04-30-09 Susan Taylor Brown, guest host
The transcript below covers the complete #litchat conversation with author Susan Taylor Brown on April 30, 2009. The order has been numbered sequentially from the first post to the final post.
| LitChat Welcome to #litchat. To follow the chat directly, go to http://www.tweetchat.com, enter #litchat in room field and you get full feed. -12:59 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites Hello everyone. Thanks for coming. #litchat -1:00 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| ddrdavis #litchat #litchat -1:00 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| LitChat @ddrdavis Yes, you’re coming in just fine. Try http://www.tweetchat.com and enter the room #litchat. Welcome! #litchat -1:01 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| Becky_Levine #litchat. I’m here. Susan, thanks for doing this chat. -1:01 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @ddrdavis Welcome. Are you a children’s literature lover? Reader? Writer? All of the above? #litchat -1:02 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| LitChat Thank you for joining us, Susan. I apologize for not having M & W chats this week, was out of the country on business. #litchat -1:02 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @Becky_Levine Hi Becky, Thanks for joining us! #litchat -1:02 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| ddrdavis I think I’m here #litchat -1:02 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| ddrdavis I am a writer #litchat -1:02 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| LitChat @susanwrites, would you please begin with a few tweets about your background writing for children? #litchat -1:02 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @ddrdavis http://www.tweetchat.com/room/litchat makes it easiest. #litchat -1:03 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| ddrdavis Former cartoonist, ten published picture books, three in the works #litchat -1:03 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites I’ve been writing for children for over 25 years now. I started when my own kids were young (on a dare, actually)& haven’t stopped. #litchat -1:04 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| ddrdavis I started late #litchat -1:04 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| LitChat @susanwrites What was the dare that spurred you to write children’s books? #litchat -1:04 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites I have written everything from picture books (PB) to young adult novels (YA) and everything in-between. #litchat -1:05 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| hollywest Did you always want to write children’s books, or were you inspired by your own kids? #litchat -1:05 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @LitChat I was meeting with my critique group and we were all working on parenting articles. I was telling a story about my kids. #litchat -1:05 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @LitChat and someone dared me to write it as a book. I did and it sold as an easy reader to the educational market #litchat -1:06 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @hollywest I always wanted to write. Period. But yes, my own kids inspired me to write for children. #litchat -1:06 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @hollywest Now I would say that everything in my life inspires me and often finds its way into my books. #litchat -1:07 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| rj_anderson Do you find one type of children’s book (PB, early readers, MG, YA) harder than another to write? #litchat -1:07 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @susanwrites For example, my most recent book, Hugging the Rock, I would have sworn was about my daughter and her father….but no #litchat -1:07 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @hollywest by the time I got to the end of the book I realized it was about me and the father I never knew. #litchat -1:08 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| hollywest RT @susanwrites That’s a nice sentiment–Everything in my life inspires me & often makes it’s way into my books #litchat -1:08 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @rj_anderson I think PB are the toughest ones for me. I have sold several but they are hard work. You have so few words. #litchat -1:09 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| Becky_Levine Is it okay to just toss in a question? #litchat -1:09 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @rj_anderson however in novels, it is the act of plotting that puts terror into my heart. LOL #litchat -1:09 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| LitChat @Becky_Levine Yes. Question away. That’s what #litchat is about. #litchat -1:10 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| rj_anderson @susanwrites I so admire PB writers. I’ve said before that writing a PB is like carving the 23rd Psalm on a grain of rice. 😀 #litchat -1:10 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @hollywest I think by using our life experiences in our work it gives us the ability to write with emotional honesty. #litchat -1:10 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @Becky_Levine yep . ask away #litchat -1:10 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| Becky_Levine Oh, guess so. I can see them on the chat page. (New to this!) Susan, how much reading do you do in the various children’s genres? #litchat -1:10 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @hollywest and it is that emotional honesty that is needed to make the reader connect wholly with your story. #litchat -1:10 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| ddrdavis Sorry this was my first visit here. Didn’t understand the format. What “grown up” books are your favs? #litchat -1:11 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @Becky_Levine I read tons of books. To give you an idea, so far this year I have read over 100 novels. #litchat -1:11 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @Becky_Levine I also read a lot of NF for research but I really try to keep up on all the latest in my genre #litchat -1:12 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| hollywest @susanwrites Yes, that’s what is meant by “write what you know” #litchat -1:12 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| rj_anderson @susanwrites Do you read adult books as well as children’s & YA, or do you stick to the genres you write yourself? #litchat -1:12 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @ddrdavis I read very little adult fiction. Elizabeth Berg is the only adult novelist whose book I will buy sight unseen. #litchat -1:13 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| TarieS Hi from the Philippines! It’s 4:13 AM here. LOL. #litchat #litchat -1:13 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| rj_anderson @susanwrites And when writing a book in a particular age range/genre, do you read more or fewer books in the same range/genre? #litchat -1:13 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| rj_anderson @TarieS Now that’s what I call dedication! #litchat -1:13 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @rj_anderson @ddrdavis I really don’t read a lot of adult fiction. I tend to stick to MG and YA contempory novels. #litchat -1:14 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| Becky_Levine @susanwrites I’m going to have to get you started on Joshlyn Jackson. #litchat #litchat -1:14 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @rj_anderson That’s a great question. Before I start the book, I read all over the place. Like I am writing a book about planes. #litchat -1:14 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| hollywest That’s one of the things I love about being a writer–reading a lot is an integral part of the job #litchat -1:15 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @rj_anderson so I read NF and fiction about planes but once I get into the book, I don’t want to read anything that specific. #litchat -1:15 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| LitChat @TarieS Welcome! Did you get up early to join #litchat? Or stay up late? Either way, that’s dedication. Thanks! #litchat -1:15 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| moonbridgebooks Do you write childrens books with adult readers (parents) in mind, too? #litchat -1:15 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @rj_anderson but I will continue to read YA while I write…until the first draft is done. Then I stop reading fiction #litchat -1:15 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| Becky_Levine Hugging the Rock is a verse novel. What’s the biggest difference for you, between writing poetry and writing prose fiction? #litchat -1:15 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @Becky_Levine Yes, please do. #litchat -1:16 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @hollywest That and being able to work in my jammies! #litchat -1:16 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @TarieS Hi Tarie thanks for joining us. #litchat -1:16 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| hollywest @susanwrites: What are some of your fave YA and MG titles from your youth? #litchat -1:16 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| ddrdavis I worry about myself. I don’t really read many picture books. I read Shel Silverstein poems and love Mark Twain and Biography. #litchat -1:16 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @moonbridgebooks Good question. Before I was published I never thought about the gatekeepers to the books. Now I do, a little. #litchat -1:17 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs @susanwrites how many books have you written and do you have a fave age group? #LitChat -1:17 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| TarieS @susanwrites I wouldn’t miss this!!! #litchat -1:17 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @moonbridgebooks But I really try not to because it makes me stumble. #litchat -1:17 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| TarieS @LitChat I am staying up late. 😀 #litchat -1:17 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @Becky_Levine diff between prose and verse is hard to quantify. I tried writing Hugging the Rock in prose and I lost emotion #litchat -1:18 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @Becky_Levine It is easier for me to write in verse when my life is crazy because I can think in snippets of one poem #litchat -1:18 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| ddrdavis Susan, do you use a computer or do you like pencil and paper on first draft? #litchat -1:18 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| writergal85 Was the process to sell your first book as easy as you made it sound? I wrote NF pic book but have never had book published. #litchat -1:19 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @hollywest I didn’t have a lot of kids books when I was young. We didn’t have books at home, only reader’s digest condensed books. #litchat -1:19 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @hollywest and there were no genres like YA and MG (I’m 50) But I loved the picture book Sam Bangs and Moonshine. #litchat -1:19 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @ddrdavis If you want to write PB you need to read a couple of hundred picture books. The genre is changing all the time. #litchat -1:19 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| Becky_Levine @susanwrites I’ve been bringing home a stack of ten or so PBs every time I go to the library now. #litchat -1:20 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @VanessaDobbs You know I should have counted. LOL If I include my educational books in foreign countries, over 50 #litchat -1:20 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs I was brought uponEnid Blyton #LitChat -1:20 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| Becky_Levine @VanessaDobbs Me, too! #litchat -1:20 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| ddrdavis I’ve written quite a few but don’t read too many modern ones except those of friends. #litchat -1:21 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @ddrdavis It depends. Poetry and PB start with pen and paper. NF is always on the computer. Novels go back and forth. #litchat -1:21 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @VanessaDobbs oh, I just remembered! Little Women, of course, and The Five Little Peppers. Can’t believe I forgot them. #litchat -1:21 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| hollywest @susanwrites Judy Blume would’ve been around for you, wouldn’t she? I’m 40 and her books were about 5-10 years old when I read them #litchat -1:21 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs Sorry tweet went too early.Was going to say Kids much luckier with wide choice today #LitChat -1:22 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @writergal85 The process of WRITING it was easy, the selling, not so much. That first book sold to educational market #litchat -1:22 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @writergal85 But it had 27 rejections first. #litchat -1:22 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| llunalila Oops almost lost #LitChat @susanwrites how do you edit? right after first draft or do you wait some time before taking manuscript again? -1:22 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @Becky_Levine That’s the way to do it, a stead diet of PB to feed the muse. Then you get a sense of the rhymthm #litchat -1:23 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs @susanwrites loved it when I could read Little Women and the what Katy Did Series #LitChat -1:23 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @llunalila When I am being good, I edit after the draft. When I am bad, I edit every hour. 🙂 #litchat -1:24 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| ddrdavis I grew up reading Jules Verne, Alexander Dumas, James Fennimore Cooper, etc. Old fashioned boy stuff I guess. #litchat -1:24 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| TarieS Wow, ya’ll are reminding me that I need to read A LOT more PBs!!! #litchat -1:25 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| llunalila @susanwrites I know what you mean. I’m being real bad with my WIP 🙂 #litchat -1:25 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| writergal85 All the Market guides I read now, say you can’t pitch w/o an agent. very frustrating. #litchat -1:25 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs @susanwrites have u read March by Geraldine Brooks? It’s the story of Mr March #LitChat -1:25 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| Becky_Levine Susan, I have to run–kids to pick up. Thanks for doing this! #litchat -1:26 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| moonbridgebooks Any advice on pitching to children’s publishers? #litchat -1:26 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @writergal85 well agents are a lot more approachable now too. At conferences, via blogs, online. #litchat -1:26 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| llunalila @writergal85 there are pub houses that still accept unagented manuscripts but it’s not easy #litchat -1:26 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| rj_anderson @llunalila @susanwrites Editing every hour would be GOOD for me. I edit more like every sentence, esp. when first drafting. #litchat -1:26 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @VanessaDobbs Yes, that was good. #litchat -1:26 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @moonbridgebooks Do you homework. Read their blogs. Go to conferences. Be absolutely professional and send them your best work. #litchat -1:27 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| moonbridgebooks @writergal85 Charlesbridge takes unagented manuscripts. They’re on twitter. #litchat -1:27 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| writergal85 I know it’s not easy. #litchat -1:27 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| writergal85 @susanwrites do you carry around a notebook and jot down story ideas? #litchat -1:28 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @rj_anderson LOL. Yes, I do that too. I wasn’t going to admit it. #litchat -1:28 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites So the topic for the chat was reading to motivate and inspire children and I wonder if you all have any favorite books for that? #litchat -1:28 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites to inspire their imagination…. #litchat -1:29 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites My picture book, Oliver’s Must-do List, is about a boy who wants his mom to quit working and play with him. #litchat -1:29 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites when she finally does, they use their imagination to have many great adventures together. #litchat -1:29 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @writergal85 yes, a notebook goes with me everywhere but I am also known to write on the back of checks or the back of my hand. #litchat -1:30 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs @susanwrites my daughter loved Roald Dahl and afterI read the BFG to her she devoured everything else he wrote. #LitChat -1:30 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| moonbridgebooks I have an extremely fussy reader, but she likes ghostie mysteries: Garden of Eve, Doll in the Garden #litchat -1:30 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| LitChat My kids were inspired by fantasy, particularly CS Lewis’s CHRONICLES OF NARNIA. #litchat -1:30 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| llunalila @susanwrites Lots of, but one that was an all time favorite was Alice in Wonderland. Loved it till I saw a v. bad album as a kid #litchat -1:31 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| TarieS Yes! Fantasy literature and Roald Dahl are awesome for the imagination. #litchat -1:31 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites My son was a reluc reader & I could never find any fiction that pleased him but when he wanted to build a car, he found NF #litchat -1:32 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites Roald Dahl really gets kids to think outside the box – anything is possible. #litchat -1:32 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| rj_anderson @susanwrites I’d say it’s crucial to find books the child really likes, rather than books YOU like and want him/her to enjoy too. #litchat -1:32 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| moonbridgebooks Animal stories are always good, I’m going to have to write one for her about our cats. #litchat -1:33 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @rj_anderson good point…often we try to force a book on a child before they are ready for it too. #litchat -1:33 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| rj_anderson @susanwrites I am sad my #1 son (age 8) is not keen on some of my faves, but he loves NF and Kenneth Oppel’s AIRBORN & sequels. #litchat -1:33 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| hollywest I don’t have kids but the books that I loved the most as a kid (and still do) were by Judy Blume (MG) and Lois Duncan (YA). #litchat -1:33 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @moonbridgebooks Kids do seem to connect to animal stories. #litchat -1:34 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| taral RT @LitChat: #litchat today with guest host Susan Taylor Brown, author of children’s and middle grade fiction. Join us at 4 pm. (I’m late!) -1:34 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| ixtumea @susanwrites Oh, I used to do that whole editing every word. Then I realized I’d never finish a book! #litchat -1:34 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| ddrdavis My daughter read anything, but my son wanted adventure books #litchat -1:34 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @rj_anderson that he reads at all is good! Kids need to see parents reading too… #litchat -1:34 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| llunalila @rj_anderson yes! and each kid is real different. My daughter is enjoying all Geronimo Stilton while some friends of hers hate it #litchat -1:34 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| rj_anderson @LitChat NARNIA was my big inspiration as well. I blame CSL for pretty much my entire fantasy-loving reading/writing career. #litchat -1:34 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @ixtumea Yes, it does take much longer to finish a book that way which probably explains 20+ years on my WIP. LOL #litchat -1:35 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| hollywest And Encycopedia Brown, Choose Your Own Adventure, those were both faves. #litchat -1:35 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| moonbridgebooks Reading together tends to make books more palatable to daughter, so I do pick things I might like, too. #litchat -1:35 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| ixtumea @susanwrites I loved Ronald Dahl as a kid. #litchat -1:35 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @ddrdavis Boys are often tough. those of you with sons might want to check out http://guyslitwire.blogspot.com/ #litchat -1:35 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites also http://guysread.com/ #litchat -1:35 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| ixtumea My 7 yr olds favs: graphic novels, Narnia, Flat Stanley, Tree House series. #litchat -1:36 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| TarieS Ooohhh, I just read When the Whistle Blows by Fran Cannon Slayton and I think boys will love that. It’s out in June. #litchat -1:37 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| mmj5170 @ susanwrites What kind of writing routine do you find helpful? #litchat -1:37 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| rj_anderson Important not to discount graphic novels too, esp. for reluctant readers. TINTIN’s a hit w/ my 8yo now, & is quite challenging. #litchat -1:37 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @moonbridgebooks something about reading a book to a child, or having them read to you, that brings a new dimension to the story #litchat -1:37 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs @susanwrites I agree.Always been an avid reader myself and read todaughter froma few weeks old.Taught her to respect books too #LitChat -1:37 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| deblsmith I’ve discovered that the Texas Lonestar Reading List has some really great titles. They’re targeted for 6th-8th grade, but great. #litchat -1:38 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| ddrdavis I am in Texas. The first novel I got my son to read was Lonesome Dove when he was in high school and I had screened the movie. #litchat -1:38 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @mmj5170 You know I can say write every day but some days I need to spend more time THINKING about writing than actually writing #litchat -1:38 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @mmj5170 I used to think I wasn’t a real writer because I didn’t have the same routines as other writers. #litchat -1:38 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| hollywest @ixtumea My friend (4th grade teacher) does a “Flat Stanley” project every year. I just sent it back to the student who sent to me. #litchat -1:38 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| mmj5170 @susanwrites Any hard and fast rules you follow on daily basis? #litchat -1:38 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| TarieS @rj_anderson I need to read more graphic novels. *sigh* #litchat -1:39 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs @susanwrites do you write in a particular place or can you write anywhere? #LitChat -1:39 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @mmj5170 Now I know to take what works for me and discard the rest. #litchat -1:39 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| rj_anderson @TarieS Shannon Hale’s RAPUNZEL’S REVENGE is a treat. #litchat -1:39 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @mmj5170 I was laid off from a day job back in October so I rebuilding a routine. First thing in the morning I check email & blogs #litchat -1:39 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| writergal85 I think you need time to reflect on what you wrote/want to write. and to recharge. #litchat -1:39 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| llunalila @susanwrites but thinking about your story does count as actual job right? bc some days that’s the only thing I can do (on the bus) #litchat -1:39 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @mmj5170 that takes a couple of hours which is about how long it takes me to wake up. then I write for an hour or two. #litchat -1:40 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @mmj5170 then I do something with the dog…back to light writing, articles, research. Then in the evenings I write more, from 8 -1 #litchat -1:40 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @VanessaDobbs I can write by hand in a lot of places for short bursts but not long ones. I am working on expanding that. #litchat -1:41 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| ixtumea @rj_anderson That’s a fun one. #litchat -1:41 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| ddrdavis Susan do you do any free writing? Is that helpful to you? #litchat -1:41 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @VanessaDobbs I used to be able to write anywhere when the kids were little. Now I need lots of quiet. #litchat -1:41 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| LitChat RT @rj_anderson: @llunalila Exactly! My 6yo loves GERONIMO and CAPT. UNDERPANTS, my 8yo won’t touch them. #litchat -1:41 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @llunalila I think so. You need time to ponder. There is a drive sometimes to want to share it with someone and I need to hold back #litchat -1:42 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @llunalila I spend a few hours a day working in the garden and it is a great time to ponder the story. #litchat -1:42 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @ddrdavis I do various kinds of free writing. I brainstorm around plot problems and free write from there. #litchat -1:43 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| moonbridgebooks Recently heard the term “story seeds” #litchat -1:43 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @ddrdavis I also do something called 15 words or less photo poetry prompts. After I do my 15 words I will often go off on a tangent #litchat -1:44 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| TarieS @moonbridgebooks Story seeds? #litchat -1:44 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @ddrdavis and sometimes I just vent to or about the book or the character and see where it goes…but my favorite is to do letters #litchat -1:44 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @ddrdavis I write letters to my characters and they write me back #litchat -1:44 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| LitChat RT @ixtumea: @LitChat My 7 yr old is kind of over CAPT. UNDERPANTS too. #litchat -1:45 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @moonbridgebooks story seeds? as in what is the basic idea for the story? #litchat -1:45 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs @TarieS Iwas about to ask same Q #LitChat -1:45 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| llunalila @moonbridgebooks what are story seeds? the sparkle that creates the idea? #litchat -1:45 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @LitChat How about diary of a wimpy kid? #litchat -1:45 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites story seeds, oh, maybe prompts? #litchat -1:46 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| moonbridgebooks @TarieS story seeds mentioned in blog about writing&gardening – yes, the idea sparks that germinate later #litchat -1:46 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites I have a bunch of prompts and exercises on my website here: http://susantaylorbrown.com/writingexercises.html #litchat -1:47 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| llunalila @susanwrites haven’t read wimpy kid so far but had a look at the blog and it looked like it could attract lots of reluctant readers #litchat -1:47 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| ixtumea @susanwrites My son has all four of the wimpy kid books. His friends love them. I don’t get it myself but then I’m not 7! #litchat -1:47 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| TarieS @susanwrites Wow. Writing letters to your characters sounds awesome. #litchat -1:47 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| dosankodebbie Translator’s dilemma. Would reference to woman breastfeeding an orphaned bear cub in a children’s storybook offend US readers? #litchat -1:47 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites I have so many story seeds that I don’t think I will live long enough to write them all….and yet all my stories seem to be #litchat -1:47 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites about the same thing – where do I fit in the family #litchat -1:48 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @dosankodebbie Most likely it will offend some people, yes. #litchat -1:48 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| ixtumea @llunalila I have to admit, the Fart police has me laughing so hard my son worries about me. #litchat -1:49 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| TarieS @susanwrites LOL. I think my problem is that I don’t plant my story seeds. #litchat -1:49 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| moonbridgebooks @dosankodebbie yes! I have a true story about butterfly without wings but have to adjust! #litchat -1:49 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| ixtumea @susanwrites Oh, I can relate with that, Susan! #litchat -1:49 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites Here are some of my letters to characters http://tinyurl.com/d3apvl #litchat -1:49 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| LitChat @dosankodebbie I think it would depend on the context. A modern woman with access to veterinary supplies might be suspect. #litchat -1:50 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites and here’s another set http://tinyurl.com/d6b5pb #litchat -1:50 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| llunalila @ixtumea LOL My 8 y.o. is a little too princess yet for the wimpy kid I guess. She loves Tea Stilton and Harry Potter as favorites #litchat -1:51 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs @LitChat Iagree depends on context #LitChat -1:51 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @TarieS oh yes, you have to plant them somewhere. If you take one seed that calls to you and tell youself you will give it 1 week #litchat -1:51 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| hollywest @LitChat @susanwrites: I have to get back to work, but thank you all so much for your time. Good chat! #litchat -1:51 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @TarieS and then at the end of the week you can walk away from it if you aren’t captivated….you might surprise yourself #litchat -1:51 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @hollywest thank you for coming! #litchat -1:51 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| ddrdavis thanks to you too #litchat -1:52 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @moonbridgebooks your butterfly story could make a good article for Highlights magazine #litchat -1:52 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| TarieS @susanwrites Thank you for the story seed advice and for the character letters links! #litchat -1:53 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| moonbridgebooks We should all be keeping journals of story seeds; the seeds can even be chapters for a book #litchat -1:53 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @TarieS You’re very welcome. Remember that your story seeds are YOURS. No one else can tell your story. #litchat -1:54 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs @moonbridgebooks that’s a good idea #LitChat -1:54 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @moonbridgebooks Yes. I keep index cards…one idea to a card. I go through them every so often and something always sparks. #litchat -1:54 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| moonbridgebooks @susanwrites re Highlights mag -good idea, I rarely think of articles, magazines #litchat -1:54 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| ddrdavis Sometimes music helps my muse…I listen to bluegrass when writing stories about my musician grandpa #litchat -1:55 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| llunalila @moonbridgebooks that’s a good idea! But writing a journal it takes time, and I try to spend most of my writing time with WIP #litchat -1:55 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @moonbridgebooks Highlights is great and though they buy all rights, they often resell pieces many times over so you get free money #litchat -1:55 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| TarieS @moonbridgebooks Good idea! I really should do something about the seeds…. #litchat -1:55 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @llunalila that’s why I use index cards. No pressure. I write down a sentence or two, toss it in my basket and forget about it. #litchat -1:56 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @llunalila it simmers until I check on it again. #litchat -1:56 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| moonbridgebooks It is probably a good idea to start out small (articles, short stories) to attract book publishers with talent #litchat -1:56 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs @llunalila you could allocate say 20-30mins a day #LitChat -1:57 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @ddrdavis I use music too….for prepping. I can’t write to it but I use it to get into a certain mood. #litchat -1:57 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @ddrdavis I have my playlist of sad classical stuff to help me tap into emotions #litchat -1:57 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| ddrdavis Same here susan…I cant write to it but it gets my juices flowing #litchat -1:57 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @ddrdavis Yep….I heard an author say once that she writes all her happy scenes at once, all her sad scenes at once #litchat -1:58 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites Before people disappear I did want to mention that I am teaching an online class in social networking for authors. It starts Monday #litchat -1:58 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| llunalila @VanessaDobbs I try to write at least an hour a day and think about writing while commuting (I take notebook & hand write) #LitChat -1:59 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites Details can be found here: http://susantaylorbrown.com/classes.html #litchat -1:59 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| deegospel did i miss #litchat ? -1:59 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @llunalila commuting time is a perfect pondering time! I used to do that too. #litchat -1:59 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| Tymebandit RT @moonbridgebooks is probably a good idea to start out small (articles, short stories) to attract book publishers with talent #litchat -1:59 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @moonbridgebooks It’s best to start with something you feel passionate writing about. Your passion will come through your work. #litchat -2:00 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @deegospel We’re just about done, yes. Sorry you missed it! There will be archives, right? #litchat -2:00 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| moonbridgebooks Thanks @susanwrites et al, gotta run #litchat -2:01 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| deegospel @susanwrites i’m reading them in twittersearch. thanks so much. #litchat -2:01 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| ddrdavis must go…thank you all for letting me share your event #litchat -2:01 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| stanice RT @LitChat: Welcome to #litchat. To follow the chat directly, go to http://www.tweetchat.com, enter #litchat in room field and you get full feed. -2:01 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @moonbridgebooks Thanks for joining us. Good luck with your projects. #litchat -2:02 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| LitChat @susanwrites Yes. I will copy the chat transcript and post it onto the LitChat blog this weekend. #litchat -2:02 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| mmj5170 @susanwrites Thank you for your insight. It was fun to sit back and “listen”. #litchat -2:02 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @ddrdavis Thanks for coming. Good luck with your writing. Read some new PBs. 🙂 #litchat -2:02 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| jdp23 @LitChat how do you copy the chat transcript for something like #litchat? -2:02 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| LitChat @susanwrites Oh dear. Looks like you did miss it. So sorry! #litchat -2:02 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @mmj5170 You’re very welcome. I love chats! #litchat -2:03 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| dosankodebbie @susanwrites does it make a difference that the custom is historically accurate among the Ainu, indigenous people of Japan? #litchat -2:03 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| llunalila @susanwrites thank you for answering. Will have a look at your site and read everything with interest #litchat -2:03 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| llunalila @LitChat thank you for hosting #litchat as always and for taking time to paste the conversation 🙂 -2:04 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @llunalila You’re very welcome. Stop by my blog, http://susanwrites.livejournal.com and drop a note if you have questions. #litchat -2:04 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| LitChat Before you go, Susan. Is there anything else you want to share about yourself? I understand you lead online social media classes. #litchat -2:04 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @dosankodebbie I’m afraid I’m out of my depth with that one….you’d probably have to talk to an editor. Sorry. #litchat -2:04 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @LitChat Yes, I have a new class starting on Monday which will help authors learn how to use social media to promote themselves. #litchat -2:06 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| LitChat @dosankodebbie This sounds like an example when context would be on the side of the author depicting a woman breastfeeding a cub. #litchat -2:06 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites The class is online – http://www.susantaylorbrown.com/classes.html #litchat -2:06 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| LitChat Thank you much for joining us, Susan. You’ve shared some excellent points for writers and readers of all ages. #litchat -2:07 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites I’d also like to mention my MG verse novel, Hugging the Rock, which is the story of a father and a daughter rebuilding their life #litchat -2:07 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites after the bipolar mother runs away from home. #litchat -2:07 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @LitChat Thank you for having me! I enjoyed it very much. #litchat -2:07 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs @susanwrites thanks for all the info shared #LitChat -2:08 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| TarieS @susanwrites THanks so much for hosting. :o) Till next chat! #litchat -2:08 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| mmj5170 @LitChat Welcome back. We missed you. #litchat -2:08 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| TarieS Thanks all for the ideas and inspiration. Bye for now! #litchat -2:08 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites Goodbye all. #litchat -2:09 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| llunalila @susanwrites are your novels translated into any other language? #litchat -2:09 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @llunalila I have novels in german that aren’t in english – they sold german rights only #litchat -2:10 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| llunalila oops twitter is acting madly, I asked that question a lot of time before #litchat ended -2:10 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| llunalila @susanwrites thank you! I’ll have a look at your web, and might ask you some questions on the blog. Thank you! #litchat -2:11 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| susanwrites @llunalila twitter has a mind of its own sometimes #litchat -2:12 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| LitChat Thanks to a great #litchat @dosan @lunalila @mmj5170 @stanice @ddrdavis @deegospel @moonbridgebooks @Tymebandit @VanessaDobbs -2:16 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| writergal85 @moonbridgebooks Thank you. I’ll check it out. #litchat -2:18 PM May 1st, 2009 |
| LitChat And a final thanks to @TarieS who stayed up all night to LitChat with us from the Philippines. #litchat -2:19 PM May 1st, 2009 |
LitChat 
Comments»
No comments yet — be the first.