Believe

Worked on my novel-in-verse during my commute home (and NO, I don't drive -- I ride the train). It's slow work and I'm afraid to see what year I could possibly finish it at this speed. Just now, however, I opened my autographed copy of CRANK. Ellen Hopkins gave a one universal word of encouragement: "Believe". I don't think she even knew what I need to belive in when she wrote it, but I'll be writing a bit more in verse tomorrow.

Poetry Friday Original

Reading CRANK by Ellen Hopkins inspired me to write the start of one of my works-in-progress in verse.

I offer this (fictional) original poem. I'm not sure who is hosting tomorrow, but I'll put it in comments when I find out.

BASKETBALL
Varsity team my senior year
That’s all I wanted
Instead I’m shamed
Shipped down to J.V.
But that was two months ago
Now coach wants me back
But it just can’t….................................................... BE

FOOLPROOF
My perfect tryout strategy:
No mistakes
I knew the players
Did the math
I’d be a shoe-in for ninth or tenth
On a ten man roster
Only word I had to remember…......................... CAREFUL

TRYOUT DAY
Who’s the new kid?
Adam says “relax”
A kind word from my best friend
Thought tryout went great
Til coach announced the team
Then I thought WTF
But only said…........................................................ WHAT

BLAME
Clearly fell on the new kid
Maybe he’d fail a class
Break a leg
Or go back where he came from
And give back my spot on varsity
Where players have names
Other than #45 or ….............................................. YOU

WISHING
For something bad to happen
To the new kid – anything
I could regain my name
My spot on varsity
My best friend
I know it’s wrong
But each day I still …............................................. ASK

KARMA
Mine gone amuck
Followed Adam home last week
It took shape as a SUV/drunk driver duo
But I know why
Adam never made it home
Why I can never replace him on varsity
Be careful what you ask …................................... FOR.

More Pictures from Anderson's YA conference

As promised a few pictures from the Anderson's YA Conference last Saturday.

"Local Treasure Panel": Cythia Liu, Claire Zulkey, Susan Fine and Daniel Kraus

I bought Susan Fine's book Initiation later in the day , but missed getting it autographed.

Gennifer Choldenko

Lisa Yee

Ellen Hopkins ... if I could write verse one tenth as powerful as yours.............

James A. Owen.... I tried drawing four lines on a page, but the dragon hasn't appeared yet. I know the secret, however, and will figure out where the others go.

Contemporary Panel: Jill Wolfson, Lisa Yee and Ellen Hopkins

Libba Bray

Anderson's YA Conference

Let me start by saying that last Saturday was an amazing day. I could try to put together an orderly proper report, but I'd rather give you that head spinning feeling I had while attending. So.........

Here are some of the notes I jotted down throughout the day:

Judy Blundell: Does entire first draft without any rewrites (and then goes back).

Ellen Hopkins: Goes back immediately if a change is needed due to something unforeseen occurring. She also said the longest revision for an editor she's done was -- 8 hours. She also said it's because each poem has to be perfect before she moves on. Still -- 8 hours -- WOW!

Lisa Yee listens to sad songs while writing? (That's what the notes say.)

Ellen likes quiet.

Libba Bray does an IPod playlist for each book.

James A. Owen is a total inspiration -- on writing -- on life.

Lisa Yee wrote the jingle "Pass the Old El Paso" (and a YA book about a girl who worked on a taco truck).

Libba says that YA matters because we never stop coming of age.

Libba is very funny, by the way.

Gennifer Choldenko mentioned another Al Capone book: "Al Capone is My Librarian"

James A. Owen: The secret of drawing is making lines and choosing where they go. That's kind of how he spoke of life in general too. (If ever you have the chance to hear him speak -- GO!)

Libba Bray loved DARK SHADOWS.

James A. Owen writes 4 pages/day every day. He outlines, but only a page. He also does thumbnail sketches.

I was fortunate enough to grab a seat next to Lisa Yee for all the non-breakout events (5 featured speakers and lunch). Unfortunately, my flash was off for the picture I had taken with her, so it's not the best....I'll post it anyway. You might note that Peepy is not in the picture. My theory is that Lisa was afraid Peepy might spill the beans about whatever Lisa might have planned for her next contest on her blog. (I did see Peepy briefly.)

More pics tomorrow.

Chicago Tribune Young Readers Book Reviews - Sept 12

Mary Harris Russell reviews three books including one by fellow Illinois-SCBWI member Esther Hershenhorn. I might add Esther recently stepped down as Regional Advisor for Illinois SCBWI (after serving for 17 years). She will always, however, be my writing Mom! Her book sounds wonderful.

'S is for Story: A Writer's Alphabet' By Esther Hershenhorn
Illustrated by Zachary Pullen
Sleeping Bear Press, $17.95 Ages 9-14

'The Ask and the Answer' By Patrick Ness
Candlewick Press, $18.99 Ages 13-15

'All the World' By Liz Garton Scanlon
Illustrated by Marla Frazee
Beach Lane Books, $17.99 Ages 4-8

Chicago Tribune Young Readers Book Reviews 8/22/2009

Mary Harris Russell reviews three books including one by my fellow Illinois-SCBWIer Carolyn Crimi.

'Henry & the Crazed Chicken Pirates'
By Carolyn Crimi
Illustrated by John Manders
Candlewick Press, $15.99, ages 4-8

'Can You Make a Scary Face?'
By Jan Thomas
Simon & Schuster, $12.99, ages 3-5

'Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute
'By Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Knopf, $5.99, ages 7-10

Chicago Tribune Young Readers Book Reviews 8/9/2009

In todays' Chicago Tribune, Mary Harris Russell reviews three picture books.

'Applesauce Season'
By Eden Ross Lipson, illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein
Roaring Brook, $16.99, ages 4-8

'The Hair of Zoe Fleefenbacher Goes to School'
By Laurie Halse Anderson, illustrated by Ard Hoyt
Simon & Schuster, $16.99, ages 5-8

'Hush, Baby Ghostling'
By Andrea Beaty, illustrated by Pascal Lemaitre
McElderry Books, $14.99, ages 3-7

Special congrats to my Illinois-SCBWI friend Andrea Beaty for another published book!