An Interview with Writer Kathryn Fitzmaurice and a Spectaular Giveaway

Thought for the day:

"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep." ~ Scott Adams ~

A gift for my writer friends:

 Here are some links I think you will find valuable – three great ones this week.

For great writing advice from Kurt Vonnegut, click HERE. 

For help avoiding the dreaded Information Dump, click HERE. 

For a wonderful article on Writing Character click HERE. 

For my wonderful giveaway, the winner is Elizabeth Varadan! (Cue the balloon drop!) Elizabeth tweeted and posted the blog post link on Facebook for extra chances and it paid off. She is also a writer. You can find out more about her by clicking HERE. Elizabeth, I will get your copy of Destiny, Rewritten soon. Thanks for reading my blog. Enjoy! There will be another very exciting giveaway, so stay tuned and please leave comments to have a chance in the drawing.

 

Last week I reviewed Kathryn Fitzmaurice’s wonderful new book, Destiny, Rewritten with a giveaway of my gently-read ARC. I also promised I would have something even more exciting this week.  Hard to believe, but I am here to deliver. First I have a very generous interview with Kathryn. She answered all my questions AND she is going to send one lucky reader an autographed hardcover of this wonderful book! She just received her copies this week and is holding one of them for you, so make sure you read to the end to see how to win.

Your writing has such a great, natural flow to it. Do you spend a lot of time planning your writing – outlining and such – or is it a much more organic process for you?

Thank you, Rosi, that’s very nice of you to say.   For some books, I do an outline.  A DIAMOND IN THE DESERT had a very long outline, all done in sticky notes, which were placed on the wall of my office.  I did this so when I came back to write each day, I just picked up where I left off.  I had to do an outline for this book because there was so much information, (what happened at the camp, in the war, and in baseball) and I wanted to make sure I didn’t leave anything out.  I also made sure to send each draft to the gentleman I interviewed, so he could check it for accuracy.  For other books, though, I usually just have a very rough outline, so I know more or less where I’m going, but I like to allow things to just happen, too.  Sometimes these are the very best scenes, the ones that surprise you!  I wrote my favorite scene in DESTINY,REWRITTEN one morning, and it was not on my rough outline. 

How do you discover your fictional characters? Are they based on real people?

I think many writers use pieces of real people to make up their characters.  In my first novel, THE YEAR THE SWALLOWS CAME EARLY, there were several characters that had a lot of my friend’s qualities in them.  (For example, Mr. Tom was actually a real homeless guy who lived on the streets in Laguna Beach.  I haven’t seen him lately, though.  And Mama was a version of my hairdresser of eleven years, who is very talented!) As I’ve written more, though, I find I can make up characters easier then when I first started. 

It’s never easy to find enough time to write, especially when you have a family. What gets in the way for you? How do you find time to write?

Since my oldest son is now off to college on the east coast, and my youngest is a junior in high school, and my husband commutes to Los Angeles every day, I have the house to myself most days and try to write after walking the dog each morning.  When my youngest son gets home from school, though, he takes over my office to do his homework! 

This is your third book. Do you have a favorite? Which was the hardest to write and why?

I don’t think I do have a favorite.  I like them all for different reasons.  (This is what I’m supposed to say!)  A DIAMOND IN THE DESERT was definitely the hardest to write.  I had to do a lot of research before I even wrote one word.  And I had to send it back and forth to the gentleman who I was interviewing, Tetsuo Furukawa.  He read every draft for accuracy because I wanted to make sure all of my details were correct.  He would mark up each draft with notes.  I still have all of his notes!

Kathryn Fitzmaurice

What did you like to read when you were in middle school?

Poetry.  I wanted to be a poet for the longest time.  I have notebooks full of poetry! 

What is the last book you read?

THE DOG STARS, by Peter Heller.  I loved this book.  I could not put it down!

Who is your favorite author and why?

Kate DiCamillo because I remember reading BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE with my oldest son when he was in second grade and when Opal had her father tell her ten things about her mother right after she brought home Winn-Dixie, and then Opal went back into her room and memorized those ten things so when she found her mother she would know her….I thought, my gosh, this is brilliant, this is amazing and heartfelt and how did she do that?... and I want to someday, hopefully, write something this special. 

What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given as a writer?

My grandmother, Eleanor Robinson, who was a science fiction author, told me to write what I know.  I try to do this, but there are days I wish I could go to lunch with her and ask her how.  I didn’t really start writing seriously until after she passed away, and so I read her books and study her techniques.  I try to see how she did things, how she carried her plot, grew her characters, etc., but it’s hard sometimes, only having her books and a few notes from her unpublished manuscripts. 

What advice would you pass along to those of us who haven’t gotten that first book published?  

I would say to attend as many conferences and writing retreats as possible.  You never know who you might meet that could be interested in your story.   Also, I think being a part of a critique group is a good idea because writers need support and feedback

I’ve loved all three of your books and am looking forward to the next. What is next for you?

Thank you, Rosi!  I am working on a half-fantasy/half real-life book.  I keep changing things as I go but I’m slowly writing through the story.  Yesterday I deleted a lot of it, parts I didn’t like.  Sometimes that’s necessary.  First drafts can be messy!  

Thank you for so generously sharing your time and thoughts. Is there anything I didn’t ask about that you’d like to tell us?

I have a wonderful dog that is named Holly who sits with me everyday on her feather pillow as I write.  At 3pm each afternoon, she puts her paws on my legs and tells me it’s time for her dinner.  I don’t know how she knows it’s 3pm, but she does. 

Thank you for interviewing me.  

And thank you, Kathryn, for being here and answering so many questions. I'm sure everyone will enjoy this.

Please leave a comment to have your name in the drawing. If you Tweet the link to this post or put it on FaceBook or put it on your blog post, please let me know and I will put your name in a second time.  I will post the winner on my next post, so check back. And next week I have something even more exciting for you won’t want to miss!

Don’t forget to stop by Shannon Messenger’s wonderful blog for more Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday links. Click HEREto find it.

On the book giveaway, this is for U.S. only. Sorry, but it would be too expensive for me to send books out of the country. But please leave a comment. I’d love to hear from you. Remember, if you have trouble leaving a comment, click on the title of the post and it will give you just this post with a comments section on the bottom. Also, if you haven’t signed up by email, please do. Just look in the upper right-hand corner of this page, pop your email address in, and you will receive an email each time I put up a new post. Your information will not be shared with anyone.           

Kathryn Fitzmaurice's Wonderful New Book -- Destiny, Rewritten -- Review and Giveaway

Thought for the day:

Plot is no more than footprints left in the snow after your characters have run by on their way to incredible destinations. 
 ~Ray Bradbury, Zen in the Art of Writing~

A gift for my writer friends:
Here are some links I think you will find valuable – three great ones this week. 

For a great article on How Long You Should Keep Trying to Get Published click HERE. 

For 7 Ways to Add Subplots to Your Novel click HERE. 

Writer’s Digest Most Popular Articles on Writing of 2012 is always worth a look. Click HERE. 

For my wonderful giveaway, the winner is Barbara Watson! (Cue the spotlight!) Barbara is also a writer and a freelance editor who gives terrific feedback. I speak from experience. You can find out more about her and the services she offers by clicking HERE. Barbara, I will be sending you an ARC of Winter’sTide. Thanks for reading my blog. The book will be on its way soon. Enjoy! There will be another giveaway, so stay tuned and please leave comments to have a chance in the drawing.
 

I read the book I’ll be reviewing this week quite a while ago, but have been waiting to review it when it was due out. It's a new book by Kathryn Fitzmaurice. I've reviewed her other two books on my blog and if you missed them, please check them out. You can read about The Year the Swallows Came Early by clicking HERE and click HERE to read about A Diamond in the Desert. Her new book, Destiny, Rewritten will have its official release on February 19, but I’ll bet you can preorder it now. And you should. It’s such a delightful book. What follows is the review I wrote for the Sacramento Book Review that appears in the February issue.

Emily had been named for Emily Dickinson. She had been told it’s her destiny to be a poet, but she doesn’t like writing poetry. Can destiny be changed? Emily’s mother, a poet and professor of English, believes in destiny. She had bought a first edition of The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson before Emily was born and had written Emily’s life story in the margins. She had even written the name of Emily’s father in those margins, although Emily never discovered it. Emily doesn’t find out that name is there until after something terrible happens. Emily sets the book on a box when she takes a phone call from her best friend, Wavy. The book is mistakenly donated to the local charity store when Emily’s cousin sticks the book into the box when it is picked up by the charity. When they discover the book is gone, Emily’s mother tells her that her father’s name is there, the father she has dreamed of and yearned for as long as she can remember. Her mother believes in destiny and feels that if Emily never found it, she isn’t ready to know yet.

“I stood on the platform watching the silver glint of the last car reflecting sunlight, how it curved around the track, then disappeared. I had no map, no backpack, and no plan.”

Kathryn Fitzmaurice

Emily goes on an epic search for the book that leads her through every used-book store in Berkeley and introduces Emily to a cast of characters worthy of every page turn. The journey also leads Emily to a lot of self-discovery and personal growth. She is accompanied on much of this journey by Wavy and Emily’s cousin, Mortie, an annoying and incredibly smart eight-year-old. Throughout the story, Emily keeps up a one-sided correspondence with author Danielle Steele that acts something like a cathartic diary. But can Emily find her book? And if she does, will it hold the answers she has spent so much time looking for? There are a few surprises along the way, along with a most satisfying conclusion that would make Danielle Steele proud.

Kathryn Fitzmaurice has written another wonderful book that will have her legions of young fans racing for the nearest bookstore. It is a page turner with lots of mystery, twists and turns, and fun. Young girls will love everything about this book, and so will any woman who gets her hands on it. This is just a terrific read.

I will be sending my gently used ARC to one of you. Please leave a comment to have your name in the drawing. If you Tweet the link to this post or put it on FaceBook or put it on your blog post, please let me know and I will put your name in a second time.  I will post the winner on my next post, so check back. And next week I have something even more exciting for you won’t want to miss!

Don’t forget to stop by Shannon Messenger’s wonderful blog for more Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday links. Click HERE to find it.

On the book giveaway, this is for U.S. only. Sorry, but it would be too expensive for me to send books out of the country. But please leave a comment. I’d love to hear from you. Remember, if you have trouble leaving a comment, click on the title of the post and it will give you just this post with a comments section on the bottom. Also, if you haven’t signed up by email, please do. Just look in the upper right-hand corner of this page, pop your email address in, and you will receive an email each time I put up a new post. Your information will not be shared with anyone.           

A Review of Wonder and Giveaway of Winter's Tide

Thought for the day:

"Substitute "damn" every time you’re inclined to write "very." Your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be." ~Mark Twain ~

A gift for my writer friends:

 Here are some links I think you will find valuable – four great ones this week.

For a wonderful site for those who rhyme, click HERE.  

Non-fiction children’s writer Gina Hagler has two wonderful science blogs – fascinating stuff for those who also write about science or have kids or grandkids interested in science. Click HERE and HERE to find them.

For a great addition to the Show Don’t Tell discussion, click HERE.

First, a BIG announcement -- at least for me. My non-fiction article,  A Princess Who Can Tune an Engine, is in the March issue of Highlights Magazine. Stop by your dentist's office or local library and take a look. I'm pretty excited.

 

For my fabulous giveaway, the winner is Nancy! (Cue the confetti!) Nancy, I will be sending you a copy hardbound A Smidgen of Sky. Thanks for reading my blog, Nancy. The book will be on its way soon. Enjoy! There will be another giveaway, so stay tuned and  please leave comments to have a chance in the drawing.

 

I have been hearing so much about the middle-grade novel Wonder by R. J. Palacio, that I had to take a break from my reading for the San Francisco/Sacramento Book Reviews and read this book. I’m so glad I did. It is such a heartwarming and honest story, the kind that sticks with you long after you’ve closed the book. It is the story of August Pullman, a young boy unlike anyone else around. Truly unlike others. He was born with birth defects most cannot imagine, leaving him with a face that literally stops people in their tracks. Auggie tells the reader at the beginning of the book “I won’t describe what I look like. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s probably worse.” Perhaps it is, but through the story, we get bits and pieces of descriptions until we have the whole picture and it’s not a pretty one, but by the time we really know what Auggie looks like, we can’t help but love and admire this amazing kid. He’s smart and funny and compassionate and tough as an armadillo’s shell.

Not everyone loves and admires Auggie. He is starting school, after being homeschooled all his life by his mother, when he is in fifth grade. He has an idea what he will face and doesn’t like the idea, but it seems he must try. His parents decide on Beecher Prep, a small middle school. Auggie faces exactly the kind of isolation he expected, but there are a few kind people who befriend him and make it a bit easier.

We all remember how cruel kids can be, but none of us faced what Auggie does. His intelligence and sense of humor help him to hang on through terrible times, but ultimately it’s Auggie who has to survive the war that swirls around him.

“the universe…takes care of its most fragile creations in ways we can’t see. like with parents who adore you blindly, and a big sister who feels guilty for being human over you. and a little gravelly-voiced kid whose friends have left him over you. and even a pink-haired girl who carries your picture in her wallet. maybe it is a lottery, but the universe makes it all even out in the end. the universe takes care of all its birds.”

We, as readers, find it easy to focus on Auggie and forget how everyone around him is affected by his deformity, but R. J. Palacio writes this story in first person not only from Auggie’s point of view, but some of those who surround them, and we see through their eyes how far-reaching Auggie’s problem is and how brave others need to be in this tiny universe.

R. J. Palacio

I can’t recommend this book enough. It will surely be read in middle-school classrooms for years to come, and should be. When my grandson saw me with the book, he told me, “Everyone in my class has read that. I want to read it.” That means I can’t give my copy away. He is dogging me and I have to hand it off. However, I promised a giveaway and so you shall have one.

If you click HERE, you will be taken to the review I wrote for the Sacramento Book Review of Winter’s Tide, a nice middle-grade novel. I will be sending my gently used ARC to one of you. Please leave a comment to have your name in the drawing. If you Tweet the link to this post or put it on FaceBook or put it on your blog post, please let me know and I will put your name in a second time.  I will post the winner on my next post, so check back.

Don’t forget to stop by Shannon Messenger’s wonderful blog for more Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday links. Click HERE to find it.

On the book giveaway, this is for U.S. only. Sorry, but it would be too expensive for me to send books out of the country. But please leave a comment. I’d love to hear from you. Remember, if you have trouble leaving a comment, click on the title of the post and it will give you just this post with a comments section on the bottom. Also, if you haven’t signed up by email, please do. Just look in the upper right-hand corner of this page, pop your email address in, and you will receive an email each time I put up a new post. Your information will not be shared with anyone.