It was on March 12, 2012, that I began this blog about writÂing, readÂing, and the writer’s life. Since that time, usuÂalÂly twice a week, I have put in entries. The goal has been, not to set down rules (I rather susÂpect there are no hard rules for writÂing) but to share my expeÂriÂences as a writer from my many years of work writÂing books for young peoÂple. My hope was to encourÂage othÂer writÂers, as well as make availÂable thoughts that teachÂers and librarÂiÂans might find useÂful to share with stuÂdents as a startÂing point for discussion.
From time to time peoÂple have comÂmentÂed, or have indiÂcatÂed that they have read and find the notes interÂestÂing. I have been grateÂful to receive such a response.
That said, after almost two years of doing this blog I am wonÂderÂing if folks find my notes of interÂest, and/ or of use. Should I conÂtinÂue? Have I writÂten enough? Too much? Are there topÂics you would like me to write about? In short, I would much appreÂciÂate hearÂing from those who have folÂlowed these notes. (Adding a comÂment here or on FaceÂbook will be gladÂly heard.)
As always, when one writes, one wants—needs—a response.
Thank you.
45 thoughts on “An Anniversary Request”
Please conÂtinÂue, Avi. I don’t comÂment often here, but I always read them and often repost them on twitÂter etc.
Oh, yes! I do hope you will conÂtinÂue writÂing. My chilÂdren (4th and 7th grade) and I appreÂciÂate your thoughtÂful entries. Often, your entries will spark many a conÂverÂsaÂtion while we are in the car or at the dinÂner table. They love your books, and your blog is inspirÂing to them as avid readÂers. Your blog makes you as a perÂson seem more accesÂsiÂble and real. Many thanks for writÂing. And for thinking.
Avi,
Though I believe I’ve only comÂmentÂed once or twice on your posts over the time I’ve subÂscribed (at least a year I believe) I do read each post. And very often I find nuggets of wisÂdom or things from your perÂspecÂtive that help me with mine. I’m a writer, too, but not with your expeÂriÂence with the craft. QuiÂetÂly I’ve learned things from you. I hope you conÂtinÂue — I wouldÂn’t preÂsume to direct you as to what I’d like to see because I’d rather read what moves you at the moment–what popped in mind you wantÂed to share. When I post on my own site, to my own email list, I rarely get comÂments. (I do get a good bit of feedÂback from Google+ the social media venue/platform I use to help creÂate visÂiÂbilÂiÂty for my work.) that being said, I believe many are here… and will conÂtinÂue to learn, quiÂetÂly, from what you share with us.
Regards,
DenÂnis Lowery
Dear Avi, I’ve only been readÂing your posts for the past six months or so (thanks to my friend PatÂty Lakin) and I have defÂiÂniteÂly not had enough. I look forÂward to them and would be disÂapÂpointÂed if you stopped.
Lucy Frank
I am always excitÂed to see your latÂest blogs in my FaceÂbook feed. As a young, amaÂteur author, your tips either strike a cord with me or reveal areas in which I have a need for improveÂment. I would love it if you conÂtinÂued to proÂvide your insights!
I get an e‑mail for each post you make and enjoy readÂing them, though I don’t always comÂment on the blog. I love insight from litÂerÂary heroes, no matÂter the timÂing, and you’re at the top of my list. There’s always room for more for this readÂer, but weekÂly or bi-weekÂly would be fine, too. Thanks for sharÂing a bit of the magic!
I enjoy readÂing about the twists and turns of how your stoÂries come to be, your expeÂriÂences and perÂcepÂtions of the pubÂlishÂing indusÂtry, and I espeÂcialÂly enjoy folÂlowÂing where your mind ranges when it travÂels into hisÂtorÂiÂcal ficÂtion. Maybe some addiÂtionÂal tidÂbits of research that didÂn’t make it into some of your stoÂries would be interesting.
You’ve been observÂing and writÂing about peoÂple for a long time. What have you learned about human nature that has made its way into your stoÂries? Also, I often feel like the setÂting of your stoÂries realÂly come alive and that gives your charÂacÂters an extra enerÂgy. Show me how you folÂlow a thread of obserÂvaÂtion or research and then what emerges from that.
Keep on sharÂing your blog. Even if I don’t leave a comÂment, I’m readÂing every one!
I love your posts Avi! I think you offer an invaluÂable point of view and perÂspecÂtive for authors at all stages of their careers. I would very much like to see you conÂtinÂue with these posts, and will conÂtinÂue to share the with my colÂleagues and clients! Your experÂtise and your conÂcise way of expressÂing things of such imporÂtance are so preÂcious to our chilÂdren’s book community!
I love your blog, Avi. I read every one. I espeÂcialÂly like your breviÂty and clarÂiÂty in explainÂing varÂiÂous writerÂly things. It is fun to hear about the places from which your books sprang. I appreÂciÂate the eleÂments of craft you illuÂmiÂnate for us. Your openÂness and honÂesty about your writing/creativity process and the winds and changes in the pubÂlishÂing process are fasÂciÂnatÂing. I would be sad, indeed, if you stopped writÂing it.
Yes, please! Like othÂer “lurkÂers,” I don’t comÂment back to you in writÂing every time I make a verÂbal comÂment (“Ahhh…” “I need to share this,” “So that’s how it works!” “Of course, that makes sense.”). You remind me of the need for response and I promise to do a betÂter job letÂting you know the valÂue of your conÂcise, thought-proÂvokÂing posts. Keep ’em coming!
I love your posts. It is my only conÂtact with the writÂing world right now and it reminds me that I am a writer and part of a writÂing comÂmuÂniÂty, even if I am more visÂiÂble in my othÂer more obviÂous roles. I learn from every post. Thank you
The enjoyÂable thing about this blog is that it feels very real, and when you talk about cerÂtain things it gives me a winÂdow into a world which I am still decidÂing whether I want to join. I keep track of lots of othÂer peoÂple, too, who can show me what my evenÂtuÂal choice may mean.
ReadÂing the blog is great–I guess I do not leave comÂments because I don’t know the sort of response to leave. There aren’t usuÂalÂly quesÂtions to folÂlow up on or clues to start a disÂcusÂsion. WithÂout indiÂcaÂtors like that, I stay silent.
Silent, but waitÂing for more.
As a fourth grade teacher of a class of giftÂed stuÂdents, I want to say thank you! Both for the blog, which we just startÂed folÂlowÂing, and for the marÂvelous books you have writÂten. So while you may feel the weight of a two year anniverÂsary, we have only been folÂlowÂing your blog for two months. In partÂnerÂship with a local indeÂpenÂdent bookÂstore, our school brings authors to talk to the stuÂdents at least twice a year. It is so imporÂtant for young writÂers to hear how many times a page is editÂed or how illusÂtraÂtions for graphÂic novÂels are creÂatÂed. But the visÂits give stuÂdents real insight into the creÂative process, the triÂals, the failÂures, and the sucÂcessÂes. StuÂdents who canÂnot ask quesÂtions of authors at their school need your blog, and my stuÂdents enjoy getÂting to know you betÂter Also, my stuÂdents keep sketchbooks/writers jourÂnals and your blog is an inspiÂraÂtion for that disÂciÂpline. We say “rock on” Avi! QuesÂtions from the class include how you research all the realÂisÂtic details (John Ball) about life in the MidÂdle Ages from the Crispin series? How do you hear the diaÂlog of your charÂacÂters in your head? FinalÂly, in our class, we write for each othÂer. We receive feedÂback by sharÂing our drafts on a Smart Board, because feedÂback is so imporÂtant to the writer. Does the blog give you enough feedÂback or do you rely on friends or ediÂtors for that?
Please keep writÂing! I read every word and learn someÂthing new from each post. I also think writÂing twice a week or even once a week is enough. If you get tired of it, we all loose out on your wisÂdom. No one wants that–grin.
I read your blog at least once a week. Last year I taught NBT to my 8th graders and they absoluteÂly loved it. I will teach it again this year. We would love to do a Skype sesÂsion with you. Thank you for inspirÂing writers.
Barbara
SierÂra Vista MidÂdle School
Irvine, CA
I often read your posts on my cell phone and it isn’t quite easy to comÂment using this mediÂum. Last sumÂmer my daughÂters and I decidÂed to take a road trip to the AmerÂiÂcan girl doll store in ColÂorado, an eight hour trip from Utah. Before LeavÂing we went to the library and picked up an audioÂbook called “The true conÂfesÂsions of CharÂlotte Doyle” we lisÂten the whole way there and when we arrived at our hotel we didÂn’t want to leave the car because we were curiÂous to see what hapÂpened to CharÂlotte. I have folÂlowed your blog since then and wouldÂn’t want you to quit now because I find all of your posts very interÂestÂing. Not sure why there have been so few comÂments but I underÂstand what you mean. In my own life, I rarely get comÂments on my blog. Please keep going! You are one of the few writer blogs I follow!
Please conÂtinÂue. I read every post and always come away with some food for thought. Your work is much appreciated.
Dear Avi: It is my hope that you conÂtinÂue. As a pubÂlished chilÂdren’s author myself, I find your posts so valuÂable in terms of craft, patience, perÂseÂverÂance and proÂfesÂsionÂalÂism. Often, you post on a TuesÂday when our writÂing group meets–again—we’re all pubÂlished chilÂdren’s writÂers in that group and invariÂably, sevÂerÂal of us says, “Did you read Avi today because it’s a MUST read!” And, to furÂther conÂvince you, there have been numerÂous posts of yours that I share when I do a school talk. By the way, BriÂan FloÂca illusÂtratÂed four of my books…just anothÂer link that has nothÂing to do with your posts.…simply a link. Please keep posting!
I believe a lot of us are readÂers as well as writÂers even though we don’t comÂment often. I have read most all of your books and look forÂward to seeÂing your blog conÂtinÂue because there is always an interÂestÂing mesÂsage in your postings.
Please conÂtinÂue writÂing them. I do go on your webÂsite and love your ReadÂers theÂater scripts. We are using the CharÂlotte Doyle script for our grandÂparÂents day event this spring.
I read every post. Thank you so much for your insight into writÂing and the pubÂliÂcaÂtion process. Please conÂtinÂue posting.
Please conÂtinÂue! This blog is on my bookÂmark tab. As a startÂing-out writer with an upper-midÂdle-grade manÂuÂscript in the editÂing and revisÂing process, your blog posts help me with many aspects of writÂing. Thank you for both the books and the blog posts you write!
My husÂband and I read every sinÂgle one. We love your insights to the writÂing process and pubÂlishÂing world. As teachÂers and parÂents, we enjoy hearÂing what some of your chilÂdren readÂers have to say about your books. Keep blogÂging if it helps your proÂcessÂing, too!
More. More. More! I love readÂing your blog posts! Please conÂtinÂue! There’s so much wisÂdom to be gathÂered from your posts. Thank you for writÂing them.
I have just begun readÂing your site and am enjoyÂing your writing.
Thank you all for your kind and genÂerÂous comÂments. I am truÂly grateÂful, so glad that I can be supÂportÂive of what YOU do.
I love the fact that all of us share in this great comÂmuÂniÂty of writÂing and readÂing, this wonÂderÂful desire to add good stoÂries to the world.
Please, if there are aspects of writÂing and readÂing upon, which you would like me comÂment, do not hesÂiÂtate to let me know.
For my part I promise to turn the page and continue.
SinÂcereÂly,
Avi
Dear Avi, as your #1 fans (my son and I), the blog comes close to havÂing a conÂverÂsaÂtion with our favorite author. Please conÂtinÂue your blog. We realÂly enjoy readÂing your posts. 🙂
I have enjoyed all your books and the fact that you can write about so many difÂferÂent things and be right on tarÂget. I look forÂward to the blogs. ConÂnie Currie
Avi, I enjoy your blog very much. I’m parÂticÂuÂlarÂly interÂestÂed in readÂing more about your expeÂriÂences with the strugÂgles of authorÂdom and the writÂing life… fear, rejecÂtion, disÂapÂpointÂment, whatÂevÂer… and how you overÂcome them. Thank you!
I was in Grad School for my Library SciÂence degree when I took a Young Adult Lit class durÂing the sumÂmer. I picked your book “NothÂing but the Truth” as one of my book talk books. I absoluteÂly loved it and read it every year. I love to read your blog and hope you’ll conÂtinÂue with it. I make sure my library has all of your books!
Yes, please conÂtinÂue! I’ve enjoyed all your posts. AppreÂciÂate your expeÂriÂenced, thoughtÂful take on all writÂing issues.
My stuÂdents and I LOVE your blog…I have copied quite a few and used them in ReadÂing, as readÂing mateÂrÂiÂal, and in writÂing, as great habits of writers!
WritÂers, as you know, are alone on many occaÂsions durÂing their purÂsuits and projects, and a “hug” break (in the form of encourÂageÂment and advise) is much needÂed from time to time! Thanks for your insights and wisdom!
I love your blog and I read every sinÂgle one of them! I find it very useÂful to hear tidÂbits of knowlÂedge from a wisÂened author. Please continue!
I enjoy and benÂeÂfit from your blog as a long-time writer of books for chilÂdren. I gain inspiÂraÂtion, underÂstandÂing, inforÂmaÂtion, and most of all, the will to slog through those times when the idea’s a bowl of mush, the writÂing — if I’ve been able to write a word — stinks, and I wonÂder, why on earth am I even tryÂing? I look forÂward to the conÂtinÂuÂaÂtion… and I’d love to hear from time to time what you are reading.
Please conÂtinÂue. Your posts are perÂfect for me and kids. They are the right length and they each are valuÂable and encourÂagÂing. Thank you for this blog.
Dear Avi, I read every post, and marÂvel at your genÂerosÂiÂty, experÂtise, and insight. I often feel moved to leave a comÂment, but then I don’t, because I’m still not quite comÂfortÂable with the pubÂlic nature of social media. But, you share of yourÂself, and I should try to share more of MYself, even if only to say: thank you.
I would be sad if you stopped writÂing your blog. Not only are you an amazÂing writer but your knowlÂedge of the indusÂtry and camaÂraderie and relaÂtionÂships with your publishers/editors is invaluÂable inforÂmaÂtion for those of us dabÂbling in writÂing. My wife, kids and I love your books, readÂing often togethÂer as a famÂiÂly, so we all hope you conÂtinÂue your writÂings and your blog.
Dear Avi,
I joined your blog recentÂly and have found it inspirÂing, helpÂful, comÂfortÂing and insightÂful. I always look forÂward to readÂing it when I see it in my “in box”.
Thank you for your genÂerosÂiÂty. I hope you will conÂtinÂue to write to us, but I don’t know how you have time, with all the writÂing you do for you books.
You are appreÂciÂatÂed by so many people!
I folÂlow your blog and use it freÂquentÂly to inspire my 13 year old son to write as he has so many ideas but lacks conÂfiÂdence in his writÂing abilÂiÂty. Your detailed blog offers so many insights into how the process works and helps in countÂless ways. My son and I read “SophiÂa’s War” togethÂer after enjoyÂing your visÂit to the Texas Book FesÂtiÂval. My favorite part of your books is the fact that you can hook a readÂer with the action they crave while also sneakÂing in great details about hisÂtorÂiÂcal events that inspire them to seek out more inforÂmaÂtion. The blog itself is absoluteÂly imporÂtant because we can share a bit into how you are inspired and what feedÂback you get from chilÂdren readÂing your books. I just ordered “The True ConÂfesÂsions of CharÂlotte Doyle” after you menÂtioned it in a blog post and canÂnot wait to share it with my son (I had my local indeÂpenÂdent bookÂstore order it for me). As an aside, the cashier at the bookÂstore who was in his twenÂties menÂtioned how much he enjoyed your books and recÂomÂmendÂed anothÂer of your books as his favorite. I would like you to conÂtinÂue to share those insights about writÂing that show our kids that writÂing stoÂries is an amazÂing way to express ourÂselves. I also like the posts that refÂerÂence your oldÂer works so that those of us who are newÂer to your work can disÂcovÂer those gems that we may have missed. Most imporÂtantÂly I would like to say thank you because I know that writÂing this blog is a large comÂmitÂment and I would like you to know that the fans of your work are absoluteÂly grateÂful to you for your work and your conÂtinÂued blogÂging that inspires both chilÂdren and their parents.
I hope you will conÂtinÂue. I appreÂciÂate your honÂesty about the writÂing expeÂriÂence. Your blog is an honÂest and fresh perÂspecÂtive that is hard to find (at least where I have looked!)
I love readÂing your blog. I do hope you will conÂtinÂue. It’s just the write length, conÂcise and to the point. I appreÂciÂate your honÂesty and clarity.
After readÂing your blog entry on your favorite book as a child, I checked out Wind in the WilÂlows from the library and I am readÂing it. It is a buried treaÂsure I would not have found otherwise.
In workÂing with chilÂdren, I have found a good numÂber of peoÂple who choose this proÂfesÂsion either want to help or be heard. WeirdÂly enough, this seems to be the case with blogÂgers as well. Let me say yours is the only blog I folÂlow because it helps me with my writÂing. So please conÂtinÂue, Avi. I valÂue your helpÂful voice as I conÂtinÂue workÂing on my book.
Just startÂed divÂing into the blog, but I’ve admired your books for years. This gives me a chance to pick your brain and underÂstand the idea of writÂing. TotalÂly agree with the kid who asked about symÂbolÂism and love your response — someÂtimes we teachÂers (and more imporÂtantÂly testÂing comÂpaÂnies and politiÂcians) want kids to beat a text to death to find hidÂden meanÂings and so forth. ReadÂing for the joy of it gets squeezed out in the testÂing craze, and that is a shame.