Highlights of the Week
I watched American Fiction this week. I love almost any fiction (or nonfiction) about writers and this was a really interesting (and funny) satire about the publishing world. Have you watched it? I’m also curious to read the book it was adapted from.
On my walk today I listened to the audiobook of 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff. Somehow despite my love of bookshops and epistolary novels, I’d never read this book! The audiobook is lovely as each character has a different narrator. It’s such a love letter to used bookstores and the power of friendship and, of course, to letters themselves.
In case you missed it, I interviewed Chelsea Lin Wallace last week in the latest Creator Chat. Chelsea shared how she wrote her autobiography at age 9, her journey to publication, and her goals for the future (hint: it involves a stage).
My dear friend Faith Kazmi launches her debut picture book, Box of Dreams, illustrated by Christine Almeda, on May 11 at the Reading Bug in San Carlos. Here are the event details if you’re local and can come join the fun! If you’re not local, I highly recommend preordering this beautiful book for your home or classroom.
For Writers
While down some random rabbit hole I came across a talk from Jennifer Lynn Barnes (author of my daughter’s favorite series, The Inheritance Games) about Writing for your Id ($25 from the Romance Writers of America). I also read several articles about the subject and I love her recommendation to write an “Id List”.
“Create a giant, ever-evolving list of all of your favorite things in fiction—characters, tropes, settings, tiny little details, all of it! I call mine my “Id List,” and it is ENORMOUS—just pages and pages of things that I love in books or movies for no particular reason at all.” - Jennifer Lynn Barnes via Writer’s Digest
And then I found an article which had a really fun idea: an anti-id list. I’m definitely going to be writing my own lists!
What are your favorite things in movies and books that you’d add to your own list?
Last week on Kidlit Survival Guide we talked about Signing Books and this week I wrote a paid post about School Visits.
For Educators
Did you know I have an Educator Guide for Dear Mr. G? It covers a letter writing lesson and more resources. I also have a Pinterest board.
Happy writing and reading,
Christine