Joni Sensel is the author of several books for young readers and is currently co-Regional Advisor for SCBWI Western Washington. She lives in the foothills of Mt. Rainier with two goofy dogs.
I'm a fan of Joni's books and think everyone should read them, of course. But I also appreciate the enthusiasm and hard work she (alongside the lovely, Laurie Thompson) puts into making SCBWI Western Washington a fabulous chapter to be a part of. Thank you, Joni.
On Writing:
Favorite thing about writing a first draft:
I love falling into a story and letting it sweep me along like a river, with little idea what’s around the next bend, and that’s what most first drafts are like for me. Revisions are much more like swimming upstream!
Best thing about writing for kids/teen:
You know, I realize this is not a very PC attitude, but I write for readers. I don’t care how old they are, and I don’t think it matters overly. The opportunity to write a book that somebody might remember for years, or that in some way guides a life, as a few books have guided mine, is exciting and humbling. That opportunity is probably still more open for more young readers than older ones, but I don’t think it’s exclusive to them. It IS fun, though, that younger readers are still willing to fall hopelessly in love with and be possessed by a story in a way that fewer adults do. I’m aiming for that.
Favorite word?:
Something the earth whispers to me when I’m outside. It’s loudest in the desert, but it’s also clear at the ocean, alongside the river, in the woods, and in the wind. It’s hard to translate to English, but I think it’s something like “eternal.”
Or scuttlebutt. I like scuttlebutt, too. ;)
One word that describes your path to publication:
Twisted
If I could have two careers, I'd be an author and a:
Sorry, I can’t stop at two. The minimum list is Cirque du Soleil acrobat and theoretical physicist
On Life:
If I could snap my fingers and solve one of the problems here on earth, it would be:
The mistreatment and devaluation of women around the world
Best thing about being a child:
Everything is an exploration
Worst thing about being a child:
Lack of control
A quote I live by:
“There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” From Hamlet by W. Shakespeare
My dream vacation:
I’ve already had a couple of them in Africa and Europe; I don’t want to be greedy. But if we’re dreaming anyway: a flight into space.
In My Perfect World…
Everyone would get a new book and time with a puppy or kitten at least once a week.
There would be an abundance of green spaces and amiable intellectual discussions.
No one would be deprived of respect and physical well-being.
Every child would have boundaries to push, and someone who would enforce those that needed enforcing and pick them up when they broke through and fell.
No one would ever watch mindless TV.
International travel would be free for everyone.
To learn more about Joni and her books: www.jonisensel.com
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Good News, Bad News
The good news is that I've had the pleasure of reading twice as many books in the past week. The bad news is that I got to welcome in the summer being icky sick.
WHAT I READ THIS WEEK: Endgame (N. Garden) The Year of Secret Assignments & The Murder of Bindy Mackenzie (J. Moriarty) Perfect & For Keeps (N. Friend) The Journal of Hélène Berr (H. Berr)
WHAT I READ THIS WEEK: Endgame (N. Garden) The Year of Secret Assignments & The Murder of Bindy Mackenzie (J. Moriarty) Perfect & For Keeps (N. Friend) The Journal of Hélène Berr (H. Berr)
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Author Interview: Pam Withers
I met Pam Withers through SCBWI last year and am encouraged by her enthusiasm and passion for writing. If you haven't already, I recommend checking out her high action books for teens. And keep an eye out for her new series coming out in the Spring of 2011!
On Writing:
Favorite thing about writing a first draft:
If I've been gathering information and thoughts and plotlines and character sketches for weeks or months beforehand, it's like a giant, satisfying release to just sit down and let all that spill out, to enjoy the actual writing as a reward for the hard work of preparing for the writing.
Best thing about writing for kids and/or teens:
Knowing that I'm encouraging them to read. And getting invited to schools to do presentations about my work.
One word that describes your path to publication:
Niche. (Writing adventure for boys seemed to be the key.)
If I could have two dream careers, I?d be an author and a:
psychologist (Authors have to get into all the characters' heads. Shrinks also have to get into people's heads.)
On Life:
If I could snap my fingers and solve one of the problems here on
earth, it would be:
More support for at-risk children and their parents.
Best thing about being a child:
Being able to daydream.
Worst thing about being a child:
Being talked down to and bullied.
Best thing about being a teenager:
Summer camp.
Worst thing about being a teenager:
Not having the nerve to talk to members of the opposite sex.
Most memorable teen moment:
Getting an A-plus in English class for my essay on "How to get the car off your dad to go joy-riding," only to learn that the teacher mentioned it to my father!
A quote I live by:
Life is either a daring adventure or it is nothing!
- Helen Keller
My dream vacation:
Cabin in the woods.
In My Perfect World:
Everyone would get sufficient time with their parents at least once a
week. There would be an abundance of joy and fun. No one would be deprived of positive role models or respect. Every child would have a loving parent or guardian. No one would ever lack good books or the motivation to read them, and they'd be free for everyone.
To learn more about Pam and her books, click to her website: http://www.takeittotheextreme.com
On Writing:
Favorite thing about writing a first draft:
If I've been gathering information and thoughts and plotlines and character sketches for weeks or months beforehand, it's like a giant, satisfying release to just sit down and let all that spill out, to enjoy the actual writing as a reward for the hard work of preparing for the writing.
Best thing about writing for kids and/or teens:
Knowing that I'm encouraging them to read. And getting invited to schools to do presentations about my work.
One word that describes your path to publication:
Niche. (Writing adventure for boys seemed to be the key.)
If I could have two dream careers, I?d be an author and a:
psychologist (Authors have to get into all the characters' heads. Shrinks also have to get into people's heads.)
On Life:
If I could snap my fingers and solve one of the problems here on
earth, it would be:
More support for at-risk children and their parents.
Best thing about being a child:
Being able to daydream.
Worst thing about being a child:
Being talked down to and bullied.
Best thing about being a teenager:
Summer camp.
Worst thing about being a teenager:
Not having the nerve to talk to members of the opposite sex.
Most memorable teen moment:
Getting an A-plus in English class for my essay on "How to get the car off your dad to go joy-riding," only to learn that the teacher mentioned it to my father!
A quote I live by:
Life is either a daring adventure or it is nothing!
- Helen Keller
My dream vacation:
Cabin in the woods.
In My Perfect World:
Everyone would get sufficient time with their parents at least once a
week. There would be an abundance of joy and fun. No one would be deprived of positive role models or respect. Every child would have a loving parent or guardian. No one would ever lack good books or the motivation to read them, and they'd be free for everyone.
To learn more about Pam and her books, click to her website: http://www.takeittotheextreme.com
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Sunshine
Someone told me it rained 23 of the past 25 days here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Right now my thermometer says 80 degrees. Woohoo!
Earlier today I skipped outside to get some dirt underneath my fingernails before it got too hot. Pulled weeds, planted trees, pulled weeds, transplanted seedlings, pulled weeds, watered, and pulled more weeds.
But what does weeding have to do with writing, you ask?
Lots.
Yard work sounds a lot like revision, doesn't it?
So let's pull the weeds out of our WIPs!
WHAT I'M READING THIS WEEK: Marie, Dancing (C. Meyer) This Is What I Did (A. Ellis) Split (S. Avasthi)
Earlier today I skipped outside to get some dirt underneath my fingernails before it got too hot. Pulled weeds, planted trees, pulled weeds, transplanted seedlings, pulled weeds, watered, and pulled more weeds.
But what does weeding have to do with writing, you ask?
Lots.
Yard work sounds a lot like revision, doesn't it?
So let's pull the weeds out of our WIPs!
WHAT I'M READING THIS WEEK: Marie, Dancing (C. Meyer) This Is What I Did (A. Ellis) Split (S. Avasthi)
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Author Interview: Judy Enderle
Three years ago I attended my first SCBWI meeting and met Judy Enderle for the first time. I had just started writing my first novel and was bursting with a mixture of wild enthusiasm and naïveté. Judy doesn't know this, but she was the first author I ever spoke to and I was in awe, hanging on her every word. When I asked her for advice she said, "Get involved with SCBWI. Volunteer." So I did. And many wonderful things have happened as a result. It is my privilege to share this interview with Judy.
On Writing:
Favorite thing about writing a first draft: Spilling the words on paper and seeing the characters come alive. Also love the surprises those characters spring.
Best thing about writing for kids and/or teens: All of the people involved: industry folk, other writers, book sellers, librarians, and especially fabulous readers.
Favorite word?: I love them all (even the profane ones) and enjoy discovering and inventing new words. I'm a crossword puzzle fiend.
One word that describes your path to publication: believe
If I could have two dream careers, I’d be an author and a: landscape architect
On Life:
If I could snap my fingers and solve one of the problems here on
earth, it would be: War would be history.
One question I wish I had a definitive answer to: Why just one?
Best thing about being a child: Discovering everything!
Worst thing about being a child: Lacking the ability or the power to do everything you want to do.
Best thing about being a teenager: Connecting with friends and the possibilities for the future.
Worst thing about being a teenager: Realizing you have a lot of decisions to make.
Most memorable teen moment: Driver's training where I was one of two girls in the class and I met my first boyfriend. (And yes I wrote about it.)
A quote I live by: It doesn't cost anything to be nice. (And I don't know who said it.)
Learn more about Judy and her work here: http://www.writersinkville.com
On Writing:
Favorite thing about writing a first draft: Spilling the words on paper and seeing the characters come alive. Also love the surprises those characters spring.
Best thing about writing for kids and/or teens: All of the people involved: industry folk, other writers, book sellers, librarians, and especially fabulous readers.
Favorite word?: I love them all (even the profane ones) and enjoy discovering and inventing new words. I'm a crossword puzzle fiend.
One word that describes your path to publication: believe
If I could have two dream careers, I’d be an author and a: landscape architect
On Life:
If I could snap my fingers and solve one of the problems here on
earth, it would be: War would be history.
One question I wish I had a definitive answer to: Why just one?
Best thing about being a child: Discovering everything!
Worst thing about being a child: Lacking the ability or the power to do everything you want to do.
Best thing about being a teenager: Connecting with friends and the possibilities for the future.
Worst thing about being a teenager: Realizing you have a lot of decisions to make.
Most memorable teen moment: Driver's training where I was one of two girls in the class and I met my first boyfriend. (And yes I wrote about it.)
A quote I live by: It doesn't cost anything to be nice. (And I don't know who said it.)
Learn more about Judy and her work here: http://www.writersinkville.com
Monday, June 7, 2010
Stay Tuned
The next author interview will be up tomorrow. In the meantime, I am writing, revising, and devouring my way through the TBR pile.
WHAT I'M READING THIS WEEK: Hold Still (Nina LaCour) Looks (Madeleine George) For Freedom, The Story of a French Spy (Kimberly Brubaker Bradley) Dirty Little Secrets (C.J. Omololu)
WHAT I'M READING THIS WEEK: Hold Still (Nina LaCour) Looks (Madeleine George) For Freedom, The Story of a French Spy (Kimberly Brubaker Bradley) Dirty Little Secrets (C.J. Omololu)
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