tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30049744766437380262024-03-13T08:24:28.077-07:00Wendelin's BlogWendelin Van Draanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534698736990684819noreply@blogger.comBlogger400125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-5099456337261179622019-07-18T11:35:00.001-07:002019-07-18T13:13:38.790-07:00Creating Hope<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ten years of hope flowed through this box.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">It’s been a funny evolution, one that underscores how time,
distance, and a study in perspective can change your view on things. Many of
you already know that it took me a long time to get my first book published.
A <i>long</i> time. And during those years I viewed the mailbox
mounted inside the porch of our rundown little rental with mixed emotions.
Mornings, when I’d clipped outgoing mail to it, it held my hope. Evenings, when
I’d come home from work and pull bills and publishing rejects from it, it
deflated me.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Still, my husband and I
began telling each other we had put “hope in the mail” when we sent something
off to editors and agents in New York, and in my pursuit of getting a novel
published, I put hope in the mail consistently and persistently for ten years.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">I also received rejections from New York in that
box consistently and persistently for ten years.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZrjgeEzONZ8/XSzSs43Gx3I/AAAAAAAAB1s/EFYoKxhvN_4GIitI7rk0ILnbEL0q4W_kACEwYBhgL/s1600/Box%2B4.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZrjgeEzONZ8/XSzSs43Gx3I/AAAAAAAAB1s/EFYoKxhvN_4GIitI7rk0ILnbEL0q4W_kACEwYBhgL/s320/Box%2B4.png" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">During that time, the phrase expanded to mean doing something, <i>anything</i>,
that created possibility. It meant overcoming your fears, it meant putting
yourself out there. Rejection is hard on everyone, but it’s especially hard
when there’s an emotional component to it. Love, of course, tops that list, but
creative endeavors land not far beneath it. Creative people expose their heart,
and rejection can pierce it, leaving your creative self to shrivel up and die
if you don’t find ways to patch yourself up and try again.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">For my husband and me, putting hope in the mail--sending out a
query letter, making a phone call, filling out an application…anything that
would buoy us with the belief that good things might happen—is what got us
through hard times and got me to my eventual publishing “yes.”</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Living that way was my
lifeline to success.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">When I began sharing my story at speaking engagements, I would
encourage the audience to put their own hope in the mail. It didn’t matter what
walk of life they were on, what mattered was that they reached for their
dreams, that they took the steps—especially the ones that scared them—and that
they moved forward bravely, creating the possibility for good things to happen.
I started to see that because things <i>hadn't </i>been easy on me, it help others who
were struggling believe that they, too, could reach their goals.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming January 14, 2020</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Miraculously, I began looking back on those ten years with
gratitude.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">In time, my friends began adopting the phrase, and other people
began using it too. “I put hope in the mail today!” they’d tell me, and with it
always came a sense of excitement.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Good things might
happen!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Twenty years in, over thirty novels later, people who’ve heard me
speak convinced me to write a book centered on this idea. And, big surprise,
it's titled <i>Hope in the Mail. </i>Yes, it’s about writing, but, as
the subtitle suggests, it’s also about life, and it’s for anyone who could use
a little boost moving forward in their own creative pursuits. How do we find
the time for our creative passion? Why does everything else manage to push it
down the list, until eventually it’s been pushed off the list entirely?</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">My wish for <i>Hope in the Mail </i>is that it inspires
anyone with a dream to pursue that dream bravely, and that it helps give them
the fortitude to create <i>possibility</i>--something that will move them
forward with hope in their heart. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OgJE8-q5oyQ/XSzXTUKo3nI/AAAAAAAAB2A/DAhdadOe0BQ0vBPGXaQvKjJYXmqEcAOUgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Box%2B3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OgJE8-q5oyQ/XSzXTUKo3nI/AAAAAAAAB2A/DAhdadOe0BQ0vBPGXaQvKjJYXmqEcAOUgCEwYBhgL/s320/Box%2B3.png" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The book itself won’t be available until January, so it may seem
curious (at least to those outside of publishing) to be talking about it now,
but the reason I am is to let you know that, meanwhile, to keep you inspired in
the pursuit of your own dreams, there’s a new <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hopeinthemail/" target="_blank">Hope in the Mail on Instagram.</a> It starts today, and will deliver a regular dose of hope through
mailbox art featuring inspirational quotes from a diverse cast of people. I
invite you to follow along, and please tell any friends who could use a boost
to meet us there.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Here’s to you keeping
hope in <i>your</i> mail!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">-----------------------------------------------------------</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">(Because people have asked: The book <i>is</i> available
for pre-order, and doing so helps the author more than
you might imagine, so if you're interested, thank you! </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://bit.ly/2ZLvu05" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Links to online outlets
here</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">.)</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Wendelin Van Draanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534698736990684819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-48324843566083832732017-11-03T11:30:00.001-07:002017-11-03T11:30:22.395-07:00The One List Everyone Should Make<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EIcyHnAIipQ/Wfy0S6Zc6RI/AAAAAAAABx4/sqg_G4nrA7slodnoqrjURpcTL3sey-v5wCLcBGAs/s1600/Wild%2BBird%2BPage%2Bart%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1593" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EIcyHnAIipQ/Wfy0S6Zc6RI/AAAAAAAABx4/sqg_G4nrA7slodnoqrjURpcTL3sey-v5wCLcBGAs/s400/Wild%2BBird%2BPage%2Bart%2B1.jpg" width="397" /></a></div>
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When I was a young girl, there was a list of chores posted on our family's refrigerator. It was actually more a grid than a list, and it was structured in a way that rotated the various chores among my siblings and me. Each day we'd be required to complete and check off every task in our column.</div>
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It was a good system because we alternated chores during the week, and we didn't fight about whose turn it was to do what. The floors got swept, the table got set, the dishes got done, etc., etc..</div>
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I liked knowing what I had to do, and I especially liked the feeling of checking something off. And I think maybe that chore grid is why I adopted the lifelong habit of living by the list. </div>
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I've made lists for small tasks and big - for getting into school, finishing school; for grocery shopping, finding an agent, building a house, preparing a nursery, Christmas shopping and cards, party prep and invitations; for what I'm doing tomorrow, what I need to pack, who I need to call, what I need to fix in a book revision...the list of lists goes on and on. Lists have been my road map, my guidebook, my way to focus. I'm a "finisher," not because it's the way I am, but because I live by the list.</div>
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But of all the things I've done and tackled and overcome, I never even thought to make the most important list of all: A list of the qualities--the character traits--I wanted for myself.</div>
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There is a difference between contemplating who we want to be and actually writing it down.Writing it down makes us analyze. Writing it down helps us to commit.</div>
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Writing it down makes it official.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rWDZrDbDl4U/WfyoG2YXkaI/AAAAAAAABxg/XPJNh_9ZwZI_0GCv8dUus-UGMUgIN_8hwCLcBGAs/s1600/Wild%2BBird%2BPage%2Bexcerpt%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1033" data-original-width="1033" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rWDZrDbDl4U/WfyoG2YXkaI/AAAAAAAABxg/XPJNh_9ZwZI_0GCv8dUus-UGMUgIN_8hwCLcBGAs/s320/Wild%2BBird%2BPage%2Bexcerpt%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a>When we're young, the adults in our lives tell us what traits we should embody. They tell us not to lie or steal or cheat or bully or brag or hog the ball. If a child is exposed to the Bible, they're given the Ten Commandments as their guide. Scouts recite that they will be "trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent." As children we are told how we should be and what to do, and for the most part we try to please the adults in our lives.</div>
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And then comes adolescence.</div>
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Middle school is the place where kids start coming into their own. They begin to question authority. That, coupled with the need to fit into a group of their peers, serves to erode the rules they've previously lived by. This can be a slow, stealthy erosion, or one that seems to knock down the barrier of Do's and Don'ts all at once. </div>
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The strength of the pull to fit in cannot be overstated. According to the National Institute of Health the age a person first tries alcohol has continued to drop in the United States, with a rapid rise in its consumption now starting at age 10 (yes, that's 4th/5th grade) and peaking between ages 13 and 14 (the end of middle school/early high school). At that point, more
than 50% of students have used alcohol or drugs.</div>
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Let's pause and really absorb that.</div>
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Half of children in the US have used alcohol or drugs by age fourteen.</div>
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These are sobering statistics, but they're real, and they're the reason Wren Clemmens - the girl who goes off the rails in <i>Wild Bird - </i>is only fourteen and took her first wrong turn as a lonely sixth grader, desperate to find friends. And, as edgy and intense as the book is, I wrote it in such a way that middle school librarians won't get flack for "language or content," because I believe middle school is a pivotal chance to engage tweens/teens in meaningful, future-defining discussions. A book can be hugely helpful with that, and I wanted <i>Wild Bird</i> to be available to kids <i>before </i>they're in a wrong-turn situation. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rp9dVV1sNEY/WfyoClKNr9I/AAAAAAAABxY/iO3PVYcXOe06gvTcoA-r6JMg8qHkbawsQCLcBGAs/s1600/Wild%2BBird%2BPage%2Bexcerpt%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rp9dVV1sNEY/WfyoClKNr9I/AAAAAAAABxY/iO3PVYcXOe06gvTcoA-r6JMg8qHkbawsQCLcBGAs/s320/Wild%2BBird%2BPage%2Bexcerpt%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a>Aside from <i>Wild Bird</i> being a cautionary tale, it presents the idea of crafting that most important list of all - a list of the traits you want for yourself; a considered definition of who you want to be.</div>
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As an emerging adult, I never asked myself (the kid version of) questions like...</div>
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Do you want
to be someone who's afraid of the dark? Or, do you want to be someone who sends
sparks out in it? (I want to be...<i>fearless...)</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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Do you want to be a pull-toy to
your friends' whims? Or, do you want to determine your own direction? (...<i>a
leader...)</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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Do you want to stay singed by
the fires life puts you through? Or, do you want to be an instrument for good,
forged by experience? (...<i>strong as steel...)</i></div>
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Of all the lists I made in my life, I never made a list like that. I never even considered it. But looking back, I really wish that, as a teen, I'd sat down in a quiet corner with pencil and paper and given serious thought to who I wanted to become. Not who my parents or teachers expected me to be, but who <i>I </i>wanted to be. Because when you decide for yourself who you should be--who you <i>want</i> to be on the inside--that's a whole different mindset than being someone who behaves in a way that's intended to please others.</div>
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Making my own list--defining me for me--would have helped me be a stronger, wiser, kinder, <i>better</i> person at a younger age, and this realization is at the heart of why I wrote <i>Wild Bird. </i>Wren's reluctant metamorphosis finally springs from her building her list; from her defining who <i>she </i>wants to be, and coming to grips with the person she had become by default.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kElhpbtl664/Wfynr3XVaKI/AAAAAAAABxU/iyDzxC9tiekCFm3KmMphpbzPTDN5XMu-QCLcBGAs/s1600/Wild%2BBird%2BPage%2Bexcerpt%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="957" data-original-width="957" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kElhpbtl664/Wfynr3XVaKI/AAAAAAAABxU/iyDzxC9tiekCFm3KmMphpbzPTDN5XMu-QCLcBGAs/s320/Wild%2BBird%2BPage%2Bexcerpt%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Every synopsis/review of <i>Wild Bird</i> I've read centers around Wren being sent against her will to a desert camp for troubled teens and what she has to do to survive. But that's just the setting. The set up. The <i>purpose</i> of the story is to help the reader see that their future is shaped starting now; that it's time to figure out who they want to be. </div>
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Because everything else--good friendships, true love, career success, a charitable heart, happiness--<i>everything else </i>is the result of figuring that out. </div>
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The <i>purpose</i> of <i>Wild Bird </i>is to help teens find courage to be themselves, and fly.</div>
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As always, thanks for checking in - I look forward to hearing your thoughts. See you in the comments!</div>
Wendelin Van Draanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534698736990684819noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-81470907245009180082017-10-28T13:33:00.000-07:002017-10-29T16:35:19.374-07:00Be the Oxygen<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Iw0hxosc1aM/WfTBG9htmbI/AAAAAAAABwg/fidtuDgrLSgNZGfQNMxEvhnTP-FEz9OgQCLcBGAs/s1600/Quilt%2B1%2Bsquare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Iw0hxosc1aM/WfTBG9htmbI/AAAAAAAABwg/fidtuDgrLSgNZGfQNMxEvhnTP-FEz9OgQCLcBGAs/s400/Quilt%2B1%2Bsquare.jpg" width="398" /></a><br />
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The <i>Wild Bird</i> tour ended in North Dakota this week with me wrapped in a Native-made honor quilt at Turtle Mountain Community School on the Chippewa Reservation. </div>
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It's hard to describe the emotional impact the kids there had on me.</div>
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I have never been hugged by so many middle schoolers in my life.</div>
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That was after my assembly with them. Before it, they just sat on the bleachers and stared at me in the way all middle schoolers do - with a combination of skepticism, boredom, and tightly masked curiosity. </div>
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The truth is, I was a little anxious about going to the Turtle Mountain Reservation. As someone from "outside," I didn't want my visit or intentions to be misinterpreted or misunderstood. I was there to do what I do at all schools I visit - get kids fired up about living their best lives; about learning to take whatever life throws at them and harnessing it in a way that'll make them stronger, better, happier.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d7CgYQ31IOw/WfTBFynMp1I/AAAAAAAABwU/hUJnEj6i-F8N_Gz7zjRJ_WwKivafxy-SwCLcBGAs/s1600/North%2BDakota%2B2017%2B%252822%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d7CgYQ31IOw/WfTBFynMp1I/AAAAAAAABwU/hUJnEj6i-F8N_Gz7zjRJ_WwKivafxy-SwCLcBGAs/s320/North%2BDakota%2B2017%2B%252822%2529.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a><br />
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The day started out with a tour of the middle school, which was once the reservation's high school. The hallways are painted with vibrant scenes depicting Chippewa legends, and every mural has a plaque explaining the scene. At each hallway turn there is a new scene reminding students of their heritage. I took pictures of all the murals and legends so I could take my time studying them on my flight home. </div>
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My tour of the school included stops in classrooms that had projects and decorations based on two of my other books - <i>Flipped </i>and <i>The Running Dream</i> - titles that were studied before my visit and <i>Wild Bird</i>'s release. I saw very creative "prosthetic legs" made out of duct tape, cardboard, pipes and such, and doors decorated with trees and chicks and typography art. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zT3P_GiUG20/WfTBFsMBinI/AAAAAAAABwQ/rUCUQSkGjqIRWJl6W_jlhJ_0GHWKd2Y1gCLcBGAs/s1600/North%2BDakota%2B2017%2B%252833%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zT3P_GiUG20/WfTBFsMBinI/AAAAAAAABwQ/rUCUQSkGjqIRWJl6W_jlhJ_0GHWKd2Y1gCLcBGAs/s320/North%2BDakota%2B2017%2B%252833%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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I also got time with the book club students who had written me last year - the ones who put this whole visit in motion. These kids are now high school students, but got permission to attend the assembly and a special luncheon because of their role in my visit. They each received a copy of <i>Runaway</i>, courtesy of a middle school librarian in Oklahoma who wanted to contribute to the occasion and open up communication between schools. (Yes, awesome.)</div>
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But my favorite parts of the school day were the moments right before and right after the assembly (those hugs!). </div>
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To begin the assembly, the student body was addressed by the leader of the Northern Lights drum group. He explained that the drum group was there to play an honor song - something that would signify respect that I had traveled such a long distance to come to their community. </div>
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I was not expecting to get teary eyed during their performance, but I did. There were no words to their song, just rhythm building and ebbing along with vocalizations, which created a powerful surge of emotions. It was spellbinding and moving and powerful.</div>
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And then I had to pull myself together and talk to the kids. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QmAVuCqPl2U/WfTBGZdHk0I/AAAAAAAABwc/XkEVcyUB9hoxlsNohQkBw7iZoFsRx8x_QCLcBGAs/s1600/North%2BDakota%2B2017%2B%252849%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1156" data-original-width="1541" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QmAVuCqPl2U/WfTBGZdHk0I/AAAAAAAABwc/XkEVcyUB9hoxlsNohQkBw7iZoFsRx8x_QCLcBGAs/s400/North%2BDakota%2B2017%2B%252849%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a>I don't "pitch the book" when I do school visits. I tell stories. And I do it in a way that keeps in mind what it was like to sit on a hard bench for nearly an hour while some adult talks at you. I try to forget that there are adults in the room, and just go for it, striding back and forth, jumping around, using funny voices, acting more than just a little crazy. </div>
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My philosophy is that if students are engaged and like the story, they will get the message behind it, and that message will stick. I have different stories for all my books, and some books have several. The one I like the best about <i>Wild Bird</i> (which is the story of an at-risk girl sent to a desert therapy camp) has to do with starting a fire with just friction. </div>
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In all the camping and backpacking I've done in my life (and that's been a lot), I'd never started a fire with just friction. Since this is something Wren (the protagonist in <i>Wild Bird</i>) must do, well, I had to do it too so I could write those scenes authentically. </div>
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Like Wren, I used the bow-drill method. Like Wren, I discovered it takes a lot of effort/energy to start a fire with friction. Your arm gets tired, you break out in a sweat, and when you finally have a tiny coal, there's no guarantee you'll be able to transfer the coal successfully and coax it into a flame.</div>
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So I tell the kids (in a very animated way) how I had three false starts at getting the coal into the "nest" of dry grass (which is supposed to ignite and light the kindling that's inside the wood structure you've built to create your fire).</div>
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On the fourth try, I tell them, it hits me that <i>Oh, yeah, oxygen. Fires need oxygen.</i> </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BoZ9yhQBQtw/WfTXsaxq9fI/AAAAAAAABww/Y0CRFIdhvq4Kcd3lCpaBQub5vx9W1voYQCLcBGAs/s1600/North%2BDakota%2B2017%2B%252847%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BoZ9yhQBQtw/WfTXsaxq9fI/AAAAAAAABww/Y0CRFIdhvq4Kcd3lCpaBQub5vx9W1voYQCLcBGAs/s400/North%2BDakota%2B2017%2B%252847%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a>So I huff and I puff on the little coal inside my nest and I can see sparks taking hold. I can see smoke rising. And as I'm doing this, it hits me that this is a metaphor for life. And that it's also just like being in middle school. </div>
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How?</div>
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When we're young, just starting out, just figuring out who we are and what we want, little sparks happen inside us. And what we need is to find people who, instead of stomping out the spark, are willing to add oxygen to it; people who will help us turn our sparks into flames that burn long and hot and bright. </div>
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We need to be the oxygen for each other.</div>
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We need to feed the sparks.</div>
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From the hugs I got after the assembly, I think the kids heard me.</div>
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I know I heard them, too. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mg42iF01JMM/WfTdc34hqjI/AAAAAAAABxE/uWlcrEyFf44wangrQvIACPzR-93LKU2uQCLcBGAs/s1600/Fire%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mg42iF01JMM/WfTdc34hqjI/AAAAAAAABxE/uWlcrEyFf44wangrQvIACPzR-93LKU2uQCLcBGAs/s400/Fire%2B3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Wendelin Van Draanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534698736990684819noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-71673795622874482842017-09-16T16:01:00.000-07:002017-09-16T16:47:58.311-07:00Popcorn, Please!<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0ArlxL2E3k0/Wb2S4eMDSGI/AAAAAAAABvk/vc9z3u0fCF8MnWGsqcdNhI6GhT4qV_M0wCLcBGAs/s1600/Steve%2BStill%2BHopeful%2Bin%2BIrvine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0ArlxL2E3k0/Wb2S4eMDSGI/AAAAAAAABvk/vc9z3u0fCF8MnWGsqcdNhI6GhT4qV_M0wCLcBGAs/s320/Steve%2BStill%2BHopeful%2Bin%2BIrvine.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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"It started with a nail in a tire."</div>
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That was the explanation a dad and his teen daughters had for why they were just arriving at the Irvine, CA Barnes & Noble tour stop for <i>Wild Bird</i> as I was packing up to leave.</div>
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I had someplace to be, but clearly, they knew how to tell a story. And then I noticed the dad was wearing a <i>Wild Bird</i> pin he'd made himself. </div>
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I put my stuff down, and listened.</div>
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Turns out they were all three big Sammy Keyes fans. Turns out they'd driven about 60 miles - a considerable distance, especially given the region's notorious traffic congestion. And, it turns out, there are three Barnes and Noble stores in Irvine. It wasn't just the distance or the traffic that made them so late. They'd gone to the wrong two stores first.<br />
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(Hey, when you're stressed and running behind, and you've started your trip with a nail in the tire, you punch in Barnes and Noble, Irvine. You don't think there'll be more than one, let alone <i>three </i>of them.)</div>
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<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-93mhoIrwL4Q/Wb2TE389m0I/AAAAAAAABvo/NLfCet2FkCEgIb9lssDJcgay1B9f8JMfgCLcBGAs/s1600/Wendelin%2B%2526%2BCarr%2BGirls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="761" data-original-width="1093" height="276" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-93mhoIrwL4Q/Wb2TE389m0I/AAAAAAAABvo/NLfCet2FkCEgIb9lssDJcgay1B9f8JMfgCLcBGAs/s400/Wendelin%2B%2526%2BCarr%2BGirls.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my cousin's girls - my "cousin-ettes" - about 10 years ago</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PfaDMNSpK30/Wb2TFv__eJI/AAAAAAAABvs/tteK2snTRpoLAZl7Vi5L_BWIlN58MhYdACLcBGAs/s1600/K%2B%2526%2BJ%2B%2526%2BW%2Bat%2BCarrs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1092" data-original-width="1600" height="272" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PfaDMNSpK30/Wb2TFv__eJI/AAAAAAAABvs/tteK2snTRpoLAZl7Vi5L_BWIlN58MhYdACLcBGAs/s400/K%2B%2526%2BJ%2B%2526%2BW%2Bat%2BCarrs.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my cousin-ettes now, during the <i>Wild Bird</i> tour..</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Lucky for me, my presentation had run late. (As Mark would - and did - say, "Shoulda brought popcorn.") Lucky for me, I got to meet this awesome dad and his delightful girls. And after they bought copies of <i>Wild Bird</i> and we talked about the importance of edgy-yet-clean literature for "the kids stuck in between," talk turned to Sammy. </div>
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Want to revive me? Start talking about Sammy like she's real. And this family knew how to do just that. </div>
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Being on book tour sounds glamorous, but it can be exhausting. Especially when you tell your publicist you'd be happy to drive yourself to and around Los Angeles because, come on, you're familiar with the region and that's the only sensible way to approach it. Plus, everything seems doable from the comfort of your office chair. </div>
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I tried to talk Mark out of it, but he took one look at my final itinerary and insisted on coming with me. 7 days, 702 miles, 6 bookstore events, 8 school assemblies, 1 public library, and 14 cities later I'm so glad he did. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XqMGJIy-UFM/Wb2iM1diN6I/AAAAAAAABv8/Edalgdo50x0nw4nL_HmGjr2cPGPdvHcYgCLcBGAs/s1600/W%2Bin%2BGym%2Bpresentation.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="263" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XqMGJIy-UFM/Wb2iM1diN6I/AAAAAAAABv8/Edalgdo50x0nw4nL_HmGjr2cPGPdvHcYgCLcBGAs/s400/W%2Bin%2BGym%2Bpresentation.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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I enjoy in-store events because you get a chance to one-on-one with people who love your work. I love school assemblies because there's nothing better than making middle schoolers laugh when they weren't expecting to. Give me 500 middle schoolers in a hot, sweaty gym and I'm in my wheelhouse. </div>
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But the very best encounters on tour are with people who share their personal stories with you; the quiet stories that tell you that what you do matters. Seeing what impact something I wrote from my heart had on another person's heart is a profound experience. I never, ever let the intensity of a schedule or the weight of fatigue interfere with appreciating the significance of the quiet stories people tell me. Popcorn, please! </div>
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So as the <i>Wild Bird</i> tour continues, I'll look forward to sweating in gymnasiums, meeting dear friends and new ones, too, and hearing any quiet stories readers are willing to share. </div>
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If you're interested in knowing the upcoming public events schedule, check <a href="http://www.wendelinvand.com/new---wild-bird.html" target="_blank">this link</a>. And if you can't make a tour stop, I'll meet you back here next week. Until then, lean in and don't let go!</div>
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Wendelin Van Draanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534698736990684819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-17543369312150784452017-09-02T08:44:00.003-07:002017-09-02T08:46:06.219-07:00Help Me Start A Fire<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It's Opening Week(end) for <i>Wild Bird</i>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If you have thought you might want to buy this book - for yourself, for your teen, for your friend, for a Christmas gift, for what/whomever - please consider buying it this week. (Unless you're coming out to see me on <a href="http://www.wendelinvand.com/new---wild-bird.html" target="_blank">tour</a>, and then buy it at that bookstore!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Why?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Because books, like movies, get (or lose) their momentum from that crucial first week of sales/box office. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I remember reading an interview with Oprah about her movie <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120603/?ref_=nv_sr_2" target="_blank"><i>Beloved</i> </a>which put the reality of opening weekend into harsh perspective. Here's an excerpt:</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #555555;">Q:</span></b><span style="color: #555555;"> And then, after 10 years of struggling to get the film
made, <i>Beloved</i> opened and <i>Bride of Chucky </i>beat
it at the box office.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555;"><b>WINFREY: </b> I didn’t know what the hell <i>Bride
of Chucky </i>was. And I didn’t know anything about how the movie
business worked because I was doing my daily show. I was all
excited. I didn’t know that you only had one weekend, and then it’s
over. So, it came out on a Friday, and that Saturday morning I got
a call and they said, “That’s it.” I got the call at like 8:30 in the
morning, and by 10:30, I had my face in a bowl of macaroni and
cheese. </span><span style="color: #555555;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Sammy Keyes fans worldwide would have suggested salsa to go with that mac'n'cheese, but wow, how harsh is that? And this is Oprah - an incredibly powerful force in the entertainment world. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Creative works need a chance to breathe. To seep into hearts and minds and <i>move </i>people. Unfortunately, their success - or how widespread they are viewed or read - is often linked to early lists. If your work doesn't "make box office" opening weekend, people quit breathing oxygen into it; they turn to a new spark happening over <i>there</i>. Years of intense work and passion and hope slowly extinguish.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">So, if you like my work, if this book seems like it would be of value to you or someone you know, if you think it's important for teens to have relevant books that are "real" yet clean - and, of course, if it's within your means - please "vote at the box office" this week. (And if you love the book and want to help stoke the fire, tell your friends, and review it online.)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Thank you for your support - some of you have been fanning the flames of my work all along. I can't tell you how much that means to me. </span></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Order <i>Wild Bird</i> wherever books are sold.<br /><a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781101940440" style="color: #5199a8; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out;" target="_blank">IndieBound </a> / <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Bird-Wendelin-Van-Draanen/dp/1101940441/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1486529670&sr=1-1&keywords=wild+bird+van+draanen" style="color: #5199a8; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out;" target="_blank">Amazon</a> / <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wild-bird-wendelin-van-draanen/1125315489?ean=9781101940440" style="color: #5199a8; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out;" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a></span></strong></div>
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Wendelin Van Draanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534698736990684819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-44063486897998853542017-08-20T21:41:00.000-07:002017-08-20T21:46:15.405-07:00The Long View<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c5_SkpgDQ3Y/WZpfLFadAMI/AAAAAAAABuw/sF_e0zbbFGYXrd273t9yNsWzXTiEdtcMwCLcBGAs/s1600/SK%2B-%2B8%2Bcovers.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c5_SkpgDQ3Y/WZpfLFadAMI/AAAAAAAABuw/sF_e0zbbFGYXrd273t9yNsWzXTiEdtcMwCLcBGAs/s400/SK%2B-%2B8%2Bcovers.png" width="400" /></a>Another priceless treasure landed in my in-box this week. Here's a little excerpt...:</div>
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<i>I'm here on behalf of my fiancée. She's a huge fan of your
Sammy Keyes book series--she has almost the whole series, library-bound. She's from the Mississippi Gulf Coast and has been
reading your series from before Katrina hit the area. The books have remained
by her side through that disaster and many others she has faced in her life.
She's the strongest woman I know and reading your series has been very
important for her.</i></div>
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This letter made me realize that taking the long view - moving forward with persistence, staying true to vision and purpose despite marketplace fads - does eventually return rewards beyond measure. I can't stress enough how much I appreciate that my editor and publisher enabled me to reach the conclusion of an 18-book, nearly 20-year series. Not all editors or publishers are willing to take a view that lengthy.</div>
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When the first Sammy Keyes book was published, I tried to figure out how to get on Oprah. I wasn't the only one - every author wanted to be on Oprah. I think authors drive their in-house publicists mad with all their enthused suggestions. My publicist at the time told me something really wise. She said, "You don't want to be on Oprah. You want a long, slow build. You want a sustainable <i>career</i>."</div>
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Of course I didn't agree. I didn't see how the two were mutually exclusive. Taking the long view takes confidence that you'll get another chance after <i>this </i>book. It takes patience. Back in 1998, I wasn't long on patience. I wanted things to happen <i>now</i>.</div>
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The long view is way easier to get perspective on from the far side. You know, after you've traversed twenty years and have a sustained career to analyze. It's almost impossible to truly take the long view when you're at the beginning of your career because you <i>don't</i> know how things are going to go. And it feels almost like cheating to look back on a successful career and say, See? This is what happens with steady, consistent effort. You have an awesome career without the catapult of Oprah. You built your catalog without the distraction of a blinding spotlight. You got to hunker down and focus on the work, not the trappings. </div>
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It's taken twenty years, but my publicist was right - I didn't want to be on Oprah. Sammy might not have become...Sammy.</div>
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My purpose for the Sammy Keyes series went far beyond forays into clever sleuthing. Sure, I love a good mystery. Good mysteries are awesome! But the larger picture of Sammy's purpose is what sustained me across the series and through twenty years of writing about her. It's what kept me going back, full of enthusiasm - not just for the next mystery - but for the next chapter in Sammy's life. It was about her evolution. About her learning to calibrate her moral compass. About her character, her <i>strength</i>.</div>
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If you're looking for girl power, I've got 18 kick-ass books for you. </div>
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But in the marketplace, what happens is, people need to figure out where to shelve, how to categorize, and how to summarize.</div>
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For Sammy, that became "mystery" (clever sleuth) and "series" (of little literary merit).</div>
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And since there wasn't a contract for 18 books and there was no guarantee that all 18 would be written or published, there was little talk (other than from me) about the larger picture. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r6YwCZ7BWQQ/WZpaEcDxcPI/AAAAAAAABug/PZzcU5Lo_rA4O2byIvR2tu6ZCQX0lvxTgCLcBGAs/s1600/SK3-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="319" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r6YwCZ7BWQQ/WZpaEcDxcPI/AAAAAAAABug/PZzcU5Lo_rA4O2byIvR2tu6ZCQX0lvxTgCLcBGAs/s320/SK3-2.jpg" width="320" /></a>But the larger picture is the key reason for the series. To instill the notion of nurturing individuality and internal strength in young readers - and yes, especially girls - is of such greater value than assembling the pieces of a clever puzzle. Yet breaking out of the "mystery" and "series" molds seemed, ironically, a more and more remote enterprise as the story unfolded and deepened. Would any critics / reviewers ever read from beginning to end and understand what was going on here? </div>
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After reading one or two, most probably assumed they knew the drill, and now with 18 books to catch up on and a deluge of new works to review each season the answer has became, more and more clearly, probably not.</div>
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And yet...I get mail. Like the letter from the fiance. And it reinforces that in the long run, the long view does pay off. A letter like that makes me teary with gratitude: You read. You understood. You <i>felt </i>her. She <i>helped you believe in yourself. </i></div>
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Now that the series is complete and all 18 books are available without having to wait for the next installment to come out, I'm hopeful that a whole new generation of readers will discover and devour these books, and that they, too, will see Sammy as a friend who helped them face the troubles and roadblocks in their life. I'm looking forward to their letters. And their kids' letters.</div>
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Look at me. I'm taking the long view. </div>
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Wendelin Van Draanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534698736990684819noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-67246311263366030922017-08-13T21:35:00.001-07:002017-08-15T10:42:00.746-07:00"Bryce" & "Juli" Weigh In On "Wild Bird"<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WBjtxMajYIU/WZEa-SZ96MI/AAAAAAAABtc/E7IcC_rXHS0TCVzGNzv2fhV7CNwfgCJJQCLcBGAs/s1600/Wild%2BBird%2BBryce%2B%2526%2BJuli%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WBjtxMajYIU/WZEa-SZ96MI/AAAAAAAABtc/E7IcC_rXHS0TCVzGNzv2fhV7CNwfgCJJQCLcBGAs/s400/Wild%2BBird%2BBryce%2B%2526%2BJuli%2B1.jpg" width="398" /></a><br />
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It was in August seven years ago when <i>Flipped</i> came out in theaters. It was an exceptional experience. Many of you have already heard the tales, so I won't repeat them, but for those of you who haven't, track down a copy of the anniversary edition of <i>Flipped </i>and read the thirty new afterward pages to get a sense of what went on behind the scenes. From meeting Rob Reiner (who directed the film) for the first time to why the movie was set in the 50s and 60s when the book was written as a contemporary story, to the how the movie has expanded the audience for <i>Flipped - </i>there are some good stories there!</div>
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People ask me when another one of my books is going to be adapted into a movie, and my answer is that it's not right to get greedy. <i>Flipped </i>was turned into a feature film by the director of <i>The Princess Bride</i> for goodness sake. And he wanted to do the film because he read and loved the book.</div>
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Hello? He read and loved the book!</div>
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It would be bad karma to want more.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--S2u1ncZQgE/WZEjKwswSeI/AAAAAAAABuA/a0d9rYXAd-wIYkDHq-BlUBhj7HZUv0euwCLcBGAs/s1600/Standee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="576" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--S2u1ncZQgE/WZEjKwswSeI/AAAAAAAABuA/a0d9rYXAd-wIYkDHq-BlUBhj7HZUv0euwCLcBGAs/s400/Standee.jpg" width="300" /></a>One of the fun and also unexpectedly wonderful things about the <i>Flipped </i>book-to-movie experience was meeting the cast of the film. The "kids" were all so nice and down to earth and <i>patient</i>. We had a premiere where, for two showings, they stood with guests for <i>hours</i>, smiling and taking individual pictures as people filed into the theater. They were such troupers!</div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Premier night, the thing that also struck me about Callan (Bryce) and Israel (Garrett) is that they're funny. Like, really funny. I have lots of pictures of Callan mugging for the camera. They're hilarious, but they're gonna stay in my vault. Seven years later he's not needing to see them pop up around the internet.</span><br />
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What I <i>will</i> share is that since <i>Flipped </i>came out, Callan's been in lots of projects, like <i>I Am Number Four, The Great Gatsby, Blow Your Own Trumpet, </i>and <i>Hacker </i>to name a few. If you want to see the full list of what he's been up to, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2786608/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank">check here</a>.</div>
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Madeline's been busy, too, working on such projects as <i>Mr. Popper's Penguins</i>, <i>The Haunting Hour, Scandal, Blink,</i> with multiple other projects completed just this year. In all our communications, she's kind and upbeat and focused on her faith and doing good. Check out the full list of her projects <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1630992/?ref_=nv_sr_3" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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Stefanie Scott, who played Juli's best friend (Darla in the book, Dana in the movie) was really busy with <i>A.N.T. Farm</i> after <i>Flipped </i>and has <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2640887/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank">lots of other projects completed.</a> Very impressive!</div>
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<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-88CSGiG2mKE/WZEh3bXvPcI/AAAAAAAABt0/-M-0OqTBlPoXQQC2D5Q8MFEkzMf28Z0GACLcBGAs/s1600/Concessions2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-88CSGiG2mKE/WZEh3bXvPcI/AAAAAAAABt0/-M-0OqTBlPoXQQC2D5Q8MFEkzMf28Z0GACLcBGAs/s400/Concessions2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Israel, Stepfanie, Madeline, Callan - an awesome bunch!</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">And Israel Broussard, (who played Bryce's best friend Garrett) has also been in a bunch of stuff - including </span><i style="text-align: justify;">Fear the Walking Dead - </i><span style="text-align: justify;">and is starring in </span><i style="text-align: justify;">Happy Death Day</i><span style="text-align: justify;">, which my son (the one who loves "funny horror films") is dying (h-hm) to see. It releases on October 13th (a Friday) and you can </span><a href="https://themoviemylife.com/2017/06/14/happy-death-day-2017-new-trailer-from-jessica-rothe-israel-broussard-ruby-modine/" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank">learn more and watch the trailer here.</a><br />
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For all of them, <i>Flipped </i>was one of their early projects, and seven years later, Callan and Madeline were both kind enough to make the time to read and blurb <i>Wild Bird.</i> I love what each of them had to say (see opening graphic), and it means a lot to me that the book resonated with them.</div>
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So this month brings a sense of nostalgia (how could seven years have gone by since the <i>Flipped </i>movie came out ?!?) and optimism for the future. <i>Wild Bird</i> comes out on September 5th and I can't wait. Years in the making, it's finally almost here and I'm hopeful that everyone will have reactions similar to Callan's and Madeline's.<br />
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For more information about the book, <a href="http://www.wendelinvand.com/new---wild-bird.html" target="_blank">click here.</a><br />
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Fly, <i>Wild Bird, </i>fly!</div>
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Thanks for checking in - see you in the comments!<br />
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Wendelin Van Draanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534698736990684819noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-61874879145496226152017-08-06T20:00:00.002-07:002017-08-06T20:37:59.831-07:00This Is My Why<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Where did you get the idea for this book?</i> is a common question authors get. Usually, authors relate an anecdote of some sort. Or share an epiphany. Or confess to having read something in the news that sparked the basis for their story. (Florida authors seem particularly adept at this.) </div>
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I do fumble about for adequate answers to share with people who ask, but the question I wish they'd ask instead is <i>Why did you write this book?</i></div>
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The <i>why</i> is so much more important.</div>
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It's actually everything.</div>
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Why did I spend years of my life thinking about, researching, plotting this story? Why did I obsess over word choice, balance, message, accessibility, theme, resolution, heart? Why did I put myself in this world, endure this character's agonies? Why? Why? <i>Why?</i></div>
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For <i>Wild Bird</i>, the answer comes down to reflection. Reflection on how seemingly insignificant choices can set us off in a slightly wrong direction, which, over time, can land us in a place we never intended (or wanted) to go.</div>
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Reflections on the importance of friendships in shaping our direction.</div>
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Reflections on the questions we should ask ourselves when we're young. The ones that will help keep us moving toward where we dream of being. The ones that matter most.</div>
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When we're young and under the guidance of parents and teachers, we're given rules. Do not lie. Do not steal. Do not cheat. Think about the 10 Commandments -- it's simply a list of things you should not do. The rules we're given when we're young become our <i>de facto</i> moral compass.</div>
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But then adolescence happens and peer pressure (or curiosity or defiance or...) can lure us away from the things we've been taught not to do. Having friends, being accepted...it is a powerful force, one against which rules alone cannot compete. Our moral compass finds a new true north - peer acceptance.</div>
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It has helped me, I think, to see adolescence again through the eyes of a classroom teacher. I've seen my own youthful mistakes repeated by my students. I recognize the pressures and emotions and remember the agony of being that age. </div>
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I taught high school for 15 years, and for many of those years I also worked two nights a week at the continuation high school, helping at-risk kids get through school. These were teens whose choices had betrayed them. And beyond getting their GED, most had no clear direction. They were young souls already lost. </div>
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In education, we focus on helping our students complete the steps necessary to move forward toward careers. It's our job. But if I were back in the classroom now, I would pause that and ask my students to answer one life-defining question:</div>
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<i>Who do you want to be?</i></div>
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Not what career are you after, or what position do you want to hold, but <i>what kind of person do you want to be? What characteristics do you want to embody?</i></div>
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Because everything else in their lives will spring from a thoughtful defining of that.</div>
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So the <i>why</i> behind <i>Wild Bird</i> comes from reflections on the power inherent in defining our <i>who. </i>If we're able to define our <i>who</i> when we're young - if we're able to make our decisions by that guide - attaining happiness and fulfillment has a much better chance than if we let the pressures around us push and pull us in directions we never intended to go.</div>
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<i>Wild Bird </i>is the story of a girl who, at fourteen, is already defensive, bitter, angry, and lost. Her parents don't understand what went wrong. How did this happen?</div>
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It happened by degrees. The compass shifted. And, unfortunately, Wren's not alone. Nobody wants to end up where she did but a lot of teens do. And I don't claim to have all the answers - not by any stretch - but maybe changing the question can help teens consciously choose their direction. Maybe it can give them the strength and conviction to stay on the path they want for themselves. </div>
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This is my hope for <i>Wild Bird</i>.</div>
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This is my why.</div>
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-----</div>
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(<i>Wild Bird</i> will be out on September 5th. If you'd like to read a short excerpt<i>,</i> there's one <a href="http://www.wendelinvand.com/new---wild-bird.html" target="_blank">here</a>.)</div>
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Wendelin Van Draanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534698736990684819noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-75203749647145089292017-07-29T14:11:00.000-07:002017-07-29T14:11:00.473-07:00In Search of Juli Baker<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HXx2foy-w60/WXzom-iAwdI/AAAAAAAABso/E_6mUCGUdzoJTLM4n3ezfK2Ne53RrxUgQCLcBGAs/s1600/Flipped%2BPoster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="483" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HXx2foy-w60/WXzom-iAwdI/AAAAAAAABso/E_6mUCGUdzoJTLM4n3ezfK2Ne53RrxUgQCLcBGAs/s400/Flipped%2BPoster.jpg" width="267" /></a><br />
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I've been getting a flurry of letters regarding <i>Flipped</i> from readers in Vietnam. </div>
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I also learned that the <i>Flipped </i>movie was #5 at the box office in Korea last week. The movie was released in the US in August 2010, but hey, if you missed it here, you can catch it in theaters now in S. Korea. I don't know if the audio is translated, or if there are subtitles. Either way, how fun would it be to watch the movie in a theater there?</div>
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Why is it showing there <i>now</i>? I have no answer for that, either. The translated book has been available in Korea since 2005 (and through two different publishers) so maybe the success of the book has led to the showing of the film? </div>
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Or maybe <i>Flipped</i> is just slowly making its way around the Pacific Rim. I know that it's big in the Philippines. Some of my most passionate fans are from the Philippines. One teacher in particular is always ribbing me online about writing a sequel to the book. No explanation as to why I haven't written one is sufficient. He is relentless, but in a cute and humorous way.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xHRDg1Z6Cc0/WXzpy3Y_wNI/AAAAAAAABs0/0ddJQ8fbsCMWVgDbQ4BuKqBN6FiKGQJOwCLcBGAs/s1600/Flipped%2BKorean%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1519" data-original-width="1047" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xHRDg1Z6Cc0/WXzpy3Y_wNI/AAAAAAAABs0/0ddJQ8fbsCMWVgDbQ4BuKqBN6FiKGQJOwCLcBGAs/s320/Flipped%2BKorean%2B2.jpg" width="220" /></a>Which brings me back to Vietnam. Last week I received an email about <i>Flipped</i> from a teen there. The letter was sweet and funny, but it also posed some really interesting questions and thoughts - ones that I want to share with you.</div>
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Let me set the stage by saying that the letter writer is a teen boy/young man, of sixteen. He points out that he was born in the same year that <i>Flipped</i> came out. He has watched the movie, read the book and "checked everything about <i>Flipped</i> and you and your books on Wiki and every fanblog."</div>
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So this isn't a simple case of 'When's the sequel?' He did his homework. And yet, he is not satisfied with knowing the whys of my not having written one. He summed it up by stating "The only thing that's sadder than a bad ending is an unfinished happy ending."</div>
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I want to grab him by the shoulders and say, No! Not true! How can you say that? An open-ended happy ending is...wonderful. It's full of hope and dreams and possibility! It makes you feel...<i>alive</i>. Like the future is yours to create!</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pLG5cTUXd2A/WXzpywKPqfI/AAAAAAAABsw/FVbtUqGsXC8XLr3lARc7_CnHcKVykwp5ACLcBGAs/s1600/Flipped%2BKorean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="536" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pLG5cTUXd2A/WXzpywKPqfI/AAAAAAAABsw/FVbtUqGsXC8XLr3lARc7_CnHcKVykwp5ACLcBGAs/s320/Flipped%2BKorean.jpg" width="214" /></a>He confessed to being a little obsessed with Juli Baker. Actually, what he said was, "I HAVE A CRUSH on your Juli Baker character. And I really hope that my girlfriend in the future would be someone like Julie." (LOL + 3 smilies.)</div>
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Do you love this guy, or what? I know I do.</div>
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But then his letter went deeper. Actually, a lot deeper. I am going to quote it here because any explanation or condensation of what he said won't do justice to his actual words. Please keep in mind that English is not his native language. </div>
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<i style="text-align: justify;">It has been more than 15 years since you wrote “Flipped”. The world has change a lot since 15 years. Iphone, Internet appears, buildings are built. People start to looks at the phone’s light more than to meet other people in the proper light. And I start to wonder: “Is any girl like Julie really existed in this 2017 world?” And if that girl‘s really existed then what will she do? Will “the 2017’s Julie” keep climbing to another Sycamore tree? Or she would climb on top of some abandoned building to feel the world instead? Or somehow she would give up and just be normal to the world- the world with Ipod, Facebook,… ? Or ”2017 Julie Bakers” still be iridescent in her own freaking way?</i><br />
<ul></ul>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9VZnknZki0E/WXzomw6lfoI/AAAAAAAABss/R9walfl-L9AoydI8FIs7Hh7RT-sIL1x_gCLcBGAs/s1600/Sycamore%2BTree%2BMichigan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9VZnknZki0E/WXzomw6lfoI/AAAAAAAABss/R9walfl-L9AoydI8FIs7Hh7RT-sIL1x_gCLcBGAs/s400/Sycamore%2BTree%2BMichigan.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Okay, if you didn't already, now you love him, right? These are great questions to ponder. These are reflections on our world and how we interact with one another.</div>
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Are things so fast and fleeting and on-the-surface now that we don't spend time truly knowing each other, let alone ourselves?</div>
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Are we losing our iridescence?</div>
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I need a tree to climb. I want to be wrapped in the arms of nature and think. No iPhone buzzing, no computer interrupting. I want to reflect on love and loss, tides rising and falling, and how no matter how far apart we live, we're really all neighbors looking to share a sunrise. </div>
Wendelin Van Draanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534698736990684819noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-92155483363381515622017-07-23T13:44:00.001-07:002017-07-23T15:44:32.005-07:00Given the Chance to Fly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lfeIvVi_pWA/WXTmX-dbWPI/AAAAAAAABsY/t4flsyxPUQczZYPU7o53GQjyXCh5cso_ACLcBGAs/s1600/Wild%2BBird%2BTour%2BSquare3%2Bblue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lfeIvVi_pWA/WXTmX-dbWPI/AAAAAAAABsY/t4flsyxPUQczZYPU7o53GQjyXCh5cso_ACLcBGAs/s320/Wild%2BBird%2BTour%2BSquare3%2Bblue.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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In a little over 6 weeks I'll be heading out on book tour for <i>Wild Bird</i>. It's a (mostly) West Coast tour, and you can see the schedule on my<a href="http://www.wendelinvand.com/new---wild-bird.html" target="_blank"> website's new Wild Bird page</a>. There's also an excerpt from the book there which will give you a taste of what the story's like.</div>
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Six weeks before a book comes out is when it starts feeling real. All of a sudden all that waiting you've been enduring transforms into panic about having too much to do before pub date. </div>
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What's to do? </div>
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Well, typically, it falls on authors to help to get the word out---to have the news about their new book be heard through the cacophony of competing sounds about other new books, and to somehow do so without being annoying or obnoxious. </div>
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It's a difficult balance. I think it's easier if you're an artist and can entertain people with your spontaneous sketches or with visuals from your works in progress. But when what you have is a book full of only words--words that you've spent a couple of years perfecting, words that must be read from beginning to end to convey the passion and purpose of the story--well, what you can do with 140 characters on Twitter or a snapshot on Instagram or a post on Facebook is pretty limited.</div>
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But if you don't at least <i>try</i>, chances are your book will be launched from the nest and flutter helplessly to the ground. And if that happens, it may never regain the chance to fly because if your book is not one of the few your publisher has selected for a real media push, and your book hasn't managed to turn heads by "opening weekend," momentum will not be in your favor. There is just too much competition. Before you know it, people are on to the next season, the next thing.</div>
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It's a hard reality. A frustrating reality. So when you see authors spamming you with news about their books, don't hate them. Instead, find it in your heart to have sympathy. And if the book sounds good to you, maybe even share or re-tweet their post, or hey, place an order in support. They've worked <i>years</i> for this moment. It's hard to watch it go by without at least a little fanfare, even if they have to generate it themselves.</div>
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So yes. Six week from now, <i>Wild Bird</i> launches. There will be posts. I will try not to enter the Obnoxious Author Zone with them, but if I do, please forgive me. This book means a lot to me. I need to do what I can to give it the chance to fly.</div>
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Thanks for taking time to read this. I hope you'll check out the <a href="http://www.wendelinvand.com/new---wild-bird.html" target="_blank">new Wild Bird page</a> and read the excerpt...and maybe I'll see you on tour.<br />
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Meanwhile, see you in the comments!</div>
Wendelin Van Draanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534698736990684819noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-10899096902650850422017-07-15T09:00:00.003-07:002017-07-15T09:00:52.624-07:00Sammy-opoly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ebaToJ9wPHA/WWeifTlpgWI/AAAAAAAABrw/lUifEDPv8zIQmu8yzaDnUOtIcM2rWoNbACLcBGAs/s1600/Sammy%2BKeyes%2BMonopoly%2Bboard2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ebaToJ9wPHA/WWeifTlpgWI/AAAAAAAABrw/lUifEDPv8zIQmu8yzaDnUOtIcM2rWoNbACLcBGAs/s400/Sammy%2BKeyes%2BMonopoly%2Bboard2.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Do <i>not </i>get too excited. This is just a mock up! There is no deal with Hasbro/Parker Brothers to actually make this.</div>
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But...isn't it fun? </div>
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This is what comes of sitting around the dinner table with my family, discussing how Sammy's world might translate to the Monopoly board. By midnight I had obsessively mocked up a Sammy-opoly board. Typical me.</div>
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But I'm sure it could use improvement and I would love your ideas and input. If you see something missing or think of something you think would be better, speak up!</div>
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I chose how to group/place the properties by balancing value, location (proximity to one another in Santa Martina) and theme.</div>
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The Heavenly Hotel edged out the Senior Highrise for cheapest property, but it was a tossup! </div>
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And I love that Hudson's Porch is the most valuable property. Not Marissa's house, not the Landvogt Mansion, not East Jasmine at all...and not Hudson's house, but his porch.</div>
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I don't know about you, but whenever I play Monopoly, the most disappointing properties seem to be the ones between Free Parking (Skateboarding) and Go To Jail (Detention). They never pay off. And getting through them is such a slog. I'd rather go to jail.</div>
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Speaking of...don't overlook the little letters around the jailbird. 😉</div>
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For the 6 or 7 markers Hasbro/Parker Brothers seems to allow for special edition Monolopys I'm thinking...skateboard, binoculars, high-tops, police car, cat, catcher's mitt, horseshoe.... Other ideas? </div>
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I've got a long drive ahead of me, and on it we'll be brainstorming Chance (Shortcut) and Community Chest (Library) cards. Here are just a few early ones:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Take a ride in Hudson's Cadillac. If you pass GO collect $200.</li>
<li>The Nightie-Napper strikes again, pay $20.</li>
<li>Get $50 reward for returning softball statue to city hall.</li>
<li>Cracked a safe, get $100.</li>
<li>Fell off skateboard, advance to the Hospital.</li>
<li>Heather frames you. Go directly to Detention.</li>
<li>Caught ice blocking. Slide back three spaces.</li>
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So take a gander and join the fun - give me your feedback and throw in your ideas. Let's play!</div>
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PS Like I said - we're just goofing around, but ... maybe someday!</div>
Wendelin Van Draanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534698736990684819noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-13736687906434882902017-07-09T10:08:00.005-07:002017-07-09T10:17:28.666-07:00Cover Reveal! New Sammy Keyes #4-8<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-so6l5DeOTVU/WWGULWpwBfI/AAAAAAAABq8/Tt7xdAhM5YA4EOkga4S9xAIA99RwS0vfQCLcBGAs/s1600/05%2BS%2BKeyes%2BMustache%2BMary%2BCVR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1089" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-so6l5DeOTVU/WWGULWpwBfI/AAAAAAAABq8/Tt7xdAhM5YA4EOkga4S9xAIA99RwS0vfQCLcBGAs/s200/05%2BS%2BKeyes%2BMustache%2BMary%2BCVR.jpg" width="135" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vv-PgFFahBo/WWGULXMZfsI/AAAAAAAABq4/3ZE1gvw-xpQbY5ZytTx0kCW_nQiAKiaTQCLcBGAs/s1600/04%2BS%2BKeyes%2BRunaway%2BElf%2BCVR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1089" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vv-PgFFahBo/WWGULXMZfsI/AAAAAAAABq4/3ZE1gvw-xpQbY5ZytTx0kCW_nQiAKiaTQCLcBGAs/s200/04%2BS%2BKeyes%2BRunaway%2BElf%2BCVR.jpg" width="135" /></a>I'm so excited, are you?</div>
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Covers #4-8 have been finalized, and I'm sharing them here first. </div>
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Some of you have already seen <i>Runaway Elf </i>(#4) at online bookstores...which, yes, is confusing because it isn't out yet. Don't know how or why that happened.</div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">But you haven't seen the other four! </span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6ZWxvppjmKI/WWGUMphFZYI/AAAAAAAABrE/s5S-kUDIhqsjpqMX7n9MAKTV3lGHS7oXQCLcBGAs/s1600/06%2BS%2BKeyes%2BHollywood%2BMummy%2BCVR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1087" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6ZWxvppjmKI/WWGUMphFZYI/AAAAAAAABrE/s5S-kUDIhqsjpqMX7n9MAKTV3lGHS7oXQCLcBGAs/s200/06%2BS%2BKeyes%2BHollywood%2BMummy%2BCVR.jpg" width="135" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K6sqDxveC9Q/WWGUMnhP-ZI/AAAAAAAABrA/hAX8RsF07746P4IYNjXDPDp8V1znDL0rgCLcBGAs/s1600/07%2BS.%2BKeyes%2BSearch%2BSnake%2BEyes%2BCVR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1089" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K6sqDxveC9Q/WWGUMnhP-ZI/AAAAAAAABrA/hAX8RsF07746P4IYNjXDPDp8V1znDL0rgCLcBGAs/s200/07%2BS.%2BKeyes%2BSearch%2BSnake%2BEyes%2BCVR.jpg" width="135" /></a>I'm loving the new covers - aren't they good? You may recall from a <a href="https://etrtr.blogspot.com/2017/02/new-look-for-sammy-keyes.html" target="_blank">previous post</a> that the illustrations are by Australian artist Craig Phillips. (If you're on Twitter you should <a href="https://twitter.com/CraigDPhillips" target="_blank">follow him</a> - his work is amazing!)</div>
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Anyway, do you have a favorite from the new batch? Can you find the hidden numbers? (Click to enlarge image.) Some of the numbers are easy to see, and some...not so much! </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Drep8iEr84/WWGUMkuhVUI/AAAAAAAABrI/gQyaIkdAH5YUa5UoS84Y5xA38Fdd5105gCLcBGAs/s1600/08%2BS%2BKeyes%2BArt%2Bof%2BDeception%2BCVR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1089" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Drep8iEr84/WWGUMkuhVUI/AAAAAAAABrI/gQyaIkdAH5YUa5UoS84Y5xA38Fdd5105gCLcBGAs/s200/08%2BS%2BKeyes%2BArt%2Bof%2BDeception%2BCVR.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="135" /></a>When they first came across my desk I even used a magnifying glass while searching <i>Snake Eyes</i> for the 7. How classic-mystery is that? They've increased the contrast a little in the final, so you (probably) won't need to do the Sherlock thing, but humor me and say you didn't see the 7(s) right away. (That, by the way, is a hint.)</div>
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This batch (#4-8) will be available on September 12th. And together with the first three they'll make up 8/18, or 4/9, or 0.44444<u>4</u>, or <i>almost half</i> of the image that puzzles together along the spines. And all of them have book club/discussion questions inside. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1VrZq-CMKyk/WWGYFv-Cz4I/AAAAAAAABrM/3wGmPlZOFh4vlNzMhTyHLunlU5obP-c4QCLcBGAs/s1600/SK1-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1597" data-original-width="1600" height="319" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1VrZq-CMKyk/WWGYFv-Cz4I/AAAAAAAABrM/3wGmPlZOFh4vlNzMhTyHLunlU5obP-c4QCLcBGAs/s320/SK1-2.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a>In case you missed last week's post, or haven't seen the flurry of giveaways I've been doing elsewhere online, I hope you'll jump in and have some fun trying to win copies of the new editions. I'm doing a Free Book Friday, Get-1-Give-1 drawing each week through summer (and probably to the end of the year if I can get organized enough to coordinate it while I'm on the upcoming September/October tour for <i>Wild Bird</i>).</div>
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So go find me on Twitter and Instagram (@WendelinVanD) and visit the Sammy Keyes (books) <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sammykeyesbooks/" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>. You can enter at all three places to increase your chances of having your name drawn. Plus you'll get to see a different "Sammy Square" each week, which is a lot of fun in and of itself. (I love how they remind me of what Sammy went through in each book.) I'll give you a sneak peek at next week's because that's what I do here, right?</div>
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And last, but certainly not least, the results of last week's blog giveaway!<br />
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(Drum roll, please...)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zRyLrCWd-lM/WWGu7oHQAuI/AAAAAAAABrU/qfcLJZc1duoYCJmW6TBsB5cPtgZUp0y4gCLcBGAs/s1600/SK%2B1-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zRyLrCWd-lM/WWGu7oHQAuI/AAAAAAAABrU/qfcLJZc1duoYCJmW6TBsB5cPtgZUp0y4gCLcBGAs/s320/SK%2B1-3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Psst! Did you notice the background cloth?</td></tr>
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Randomly selected by good ol' names-drawn-from-an-actual-hat technique, the winner of two copies each of the first three new issue Sammys is...JESSICA, who identified her favorite Sammy scene as being from the pirate date from <i>Dead Giveaway</i>.</div>
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Can I get a chorus of "Billy Pratt!"?</div>
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Amen.</div>
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Congrats to Jessica (please <a href="http://www.wendelinvand.com/contact.html" target="_blank">email me</a> your mailing address), and to those of you who didn't win (or didn't check in last week), we will do it again sometime! Meanwhile, try your luck over on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. </div>
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See you in the comments!</div>
Wendelin Van Draanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534698736990684819noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-6922809091774445872017-07-02T11:20:00.001-07:002017-07-02T11:20:37.570-07:00Easy-Peasy Giveaway!<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ys6joXJv2wY/WVk0qAuNnnI/AAAAAAAABqk/1DHl074cKQ4Zgi0dMACF-PTqlcig9viXQCLcBGAs/s1600/SK%2B1-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ys6joXJv2wY/WVk0qAuNnnI/AAAAAAAABqk/1DHl074cKQ4Zgi0dMACF-PTqlcig9viXQCLcBGAs/s320/SK%2B1-3.JPG" width="320" /></a>Giveaway time! If you follow me on social you know I've started a giveaway where every Friday throughout summer we draw a winner who receives two copies of a new Sammy Keyes edition.<br />
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If you didn't know that and want to join in, separate giveaways are happening:<br />
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1) at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sammykeyesbooks/" target="_blank">Sammy Keyes (books) Facebook page</a><br />
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2) on <a href="https://twitter.com/WendelinVanD" target="_blank">Twitter @WendelinVanD</a><br /><br /><div>
3) on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/wendelinvand/" target="_blank">Instagram at @WendelinVanD</a>.<br /><br />
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It's super easy to throw your name in the mix, so I encourage you to enter everywhere to increase your chances of winning.<br />
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And now, here, for my faithful blog followers, I'm offering up two copies of the first three Sammys - one set for you, one for a friend. ('Cause you guys are awesome 😊.)<br />
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All you have to do is tell me your favorite scene from any Sammy Keyes book (no spoilers, please!). Describe it in brief in the comments below, and you are entered. Easy-peasy!<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zhUYV1ChBEc/WVk0qAkU44I/AAAAAAAABqo/Fc1DrpL_TaQFWkY9OceVmQquGGbBIzjHQCLcBGAs/s1600/Edgar%2BBooks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zhUYV1ChBEc/WVk0qAkU44I/AAAAAAAABqo/Fc1DrpL_TaQFWkY9OceVmQquGGbBIzjHQCLcBGAs/s200/Edgar%2BBooks.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
In addition to the six (2x3) Sammys, I'll also send the winner one of the hardcover mysteries that I received while serving on the 2016 Edgar committee (young adult category).<br />
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So enter here, and everywhere, and happy summer reading!<br />
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Next week: I'm planning to share new art from the next batch of Sammys which release on Sept 12th. They're wonderful, and the hidden numbers are super fun.<br />
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Have a great week. See you in the comments!</div>
Wendelin Van Draanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534698736990684819noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-57976367042206427962017-06-10T11:27:00.001-07:002017-06-11T17:10:02.309-07:00Girl Power<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When I was a kid, "girl power" was not a thing. Girls who would rather do sports or dared to compete with guys were called "tomboys."</div>
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I was definitely a tomboy.</div>
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For me, this was partly survival. I was sandwiched between two brothers. If I was going to have any fun, I had to keep up with the things they wanted to do.</div>
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Also, nowhere in my parents' playbook was the notion of treating their daughter like a princess. They were immigrants, and in this land of new opportunity, they valued hard work, discipline, and education. I wasn't treated differently or given "a pass" on things because I was a girl. We all worked together. We all helped out. My hands were as calloused as my brothers'. Hard work knew no gender.</div>
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In school, I was different from my peers, and it made me uncomfortable around them. Girls had Barbies, fashion sense, and pop culture crushes. Me? I could beat every boy on the playground in the 100 yard dash.</div>
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What I wish for my young self is that I'd grown up in a time when my mom - or my teachers or my Scout leader or my librarian or <i>anybody </i>- would have known how to articulate the notion of "girl power." The words, the concept, the discussion of the value of being true to yourself would have helped me embrace who I was, rather than try to conceal my differences. Because all kids want to have friends. All kids want to fit in. All kids are afraid that their differences will ostracize them. Back then there wasn't a movement to empower <i>individuality</i>.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_31ZzlGP2NM/WTwtT-2r40I/AAAAAAAABo0/bf2xb9arKdAQX4kiDWmqwAHybNKQbyXlACLcB/s1600/Sammy%2BKeyes%2Brevision%2Bstack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="319" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_31ZzlGP2NM/WTwtT-2r40I/AAAAAAAABo0/bf2xb9arKdAQX4kiDWmqwAHybNKQbyXlACLcB/s320/Sammy%2BKeyes%2Brevision%2Bstack.jpg" width="320" /></a>Regular readers of this blog will know that I'm in the process of delicately updating all 18 books of the Sammy Keyes series as the new covers roll out in 2017 and 2018. (You can read about that process <a href="https://etrtr.blogspot.com/2017/02/a-delicate-balance.html" target="_blank">here</a> if you're interested.) Next year will mark 20 years since the first title <i>(Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief</i>) was published, and the truth is, I hadn't read that book (or <i>any </i>of the books I've written) since it went to press. So I was a little concerned that the actual edition I held in my hands wouldn't compare to the romanticized version I held in my head.</div>
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The delightful surprise (and relief) for me has been how Sammy is even better than I remember. She really is, in the wonderful words of Sue Grafton, "feisty, fearless, and funny," but more than that, she is unique. She is herself. Despite all the pressures against it, she is true to herself and the things she believes.</div>
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And in revisiting the books, I'm understanding better why the impassioned young women who come to my signings with sacks of Sammys have the same message for me: Sammy empowered them to embrace themselves and pursue extreme goals. In short, Sammy gave them girl power.</div>
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I didn't set out to write girl power books. Sammy was just a kid - like any kid - struggling to figure things out. She was me and you, our fears and frailties, flaws and strengths, stumbling through life for truth, trying to find her way, and in doing so, somehow helping us find our own.</div>
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It is still mind-boggling to me how much I have learned and grown from a character I created.</div>
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Looking back, I can see that my being an outsider influenced the creation of her as an outsider, which, in turn, helped kids who feel like outsiders see that their uniqueness is a strength; that it's okay to be different; that it's okay to be <i>strong</i>. But it has gone beyond my wildest dreams to see the empowering impact that Sammy has had on young girls.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uLqGQqaPljY/WTwyPpA55lI/AAAAAAAABpM/27BQ4UYpnYgSoMlfXNgxSXi3K4x8u9QPgCLcB/s1600/Logic%2Baction%2Bfigure.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uLqGQqaPljY/WTwyPpA55lI/AAAAAAAABpM/27BQ4UYpnYgSoMlfXNgxSXi3K4x8u9QPgCLcB/s320/Logic%2Baction%2Bfigure.JPG" width="319" /></a>Today, "girl power" is everywhere, and it fills me with joy. When I was in New York for the <a href="https://etrtr.blogspot.com/2017/04/aiming-at-brave.html" target="_blank">Bank Street College of Education award</a>, I had the privilege of meeting a huge Sammy Keyes fan and her son. They have read the entire series together three times and are starting on a fourth go-round. </div>
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It turns out that this Sammy fan / mom - Julie Kerwin - is also the founder of iamElemental - a company that makes girl-power action figures. Their motto is "Play with Power" and their action figures are named after power "elements" like Creativity, Ingenuity, Curiosity.... I have Logic on my desk - she's awesome!</div>
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So if you're looking for something for girl-power play, I encourage you to <a href="http://www.iamelemental.com/courage/" target="_blank">check out the iamElemental line</a> of female superhero toys. Smart, fun, and empowering.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vOel5xQu1pc/WTwv0gnS9eI/AAAAAAAABpA/A6UmeLGS-VEmCYOSitHGHw5UXS3lhnNewCLcB/s1600/Strong%2Bis%2Bthe%2Bnew%2Bpretty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="782" data-original-width="700" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vOel5xQu1pc/WTwv0gnS9eI/AAAAAAAABpA/A6UmeLGS-VEmCYOSitHGHw5UXS3lhnNewCLcB/s320/Strong%2Bis%2Bthe%2Bnew%2Bpretty.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>
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I also exclaimed "Hallelujah!" when I first saw <i>Strong is the New Pretty</i>. Anyone looking for a book to encourage young girls to embrace themselves should check this one out. The pictures are gorgeous, the quotes will make you laugh and cheer, and the opening essays before each section are truly inspiring. And if you're a grown woman, reading it will make you want to go back and be a girl all over again....and this time do it <i>your</i> way.</div>
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It's important that we promote the idea to girls that it's okay to be feisty and fearless, that it's okay to be different - to be unique - and that strength is beautiful. </div>
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Because the girls who will go on to change the world are not the ones who conform to it.</div>
Wendelin Van Draanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534698736990684819noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-32032597601776242342017-05-28T14:16:00.004-07:002017-05-28T14:16:45.146-07:00The Dark Cloud<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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During lunch with a former student this week, the conversation turned to depression. She shared some personal stuff and then apologized for going into such depth about her life, her family, and that Dark Cloud that's so good at creeping in to block the sun.</div>
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In a rare moment of candor I told her that I knew the Dark Cloud well. </div>
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Everyone thinks I have the perfect life, I explained, and I do. I have a great marriage, two amazing sons, we live in a slice of heaven, I have over thirty books in print, two have been turned into movies, strangers tell me how much my work has helped them in their life, and I'm healthy. </div>
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And compared to the way my life used to be? Wow. I know I've got it good.</div>
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So what could I possibly get depressed about?</div>
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But that's just it. Depression can defy logic. And trying to reason it away is usually futile.</div>
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Also, it's not the same for everyone who suffers from it (or bouts of it), so the remedy - or battle plan - to defeat it is going to be different for different people. The chemistry of the brain is way too complex to prescribe universal solutions.</div>
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I try to shake my Dark Cloud by running away. Literally. I know exercise is good for health and fitness, but my real motivation is mood elevation. Can I just say this? I don't love running. I love the result of running. I love the way it calms me down, lifts me up, makes me ready to tackle the things I have been putting off. </div>
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It's all about the endorphins.</div>
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I also escape in my writing. 30 novels (8 chapter books) in less than 20 years is the output of a woman possessed; one preferring to create worlds where good can triumph than face off with her own demons. When I'm absorbed in the production of pages, the Dark Cloud stays a safe distance away.</div>
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Also of benefit is the simple act of "ditch digging" - the chores of life. If I can get myself up and moving when the Dark Cloud is hovering, I can bat it away. But getting yourself up and moving when it's upon you is <i>hard</i>. Why bother with chores? I don't feel like going for a run. No, I don't want to answer the phone, the front door, my email. Nothing seems worth doing, and the less I do, the less I feel like doing. It is <i>hard</i> to break that cycle. </div>
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I never, ever talk about this except with Mark, who helps me get up and get going on the things that will chase the Cloud away. I dodge and weave my way through life, and pretty much manage to keep the darkness at bay. And I don't want to acknowledge the Cloud to others because...well, everyone has things they're dealing with, and I have, you know, <i>everything.</i></div>
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But there you have it: Like many people, I struggle with a powerful and persistent Dark Cloud. And the reason I'm sharing this with you now is because that former student gaped at me when I shared it with her and said, "You have no idea how much better that makes me feel."</div>
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She seemed so...relieved. She laughed out loud. She shook her head. She smiled a warm, radiant smile. </div>
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Her reaction made me realize how much we can help each other, just by admitting it. Twenty minutes in the weight room may not work for you the way it works for me, but maybe a hike through the woods will. Or maybe you've tried sweating it away, or writing it away, or scrubbing it away, and it's still there, dark and foreboding, and you just can't shake it. Maybe it's time to seek professional help.</div>
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I am not a doctor, and I don't claim to understand the intricacies of brain chemistry, depression, or even mood swings. </div>
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I just want you to know that you're not alone. </div>
Wendelin Van Draanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534698736990684819noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-31839332977242507742017-05-20T16:38:00.000-07:002017-05-23T09:03:19.726-07:00Just a Hater<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LxJiy8FRads/WSDPq-nH0BI/AAAAAAAABoI/_SKepeVdETURv4b_Mt_eJkNYw9M1Grj0ACLcB/s1600/One%2Bstar.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LxJiy8FRads/WSDPq-nH0BI/AAAAAAAABoI/_SKepeVdETURv4b_Mt_eJkNYw9M1Grj0ACLcB/s1600/One%2Bstar.png" /></a>There will be haters. And with the anonymity of the internet serving as barracks, they will shoot freely with their negativity, aiming to hurt you, but willing to settle for knowing they got to you. </div>
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This week I saw that there was a 1-star rating on Goodreads for my upcoming YA novel, <i>Wild Bird.</i> Goodreads reviews can be tough. The majority of people there take their reading very seriously. They are stingy with their 5s. 4-stars is a compliment. 3-stars is really good. But a 1-star? Those are much rarer than 5-stars.</div>
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You can get a 1-star on Amazon if someone's book wasn't delivered on time (like that's the author's fault?). Not the case on Goodreads. Most reviewers are there for a legitimate love of literature and have more class than to give a 1-star rating unless they have real issues with a book....and then they'll usually voice those in a review.</div>
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There was no accompanying review on Goodreads for the 1-star rating of <i>Wild Bird. </i>And since this is a book that's really only available to reviewers and select educators at this point (because it won't be out until September 5th), I was puzzled.</div>
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And then I realized that this same "reviewer" had given all my books--and pretty much <i>only </i>my books--1-star ratings. And that they'd all been rated on the same day.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1skKs-FmUcg/WSDJUFcHU_I/AAAAAAAABn4/DVUWtZeNgZgWQbJPBt3gV-5Tlt3fSTgPACLcB/s1600/Goodreads%2B1-stars%2Bfor%2Bblog%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1skKs-FmUcg/WSDJUFcHU_I/AAAAAAAABn4/DVUWtZeNgZgWQbJPBt3gV-5Tlt3fSTgPACLcB/s640/Goodreads%2B1-stars%2Bfor%2Bblog%2B2.jpg" width="392" /></a></div>
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Ah. A hater.</div>
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What did I do to deserve this hate?</div>
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I have no idea, and it doesn't matter--I was immediately over it.</div>
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Creative people are usually sensitive people, and it's easy to get to us. Especially when our creations are from the heart. It takes me two, maybe three, years of of research, writing, and revising to finish a YA novel. Yet with the split-second tap of a touch pad, someone can give your book one-star and feel that they are in a position of power. Or equal footing. Or that they are somehow a player.</div>
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My creative friends: these people are not players. They are not in your court, on your field, or swimming in your pool. They are benched. Their lives don't work to a point that they resort to <i>this</i> to make themselves feel better. How sad is that? How <i>pathetic</i> is that?</div>
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So don't give them that power. Don't let them infiltrate your thoughts. Don't even bother to ask who or why. The who is easy: a coward. And the why will never make sense coming from the thoughts of an illogical or hateful mind. Don't waste your time. </div>
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Also, you will lose if you engage. Maybe you can get their profile removed, but they'll just come back as a different fake user, with a different fake profile, and a different fake photo. </div>
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So don't give them your energy. Go back to the creative work you do. Keep driving toward your mission. You have a purpose, a direction, a <i>contribution </i>to make. They have hate, cowardice, and, almost certainly, little to show in the way of actual accomplishments.</div>
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Turn your back, walk away, and pity them. </div>
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Hate is a terrible way to live.</div>
Wendelin Van Draanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534698736990684819noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-23670886627400217782017-05-14T19:37:00.001-07:002017-05-15T13:20:33.834-07:00An Interview with Tara Sands, Voice Artist Extraordinaire <br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I’m so excited to
share this week’s post. It features Tara Sands, the voice artist for the Sammy
Keyes books, done through</span> <a href="http://www.liveoakmedia.com/" target="_blank">Live Oak Media</a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> (“where great children’s books play
nicely”). </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">For the record, Tara is awesome. Kind, generous, excitable, and
funny. She also adores her rockin’ grandma, which, come on, says a lot.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Sammy
Keyes books came out before the audio recordings did. My kids were too young for Sammy, but I tried reading them aloud to them anyway.
Let's just say they didn't have the enthusiasm I'd hoped for. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">But when the audio
books came out, I let Tara do
the talking and it suddenly became fun. For them and for me! They <i>wanted </i>to hear more. And then when my sons discovered that Tara voiced
for Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh, well, they were over the moon excited to listen. They
looked at me differently. “You know </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Tara
Sands?</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The cool thing for
me was, the audios hooked the boys on Sammy. When the new books came out, they wanted
to know what was happening in Sammy World <i>now</i>. And since the audio books weren't out yet, they broke down and started reading them. That’s right. I have Tara Sands to thank
for getting my own kids into Sammy Keyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">So, if you haven't already gotten to know Tara, let me give her an official introduction:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>Tara can be heard
as over 50 characters on the original “Pokemon” series, including Bulbasaur,
Richie, Jasmine, Oddish, and Tori. Other favorite roles include Mokuba Kaiba in
"Yugioh", Circe in “Generator Rex,” Summer in "Barbie: Life
In The Dream House," Kari in "Digimon Adventure Tri," Karla in
"Gundam Thunderbolt," Kombu Infinity in "One Punch Man,"
Cynthia in "Pokemon Generations," Anna in "Shaman King" and
lots more.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Tara has narrated
over 150 audiobooks (including the Sammy Keyes series) and for over 100
episodes, Tara was the on-camera host of the Cartoon Network show “Fridays.”
There, Tara interviewed dozens of celebrities and had more on-camera food
fights than she cares to remember! She has </span></span></i></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">receiv<i>ed numerous Earphones awards from
Audiofile Magazine and has been nominated for Audie awards as well.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">And now, on to the interview!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Welcome to the blog, Tara! We have a lot of Sammy Keyes fans here so we appreciate your taking time to chat with us about what it’s like to voice the audio books for the series.</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">WV: Walk us through the audition process for a voice
artist. How did Live Oak Media select you to be the voice of Sammy Keyes?</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">TS: It was a long
time ago, so I am a bit fuzzy on the details! I remember Paula Parker, the
amazing director of all the books, asked me to audition. I am pretty sure I
just read a few pages into a tape recorder!! And then I was lucky enough to get
the job!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">WV: How did you prepare to record the first book – <i>Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief </i>– where
all the characters were brand new?</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">TS: This series is
unusual in that the producer and director were very involved in helping me
prepare before we got into the studio. We had some phone conversations about
what we envisioned for the characters’ voices, and then tweaked them a bit when
once we started recording. Back then I would highlight every character’s
dialogue in a different color! Now I use an ipad to read off of and I do make
some notes, but nothing that intense! I was very new to audiobooks when I
started the Sammy Keyes series, so that preparation was really helpful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">WV: You’ve just recorded the sixteenth title – <i>Sammy Keyes and the Showdown in Sin City</i>—how
do you prepare to record a Sammy Keyes title now? Do you revisit previous
recordings? Do you read the entire book before entering the studio?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">TS: It is crazy to
think this is Book 16!! Yes, I definitely read the book ahead of time and I
make a list of all the characters who appear. Then we cross reference that list
with characters from the older titles and listen to sound clips of their voices
to get them right. A lot of the kids in the books have really matured or
changed over the books, like Casey , so I try to make his voice reflect that
change.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">WV: I have a newfound appreciation for what you do
after voicing the bonus pages for the new <i>Flipped</i>
audio. It’s not easy! I wasn’t even doing any characters--it was just me being
me—and about twenty pages took me a big chunk of the afternoon. On average, how
long does it take you to voice a Sammy Keyes book? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">TS:<b> </b>It depends on a few things….if there
are a ton of characters it takes a little bit longer. The pacing of the scenes
also makes a difference. For the high energy scenes I definitely read faster,
and for the more emotional scenes I pace it a little slower. If the voices are
hard on my voice (like Officer Borsch) I need to take a lot more breaks to rest
my throat! The general rule with audiobooks is that it takes us about 2 hours
to record 1 hour of finished audio. So a 7 hour audiobook would take me about
14 hours in the studio. When the writing is good (like yours) I make less
mistakes and can go a bit faster.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">WV: The cast of Sammy Keyes characters continues to
build across the series. Do you have a method, or maybe an ‘audio bible’ that
helps you keep the voices straight from book to book? </span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">TS: Well, for many
years we didn’t and would have to have stacks of cds and time code lists to go
back and listen to each of them. Then last year I took a few hours to make mp3
files of all the major characters and now I have them in a handy dandy folder
on my computer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">WV: It seemed that you especially enjoyed voicing <i>Sammy Keyes and the Power of Justice Jack</i>.
Was it the character of Jack? Billy Pratt?</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">TS: Yes! I love
Billy Pratt!!! He is exactly who I would have been friends with. I love how
kind he to Sammy and how he is up for anything. His relationship with Marissa
was a really interesting story line. I imagine he and Sammy staying friends as
adults. They would make a good couple.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">WV: What have you most enjoyed about the evolving
series storyline?</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">TS: Honestly, I
love the writing. I believe that these are real people and I find them
incredibly relatable. You have given
them solid histories and back stories to explain why they are who they are. I
haven’t stayed with any other series as long as this one and it has been so
much fun. I get excited to see what happens next and I know that you don’t
write typical “happy ending” stories which I really appreciate. I also love the
Grams/Hudson relationship. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">WV: Does character evolution mess with voicing those
characters? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">TS: “Mess with” is
such a strong way of saying it!!! But yeah, in this last book, I had to figure
out how to sound like Heather without being mean. That was tricky. She started
sounding like Marissa at times, and Paula would make sure I stayed on top of
making them different.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">WV: You attend lots of Cons and seem to have a really
good time doing it. Which character(s) do you voice that create(s) the most fan
fever to meet you? </span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">TS: I’ve been
lucky to do a lot of cartoon voices over
the years, but the one fans are most excited about is Bulbasaur from Pokemon.
It’s so much fun to watch their faces when they ask me to do that voice in
front of them – which is especially funny since all he says is “Bulbasaur”!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">WV:</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <b>You’ve voiced all but the last two books
to go in the Sammy Keyes series, and it suddenly occurred to me that you
probably don’t know how the story ends…or even that the last one isn’t in the
voice of Sammy Keyes! I’m not sure how Live Oak will choose to approach the
last book, but regardless, it’s almost over! Any reflections on Sammy and the
broader purpose or value of these stories, or the series as a whole? </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">TS: Wow!!! I
didn’t know that! I purposely haven’t read ahead! But now I need to!! When I
heard you had written a final book, I was so sad. But then I remembered how
much I loved re-reading my favorite stories as a kid and I know that’s what
people do with these books. It’s especially fun re-reading a series because you
know where it’s going and you see all the smart little hints the author planted
along the way. So, while I would love it to go on forever, I do love a great
ending! I feel really lucky to have been involved since the beginning and
hopefully I’ll be at least somewhat involved in the final book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">WV: Thank you so much for your contribution to this
body of work. I know you have some ardent fans inside the Sammy Keyes
community. Maybe someday we’ll have a Sammy Con! You game?</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">TS: YES YES YES!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E44ZVbYWBcs/WRkL_9IxEWI/AAAAAAAABnc/AOQKAYaGKQgXbjThkoVRckzlkJ4yHOC6QCEw/s1600/Tara%2BSands%2BBanner.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="122" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E44ZVbYWBcs/WRkL_9IxEWI/AAAAAAAABnc/AOQKAYaGKQgXbjThkoVRckzlkJ4yHOC6QCEw/s320/Tara%2BSands%2BBanner.png" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Isn’t she awesome? If you’ve read through
the entire Sammy Keyes series and have been missing our girl, try listening to the audio books. It's a whole new (and really fun) experience. You can get the physical CDs through Live Oak Media <a href="http://bit.ly/2qkUwow" target="_blank">here</a>, and they're also available as downloads on Overdrive and Audible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">And finally, if you do the social media thing,
you can follow Tara here on </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Twitter and Instagram at <b>TaraSandsLA</b>, and on Facebook at</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <b>TaraSandsTaraSands. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Her website is: </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><a href="http://www.tarasands.com/" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">http://www.tarasands.com/</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">As always, thanks for checking in. See you
in the comments!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Wendelin Van Draanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534698736990684819noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-73370819892482518102017-05-07T09:02:00.001-07:002017-05-07T09:02:23.313-07:00Puppy Love<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QCv8pMiE9Q0/WQ6gU6QvrPI/AAAAAAAABmI/Us9zfqrNzrMemwpKNXumaxTZgvz8pcdvgCLcB/s1600/Wendelin%2Band%2BKo-hii-ko.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QCv8pMiE9Q0/WQ6gU6QvrPI/AAAAAAAABmI/Us9zfqrNzrMemwpKNXumaxTZgvz8pcdvgCLcB/s400/Wendelin%2Band%2BKo-hii-ko.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ko-Hii-Ko and me</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I am a dog person. I absolutely love them. They haven't come...or gone easy, though.<br />
<br />
When my siblings and I were young, it took a lot of nagging to get a dog. Mom had three, then four children, with absolutely no need for more to do.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
She bought us goldfish instead. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After she got tired of netting up dead goldfish, she thought a lizard would be a more practical pet. She converted the aquarium into a terrarium and it was our responsibility to capture live flies for the beastie. This is not as easy as it might sound. Plus, apparently a lizard needs more buzzy things than we were able (or inspired) to catch, because before too long the lizard was dead, too.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Then came the guinea pigs. First Scooter, then Scamper, then hordes of babies in a pen in the back corner of the yard squeaking away. We kids didn't want (or particularly like) the guinea pigs. We wanted a dog. </div>
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<br /></div>
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This is all chronicled (in a barely fictionalized setting) in my first book, <i>How I Survived Being a Girl,</i> where narrator Carolyn relates how her older brother Jack finally has a little fit about the pet thing.<br />
<br />
From Chapter 9 "Rodents and Reptiles": <i>So just when I was thinking we'd never get a dog, Jack got real mad and told Mom he didn't want fish or lizards or guinea pigs--or rabbits or snakes or goats for that matter. He wanted a dog. A dog's what a boy's supposed to have, and no other animal would make up for not having a dog. Except maybe a monkey, if she wanted to give him that.</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IhQbljiSr6I/WQ6gU2S0feI/AAAAAAAABmM/ODjOAv_NhdAKydZCT11G2fx0zO3bIi1DgCLcB/s1600/Wendelin%2Band%2BTushka%2Bscan2c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IhQbljiSr6I/WQ6gU2S0feI/AAAAAAAABmM/ODjOAv_NhdAKydZCT11G2fx0zO3bIi1DgCLcB/s400/Wendelin%2Band%2BTushka%2Bscan2c.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Tushka</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
And that's pretty much how, in the real world, we got Ko-Hii-Ko. (If you know anything about my mom, you'll know right off she's the one who did the naming.) Mom insisted that Ko-Hii-Ko be an "outside dog," and we kids didn't argue, or ask for any other kind of pet, ever again. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When we moved to a new town and Ko-Hii-Ko was hit by a car and died, we were all heartbroken. My mom was the one who said we should adopt a German shepherd puppy from neighbors who had a litter of them. We picked out a cute little shy girl from the back of the pack, mom named her Atushka, and she immediately allowed her <i>into</i> the house. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Atushka (or Tushka, or Tuki) was a wonderful pet. She adopted our pack, slept on our beds, and wanted to be with us wherever we went. Her favorite activity was wrestling with a running hose. She would bite it, shake it, pounce on it like it was an enormous writhing snake that she was determined to take down. She was also my running buddy. I would take her on long runs up the grade or along the trails on the outskirts of our neighborhood. She was an awesome friend and companion to all of us and lived a long life. So even though she was old and far beyond enjoying life any more, it was still absolutely heartbreaking to have to put her down.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Mark's family had always had dogs, too, and usually in pairs. So when we were ready to get a dog of our own, I said I wanted to get a Siberian husky. I'd seen the most beautiful female husky at a dog show, and <i>that</i> was the dog for me!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6g8oVGeNZU/WQ6gVoM61XI/AAAAAAAABmU/tOf8T6rWfxcdNfO25E-IOoAaeGvAQMiNgCLcB/s1600/Wendelin%2Bwith%2BHuskies%2Bcolor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6g8oVGeNZU/WQ6gVoM61XI/AAAAAAAABmU/tOf8T6rWfxcdNfO25E-IOoAaeGvAQMiNgCLcB/s320/Wendelin%2Bwith%2BHuskies%2Bcolor.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kai-tu and Lassen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
To make a long story short, we did not wind up with one cute little female. We got a two-for-one, last-of-the-litter special, and they were males. Males who became <i>big</i> dogs, with lots and lots and <i>lots </i>of shedding fur. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Protective and sweet, they were so funny when they'd start up a howl. They'd eye each other - one revving up, looking to the other to join in - and soon they'd have enough harmonics going to be mistaken for an entire pack.<br />
<br />
Kai-tu and Lassen became my running buddies...or really more my extreme-sport coaches. They had to be on leash or they'd instinctively take off after cats, and since they're bred to pull sleds, my runs became as much an upper body workout as one for my legs.<br />
<br />
Endless tufts of fur and all, they were inside dogs...until we had a baby and caught them drooling beside our "mewing" infant in the bassinet. We immediately pulled a classic <i>Lady and the Tramp</i>. "Out!"</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Running is how I stay tethered to sanity, so the way I continued to incorporate that into my life as a new mom was by pushing a baby jogger while running with Kai-tu and Lassen. We were a wild entourage, full-steam ahead, and yes, people wisely made way. Especially when the second child was in the jogger and the first one was peddling alongside on his (training-wheeled) bicycle. </div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Both dogs lived to "old age" where we, again, had to make the heartbreaking decision to put them down when it was cruel to continue to nurse them through each day.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nD_k-CPHSkM/WQ88X0Vh4mI/AAAAAAAABmo/e1EdqsYidNsj3ateHVB5FGdbsZ85m4pmgCLcB/s1600/Connor%2B%2526%2Blizard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nD_k-CPHSkM/WQ88X0Vh4mI/AAAAAAAABmo/e1EdqsYidNsj3ateHVB5FGdbsZ85m4pmgCLcB/s320/Connor%2B%2526%2Blizard.jpg" width="320" /></a>After that, I was done. I swore I never wanted to go through that again. Besides, I had kids now. And too much to do. I did not need dogs!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But then our kids started asking for puppies. Begging for puppies. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We got them goldfish.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
That bought me a few months.<br />
<br />
Then came the Summer of Lizards. They caught wild ones and somehow trained them to perch on their shoulders. Great fun. And it bought me a few more months. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
But lizards are not dogs. (See Chapter 9.) And I knew better than to bother with guinea pigs or rabbits or snakes.<br />
<br />
But if I was going to agree to this, I had criteria!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QfWQ4rEpa3o/WQ6gUf8YXvI/AAAAAAAABmA/b2eguC9QPDASLicPq2dNZy4A4pbPOh9EACLcB/s1600/Bongo%2B%2526%2BJazz%2Bfor%2BBlog3b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QfWQ4rEpa3o/WQ6gUf8YXvI/AAAAAAAABmA/b2eguC9QPDASLicPq2dNZy4A4pbPOh9EACLcB/s320/Bongo%2B%2526%2BJazz%2Bfor%2BBlog3b.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Off the bed? You're kidding, right?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
#1: NO FUR. Or, at least, not pillow-sized volumes of it. I'd done my time with the huskies.<br />
<br />
#2: SMALLER. Mark and I had different days off, and I needed to be able to pick the dog up and take it to the vet. But it also had to be large enough so there was...<br />
<br />
#3: NO YIPPING. It had to have a good bark.<br />
<i></i><br /><i></i>
<i>And</i>... #4: It had to be big enough to be a running companion.<br />
<br />
And, oh yeah, #5: it had to be good with children.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Being the agreeable guy he is, Mark had only one real requirement, but it was a big one: We had to get two dogs so they'd have each other as company during the day when everyone was at work or at school.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The kids also had a requirement: They had to be puppies.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After much research and talking to lots of people, we wound up with whippets - a breed I would never have imagined for myself. But it didn't take long for them to invade my heart. Look at those faces! I didn't want to love them but I couldn't help it. What incredibly sweet animals. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-stR86p1MbOk/WQ6gUpZugqI/AAAAAAAABmE/lkmPMvwcucEVaIfwTrh6ync5lHr7ATnSACLcB/s1600/Bongo%2B%2526%2BJazz%2Bfor%2BBlog3a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-stR86p1MbOk/WQ6gUpZugqI/AAAAAAAABmE/lkmPMvwcucEVaIfwTrh6ync5lHr7ATnSACLcB/s320/Bongo%2B%2526%2BJazz%2Bfor%2BBlog3a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our boys and their boys</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So for the past fifteen years they have been part of our family. They were definitely inside dogs, sharing the bedrooms with our sons, doing "the changing of the guard" each night at around 2:00 am when they would switch rooms and look after "the other boy." They lived a good, long, spoiled life.<br />
<br />
And telling myself all that should balance out the heartache of recently having to say goodbye, but it doesn't. They went within weeks of each other, and I keep looking for them, keep expecting them to be waiting for us when we come home. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A librarian friend of mine knew I was sad and missing Bongo and Jazz, so she gave me Gary Paulsen's <i>My Life in Dog Years</i>, which I read cover to cover. It's a collection of short stories about each of his most special dogs, and how they saved him (both literally and figuratively). It was actually very comforting to read. Dog people understand that losing your pet is like losing a friend who was, without reservation, always happy to see you.<br />
<br />
Real dog people understand that dogs are not accessories.<br />
<br />
They're family.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rf_lVWQTryk/WQ6gU29rEUI/AAAAAAAABmQ/CRLyuLSsrqkREPqcVIcNjCABM9kubUJ1ACLcB/s1600/Bongo%2B%2526%2BJazz%2Bfor%2BBlog2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rf_lVWQTryk/WQ6gU29rEUI/AAAAAAAABmQ/CRLyuLSsrqkREPqcVIcNjCABM9kubUJ1ACLcB/s400/Bongo%2B%2526%2BJazz%2Bfor%2BBlog2a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bongo and Jazz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I know cat people feel the same way about their feline friends and go through the same end-of-life trauma. I've never had a cat, and I'm not planning to start, so keep your adorable kittens away from me, okay?<br />
<br />
Our friends assume that we'll be getting new dogs, but I don't know if I can go through this again. For now we'll just enjoy other people's dogs. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Or maybe we'll get some goldfish. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You think?</div>
Wendelin Van Draanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534698736990684819noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-23951518601902706122017-04-30T20:10:00.000-07:002017-04-30T20:10:53.777-07:00Mystery Solved!<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S0rvq6PLsX8/WQaEXYVEvDI/AAAAAAAABlk/hoLpiNwzZe4Pjq8GotQfPTw1j6nHs-U4gCLcB/s1600/IMG_2205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S0rvq6PLsX8/WQaEXYVEvDI/AAAAAAAABlk/hoLpiNwzZe4Pjq8GotQfPTw1j6nHs-U4gCLcB/s320/IMG_2205.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We weren't allowed to talk about it. I guess that falls nicely under the mystery writer umbrella. After all, you're not supposed to know who-dun-it until the end of the story.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But since the 2017 Edgars were announced at a fancy-pants banquet in New York City on Thursday, I'm now permitted to tell you that <i>I</i> dun it. Or, at least, I helped.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was on this year's Edgar committee in the Young Adult category. There were five of us. I was not the ringleader, and I'm glad. This was my first time serving on a committee like this and it has given me a broadened perspective (and newfound appreciation) of what goes into selecting a handful of books from the many titles submitted.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In theory I knew that there'd be a lot of reading, but...reality check: There was a <i>lot </i>of reading!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You wouldn't think there'd be <i>that</i> many young adult mysteries published in a given year...and it's true, there aren't. But publishers submit books that are thrillers, or suspense novels, or any story, really, that has some tangential mysterious element to it. So you wind up with all these books that don't really qualify as mysteries, but you read them anyway because there must be a reason they were sent in for Edgar award consideration, right?</div>
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So...what do you do if a book is really good, but only tangentially a mystery? Should it be considered for "best young adult mystery of the year"? I sure didn't think so, so I asked several times for clarification. What definition of mystery are we using? Is a thriller eligible, even though we know the whole time who the bad guy is? Is a simple suspense story a mystery? Does there have to be a central crime?</div>
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I guess the best way to summarize what I learned is to share that there's a nominee this year that's not a true mystery. It was one of the best books, suspenseful, thrilling...but not a true mystery. And yet, it made the short list.</div>
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Having been on the other side of the process for sixteen Edgar cycles (the span of the Sammy Keyes mystery series), I would now say that - strictly for the purpose of being considered for the Edgar - I would not want a mystery I'd written to come out in the fall. Books to be considered for the Edgar are all published within a given calendar year, so titles start trickling in early in the year when committee members have time to read-read-read. By fall, there's a deluge of books arriving, and all must be read before mid-December while the holidays and other end-of-year pressures are all bearing down on you. </div>
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It becomes a power-read process...not something you're really hoping for as the author. You want people to savor your book. To enjoy it! To revel in the mystery and try to puzzle it together, not just power through it. </div>
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After reading the submissions is complete, it's time to vote. And I would tell you more about that but there's the section in the Rules for serving on an Edgar committee that states "Any discussions among committee members may not be shared outside the committee." So I'm not able to really tell you anything other than that the winner - <i>Girl in the Blue Coat</i> by Monica Hesse - was very high on all our lists. We were unanimously happy with the winner, which (I've heard) is not always the case. </div>
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The other nominees were <i>Thieving Weasels</i> (by Billy Taylor), <i>The Girl I Used to Be</i> (by April Henry), <i>My Sister Rosa </i>(by Justine Larbalestier), and <i>Three Truths and a Lie</i> (by Brent Hartinger). </div>
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The Edgar Award "Dress to Kill" banquet is always a fun night. For each and every one I attended as a nominee for a Sammy Keyes book, I was game to fulfill that instruction the best I could...but always in a dress that was $29 or less. It started that first year (when I won for <i>Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief</i>) and wore a dress I'd bought for $29 at a "vintage" store. After that, the price tag of the dress I'd wear to the Edgars became a fun $29 tradition for me. And now, in addition to fun stories I have from each and every Edgar banquet, I also have one for how I found each and every $29 gown. </div>
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"It's just an honor just to be nominated," is also very true. Especially now that I know how crazy-many books get submitted for each category. </div>
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But let me also confess this: It's a lot more fun to win! </div>
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And both are much more thrilling than serving on a committee. I'm glad I did it...and grateful in a brand new way for those who served on committees in years past when there was a Sammy Keyes book lurking in their mile-high stack of reading. </div>
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As always, thanks for checking in. See you in the comments! </div>
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Wendelin Van Draanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534698736990684819noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-6537547771353723592017-04-23T18:21:00.000-07:002017-04-23T18:21:12.955-07:00Spilling Secrets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Several really cool things happened while I was in New York to accept the Josette Frank Award from the Bank Street College of Education for <i>The Secret Life of Lincoln Jones.</i> </div>
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First, the newsy stuff:</div>
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Aside from the awards ceremony (which I wrote about last time), the date (April 6th) happened to be Sammy Keyes' birthday and was (by complete coincidence) also the day that sample copies of the first three repackaged Sammys landed on my editor's desk. So I got to hold them for the very first time - a super cool way to celebrate Sammy's day!</div>
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Besides the whole 'rebirth' thing, the books are "so pretty and shiny!" and inside there's a new "What Do You Think" class/club questions page, which I think makes for a really helpful addition. Series tend to get dissed in terms of substance, but there's always something to think about / discuss with Sammy Keyes! </div>
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For example: </div>
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"Sammy and Marissa have such different homes and families. What are the pros and cons of each?" </div>
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"Why do you think Sammy was so determined to help Holly? Why is Holly so reluctant to take her help?" </div>
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"Sometimes things have surprising value. The value can be monetary, but also sentimental. In your own life, what things are of most value to you?"</div>
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The questions are gentle enough to not feel like homework, but substantive enough to encourage thought and discussion. I like that balance. </div>
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The first three books become available on May 2nd, and on the high-top heels of that, the next batch (#4-8) is in the process of being finalized. </div>
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The art (which I also got to see while in New York) is awesome, but I've also been under deadline to turn in tweaks to the text. All those Sammys plus my last-chance read-through of <i>Wild Bird</i> before it goes to press added up to the enormous stack of pages on my desk. I've been a reading machine!</div>
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The non-newsy New-Yorky thing I wanted to share with you has to do with the dinner I had with a small group of book people. It's always fun to be out with book people. Conversation is lively and thoughtful and fun. This was a dinner in my honor (because of the awardy-thing for <i>The Secret Life of Lincoln Jones</i>), but I didn't want the focus to be on me. I had already spilled a lot of personal stuff about <i>my</i> "secret life" during my acceptance speech and didn't really want to talk about me. So I suggested that we go around the table and everyone share about their "secret life." Fair's fair, right?</div>
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There were about ten of us at dinner, and some of the people had known or worked with each other for many years. But as we went around the table, new and surprising things surfaced. It was fascinating. It wasn't so much a "secret life" thing as it was the sharing of things that others didn't already know about them. One of them worked at a tire store. One of them had danced on Broadway. Everyone had something fascinating about them that the others hadn't known about them before. </div>
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It drove home to me how you can work alongside someone for years, but not really know their personal story. Or what built them into the person that they've become. Maybe it's just easier that way. In my acceptance speech, I talked about how I didn't share about my past life with my new colleagues when I became a teacher because it was too hard, too complex, and really, how could they ever really understand?</div>
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In new friendships, I think we tend to start at our meet date and move forward from there. But with lasting friendships, I think it pays to also look backward. Not in a prying way, more in a Tell-Me-Something-I-Don't-Know-About-You way. </div>
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You already know about my "secret life" - the life I had before I became an author which, not coincidentally, is also the life that led me to writing. (If you missed it and are curious, go to the previous post - there's a link.) And you already know about Lincoln Jones's secret life. And Sammy's - talk about a secret life!</div>
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So now it's your turn. Some of you have been reading this blog for years. We're all "friends at the blog," so share something about your life. </div>
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Tell us something about you.</div>
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As always, thanks for checking in. Looking forward to seeing you in the comments!</div>
Wendelin Van Draanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534698736990684819noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-60337647327988053422017-04-09T19:41:00.001-07:002017-04-09T19:41:49.484-07:00Aiming at Brave<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iuZxnW0OM_Q/WOrGCWlNDiI/AAAAAAAABj4/A2Br5NmkdaIQMHNECyh5nS9zWQvJ1yZIgCLcB/s1600/Awards4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iuZxnW0OM_Q/WOrGCWlNDiI/AAAAAAAABj4/A2Br5NmkdaIQMHNECyh5nS9zWQvJ1yZIgCLcB/s400/Awards4.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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I'm pretty sure the forty Bank Street College of Education committee members who sorted through six <i>thousand </i>titles to find a winner for each of their award categories were expecting to hear about <i>The Secret Life of Lincoln Jones</i> from their fiction category winner, not about the author's secret life. </div>
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But since the two are tied together, and since I've come to accept that I can learn from my characters, I took a cue from Lincoln and aimed at being brave.</div>
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Any time you open yourself up, you make yourself vulnerable to all sorts of things. It's easier, <i>safer, </i>to keep the windows closed, the curtains drawn. So I was conflicted about sharing this story, these pictures, and my past life with the audience. They're things I've only talked about generally, if at all. Things that still make me weep to revisit. But, channeling Lincoln, I summoned my courage and decided that facing my fear was the only way to conquer it.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My publishing peeps!</td></tr>
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I was last on the program, which could have meant that I'd be completely short-circuited by the time it was my turn. But the other honorees' talks were so informative and entertaining that I was wonderfully engaged in their stories and not even thinking about my own.</div>
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First up was the category of non-fiction which was shared by three books. <i>Ada's Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay</i> is a picture book about a young girl who lives in a garbage dump town and finds hope in making a violin from debris. The author and illustrator were both present to tell their sides of creating this book--it was fascinating!</div>
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Next in the non-fiction category, Leigh Walton, the editor of <i>March: Book Three,</i> accepted the award on behalf of the authors. He brought a new angle to a book that has received enormous notice and many awards, something I really enjoyed.</div>
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And the final non-fiction award went to<i> Sachiko: A Nagasaki Bomb Survivor's Story. </i>The author, Caren Stelsen, shared her research and how she worked with Sachiko for many years to write this book. Her talk really underscored how dedicated authors are to "getting it right."</div>
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Then, in the poetry category, author Julie Fogliano accepted her award for <i>When Green Becomes Tomatoes: Poems for all Seasons. </i>Her talk was funny and sweet and unassuming and...wonderful. The parts about her denying she's a poet made me laugh out loud, but I especially love how her friend helped her get writing again after other pressures and responsibilities in her life had caused her to stop. </div>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R6VTxoJr2GU/WOrDNTomaFI/AAAAAAAABjk/G1uV9qHwi-YLX1PEQAfI8dSoNpowojgYQCLcB/s1600/logo-kidlittv.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R6VTxoJr2GU/WOrDNTomaFI/AAAAAAAABjk/G1uV9qHwi-YLX1PEQAfI8dSoNpowojgYQCLcB/s320/logo-kidlittv.png" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="text-align: justify;">And then it was my turn to talk. Which I did. And survived.</span><br />
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If you're interested in hearing any of the program, you can find the whole thing <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/KidLitTV/" target="_blank">on the KidLit TV site</a>.</b> My part is only 10 minutes long and starts somewhere around 1:20. Focus on the pictures, not my quivering voice. </div>
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As always, thanks for checking in. See you in the comments!</div>
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Wendelin Van Draanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534698736990684819noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-53884347558305012502017-04-02T14:12:00.000-07:002017-04-02T14:29:51.807-07:00Happy Birthday, Sammy!<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-elrjMav9JvQ/WOFng-YFQUI/AAAAAAAABio/WOJJUZFh-lIs7CbTinl4qMm8cb4SxXr_gCLcB/s1600/Happy-Birthday-Sammy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-elrjMav9JvQ/WOFng-YFQUI/AAAAAAAABio/WOJJUZFh-lIs7CbTinl4qMm8cb4SxXr_gCLcB/s320/Happy-Birthday-Sammy.jpg" width="320" /></a>I am getting ready for next week's trip to New York, so this will be a short post, but I did want to point out one very important thing:</div>
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Thursday (4/6) will be Sammy Keyes's birthday!<br />
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How old this year?<br />
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Well, I'd say she's turning "thirteen all over again," but if you're a Sammy fan you already know that she has managed to (<i>finally</i>) put that number behind her. We think.<br />
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I hope you'll take a moment during your day on Thursday to wish Sammy a happy birthday in whatever form suits you. Take a shortcut. Ride a skateboard. Wear high-tops. Boycott fuzzy pink sweaters. Maybe even mix up some mac'n'cheese'n'salsa. (It is, in fact, god-like.)<br />
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If you want to post or send me pictures, I would love that.<br />
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And please know that I'm grateful for this community, where I'm not alone in thinking Sammy's birthday should be celebrated.<br />
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See you soon!Wendelin Van Draanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534698736990684819noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-17056284060782807572017-03-25T19:03:00.000-07:002017-03-25T19:05:01.109-07:00Hope, Heart, and Making a Difference<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here's the thing about being a teacher: <i>You're </i>the one left behind. I'm not talking about pay structure or professional status, I'm talking about being left behind by the students. </div>
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Each year teachers ready their classroom, prepare their strategies, devise fresh ways to enrich the curriculum and seed knowledge, then greet a whole new crop of kids, who for nine months will grow stronger and smarter with the care and feeding of considered education. And then, in a buzz of summer break excitement, those students will dash out the door, and out of your life. And you will likely never have a definitive answer to the question all teachers ask themselves: <i>Did I make a difference?</i></div>
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I know this because I did this cycle for fifteen years.</div>
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I didn't teach at the cuddle-kid level, where intrinsic rewards can come in spurts of little hugs and tearful goodbyes. I taught high school. Semester courses. Six of them each semester for fifteen years. Somewhere between 28-33 kids per class. Let's call it an average of 30 k/cl. </div>
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When I multiply 6 x 30 x 2 x 15, I get 5,400 students. Some of these took more than one of my courses, so let's just round down and say approximately 5,000 kids came through my classroom during my tenure as a teacher. I poured my heart and soul into making school fun <i>and</i> educational, into making kids feel like my room was a safe haven--a place they belonged. I ran myself ragged in the pursuit of excellence, especially after I became a mom. I was on my feet all day and lost weight to a point where people thought I was anorexic. I wasn't, I just wasn't taking care of <i>myself</i> the way I was taking care of everything else. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AdbZl3yhfmc/WNcKumTJ7xI/AAAAAAAABiY/r5HSWZM2J1AytRiwhYtqPjxN_Xc39mOUACLcB/s1600/RUNAWAY%2BNew%2BCover%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AdbZl3yhfmc/WNcKumTJ7xI/AAAAAAAABiY/r5HSWZM2J1AytRiwhYtqPjxN_Xc39mOUACLcB/s320/RUNAWAY%2BNew%2BCover%2B2.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new cover</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: justify;">And at the end of fifteen years, I looked back and wondered ... had it been worth it? </span><br />
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Had I made a difference?</div>
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Because, really, <i>that's </i>the reason we teach.</div>
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My novel <i>Runaway</i> had been an idea long before it became a book. And the reason it took me so long to begin writing it was because I didn't know how to end it (and I won't start a book unless I have an ending in mind). </div>
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In case you're not familiar with <i>Runaway</i>, it's the journal of Holly Janquell, a girl who runs away from bad foster care shortly after her teacher, Ms. Leone, gives her a journal in an effort to help Holly "turn the page." </div>
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Suddenly, Holly's gone.</div>
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And Ms. Leone has no idea what's become of her troubled student. </div>
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I had the basic plot for the book. And I knew where I was <i>going</i>, just not how to end it.</div>
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And then one day I was out on a run and the idea for how to end the book hit me like a bolt of lightning. I know exactly where it happened. No, the earth isn't charred there, but it did get sprinkled. The idea hit me so hard that I stopped in my tracks, gasped at the emotion of it, then started crying. Right there in the middle of my run, I got all weepy and overwhelmed and, you know, spastic. </div>
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Because if what happens at the end of <i>Runaway</i> were to have happened to me as a teacher, I would have bawled my eyes out. In the very best, happiest of ways. </div>
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And no, I'm not going to spoiler it here!</div>
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<i>Runaway</i> was first published in 2006. The reason I'm bringing all this up now is twofold: </div>
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First, authors experience a thing similar to teachers. We write stories, they go out into the world and we have no idea if the story we poured our heart and soul into has had its intended effect. Did readers understand what you were trying to say? Did they feel it in their heart? Did it make them think? </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8dSlyg5hBy8/WNcJ3Bl091I/AAAAAAAABiQ/qXIc2hNwnEgDdIjExp0OGlaYJ84DxTl3gCLcB/s1600/RUnaway%2BLetter%2Bfrom%2BTeacher%2BART.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="387" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8dSlyg5hBy8/WNcJ3Bl091I/AAAAAAAABiQ/qXIc2hNwnEgDdIjExp0OGlaYJ84DxTl3gCLcB/s400/RUnaway%2BLetter%2Bfrom%2BTeacher%2BART.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The teacher letter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Did it make a difference to anyone? </div>
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Anywhere?</div>
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Because, really, <i>that's</i> the reason we write. </div>
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I have gotten some beautiful, heartfelt letters from teen readers over the years. But this week, eleven years after <i>Runaway</i> went out into the world, I got a letter from a teacher. (See sidebar.) What he wrote made me weepy-happy because it tells me that yes, he understood. Yes, he felt it. And yes, it made a difference.</div>
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The second reason I'm bringing this up now is because we have finally completed the <i>Runaway</i> book trailer. Faithful readers of this blog know that it's been in the works for, what? Eight or nine months? Introducing a trailer after a book has been out for so long is not normally done, but we wanted to do something to celebrate the new cover and help <i>Runaway</i> find new readers. Not that a 90 second trailer should take nine months, but when you watch it, you'll better understand why it did. (Yes, that's the Los Angeles River.) (Oh. And a little trivia: The place where you'll see Holly in the bushes writing in her journal? The path right beside it is where I had my stop-in-the-trail moment.)</div>
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So, I will link to the trailer, but before I do, I have a request: Sometime soon, tell the teachers who have made a difference in your life that you appreciate them, and why. This is not hard. They are out there. Teachers love Facebook and Instagram and Twitter. Find them. Post to their wall. Send a direct message. <i>Something</i>. It may be just what they need to find the strength to go on in their career. </div>
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And while you're at it, tell your parents. Or your kids. Tell the people who matter that they matter, and why. </div>
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Because, really, that's what we <i>all</i> live for.</div>
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And now, here's the <a href="https://youtu.be/bOgu8iezGyo" target="_blank">RUNAWAY TRAILER</a>. Please share it with your friends and colleagues. Please send light and love out for others to catch. This story is all about hope and heart and making a difference. Help it find its way to the people who need it. </div>
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As always, thanks for stopping by. See you in the comments!</div>
Wendelin Van Draanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534698736990684819noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-7724923238014198422017-03-18T11:25:00.000-07:002017-03-18T11:45:38.780-07:00There's a Turtle on My Title!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OUCBoNA8WvQ/WM1roMTrwFI/AAAAAAAABhg/EkRkN4TZmuYX2O4CZhh16eobfr_ZnxkkgCLcB/s1600/TRD%2BVietnamese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OUCBoNA8WvQ/WM1roMTrwFI/AAAAAAAABhg/EkRkN4TZmuYX2O4CZhh16eobfr_ZnxkkgCLcB/s400/TRD%2BVietnamese.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This week I received my author copies of Vietnam's edition of <i>The Running Dream</i>. I love my foreign editions. They're fascinating. I may spend more time marveling over them than I do the original book when it's finally something I can hold in my hands. By then, I've been over the manuscript dozens of times and figure there can be no surprises. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">That's not always the case. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sometimes the surprise is good - as in <i>Sammy Keyes and the Kiss Goodbye</i>, where there was the absolutely wonderful surprise of the fancy endpages. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And sometimes the surprise is <i>not</i> good - as also in <i>Sammy Keyes and the Kiss Goodbye</i> where the dedication page was (and is still) missing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Usually, though, it's a matter of receiving the book, admiring it for a a little bit with the feeling of immense gratitude that it's finally, <i>finally</i> a real book, and then getting back to work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The foreign editions are different, because everything about them is new and fascinating and mysterious. And the idea that I'm holding a book that I wrote but can't read gets me every time!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sometimes the editions arrive and the art is a complete surprise. For example, when I received copies of the French translations of <i>Sammy Keyes</i>, I was shocked to see that Sammy's name had been changed to Sara Kay. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Who the heck was Sara Kay?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AoSkqRQU3ik/WM1s_zS-VbI/AAAAAAAABhs/m_rWcfyrUD8U5hZWIgWRSYILzbLbaUaDwCLcB/s1600/SK%2BFrench%2BCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AoSkqRQU3ik/WM1s_zS-VbI/AAAAAAAABhs/m_rWcfyrUD8U5hZWIgWRSYILzbLbaUaDwCLcB/s320/SK%2BFrench%2BCover.jpg" width="231" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And why make her look like an angry Nancy Drew?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My agent assured me that the foreign publishers understand their marketplace better than we possibly could and to trust them. I have learned to do that. The Sammy Keyes books have done well in France, so maybe a girl with (what seems to be) a boy's name wouldn't fly in their market. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sometimes the foreign publisher gets cover approval from the author prior to publication, which was the case with this Vietnamese version of <i>The Running Dream</i>. And I did do a double-take about the art. With the framing trees and the starry feel, it seemed to be art more representative of <i>Flipped</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So I asked my agent about it, and she relayed my query to the publisher in Vietnam, who replied with this explanation: </span><i>Our keyword is "dream". We show a healthy girl
sleeping peacefully, as if after a fierce struggle. It's like a dream within a
dream of Jessica.</i></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k40LCFvtIbs/WM1xOkZ1-kI/AAAAAAAABh8/L2R8Yaf4DJ8A1uGA6Xt8fMjJgGPmDXAVgCLcB/s1600/IMG_1692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k40LCFvtIbs/WM1xOkZ1-kI/AAAAAAAABh8/L2R8Yaf4DJ8A1uGA6Xt8fMjJgGPmDXAVgCLcB/s200/IMG_1692.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">They also said they felt the artwork would do well in their market, so I'm trusting that it will.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Some other interesting details about the Vietnamese edition: The title, “Đường đua
của những giấc mơ,” translates to something like “Race Track of Dreams,” and the book comes with a nifty star-shaped bookmark. Each chapter is labeled "Chuong" which translates to (big surprise) "Chapter," but it's the section headings that I haven't been able to figure out. I think this is because t</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">he "a" used in "PHAN" has a special symbol over it. Or a combination of marks. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The translations I've come up with are "Chalk" or "Phase." I'm pretty sure neither is correct because in analyzing the language, there are a variety of special symbols (and combinations of them) put on letters that change the meaning. The one (or combination) over this "a" looks like a turtle going to the left. There's also a turtle heading to the right on "ket" below "PHAN." (I'm sure these 'turtles' have nothing to do with slow and steady winning the race, although I'm applying my own symbolism anyway!)</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JgtkqML5WL4/WM1xOeUOhMI/AAAAAAAABh4/IneXxvjp0BYrL3neWW-InXOx_Q_Xnl8UwCLcB/s1600/IMG_1688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JgtkqML5WL4/WM1xOeUOhMI/AAAAAAAABh4/IneXxvjp0BYrL3neWW-InXOx_Q_Xnl8UwCLcB/s400/IMG_1688.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, see? It's fascinating. And that I can't read a word of it makes it even more so. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you have any knowledge of the Vietnamese language, please share with us in the comments. And if you know anyone who'd be interested in the Vietnamese translation, <a href="https://www.fahasa.com/duong-dua-cua-nhung-giac-mo.html?attempt=1" target="_blank">here's a link.</a></span></div>
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Thanks for checking in. Here's to happy surprises landing in your mailbox. Looking forward to chatting with you in the comments!</div>
Wendelin Van Draanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534698736990684819noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-61917384017181308232017-03-11T19:37:00.002-08:002017-03-11T19:39:05.308-08:00Spastic and Weepy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6eUP7K7yQxg/WMSvhoiuQJI/AAAAAAAABhQ/Lf1rf91BLREzzuTFyMleYx2z0TcRMoKZwCLcB/s1600/Hat%2Bdrawing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6eUP7K7yQxg/WMSvhoiuQJI/AAAAAAAABhQ/Lf1rf91BLREzzuTFyMleYx2z0TcRMoKZwCLcB/s320/Hat%2Bdrawing.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Thanks to everyone who entered last week's contest. It was a spur-of-the-moment thing, to ask for your favorite quote or scene, but it made for a really wonderful week for me. There was such a range of favorite scenes, and I loved each and every comment. </div>
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As promised, I put all the entries in a hat- - a hat that some of you may recognize from the Sammy Keyes Goodbye party - and the name I drew was...Yusa! So congratulations, Yusa! Send me an <a href="mailto:mail@exercisetherighttoread.org" target="_blank">e-mail</a> with your snail mail address and I will get your box packed and sent.</div>
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Now on to this week - I'd like to invite you to New York! Or, more practically, I'd like to invite those of you in the New York City vicinity to come to the Bank Street College of Education's Children's Book Awards ceremony. I was stunned to learn that it was open to the public, so if you're interested, you can just show up! </div>
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The awards are broken into three categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Poetry.</div>
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This year they have 3 winners in the Non-Fiction category - one for younger readers (<i>Ada's Violin</i>) and two for older readers (<i>March </i>and <i>Sachiko).</i></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6choI-y9R70/WMSjho6-hqI/AAAAAAAABg8/6OBZedY38q8hw-d0fHDW_AAacFxOaupagCLcB/s1600/BSCE%2BInvite%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6choI-y9R70/WMSjho6-hqI/AAAAAAAABg8/6OBZedY38q8hw-d0fHDW_AAacFxOaupagCLcB/s400/BSCE%2BInvite%2B1.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<i style="font-style: italic;">When Green Becomes Tomatoes</i><i> </i>won in the Poetry category, and <i style="font-style: italic;">The Secret Life of Lincoln Jones</i><i> </i>won in Fiction.</div>
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Each award recipient will give a short talk (5-10 min). I've been told that, so far, Susan Hood, the author of <i>Ada's Violin</i> and Leigh
Walton, the editor of <i>March</i> will be there to accept, as will Julie Fogliano, author of <i>When Green Becomes Tomatoes</i>.</div>
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I'll be there, too, for <i>Lincoln Jones</i>!</div>
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The wonderful thing about being recognized for you work is...well, that your work has been recognized. It's really nice validation for all the sweat and tears you poured into creating your story.</div>
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The unnerving thing about being recognized for your work is...well, that you have to talk about your work. How do you boil down the essence of what took years of your life to create? How do you explain why it's important without sounding, you know, self-important?</div>
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Some people are good at this. They're eloquent and at ease. Me? I'm spastic and weepy. Even when I've coached myself into believing it's going to be a breeze - and even if I have to speak for only 5-10 minutes - somehow I turn spastic and weepy. </div>
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I've been told that it would help reduce my level of s tress if I had a few tried-and-true speeches that I could pull out and use. But I'm terrible at delivering speeches from the page. It feels so stiff. I've witnessed lots of other authors deliver do it to great effect, so I don't know what my problem is. I recognize that I'm the creator of my own anxiety, but even if I had some tried-and-true speeches that I could deliver well, it would feel like cheating. Every event is different. Every audience is different. And every time I think about what I want to say - what would be most appropriate for that particular audience - it turns out different.</div>
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Anyway, thinking about what I want to say - and convey - in the 5-10 minutes allotted for me to speak at this awards ceremony, I realized that for this book and this audience, I needed to go where I have never gone before. </div>
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Which means I'm starting from scratch.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aXsCYq2XJLk/WMSu9PNMjAI/AAAAAAAABhM/Za_InALR-60nafnGU060PrMDzgilkJTPgCLcB/s1600/Pentachem%2B2%252C%2BW%2Bwith%2Bpipewrench.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aXsCYq2XJLk/WMSu9PNMjAI/AAAAAAAABhM/Za_InALR-60nafnGU060PrMDzgilkJTPgCLcB/s400/Pentachem%2B2%252C%2BW%2Bwith%2Bpipewrench.jpg" width="282" /></a>I'm not going to go into detail here. I'm just going to show you one picture from the slides that I'm putting together. </div>
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Yes, that's me (many years ago). </div>
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Yes, that's a pipe wrench in my hand. </div>
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What does this have to do with <i>The Secret Life of Lincoln Jones</i>?</div>
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More than you can possibly imagine.</div>
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The rest I'm saving for Bank Street.</div>
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If you've read through to this point, you are probably one of my faithful readers. So if you're also someone who lives near New York City and has been wanting to get your collection of books autographed, here's your chance: Following the awards ceremony, BSCE is having a booksale/signing, So come. Bring your stacks. I will make sure they get signed. </div>
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And don't worry - I'll leave the pipe wrench and coveralls at home. </div>
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As always, thanks for stopping by. See you in the comments!</div>
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Wendelin Van Draanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534698736990684819noreply@blogger.com6