swallows Came Early. I wish you all the best in your future years of writing.
To visit Meredith's blog, go here:
http://www.dolcebellezza.blogspot.com/
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: Tell me about how you chose the name of your blog. Is there any secret story to it?
Meredith Smith: When I started this blog I didn't have a specific focus. I still don't, really. I knew I wanted it to reflect the beauty in this world, and I also wanted to reflect my faith in Christ. Paul wrote in the New Testament that women should have the inner beauty of a gentle spirit: "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." 1 Peter 3:3
All the names with Beauty that I could think of were taken by previous bloggers, so I turned to my Italian heritage and looked up Gentle Beauty in Italian. It turned out to be Dolce Bellezza. Now I'm afraid that sounds rather prideful when I really intended it to be humble.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: I see you read a lot of classic novels. If you had to pick just one, though, which would be your most favorite classic?
Meredith Smith: I have a passion for Russian literature. Tolstoy is my favorite Russian author, and so I'd have to say my favorite classic would be Anna Karenina. I've read it several times, as a reflection of Russian life in the turn of the century, but also for the lessons Tolstoy has to teach us about love.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: I know you are an elementary school teacher. Do you read to your class every day? What are you reading to them right now? Do you ever ask them to write reviews of books?
Meredith Smith: I absolutely read to my class every day, usually for at least half an hour. So much reading instruction can be done through a Read Aloud book! We make predictions, inferences about the characters, and examine the author's purpose or point of view. I try to read to them from a variety of genres, but usually we hit fantasy, mystery, and fiction in general. I also read them poetry, and nonfiction, but we're die hard fiction fans in my room. Right now I'm reading them a Jerry Spinelli book called The Library Card. It's the first time I've read a work of his, and he's a little mature for my third graders, but they're good listeners, and they appreciate good literature.
I make it a point to read the novel before the movie if it all possible (last year we read several from the Narnia series so that Disney's film Prince Caspian wouldn't taint the experience). I was going to read them Coraline, as the film was just released, but I think it's too scary for them.
I don't ask them to write reviews of books, or book reports, but they do respond to what they've read in a journal. That way I can see what they're thinking as they process their books. I think it would be a good idea, though, for them to write a review. Adults are always reading reviews for their book suggestions, why shouldn't the kids?
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: How many books do you typically read and review each month?
Meredith Smith: I only read about four or five adult books a month, but I don't review all of them. If they haven't captured my interest sufficiently, I don't want to give them the time on my blog. I read many, many children's books a month especially if they're picture books. There again, only the spectacular ones are the ones I'll review on my blog.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: What is your favorite genre to read and why?
Meredith Smith: My favorite genre is fiction because I like to escape in the story. I also like very powerful works of literature which have something to teach me about relationships or life lessons.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: There are many blogs listed on your site. How many of them do you normally follow each day?
Meredith Smith: Oh dear, I'm bad about following blogs each day. A few bloggers and I have developed a friendship through blogging to the point where we send each other birthday cards and Christmas gifts, but for the most part, I make certain I comment on the blogs who have left me a comment each day. And, on the weekend, I try to get through all the rest of them.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: What was the first book you reviewed? How long ago was this?
Meredith Smith: The first book I reviewed was Broken For You when I began my blog in June of 2006. I think I just posted a particularly meaningful excerpt from that book because I was so intimidated about fully reviewing books. It was hard to believe that anyone would be interested in my opinion. Now I know that bloggers look to one another's opinions on books all the time.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: Have you ever thought of writing a book? Do you think you might in the future?
Meredith Smith: At one time I thought it would be wonderful to publish a book. I like creative writing, and I've kept a journal since I was five...about 43 years. All of them are in various boxes, and they're hugely meaningful to me; better than a photo album for reviewing one's life. But, I'm not a good enough writer to publish a book. I'm content to read others' books, and write my little blog. So far. ;)
Thanks for asking me these questions, Kathryn. It was fun to think about them and answer them for you. It was also a great privilege to review The Year The Swallows Came Early. I wish you all the best in your future years of writing.
To visit Meredith's blog, go here:
http://www.dolcebellezza.blogspot.com/
Thursday, March 5, 2009
the ongoings of a youth librarian/book discusser/reviewer
Noel DeVries is a youth librarian who keeps an active blog about books. She reviews some, discusses some, and has even started her own novel. Her blog is here:
http://www.noeldevries.blogspot.com/
I interviewed Noel, and asked her how she picks books for her library. Here's what she had to say:
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: Tell us about a typical day in the life of a youth librarian?
Noel DeVries: The first thing I do is boot up my computer, to see what’s happening in the world of children’s literature. Then I discharge books from the overnight drop box, shelve them, help patrons find a book, check out books, help patrons work the computers, process new materials, eat a cookie, lather, rinse, repeat.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: How do you order books for your library? What is the process?
Noel DeVries: I comb dozens of kidlit blogs every week, reading what young readers have to say, as well as adults and other librarians. If a reviewer I trust gives the book a star review, and I like the look of the book, I buy it. I also try to keep up on Kirkus, bestseller lists, and what the Junior Library Guild is recommending, but these don't influence me as much as the opinions of lay readers. The kidlit blogosphere is a happening place. Get a well-written book into the hands of bloggers and word will spread.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: Do you plan special events for your library? If so, what type of events do you plan?
Noel DeVries: I’m not planning events at this time, but I’ve done a lot in the past. Themed day-camps (Pirates, Princess, Ancient Egypt, Narnia, etc.), local celebrity readings to celebrate National Library Week, summer reading programs, art camps… we’ve never had an author speak/sign at our library, though. We’re a very small library in a very small town. But I would love it if the opportunity arose someday.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: What do you do when a young reader comes in and they are wandering the aisles looking for a good book, but they don’t know what to choose?
Noel DeVries: I invade their privacy and ask them what they’ve read lately, or what their favorite books are. Then I suggest a couple of books they might like, based on their answers. But you’d be surprised at the number of kids who say they haven’t read anything lately, and they don’t have any favorite books. Then I have to sell on the fly.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: How did it come about that you started to blog?
Noel DeVries: I’d been an anti-blogger for a long time, watching as everyone around me was sucked into the vortex, and I kept saying, I’m not going to blog, because it will devour my time (kind of like why I will never get a Facebook. Only I will NEVER get a Facebook.). Finally, I was leaving such long, long comments on other people’s posts, pretty much posts in themselves, that I thought, okay, why not have these thoughts at a central location? I’m typing them anyway. Thus Never Jam Today was born, where I post yesterday and tomorrow, but never today.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: Have you ever written your own book? Are you planning on doing so in the future?
Noel DeVreis: Being a librarian flowed naturally from my dream of being a writer. What better place to make money than my favorite spot in town, surrounded by beloved books? I’ve been a writer for many years—I just found an address label I typed when I was ten or eleven, and it said: Noel De Vries, Writer of Poems. I’m currently polishing a middle grade fantasy in the vein of Edward Eager and E. Nesbit, called The Jonah Bottle, about three children who find a bottle that performs magic without waiting for orders. Then I have a YA fairytale set in 17th century Holland simmering on the back burner.
Thank you, Noel, for a peek into the ongoings of a youth librarian. Your work in progress sounds amazing!
http://www.noeldevries.blogspot.com/
I interviewed Noel, and asked her how she picks books for her library. Here's what she had to say:
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: Tell us about a typical day in the life of a youth librarian?
Noel DeVries: The first thing I do is boot up my computer, to see what’s happening in the world of children’s literature. Then I discharge books from the overnight drop box, shelve them, help patrons find a book, check out books, help patrons work the computers, process new materials, eat a cookie, lather, rinse, repeat.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: How do you order books for your library? What is the process?
Noel DeVries: I comb dozens of kidlit blogs every week, reading what young readers have to say, as well as adults and other librarians. If a reviewer I trust gives the book a star review, and I like the look of the book, I buy it. I also try to keep up on Kirkus, bestseller lists, and what the Junior Library Guild is recommending, but these don't influence me as much as the opinions of lay readers. The kidlit blogosphere is a happening place. Get a well-written book into the hands of bloggers and word will spread.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: Do you plan special events for your library? If so, what type of events do you plan?
Noel DeVries: I’m not planning events at this time, but I’ve done a lot in the past. Themed day-camps (Pirates, Princess, Ancient Egypt, Narnia, etc.), local celebrity readings to celebrate National Library Week, summer reading programs, art camps… we’ve never had an author speak/sign at our library, though. We’re a very small library in a very small town. But I would love it if the opportunity arose someday.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: What do you do when a young reader comes in and they are wandering the aisles looking for a good book, but they don’t know what to choose?
Noel DeVries: I invade their privacy and ask them what they’ve read lately, or what their favorite books are. Then I suggest a couple of books they might like, based on their answers. But you’d be surprised at the number of kids who say they haven’t read anything lately, and they don’t have any favorite books. Then I have to sell on the fly.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: How did it come about that you started to blog?
Noel DeVries: I’d been an anti-blogger for a long time, watching as everyone around me was sucked into the vortex, and I kept saying, I’m not going to blog, because it will devour my time (kind of like why I will never get a Facebook. Only I will NEVER get a Facebook.). Finally, I was leaving such long, long comments on other people’s posts, pretty much posts in themselves, that I thought, okay, why not have these thoughts at a central location? I’m typing them anyway. Thus Never Jam Today was born, where I post yesterday and tomorrow, but never today.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: Have you ever written your own book? Are you planning on doing so in the future?
Noel DeVreis: Being a librarian flowed naturally from my dream of being a writer. What better place to make money than my favorite spot in town, surrounded by beloved books? I’ve been a writer for many years—I just found an address label I typed when I was ten or eleven, and it said: Noel De Vries, Writer of Poems. I’m currently polishing a middle grade fantasy in the vein of Edward Eager and E. Nesbit, called The Jonah Bottle, about three children who find a bottle that performs magic without waiting for orders. Then I have a YA fairytale set in 17th century Holland simmering on the back burner.
Thank you, Noel, for a peek into the ongoings of a youth librarian. Your work in progress sounds amazing!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
A look at three book reviewers.
Book reviews have always been a mystery to me. I've often wondered how online blog reviewers get the books they review. And what happens if they read a book, but don't especially connect to it? Do they write a nice review anyway? Or are they true to their feelings? And how do these reviewers get started?
I recently interviewed three book reviewers who all keep an active blog discussing books. I thought I'd share what they told me.
The first is Becky, from Becky's Book Reviews: http://blbooks.blogspot.com/
She reads quite a lot of books, and has kept her blog for two and a half years. Here's our conversation:
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: When did you start blogging about books and how did this come about?
Becky Laney: I started blogging in August of 2006. I’d wanted to be a reviewer for years, but it wasn’t until I took a course--Library Science course, graduate level--in reviewing that I felt confident enough to get started. Of course blogging is different from professional reviewing, we get to be more personal at times. But I think bloggers have a lot to offer too.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: I noticed that you like to post before noon most days. Why is this?
Becky Laney: I try to get a new post up by noon, you’re right. This doesn’t always happen though. I think I like to try for that goal so I can divide up my day. It isn’t noon so much as that I want to have my post up by the time I’m ready for lunch. If I focus the first half of the day on writing my own blog posts, I can spend the second half of the day focused on reading other blogs, catching up on emails, and reading books.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: There are a lot of blogs listed on your site. But how many do you actually follow each day?
Becky Laney: I like blogger’s blogroll feature because it sorts them by most recently published. I read all new blog posts as they come in. It might be forty one day and eighty the next. But they’re rarely all at once! If they make my blogroll, it means I care enough to want to read the posts. So I may be subscribed or following about a hundred (maybe a little) but they don’t all post everyday.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: Will you please list a few of your favorites?
Becky Laney: I’ll share my top five if that’s okay with you. Melissa at Book Nut (http://melissasbookreviews.blogspot.com//) Amanda at A Patchwork of Books (http://apatchworkofbooks.blogspot.com//) Natasha at Maw Books Blog (http://blog.mawbooks.com//) Jen at Jen Robinson’s Book Page (http://jkrbooks.typepad.com/blog/) and Debi at Nothing Of Importance (http://dastevens.blogspot.com//) I could probably list at least two dozen more that I read almost every day and just love.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: What genre do you most enjoy reading and reviewing? Why?
Becky Laney: I can honestly say--and I’m not making this up--I love so many different genres. Historical fiction. Science fiction. Fantasy. Realistic fiction. Romance. I could never live on just one genre alone! I know many readers do. They find their one area and settle down happily. But I like variety! I do have moods--one week I might be craving one genre more than another. What I love about reading and reviewing--regardless of genre--is sinking into a good book. Of becoming so absorbed in its pages that I lose track of time. That can’t-put-down feeling is so satisfying!
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: What was the first book you reviewed?
Becky Laney: The first book I reviewed for Becky’s Book Reviews was New Moon by Stephenie Meyer. (http://blbooks.blogspot.com/2006/08/birthday-nightmares_29.html) The first book I reviewed for Amazon was Crooked River by Shelley Pearsall.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: Have you ever read a book you were asked to review and didn’t connect to it? How do you write a review under these circumstances?
Becky Laney: It’s a difficult position to be in...it really is. It’s a subject that becomes more complicated if the author sent the book to you personally and is emailing you every other week to see if you’ve read it yet. You don’t want to hurt the author’s feelings. You really don’t. But my policy is if I finish it, then I review it. I give novels fifty pages at least--but if I’m not feeling it...then I move on to another book. But if I have finished it, I do go ahead and write a review. If I didn’t like a book, I might mention I didn’t like it. I might mention why it didn’t work...for me. But I always stress that that is my personal reaction to the book. And I emphasize that they [the readers] might like it--or even love it! There are many finely written books that I just didn’t connect with personally. I try to be objective and say who might like the book. I’ll never lie about a book and say I loved it when I didn’t.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: Typically, how many books do you review each month? How many hours do you spend reading?
Becky Laney: It depends if you count picture books and board books. An average month might see me reading twenty to thirty novels. (One month I read fifty! But that certainly isn’t average!) In addition to novels, I might be reading ten to twenty picture books. I read anywhere from three to six hours a day.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: How do you receive books to review? Who sends them to you?
Becky Laney: Publishers and authors send me books to review. Sometimes they contact me. And sometimes I contact them. It’s about 50/50 really.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: What was your very favorite book when growing up?
Becky Laney: I had many favorites! I just loved reading. My two picture book favorites are Umbrella by Taro Yashima (http://blbooks.blogspot.com/2007/05/umbrella.html) and Hand, Hand, Fingers Thumb by Al Perkins (http://blbooks.blogspot.com/2009/02/hand-hand-fingers-thumb.html). I loved Laura Ingalls Wilder, Beverly Cleary, and L.M. Montgomery.
Thanks for interviewing me! I enjoyed answering your questions.
Thank you, Becky, for this information about your blog and how you write book reviews. It is very much appreciated! You can contact Becky here: http://blbooks.blogspot.com/2009/01/contact-me.html
I recently interviewed three book reviewers who all keep an active blog discussing books. I thought I'd share what they told me.
The first is Becky, from Becky's Book Reviews: http://blbooks.blogspot.com/
She reads quite a lot of books, and has kept her blog for two and a half years. Here's our conversation:
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: When did you start blogging about books and how did this come about?
Becky Laney: I started blogging in August of 2006. I’d wanted to be a reviewer for years, but it wasn’t until I took a course--Library Science course, graduate level--in reviewing that I felt confident enough to get started. Of course blogging is different from professional reviewing, we get to be more personal at times. But I think bloggers have a lot to offer too.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: I noticed that you like to post before noon most days. Why is this?
Becky Laney: I try to get a new post up by noon, you’re right. This doesn’t always happen though. I think I like to try for that goal so I can divide up my day. It isn’t noon so much as that I want to have my post up by the time I’m ready for lunch. If I focus the first half of the day on writing my own blog posts, I can spend the second half of the day focused on reading other blogs, catching up on emails, and reading books.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: There are a lot of blogs listed on your site. But how many do you actually follow each day?
Becky Laney: I like blogger’s blogroll feature because it sorts them by most recently published. I read all new blog posts as they come in. It might be forty one day and eighty the next. But they’re rarely all at once! If they make my blogroll, it means I care enough to want to read the posts. So I may be subscribed or following about a hundred (maybe a little) but they don’t all post everyday.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: Will you please list a few of your favorites?
Becky Laney: I’ll share my top five if that’s okay with you. Melissa at Book Nut (http://melissasbookreviews.blogspot.com//) Amanda at A Patchwork of Books (http://apatchworkofbooks.blogspot.com//) Natasha at Maw Books Blog (http://blog.mawbooks.com//) Jen at Jen Robinson’s Book Page (http://jkrbooks.typepad.com/blog/) and Debi at Nothing Of Importance (http://dastevens.blogspot.com//) I could probably list at least two dozen more that I read almost every day and just love.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: What genre do you most enjoy reading and reviewing? Why?
Becky Laney: I can honestly say--and I’m not making this up--I love so many different genres. Historical fiction. Science fiction. Fantasy. Realistic fiction. Romance. I could never live on just one genre alone! I know many readers do. They find their one area and settle down happily. But I like variety! I do have moods--one week I might be craving one genre more than another. What I love about reading and reviewing--regardless of genre--is sinking into a good book. Of becoming so absorbed in its pages that I lose track of time. That can’t-put-down feeling is so satisfying!
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: What was the first book you reviewed?
Becky Laney: The first book I reviewed for Becky’s Book Reviews was New Moon by Stephenie Meyer. (http://blbooks.blogspot.com/2006/08/birthday-nightmares_29.html) The first book I reviewed for Amazon was Crooked River by Shelley Pearsall.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: Have you ever read a book you were asked to review and didn’t connect to it? How do you write a review under these circumstances?
Becky Laney: It’s a difficult position to be in...it really is. It’s a subject that becomes more complicated if the author sent the book to you personally and is emailing you every other week to see if you’ve read it yet. You don’t want to hurt the author’s feelings. You really don’t. But my policy is if I finish it, then I review it. I give novels fifty pages at least--but if I’m not feeling it...then I move on to another book. But if I have finished it, I do go ahead and write a review. If I didn’t like a book, I might mention I didn’t like it. I might mention why it didn’t work...for me. But I always stress that that is my personal reaction to the book. And I emphasize that they [the readers] might like it--or even love it! There are many finely written books that I just didn’t connect with personally. I try to be objective and say who might like the book. I’ll never lie about a book and say I loved it when I didn’t.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: Typically, how many books do you review each month? How many hours do you spend reading?
Becky Laney: It depends if you count picture books and board books. An average month might see me reading twenty to thirty novels. (One month I read fifty! But that certainly isn’t average!) In addition to novels, I might be reading ten to twenty picture books. I read anywhere from three to six hours a day.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: How do you receive books to review? Who sends them to you?
Becky Laney: Publishers and authors send me books to review. Sometimes they contact me. And sometimes I contact them. It’s about 50/50 really.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice: What was your very favorite book when growing up?
Becky Laney: I had many favorites! I just loved reading. My two picture book favorites are Umbrella by Taro Yashima (http://blbooks.blogspot.com/2007/05/umbrella.html) and Hand, Hand, Fingers Thumb by Al Perkins (http://blbooks.blogspot.com/2009/02/hand-hand-fingers-thumb.html). I loved Laura Ingalls Wilder, Beverly Cleary, and L.M. Montgomery.
Thanks for interviewing me! I enjoyed answering your questions.
Thank you, Becky, for this information about your blog and how you write book reviews. It is very much appreciated! You can contact Becky here: http://blbooks.blogspot.com/2009/01/contact-me.html
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