Brain Burps About Books Podcast #170
Thank you to the MFA program at Hamline for sponsoring the podcast. Hamline is the only university in the U.S. with three fine arts programs in creative writing: BFA, MFA (writing for adults), and MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults. The deadline for application to July residency is May 15. Click here to check it out!
In this week’s episode
- an interview with Laurel Snyder, author of Seven Stories Up
- how I messed up! Mea culpa! Mea culpa! Julie Falatko gave me THREE reviews. So, my bad. Not hers. Feel free to throw tomatoes.
- where to come see me in April:
- April 19th – Children’s Literary Salons, hosted by the esteemed New York Public Librarian, toast of the town, and Fuse #8 creator Betsy Bird. Get more information here.
- April 24th – American Society of Journalists and Authors – Find out more here.
In the interview with Laurel Snyder
- how to research a fantasy novel.
- the connections in Seven Stories Up to Bigger Than a Bread Box.
- the limits of what you can write in a middle grade story.
- more than seven stories with Laurel Snyder!
Sometimes I use affiliate links. if you click on them and buy what I recommend, I earn a referral fee. You do not pay any more than if you found the same thing through a search engine. It’s akin to going to a restaurant and getting a recommendation from the waitress on what’s good. You don’t pay more for the food she suggests, but you might tip her for her service. In any case I never, ever, ever, ever, ever, recommend a product or person I don’t believe in or trust. Otherwise, how would you believe me next time?
5 Comments
Taurean Watkins
Another great episode, Katie, it was great to hear from Laurel again, I can so relate to Laurel’s frustrations about the when things are too “P.C.” specifically regarding middle grade fiction.
That said, I struggle with this issue, and how kids and teens are far more micro-managed now than in generations past, and I grew up in the 90s during the middle of this transition so I can relate all too well.
I’m glad you didn’t give up, Laurel, I strongly believe we have to allow kids more freedom on and off the page, not to belittle what parents need to do to keep kids safe in real life, but you can’t learn to do anything worthwhile in a vacuum, and that includes letting kids explore beyond the family home or their school.
If they can’t do that in their neighborhood (gangs, crime, etc) than let them do that in what they read whatever form that takes, within reason to their maturity level.
This blog post on “Project Middle Grade Mayhem” speaks to this as well-
http://project-middle-grade-mayhem.blogspot.com/2013/08/how-real-is-realistic-fiction-by.html
Katie, I got your e-mail to me and I’m trying to curb my comments to be shorter and this as is short as I can get for now! (LOL) Baby steps, Katie…
Katie
Thanks, Taury. Always great to hear from you. I bet curbing comments will help your writing in general, as I know you’ve mentioned wanting to tighten up. Now I’m sure you’ve made people very curious, too, wondering what I sent you in a private email (it wasn’t negative, dear readers! It was all good!)
Taurean Watkins
Yes, it was, Katie, and I do appreciate you taking the time to share that with me.
Sometimes you just need the little bit of outside hinting to be sure it’s not just you as I have the habit of overthinking everything.
I also thought I’d share this other article (Also from Project Middle Grade Mayhem) that echoes the previous link regarding how changing societal norms are effecting kids and teens today-
http://project-middle-grade-mayhem.blogspot.com/2013/08/times-they-are-changing-kids-lives-in.html
Of course, not all these changes are bad. But some are concerning to me, and I’m not even a parent!
Sallianne Norelli
I love everything you do, Katie!! I am off to check out the MFA too. Thank you for introducing me to the world of Laurel Snyder!
Katie
I’m thrilled you’re checking out the MFA. Let me know if you sign up!