KathyI’ve always loved writing but didn’t think just anyone could become a writer. I wrote diaries that were somewhat (probably highly) embellished which is where my fiction writing started, I think. When I had an essay published in the school journal in middle school, it was a great feeling! I chose law partly because it involved a lot of research and writing, and decided I would write for fun when I retired. When my mother died soon after retiring, I decided I’d better follow my passion immediately. That was in my mid-30’s.

KathyMy mom (see above) who took a great interest in writing herself and in the writing my sister and I did for school (she would always ask us, “and why?” in order to make us really think about the reasons and causes and therefore write a more thoughtful essay) and various wonderful English teachers along the way.

KathyI feel freer, more confident, more willing to experiment and put myself out there, e.g., writing picture book biographies and a novel in verse.

KathyHonest, both serious and funny, hopefully provoking thoughts or questions in the mind of the reader, also hopefully encouraging empathy.

KathyTolerance, inclusion, and family.

KathyEach one has been a favorite because whatever book I’m working on is my current favorite. Because I get so involved in the research and the characters and setting, I can’t help but “live” that story and I love it.

KathyWhen I started you still had to send in hard copies via snail mail and there was still an expectation that your manuscript was being submitted exclusively. The good thing was that you got a response. It might take a very long time but at least you knew one way or the other. Now your ms. goes into a black hole and most places will only respond if they’re interested which kind of leaves you hanging. Also when I started having an agent was not as important as it is now. More and more houses are closed to unagented submissions. There is always e-publishing which wasn’t really an option when I started almost 20 years ago.

MichelleBasically the same as always: research and write your best work.

Read a lot, write a lot, join a critique group, go to workshops, learn the industry, have a web presence and, eventually, get an agent (although that last one is still not absolutely necessary, just very helpful).

KathyStraightforward and often humorous but always with a serious theme underneath.

KathyNew Zealand (I’ve never been) with a stop in South Africa along the way.

Kathy

To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee
The Book Thief, Markus Zusak
Man’s Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl

KathySpeaking another language, playing a musical instrument (or even singing well), returning to South Africa and finding my old house and school.

KathyTraveling, exploring (anything), walking in the woods, cooking, gardening (mostly food related), languages, reading, strategy games, spending time with family and friends.

KathyOh, gosh, there are so many it’s hard to pick just one – here are a few:

“We went to the moon to have fun, but the moon turned out to completely suck.”
–M.T. Anderson, Feed

“The train whistle did not sound through the valley the day Ernesto Fermin’s men found Luis.”
–Meg Medina, The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind

–“I am a coward.”
Elizabeth Wein, Code Name Verity

KathyWake up before dawn to the sound of birds, sit on a screened porch with a cup of coffee and think about the day and what I’m writing, start writing and be in the flow, take the dog for a long walk in the woods, meditate (maybe fall asleep for a few minutes), go back to writing, cook and interesting meal and share it with my husband, laugh and play games, bed by 10 and read until 10:30, no later than 111, so I can be ready for the dawn.

KathyTolerance for others – I guess that’s why I write about that topic so much.

KathyVariety! I research, explore, and travel. I visit and talk with young readers, teachers, librarians, other writers and all lovers of literature. I give speeches (about writing or books so it’s fun instead of scary). And I get to sit and think and create entire worlds and stories, and then write.

And as for why I write for young people:

It’s an amazing time in life—exciting, scary, confusing—and since books were my friends in youth I want to extend that hand of friendship to today’s young readers.