Write2Ignite's Master Class on Chapter Books

Write2Ignite provides education, inspiration, and encouragement to Christians who write for children and young adults. We do this by offering services and resources, and by creating a positive network consisting of both new and seasoned professionals.

As many of you know, I'm part of the Write2Ignite team. One of the main ways that our organization helps writers is by providing biannual virtual Master Classes.  Our fall class on September 23 features the talented and accomplished author of many Imagination Station books, Marianne Hering who will teach about writing chapter books.

Look at the Master Class schedule and you'll see that each of Marianne's three classes will be followed up by breakout sessions with a W2I team member. Since I'm one of the breakout leaders I had a peek at the worksheets that Kathy O'Neill created--and they're going to lead to lively brainstorming, discussion, and writing!

The class is $69.00 and you register here. Remember, middle or high school students attend at the discounted rate of $49.00.

I'm looking forward to hearing our guest editors' presentations. We'll hear from Laura Derico, Acquisitions Editor at David C. Cook, and Jennifer Lowry, Publisher and Editor at Monarch Books. Both editors said they would be open to W2I submissions after the class. 

In addition to a packed day, we have FOURTEEN books to give away as door prizes!!  Look at this amazing list:

                     By Marianne Hering:

In Fear of the Spear

Trouble on the Orphan Train

Inferno in Tokyo

Madman in Manhattan

Escape to the Hiding Place

Light in the Lions' Den

 

 

By Tim Shoemaker: 

Escape From the Everglades

The Deep End

Every Hidden Thing 

Easy Target  

 

Books published by David C. Cook:

 

The Action Bible Easter: 25 Stories About Jesus' Resurrection

 

Clever Cub Forgives a Friend – by Bob Hartman & Steve Brown 

 

Clever Cub Invites Someone New by Bob Hartman & Steve Brown

 

The Heart Who Wanted To Be Whole by Beth Guckenberger & Irina Mileo

Want to catch a glimpse of Marianne's magnetic personality? Read her post on the W2I blog, "So Why Isn't War and Peace a Chapter Book?"

Come ready to learn, grow, and be challenged. Who knows, there might be a chapter book series at the tip of your fingers! I hope to see you there!

Shared WIP Blog Tag- Part I

Congratulations to Linda Phillips who won the audio CD of "Indigo Girl" from last week's blog.

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Recently I have met several young writers and bloggers.  One of them who goes by the pen name of Julian Daventry, asked for volunteers to be part of her Shared-WIP four-part tag. Each blogger answers four sets of ten questions that will be geared to four different aspects of their current WIP – the story itself, the characters, the storyworld, and general writing.  You'll find links to the other blogs at the bottom of this post; I hope you'll check them out.

My long time blog followers will know answers to some of the questions, but hang in there--there are some surprises too! 

What is the title, genre, and current status of your WIP?

Half-Truths is historical middle grade (after years of flip-flopping between YA and MG. Here's my post about this recent decision.). I just passed the mid-point of what I hope is the last draft--of at least ten (to be honest, I've lost track of how many times I started over!)

What makes your story unique?

Although there are other friendship books between a white girl and a black girl, no others take place in a southern city just before the 1954 Brown vs. Board of Education decision to integrate the schools. 

Titled "Isolation." 1960's, Michigan

Where did the title come from?

Generational secrets (i.e., half-truths) that influence the present fascinate me. 

Pictures like these from Pinterest inform my story.

How long have you been working on your WIP?

Ten years. (not counting a few years spent on a picture book and early chapter book that laid the ground work for Half-Truths. Yes, a picture book. Really.)

Some of the books I've read while researching and writing. 

What do you think people will enjoy most about your WIP?

I'm hoping they'll enjoy the girls' friendship and what Kate and Lillian learn from one another. I also hope they'll become more aware of their own half-truths (We all have them!).

Describe your WIP in ten short phrases.

Segregation; Charlotte, NC; civil rights; passing; family secrets; rambunctious goat; debutantes; journalism; unexpected friendship; Korean War. 


Provide a snippet (long or brief) of a favorite scene.

Dear Katie,

Sorry for not writing sooner. Lola Mae told me you were waiting on me to write.

Ever since Daddy folded the Shaw’s place into ours, we’ve had more tobacco to pick than you can shake a stick at. Them sorry coloreds were all standing around boo-hooing when the sheriff served them papers. Hey, it’s not our fault that they didn’t pay their taxes.

I put the letter down and stare out the window. Mr. Davis didn’t buy the Shaw’s property.

He stole it. 

My eyes blur as I continue reading. With all the cutting and drying we gotta do, I’d just as soon as not finish school. That would be fine by Daddy, but Mama won’t hear of it. I just got me a few more years ’til I’m sixteen. Then she can’t say nothin’ more about it. 

I really gotta run. Don’t worry about not being my dance partner no more. Ain’t nobody gonna ever shag like you, baby.

Baby? I crumple up Mack’s letter and throw it into the trashcan. What did I ever see in him? The big oaf!

It would serve him right if he flunks out of school.

What is the hardest thing to write with this story?  What is the easiest?

Hard: Getting the African American story right.
Easy: Writing off the page. (I write Kate's poems in long-hand first. These seem to come out easier.)

A line where the tension builds.

"My anger balloons bigger than my questions about the mysterious object. No one should be forced to dig up their ancestors."

Explain the plot in one line.

In 1952, fourteen-year-old Kate Dinsmore's world is shaken when she discovers that the Negro teenager working in her grandmother's house is her second cousin.

Please visit Sarah, Ivie, Lisa, Julian, Jem, Faith, Lila and Evangeline to see their answers to these questions. You'll be impressed with these young writers enthusiastic dedication to story creation!

Stay tuned for Part II in a few weeks.

Nerdy Books Blog

As blog schedules may have it, I was a guest blogger on Nerdy Books the day after I blogged for Kirby Larson. If you're not familiar with this comprehensive blog for readers, I hope you'll check them out. They have several different types of essays throughout the week; click on "Posts" and browse around.

In my Nerdy blog last week, I highlighted ten mentor texts that have helped me as I've written Half-Truths. Next week I plan to be back in your inbox with another book review and giveaway. Thanks to all of you for your support. 

Writers & Teachers-- Take a Break!

Joyce Hostetter, my fellow author and presenter next week at NCCAT, forwarded this movie clip on writers. We'll be using it as an ice breaker; you can use it for a writing break or to show your students. Either way, it's guaranteed to bring a smile to everyone's face!

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