So the trial in the battle between author J.K. Rowling's right to own all works about her books versus a fan's intention to publish a book about them is over. I hope Harry's creator wins. I agree with her that should Steven Vander Ark's book be cleared for publication it would then open the gates for anyone to take the worlds created by authors and profit from them. I suspect that Vander Ark is completely bewildered by this turn of events because he's an avid fan. And apparently he was also a Star Trek fan. There have been countless books and products produced by fans of that show, so I guess it didn't occur to him that there was anything wrong with continuing the tradition by using Harry Potter.  But should he ever take the time to use his own imagination to create a new world and cast of characters, rather than relying on that already created by someone else, he might have more respect for the blood, sweat and tears that go into the writing process. J.K. Rowling hit the big time, there's no doubt about it. But it's her big time, and should remain so. Vander Ark, it seems to me, needs to get a life--real or imagined--of his own.

        Recently I had the chance to interview Marc Brown, the creator of the loveable Arthur character, which appears in 100 books, and the Emmy award-winning PBS TV show, now in its eleventh season. Not only was the Martha's Vineyard resident a relaxed and friendly phone conversationalist, he was also inspirational. So, I wanted to share with you his advice for aspiring writers. 
        Brown says he wrote his first book, Arthur's Tooth, in response to his oldest son's worry that he was the only one in second grade who hadn't lost a tooth. That was 30 years ago. Brown says it's not like success for him occurred over night. As a matter of fact, this author/illustrator also worked as a truck driver, soda jerk, actor, chicken farmer, TV art director, short order cook and college professor. He joked, "I got fired from most. Nothing else stuck." That resume alone can serve as inspiration for all the writers who work to pay the bills and write on the side in the hope they can one day support themselves solely as an author. 
        Regarding specific how-to tips, Brown reiterated what I tell writers all the time: read as much as you can and study how other people use words for kids. He also suggested keeping a journal or trying the Truman Capote method: Go to a public place and listen to conversations, training yourself to remember them, and then record all the dialogue later. Seems like a valuable lesson to try. 
        Brown also said that talented writers will find their way if they really want it. "It is a little harder to make it then it used to be. Beginning writers might benefit from having an agent who can help them get beyond the slush pile. Editors are very discriminating about who they take on. But success all depends on your drive in the end. I've watched people who had more talent than I do who gave up." 
        To learn more about Marc Brown, visit his Web site at www.marcbrownstudios.com.

         

        My friends at the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) asked if I could spread the word about the following message for teens: 

        Calling All Teens: Want to have a say in how technology is used at your library or school? Log on to a survey posted at www.ala.org/yalsa and answer 15 questions about how you use computers, the Internet, gadgets and more at home or at school. The survey closes March 31. Teens can also have a hand  in choosing the theme for next year's Teen Tech Week, a campaign sponsored by YALSA. The three potential themes are: Be InterACTIVE @ your library, Go Digital @ your library, and Get Your Game on @ your library. YALSA will release findings from the survey in June.
    

        I have the great good fortune to have a career that is diverse, but in all ways encompasses writing. I worked hard to get here, and I enjoy most every moment. But it is that diversity that sometimes brings me to uncomfortable situations. For instance, I'm an adjunct professor at a local university where I teach magazine journalism and I take very seriously my role as mentor to the many students I've had over the years. Which is why yesterday, when I was asked about the recent lay offs and buy-out offers at the newspaper for which I've been freelancing for 13 years, I wanted to both reassure my students and prepare them for the harsh realities of the industry they hope to be a part of. 
        I'm saddened on many levels that editors I have worked with for years will no longer be at Newsday and I hope they have new and fruitful opportunities. But here's one reality that I was able to use to reassure my students, while also reminding myself that I'm vulnerable as well: The media is a technology-driven force in which only those who have both good writing skills and a facility with new forms of disseminating information will succeed. My students, ages 18 to 23, are comfortable with blogs, Web videos, podcasts and the like, so they have the advantage over older journalists who straddle the old ways while trying to adapt to the new. 
        Isn't the old advice about investing to diversify? I think the same holds true with writing careers. It's perhaps the only way that one can guarantee (as much as that is possible) that there will always be some work available. That, and forcing yourself to get comfortable with all the technology that's so easy for kids to negotiate. 
        And I was feeling so proud that I now know how to blog!

        I just read about a Web site authors would be interested in, www.jacketflap.com. It's another helpful resource for children's book writers. You can register, search their database, and just read their blogs. If you visit, let me know what you think.

        People often ask me what children's and young adult books I like to read. This is always a fun topic of conversation for me because though I'm an avid reader of all manner of fiction (and among my favorites in the mainstream category are Anne Tyler, Sue Miller and Margaret Atwood), whenever I'm in the car (and that's often as I'm a suburban mom and do work that often takes me out of my office), I listen to young adult books on tape. The latest I enjoyed were Dairy Queen by Catherine Murdock (www.catherinemurdock.com) and A Brief Chapter in My Impossible Life by Dana Reinhardt (www.danareinhardt.com). Both have main characters who struggle with what they believe is their inability to effectively communicate with the adults and peers in their lives. Yet both girls are poignant in their capacity to tell more than they think they do. I thoroughly enjoyed both and want to learn more about these authors.

        Meanwhile, for those of you who don't share my passion for YA fiction, here are some of my other favorites you may want to experience:

        The Scrambled States of America (a picture book that's a clever take on geography);
        Officer Buckle and Gloria (another picture book that will make you laugh);
        Junie B. Jones (because her voice is so perfect); and 
        anything by Lois Lowry, Karen Hesse or Jerry Spinelli in the middle grade category. 

        That's just a few for today. Happy reading!

       Confession time: I admit that I've been procrastinating, and as any writer knows, that's a curse. I've been waiting (im)patiently for my agent to get back to me about my rewrites on my YA novel. And while I know you're supposed to just go full steam ahead to the next project, somehow after writing the first chapter of my new novel, I couldn't go on. I stalled. I found so many excuses, and wasted so much valuable time. The truth is, I'm a writer by day; I write newspaper and magazine articles weekly and I edit about 40 articles written by my freelancers each month for my parenting magazine. In addition, when college is in session, I have numerous papers (articles) to grade each week. So I spend all my time with the written word. And I enjoy it. But it's ever so easy to then tell myself that when I just get over this deadline or just edit these stories, then I'll have time to work on my book. 
       The problem with that course of action is that, well, the book will never get written because I'll always have more deadlines and work to do (hopefully!).  I realized this week that the more time I let slip away, the more I was losing my confidence that I was capable of writing another YA book. 
        So, I took myself in hand this week and forced myself to ignore all my other work and get beyond chapter one. And a wonderful thing happened. In two days I had written 10,000 words. I now feel like I'm back in the zone, that exhilarating place in which writers find themselves where they can't stop thinking about their characters and plot, when no matter where you are you have to write notes about some new idea that comes to you. For instance, as I watched an eighth grade basketball game today (my daughter is a cheerleader) I imagined my characters playing basketball, as well. And now they will, while I still have the sounds and movements in my head. 
        And I'm reminded of the joy of writing as well. I prefer not to have an outline, though I know many writers who do. For instance, Walter Dean Myers once told me in an interview that he has a bulletin board above his computer on which he posts photos he's torn from magazines and even birth certificates he creates for his characters. And he's a lot more famous than I, so I wouldn't doubt his methods. But for me, I enjoy not knowing what my characters are going to do next. Yes, I have a basic plotline. But my characters tend to emerge as if from clay, and they shape themselves with my guidance, and truly, they're not obliged to do what I want them to.  Sort of like being a parent. 
        Another thing I do when writing is to start each day by rereading what I wrote the day before. In so doing, I'm always editing, but I'm also getting back in the zone so I can carry on, hopefully seamlessly. 
        So now that I'm re-addicted to writing my YA novel, I hope my children don't mind my distraction. Fortunately, they're as anxious to see what happens next as I am. So I hope that buys me a few passes to avoid driving them to the mall.    

    It's important for aspiring writers to be aware of the authors and books that have won awards. So, note that today at the American Library Association conference, Brian Selznick won the 2008 Randolph Caldecott Medal for The Invention of Hugo Cabret (Scholastic Press), a 533-page novel that he also illustrated. According to Publisher's Weekly, it’s the first time that a novel has won the country’s top prize for illustration. Laura Amy Schlitz won the 2008 Newbery Medal for Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices from a Medieval Village, illustrated by Robert Byrd (Candlewick). For more winners and information, paste this link into your browser: http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6522362.html?nid=2286&source=title&rid=839111476

    Here's the link to the article I was talking about. Let me know what you think. I'm  afraid the only way to get it to work, though, is to copy and paste this address in your browser.

http://www.newsday.com/features/booksmags/ny-lfkidsmain5533038jan13,0,772786.story

    I had a great conversation with Jon Scieszka today. Yesterday I wrote about his appointment as the first ambassador of children's books. As I was writing that blog, I decided that in my capacity as a parenting writer/children's book industry expert I really need to write an article about the topic of reluctant readers. As luck would have it, my editor at Newsday called to ask if I could pull together an article quickly and offered me the chance to write what I want. Serendipity. So, I'm writing the piece now after speaking with Jon, children's librarians and a representative of the National Endowment of the Arts (which published the study, To Read or Not to Read in November, www.nea.gov/news). My article will appear in Newsday on Jan. 13th, so I'll provide the link that day. But can I just say how exciting it is to be involved in the world of children's books? All that we do has the power to positively impact children, and that's heady stuff.