Interview with Crystal Kite Winner AND National Book Award Winner Kathryn Erskine!

Know what I love about SCBWI? Many, many things, but one of them is the camaraderie you'll find among its members. Like recently, when I was so VERY honored to win the Crystal Kite Member's Choice Award for Kansas/Louisiana/Arkansas/Tennessee/Kentucky/Missouri (Thank you again, SCBWI friends!). One of the fellow honorees (I don't remember who - sorry!) suggested that we invite one another onto our blogs. And so here I am, lucky enough to have NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER Kathryn Erskine by for a visit! Kathryn won the Crystal Kite Award in Pennsylvania/Delaware/New Jersey/Wash DC/Virginia/West Virginia/Maryland for MOCKINGBIRD. (And stay tuned for more Crystal Kite winners, too!)

Me: You've grown up all over the world! Do you think those experiences color your writing? How?

KE: Definitely. I like looking at things from a different perspective. I like understanding the differences in people and cultures. I like the varied cadence of languages and music. All of that goes into my writing. Also, growing up as the new kid on the block and odd one out (I went to 8 different schools) leaves its mark. I understand that feeling of being on the outside that we all have at one time or another. That makes it easy to empathize with people, including my characters.

Me: Your latest book is THE ABSOLUTE VALUE OF MIKE. Can you tell us more about it?

KE: Actually, if you take the two middle letters out of the main character’s name, you’re left with “me.” The story is really about you, the reader. Finding what you’re good at. Finding what you’re passionate about. Finding your value. Mike is trying to live up to others’ expectations and not be who he really is -- partly, because he doesn’t know what he’s good at. After a summer with some really wacky relatives and townspeople, he figures it out and has to stand up for who he really is. There’s lots of humor, and it’s lighter than Mockingbird, although finding out who you are is important business.

Me: What one piece of advice would you give to aspiring writers?

KE: Keep at it. That means keep writing (and reading) and working on your craft, and keep going to workshops and conferences to continue to learn. I love discovering information and having “Aha!” moments, and it’s great to see your writing improve.

Me: And of course, I have to ask: THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD for MOCKINGBIRD! Can you share with us getting The Call and what follows in the days after such a wonderful honor?

KE: Yes, when I got the call that Mockingbird was nominated I was so stunned that I said about three words, repeatedly. Harold Augenbraum, National Book Foundation Executive Director, who made the call, was probably thinking, “This must be why she writes . . . she can’t actually speak.”

The award’s banquet was like the Oscars, complete with red carpet, and questions like, “Who are you wearing?” Only there was a dinner, too, so even better than the Oscars! I wasn’t nervous because I really didn’t think my book would win, but my wise editor advised me to come up with an acceptance speech so I didn’t sound like I did during the phone call (see above).

Since then, it has been a whirlwind of travel, speeches, etc., and meeting many wonderful readers and supporters. It has been an incredible treat.

Having YOU visit has been an incredible treat, Kathy! Thank you for stopping by. Please, friends, go visit her on the web:

http://www.kathrynerskine.com/

http://kathyerskine.wordpress.com/

http://www.facebook.com/kathy.erskine

On Running Out of Ideas

Every writer gets asked the question, "So, how do keep from running out of ideas?"  The funniest (and truest) answer I've read in response is from author Martha Bennett Stiles: 

"By not dying.  I have more ideas that I had meant to get to than I have time left."

Perfect!   Ideas are everywhere, inspiration in everyone.  

(This quote originally appeared in BORDERLINES, the quarterly newsletter of the Midsouth SCBWI.  Martha Bennett Stiles is the author of DARKNESS OVER THE LAND, THE STAR IN THE FOREST, SARAH THE DRAGON LADY, ISLAND MAGIC, and the upcoming SAILING TO FREEDOM, THE RUNAWAY ADVENTURES OF ALLIE AND RAY, Henry Holt, 2011.  Watch for it - Ms. Stiles is an incredible writer and a wonderful human being.)

Words of Wisdom from NYC

So before I had to sequester myself from other human beings at last weekend's national SCBWI conference, I heard these words of wisdom from Jarrett Krosoczka:  

"Be really patient with your career."

Many of us are aware of how long it takes to get published.  Even masters like Dr. Seuss got rejection letters.  Even Madeleine L'Engle was asked to rewrite.  Most of us realize that there is usually somewhere between 18 - 24 months between a "yes" and seeing your book on the shelf. 

But what Jarrett was really referring to, I believe (based on the rest of his speech and the hilarious video he showed - see link below), was that a *career* takes a lifetime.  Literally.  If you, like me, want to make a living at this, then we must patiently wait for the right idea to spark.  We must patiently research that idea, and patiently tweak the words/pictures until they are perfect.  We must ride out rough patches in the publishing industry (ahem!).  We must be constantly attuned for lurking opportunities.  We must listen, with open ears and open minds, to what our critique group members tell us.  And then, when we do get a yes, we must work our booties off selling our book, book by book.  

I'm an impatient person.  My iPhone and my Tivo and my commercial-free satellite radio all feed that impatience.  Perhaps the universe pointed me toward a career that would balance all of that.  I'm still learning what it takes to build a career.  But I'll do whatever it takes, for however long it takes, to make this my career.  I love it too much to be impatient with it.  (Kinda like being a parent, no? :-)  )  

Now if you'll excuse me, I have a lot of waiting to do....  :-)

Update One from NYC

I'm home from NYC, and as much as I'd love to tell you all that the conference was enlightening and insightful, I can only report what it feels like to wallow in self-pity as one experiences a nasty stomach bug.  :-)  Ugh!  But I *did* manage to make it to the key note speech delivered by Jarrett Krosoczka (Punk Farm), who showed us one of the funniest "home-made" videos I've ever seen!  Anyone who has ever struggled to put words on paper will love it.  Enjoy!

I'll post more updates in the past few days! 

Life Snipits

A conversation today between me and my 4-and-a-half year old daughter, the Bean:

Me:  "How many kiddos are you gonna have, Bean?"

Bean:  "10.  I can handle 10 kids."

Me:  "If anyone can do it, it's you, Bean!  What are you gonna name all those kids?"

Bean (without pause):  "Uno, Dos, Tres..."

And *that's* why writing for kids is such an outstanding career!  I mean, who thinks like that but a 4-and-a-half year old?! Love it!

Also this week:  congratulations to Jessica Burkhart on the release of her first book in the Canterwood Crest Series, Take the Reins.  And...it's Jessica's birthday this week!  Hope you're celebrating with mounds of chocolate, Ms. Burkhart!  Join us back here on February 19th to learn more about Jessica's road to publication (which, BTW, includes four - yes, FOUR - books out this year in the Canterwood Crest series. Wowza!)  

Tomorrow, I'm leavin'...on jet plane... (ah, John Denver!) to New York, New York (ah, Frank Sinatra)!  Yipeeeeee!  I'm attending the National SCBWI conference, and will follow up here with some of the gems of wisdom I always glean at these wonderful get-togethers.  I heart kid lit gatherings!  I leave each one practically crackling with inspiration.  

Peace!