A Writer's Moment: 'Traveling with the characters'

A Writer's Moment: 'Traveling with the characters':   “When I read good stories, I want to write good stories too.” – Sharon Creech   Born in Ohio on this date in 1945, Creech grew up outs...

'Traveling with the characters'

 

“When I read good stories, I want to write good stories too.” – Sharon Creech

 

Born in Ohio on this date in 1945, Creech grew up outside of Cleveland but also spent a lot of time during her formative years visiting family in Kentucky where her time there helped shape both characters and setting for a number of her award-winning books.  Among those are Walk Two Moons, winner of the Newbery Medal, and The Wanderer, a Newbery Honor book shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal.  

 

She won the British Carnegie for her book Ruby Holler and was the first American to win both the American Newbery Medal and the British Carnegie.   Also an award-winning poet, Creech started writing while still in college and then taught English and creative writing for several years before writing her first children’s book.   Her most recent book – her 25^th – is One Time.

 

“I love the way that each book — any book — is its own journey,” Creech said.  “You open it, and off you go. You are changed in some way, large or small, by having traveled with those characters.”

A Writer's Moment: 'Every world has its rules'

A Writer's Moment: 'Every world has its rules':   “So many people think that if you're writing fantasy, it means you can just make everything up as you go. Want to add a dragon? Add a ...

'Every world has its rules'

 

“So many people think that if you're writing fantasy, it means you can just make everything up as you go. Want to add a dragon? Add a dragon! Want some magic? Throw it in. But the thing is, regardless of whether you're dealing with realism or fantasy, every world has rules. Make sure to establish a natural order.” – V. E. Schwab

 

 Born in California in July of 1987, Schwab is best known for her Shades of Magic series, her longtime bestseller Vicious, and 2025’s Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil, which topped both the USA Today and New York Times bestseller lists.  And, Victorious is this year’s offering in her popular Villains’ series. 

 

The daughter of a British mom and “Beverly Hills” dad, she is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis where she studied everything from Physics to Film to Art History and English and started her writing career.  While still in college, she sold her debut novel, The Near Witch, to Disney.  But it was 2011’s Vicious that established her as a leading popular writer.

 

The prolific Schwab’s three dozen books and many short stories have received critical acclaim and been translated into more than a dozen languages.  Many also have been optioned for TV and Film.  She said she loves writing across genres and for all ages.   

 

“I think a lot of writers are tempted to add complexity by over-complicating things,” she said.  “But always remember that most natural rules/laws are, at their core, simple. Start simple, and build from there, or you risk getting yourself and your readers tangled.”

A Writer's Moment: Sharing 'everyday hopes and dreams'

A Writer's Moment: Sharing 'everyday hopes and dreams':   “I always tell students that writing a poem and publishing it are two quite separate things, and you should write what you have to write, ...

Sharing 'everyday hopes and dreams'

 

“I always tell students that writing a poem and publishing it are two quite separate things, and you should write what you have to write, and if you're afraid it's going to upset someone, don't publish it.” –  Wendy Cope

 

Born in England in July of 1945, Cope writes lighthearted, award-winning poetry beloved by a wide following of adults and children alike.  Her latest works are Collected Poems and The Orange and Other Poems, both from 2024.  Cope has been lauded for her poems about everyday English life and the hopes, dreams and frustrations of children.   For Saturday’s Poem here is Cope’s,

                                   The Orange

At lunchtime I brought a huge orange –

The size of it made us all laugh.

I peeled it and shared it with Robert and Dave –

They got quarters, and I had a half.

 

That orange, it made me so happy,

As ordinary things often do

Just lately.  The shopping.  A walk in the park.

This is peace and contentment.  It’s new.

 

The rest of the day was quite easy,

I did all the things on my list

And enjoyed them, and had some time over.

I love you.  I’m glad I exist.

A Writer's Moment: "Good fiction reveals feeling, refines events, lo...

A Writer's Moment:  "Good fiction reveals feeling, refines events, lo...:   "Good fiction reveals feeling, refines events, locates importance and, though its methods are as mysterious as they are varied, inten...