Happy Monday Everyone! Today I'm excited to have Sally Pla back on the blog with a younger, talented writer, Kaya Simcoe, that Sally met through a library workshop, to help celebrate Sally's new MG STANLEY WILL PROBABLY BE FINE. It's both contemporary and humorous--a great combination.
Here's a blurb from
Goodreads:
This novel features comic trivia, a safety superhero, and a super-cool scavenger hunt all over
downtown San Diego, as our young hero Stanley Fortinbras grapples with his anxiety—and learns what, exactly, it means to be brave.
Nobody knows comics trivia like Stanley knows comics trivia.
It’s what he takes comfort in when the world around him gets to be too much. And after he faints during a safety assembly, Stanley takes his love of comics up a level by inventing his own imaginary superhero, named John Lockdown, to help him through.
Help is what he needs, because Stanley’s entered Trivia Quest—a giant comics-trivia treasure hunt—to prove he can tackle his worries, score VIP passes to Comic Fest, and win back his ex-best friend. Partnered with his fearless new neighbor Liberty, Stanley faces his most epic, overwhelming, challenging day ever.
What would John Lockdown do?
Stanley’s about to find out.
Now here's Sally and Kaya!
Two Writers, 40 Years
Apart, Talkin’ Shop.
by Sally J. Pla and
Kaya Simcoe
Do
you remember when you were twelve, and loved books and writing more than almost
anything? If
you’re reading this post, I’m guessing you fall in that category
along with me. And it’s certainly no surprise that we STILL love books and
writing more than almost anything.
Last
summer, I taught a workshop for tweens at our local public library, and met a
talented writer named Kaya. The best way to describe her is to say she is the
type of bright and earnest young person who gives one hope for the future!
Since that time, Kaya has reached out online, and we’ve become pen pals.
Young
Kaya is a reader who’s not to be underestimated. She’s also a talented fellow
writer – and she reminds me keenly of what it was like to be twelve, and so
passionate about writing and reading and thinking about things. So many things.
Listen
to our conversation and see if you agree.
Without further ado, here’s us -- two kidlit writers,
forty years apart, talking shop.
Hope
you enjoy!
Sally: Kaya, tell us about yourself. What are you working on? What
inspires you?
Kaya: I’m in 7th grade, and I homeschool. I have been spinning
stories for as long as I can remember but I'd say it was when I turned eight
that I really started understanding that I was writing. I am working on lots of
poetry now, a fictional piece, and a collection of meditations! But I usually
just write whatever I want, and sometimes projects only last a day and there's
enough enjoyment right there.
I get inspired by words I hear, beautiful things I see, and what I
read. Sometimes people give me story ideas. Sometimes I have a "writers
tingle" and I know I have to write, even if I don't know what I'm gonna
say yet.
Okay, Sally: What is your favorite type of story to write?
Fiction? Sci-Fi? Novel?
Sally: I love that description of a “writers’ tingle,” like a Spidey
sense! As for me, I clearly love contemporary middle-grade. I’ve written two, The
Someday Birds and Stanley Will Probably Be Fine, and I’m currently
working on my third, about a girl this time. But I’m also working on a prose
poem memoir. I have a picture book coming out later this year, and want to
write more. I like to draw and would love to do an illustrated work. I’m
also planning a Sci-Fi/Fantasy time-travel series, and I write adult literary
short stories… I like to keep many pots bubbling. Sounds like you do,
too.
Kaya,
tell me about a book or two that has especially influenced you.
Kaya: One of my favorites is Wonder by R.J. Palacio. It’s sad and
inspiring, and it really conveys emotion well through short and fast sentences.
Other than that, I LOVE Harry Potter. J.K. Rowling is hard to beat! Finally, Stone
Soup Magazine is a great resource of inspiration. I find lots of ideas by
reading stories written by kids just like me!
Sally, how long have you loved writing? Have you done it all your
life?
Sally: I was about the same age as you when I first discovered the stories
in my head could be translated onto paper. My teacher encouraged me, which
really started me off.
How
about you? Was there a special teacher/mentor who encouraged you? And: What do
you think is the best way to teach kids writing?
Kaya: A lot of people have encouraged and helped me. My teachers at my
old homeschool co-op, Katie and Rachel, were kind, loving and supporting. I
wrote my first story at that school!
I think the best way to teach writing varies from kid to kid. One
child might need direct instruction while another would benefit from free
flowing creative time... As for me, I think I need the free creativity, but the
structure also keeps me going! In general, I would say: get kids excited. Use
prompts you know they would like--get to know the kids better. Sometimes
writing reveals a lot.
Sally, why do you write books for children? Would you ever write
for adults?
Sally: I write for kids because there is something magical about being
your age, Kaya. I think it’s a crucible, a stepping-off time, one brief moment
before one’s path turns onto the road to adulthood. It’s when possibility and potential
hang in the air, when anything feels likely to happen. I love to write for kids
your age, because I love kids your age, and I loved being your age!
Now
a short, practical question. How do you find out about new books you might
enjoy?
Kaya: I love that answer. Okay: I usually get book referrals from
friends or read books by authors I know I love. Wendy Mass is one of my
favorite authors. She has many books, so after I read “The Candymakers” I
explored some more, and discovered many great books in the process! Sometimes
books jump out at me in the library. Usually I read continuations from my
favorites.
My turn! What is your best advice for young authors? What practical things did
you not know before entering the publishing world?
Sally: (Wendy Mass’s Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life is
my favorite!) As for advice, I think I’d tell young writers the same
thing I’d tell a writer of any age: don’t think it’s impossible, or beyond you,
or that you must wait for perfect conditions. Just write. Don’t be
afraid to tell your story. Study craft, absolutely. Revise hard. Read and learn
from EVERYTHING you can get your hands on. And dare to be yourself. Tap into
your genuine emotions. Don’t be afraid to reveal what you truly care about,
because that is what will make your writing matter.
And don’t worry about the practicalities of “the publishing world”
until after you have a work of art you are ready to share. Everything else is
researchable. (Literary Rambles is a fabulous resource for agent info, for example!)
What about you, Kaya? Your work has been published in Highlights
and in Stone Soup! What’s YOUR advice to young writers? And to adults as well?
Kaya: My advice is: if you want to write about the world, go live it. A
writer’s stories are shaped by their experience of what’s going on around them.
Do not be afraid to be real in writing, but respect what an
intimate and realistic process it is for so many writers.
Discover your writing style and treasure your words. If you
are not sure of yourself yet, you need not share a word. Keep it in a journal,
only for you. But if you can be brave enough, share it with one person and just
one. Keep going at it, but only do it if you love it. Treasure your writing
time, but do not be afraid to take a step back.
Enjoy it!
As for my Highlights and Stone Soup publications (yay!) those I
did on a whim. I thought there was absolutely no chance of them getting in, but
I figured, “How will I know by not submitting?” In Highlights I don’t even remember
submitting my poem very much, because I had applied SO many times!! I will
remember, forever, though, the moment of reading them in print for the first
time. Writing is special.
Sally, it has been an honor getting to share an interview with
you. Thank you so very much!
Thank YOU, Kaya! You are a very special writer indeed.
And thank you, readers!
Thanks for sharing all your advice, Sally and Kaya! You can find Sally at:
https://www.facebook.com/sally.pla
https://twitter.com/sallyjpla
https://www.instagram.com/sallyjpla/
Sally has generously offered a hardback of STANLEY WILL PROBABLY BE FINE for a giveaway. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower (just click the follow button if you’re not a follower) and leave a comment through March 31st.
If your e-mail is not on your Google Profile, you must leave it in the comments to enter the contest.
If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry. You must be 13 years old or older to enter. This giveaway is U.S. and Canada.
Marvelous Middle Grade Monday is hosted by Greg Pattridge. You can find the participating blogs on his
blog.
Here's what's coming up:
Wednesday, March 21st I have an agent spotlight interview and query critique giveaway with Hilary Harwell
Sunday, March 31st I'm participating in the Raining Romance Books Giveaway Hop
Wednesday, April 4th I have a guest post by author Corrina Austin and a giveaway of her MG historical CORNERS and my IWSG post
Monday, April 9th I have a guest post by debut author Alexa Donne and her agent Elana Roth Parker and a giveaway of a query critique by Elana and BRIGHTLY BURNING, a YA romantic science fiction by Alexa
Monday, April 16th I have an interview with author Jerry Mahoney and a giveaway of his MG science fiction BUTTHEADS FROM OUTER SPACE
Monday, April 23rd I have an agent spotlight interview and query critique giveaway with associate agent Jennifer March Soloway
Hope to see you on Wednesday!
