BLOG.SCOTTHBOOKS.COM

Full Circle

2012-03-23T00:08:46Z

Readers:

On what can now be referred to as "Hunger Games Eve", as we all await the movie release of the popular book, I came to an interesting realization. Several years ago, when Hunger Games was all the rage, I decided to listen to the audio book in my car. At the time, I found myself lost in my life---searching for how to cope with multiple athletic injuries and formulate a life plan that potentially lacked my favorite sport--running. I vividly recall those moments, sitting in the car and picturing Katniss in the arena, all the while fighting my own internal battle.

Now, on the eve of the movie release, I am rereading the book once more. This time, though, I am only one week away from toeing the line for my first marathon in 7 years. Same great book, completely opposite situation. Funny how literature pierces the psyche and connects us with pivotal moments in our lives. Thank you, Suzanne Collins, for creating the tale that narrates a moment now come full circle.

~Scott

"Live, Learn, Teach"

www.scotthbooks.com

The Eve of the Feeding

2011-09-22T00:51:18Z

Readers:

In a moment of sheer irony, I find myself on the eve of a feeding seemingly straight out of Mice Don't Taste Like Chicken. Art may imitate life, but sometimes it is the other way around.

Two weeks ago, when I began my new teaching job, I accepted an offer from a colleague to house her two corn snakes, Beatrice and Priscilla, in my room as class pets. Their unusual cage antics throughout this week signaled their hunger.

So, off to the pet store I went.

Associate: "How can I help you?"

Me: "I'm looking for some white mice. For a snake feeding."

Associate (grinning): (5 second pause) "Sure, right over here."

I followed her, mini-plastic cage in hand, to the feeder mice and walked out of the store with two trembling rodents.

And now here I am, 8:45 on the eve of the feeding, concerned about those two little creatures, huddled together in my office. I mean, I even fed them a few Cheerios. That's one step away from naming them!

And so, my inner Drew fights its battle. Who is there to save them?

But such is the circle of life. Snakes eat mice. As Mr. Cross would say, "I can't deny their nature."

~Scott

"Live, Learn, Teach"

www.micedonttastelikechicken.com

MDTLC now available on Kindle!

2011-07-20T13:29:31Z

For all my Kindle readers out there, the Kindle version of Mice Don't Taste Like Chicken is now available. Click here for more details.

I encourage you to leave customer feedback on Amazon as well!

Thanks so much,

~Scott

"Live, Learn, Teach"

www.micedonttastelikechicken.com

PARC Partnership

2011-06-15T12:11:40Z

Readers:

Below is the message recently released to all members of Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC).

Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC) is pleased to announce a recent partnership with author Scott Heydt. Scott writes young adult fiction and has recently published his new novel Mice Don't Taste Like Chicken. A portion of each book purchase is being donated to PARC to support the mission of amphibian and reptile conservation. Amphibians and reptiles offer important learning opportunities in the sixth grade class that serves as the setting for Mr. Heydt's new novel. Mice Don't Taste Like Chicken also features an Afterword written by Whit Gibbons, Professor Emeritus of Ecology at the University of Georgia. To purchase the book or for more details, please visit www.micedonttastelikechicken.com . A synopsis of the story follows below.

Sixth grade can be a zoo. Drew Harrington sure hopes so.
He and his best friend, Jackson Harris, can't wait to join Bridgeton Elementary's legendary teacher, Mr. Cross, in a classroom inhabited by cantankerous lizards, elusive iguanas, and a 13-foot Burmese python named Prometheus. Cootie-proof Kim Etter, Tinkle Troy Schwartz, the social outcast with an overactive bladder, and perpetual grade-schooler Joe Riaz are among Drew's classmates. Will this year be as predictable as the past five? Or will this be the year that makes Drew realize mice don't taste like chicken?

For more information about PARC and its efforts, visit www.parcplace.org.

~Scott

"Live, Learn, Teach"

MDTLC Official Release

2011-06-08T23:01:42Z

Readers:

Mice Don't Taste Like Chicken is officially available for purchase! Visit www.micedonttastelikechicken.com, www.scotthbooks.com, or www.publishersdrive.com for details! Available on Amazon and B&N in the next few weeks. A portion of each book purchase is donated to Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC).

~Scott

"Live, Learn, Teach"

Guardian

2011-05-30T13:51:17Z

To my educator friends as well as past, present, and future students:

Below is a wonderful poem I found recently by Katy Farber in her book Why Great Teachers Quit and How We Might Stop the Exodus (2010).

GUARDIAN

I am the guardian of your 10-year-old-self

I bear witness, child one second

teenager the next

developing a sense

of what is right

what is wrong

and all in between

pushing the boundaries of childhood

like water on the levees

intense daily interactions

reading, writing, thinking

talking, laughing, brooding

until poof! You’re gone

like summer in Vermont

or a flock of birds overhead

flying fast out of sight

I squint to see

the tiny dots disappear.

So when I see you in town

at the grocery store,

don’t think I’m odd

because I stop in my tracks

shaken

because while I’ve stayed

the same in the mirror

you’ve gone through a

swirling metamorphosis

when I wasn’t looking

you’ve danced, sung,

played, changed

and done more than

I’d ever known

or could teach you.

I’m looking for the relic

for the tiny piece

of your preadolescent

clumsy, shining self

searching the pictures

in my mind

head spinning.

So when you see me

on the street

stop and say hello.

tell me who you are now

and I will tell you

who you were then.

Scott

"Live, Learn, Teach"

A Spark Reignited

2011-05-26T12:58:42Z

Readers:

When I clicked into my blog template today, I noticed it has been 284 days since my last blog post. Let's just say the time away was necessary to reignite the spark.

Just yesterday, I found myself substitute teaching with Gifted classes ranging from 3rd to 6th grade. The fifth graders' assignment was to construct emotional, first-person journal entries from the perspective of a slave in the 1700s being transported in the Middle Passage. With bright minds around me, I took a shot at the task as well. It reignited the writing spark so immediately, I just had to include the results on this blog.

I march. I fall. The whip cracks. I cringe, grabbing at the chained ankles in front of me. How far we have trudged, I know not. I know only that each step brings the raw friction of shackle on emaciated bone. Each mile carries possibility of death--death I may suffer to improve the life of another. I drown out the woeful songs of my brethren and plod on...numb.

The ship is within sight now. A rickety barge more suitable for firewood than floatation. The slave driver shouts an order in his foreign tongue. We stare, blankly, only to receive the force of the whip upon our backs. The Rosetta Stone, the interpreter of all languages. Pain and cruelty know surpass words.

My foot touches the ramp and I seize. To step again is to step into nothingness. For what is my life without my country? My freedom? It is nothing.

The force of bodies shoves me forward and I feel liquid seep between the slits of my calloused toes. I venture a glance down to find my feet colored crimson. Have I been cut? Does the blood come from me?

Only then do I spy the many pools before me. Festering, fly-covered ponds of fluids, sputum, and human excrement.

My gut clenches and I wretch, expelling nothing but the few drops of saliva left in my parched mouth. Days since I have eaten, there is little else inside me. And what is inside me is of so little worth. When the Devil steals your soul, you are left a hollow shell. Why has God forsaken me?

~Scott

"Live, Learn, Teach"

A Page Out of Scott Westerfeld's Playbook

2010-09-04T14:57:00Z

Watch the Leviathan trailer here here:

Readers:

"Do you oil your war machines, or do you feed them?" What an incredibly catchy line from Scott Westerfeld's newest book, Leviathan. It's not just his first name, or the fact that I enjoyed the Uglies series so much--the idea he captures in the novel is, well, novel.

Leviathan takes place in pre-WWII Europe at the time of Archduke Franz Ferdinand's assassination. Instead of what we've learned in history class, the superpowers have much greater warring capabilities. The Germans, or Clankers, have created armies of mechanical walkers reminiscent of Star Wars. The British, or Darwinists, have harnessed the power of genetics to create an army of beasties that turn the ideal qualities of animals into battle-ready weapons.

For example, early in the book, main character Deryn watches as a battle exercise involving fabricated bats takes place. Deryn is airborne on the Leviathan (which I won't even begin to describe here) and looks across the water to a large sailing vessel. She and a few others feed fabricated bats some figs with metal spikes inside. The bats swallow the spikes, unharmed. When a light is shown, the mosquito and moth genetics embedded in the bats draw them to the illumination. Slowly they are lured over the ship, at which time the light changes from white to red. These bats, so frightened of red it literally scares the "clunk" (as Westerfeld calls it) right out of them, lets it fly, spikes and all. The ship is left in tatters as a result. Who thinks of this stuff?! So much fun!

It made me wonder what the world has actually done with genetic manipulation. I researched a few "beasties" of our own that the FDA either approved already or is considering in development.

Enviropig:

Pig manure gives off phosphorus which leeches into waterways and forms fish-killing algae. The enviropig uses a mouse protein that affects the pigs saliva and eliminates the phosphorus left behind in its waste.

Life-Saving Goats:

These goats produce a protein, given off in its milk, for a drug called Atryn. Atryn is an anti-clotting therapy for people with a rare disease called hereditary antithrombin deficiency.

Glo-Fish:

These fish have a florescent glow, kind of like a neon sign. They were originally developed to detect polluted waterways. Now, they're sold as unique pets.

So here's the question. If you could combine qualities of animals into a new fabricated creature, what would you create? Napoleon Dynamite had his Liger. What will you create?

Take a page out of Scott Westerfeld's playbook, and share your ideas here.

~Scott

"Live, Learn, Teach"

www.scotthbooks.com

S.C.o.T.T.- Manuscripts (featuring Hayley Williams) *I wish

2010-08-23T01:14:00Z

To my fellow writers:

Feel free to sing along above the original lyrics Thanks to B.o.B., and the song goddess that is Hayley Williams, for the inspiration!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kn6-c223DUU

"Can we pretend that manuscripts

On the hard drive

Are like future ARCs?

I could really use an agent right now,

Agent right now,

Agent right now. (x2)

Yeah,

I could use an agent or a rep or a pub,

To get my manuscript some acclaim and some love

Cause after all the typin’

The editin’, re-hashin’

The late night sessions

Hard work in the trash bin.

SASEs and the standard rejections

There comes a time when you fade to the blackness.

Yeah, you stare at the phone in yo lap

And hopin’ but the agents never call you back.

But that’s just how the story unfolds

You get another lead

Soon after you’re told.

And when you get asked for a partial request

Will they all be thinkin’ that your work is the best?

So manuscript, manuscript

I think you’re dope.

I’ll send you away

So don’t lose that hope.

If I don’t get a rep

Then I’ll switch my sights

I’ll be back on Agent Query

By the end of the night.

(chorus)

Yeah,

Somebody take me back to the days

Before this was a book

Nothin’ but a blank page

Before it ever mattered what I had on Facebook

Back when I was trying to get my photos some looks.

And back when I was writin’ for the hell of it.

But nowa’days I’m writin’ to stay relevant.

I’m guessing that if I can make ARCs out of manuscripts

Then maybe oh maybe I’ll make top 20 lists.

Before my website was lookin’ super sweet

And back when ain’t nobody ever read my Tweets.

And back before I filled up my journal sheets.

But this is for New York,

What’s up Simon Schust?

So can I get a rep to fuel my author rep,

Get a contract and a proof on my step.

So here I sit

And again I say,

I’m hoping’ we can make some ARCs out of manuscripts."

(chorus)

~Scott

"Live, Learn, Teach"

www.scotthbooks.com

Into the Wild

2010-08-14T09:37:02Z

Readers:

"Greetings from Fairbanks!
This is the last you shall hear from me Wayne. Arrived here 2 days ago. It was very difficult to catch rides in the Yukon Territory. But I finally got here. Please return all mail I receive to the sender.

It might be a very long time before I return South. If this adventure proves fatal and you don't ever hear from me again, I want you to know your a great man. I now walk into the wild."

— Chris McCandless, in postcard sent to Wayne Westerberg in Carthage, South Dakota, from Alaska

So begins the true story, Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer. A young man one day abandons all and treks into the most brutal conditions to find himself.

I write this post at 5:30 am of August 14, 2010, the morning of my 30th birthday. So begins the next chapters in my life's novel (yes, the cliche is heavy in this sentence). A young man (me this time) abandons all and treks into the most brutal conditions to find himself. In the spirit of Into the Wild, here is my postcard.

"Greetings from Thirty!

This is the last you shall hear from me Twenties. Arrived here today. It was very hard to say goodbye. But I finally got here. Please return all "you're getting old" and "it's all downhill from here" jokes to the sender.

It might be a very long time before I slow down and my body heads South--after all, there's much more work to do. If this adventure proves successful, and you hear great things from me in the decade to come, I want you to know you're the reason why. I now walk into the wild."

--Scott Heydt, in a blog entry sent to his Twenties in Chalfont, Pennsylvania

"Live, Learn, Teach"

www.scotthbooks.com

The Teen Phenom, Kieryn Nicolas!

2010-07-15T13:02:05Z

Readers:

Meet Kieryn Nicolas, a teen writing prodigy (my opinion) that just hit the scene with her first novel, Rain. In just a few months, she's captured the attention of many with her upbeat attitude and commitment to the craft. This evening, I have the opportunity to host her in my Language Arts and Literacy graduate class. She'll speak to my students (pre-service teachers) about what teaching practices motivated, and continue to motivate her, as a writer.

Fortunately for you, she also agreed to an interview on my blogs. Check out her work. You won't be disappointed!

How long have you been writing, and what inspired you to begin seriously devoting yourself to the craft of writing?

I think I’ve been writing ever since I could write—and that does not necessarily mean I could spell. I have a journal from when I was four, and my first recorded story, from what I can decode, reads: "Laura wus pritty and nice it wus 12:00 at night Laura hred a strang naus. it wus bumping and sloshing and skraching. She did not know wut it wus. so she went out side and thar wus a Baer. She kickd the baer and pushed Him into the woods. the end"

Talk about climaxes.

I was in fifth grade, though, when I decided I wanted to be an author. I had an amazing teacher that year, and we actually did creative writing. That’s probably when I realized how much I loved writing long stories—aka, novels.

How do youlive your life like a writer? What day-to-day habits must you incorporateinto your routine?

Every day I have two emails and two Facebooks to check—my personal ones, and my author ones. I also have to remember to Tweet and do any other social media. Also, I always have something with me that I can record ideas on, whether that something is my phone or a notebook or the note app on my iPod. (I used that app a lot on the bus this year.) Pretty much I make sure that I stay in touch with my professional/author communications, and also the author in my head, who usually gets ideas at the least convenient times.

Who are someof the authors you lean on most for inspiration and craft when you get stuck inyour own writing?

That’s an interesting question. Reading books that I like usually does motivate me to write my own stories. For example, J.K. Rowling is the queen of characters. Everyone in the Harry Potter series is incredibly real, and her writing makes me want to write my characters to life. Suzanne Collins—author of The Hunger Games and the Underland Chronicles—writes incredible action scenes, so when I read her books I want to make my own stories more exciting. I recently read the 1-800-WHERE-R-YOU series by Meg Cabot, and it had an incredible voice. Guess what I’ll be focusing on next time I write?

In youropinion, how important is the link between avid reading and strong writing?

I think the link is fairly important. I’m not saying someone who isn’t an avid reader can’t be an incredible writer, or vice-versa, but personally I attribute a lot of my strength in writing to the countless hours I’ve spent reading. Story ideas have always bounced around my head, and seeing how authors brought their stories to life helped me figure out how to put mine in words as well.

What’s thefunniest/craziest/strangest story you have so far from your writing escapades?

I’m not sure this is the funniest/craziest/strangest, but I got a friend request from someone from Indiana a few weeks ago. Thinking it might be someone I met at the Lit Fest, I clicked on his profile, and did a double-take when I saw I was in his profile picture. Yeah, it was the picture he’d taken of us when I signed a book for him! That was a pretty cool experience.

What can youtell us about your current projects?

I’m currently working on a dystopian story that I absolutely love—but I’m really bad at summaries, so I’ll just leave it there for now. Also, I’ll have a “short” (I use quotes because myversion of “short” always contrasts with other people’s version of “short,”like my English teachers who insist on page limits and nonsense like that) story coming as an eBook from Echelon in the near future. It’s called Poison Ivy, and I wrote it as a response to To Kill a Mockingbird last year in English. We had our choice of projects, so long as we incorporated a theme from the book. I asked my teacher if I could do a story, and she said sure, as long as it was “reasonably short.” Of course, I used my own interpretation of “reasonably.”

Where can wego to learn more about you?

My amazing and tech-savvy grandma designed my website, www.kierynnicolas.com. On there are links to buy my book, a page with links to media about RAIN and myself, the prologue/first chapter of my book, a short bio, reviews of RAIN, and links to my social media pages (like Facebook and Goodreads). Also, I (usually) update my blog, www.kierynnicolas.blogspot.com,at least once a week. Well, I try to.

~Scott

"Live, Learn, Teach"

www.scotthbooks.com

MDTLC on Hold

2010-07-12T20:09:00Z

Readers:

I have some sad and disappointing news to report. Mice Don’t Taste Like Chicken, originally slated for release in August 2010, will not see release as planned. I’ll bite my tongue about the why and simply tell you that I now have the rights to the manuscript again and will begin shopping it around with agents. And, while Drew might go King Kong over something like this, I must pick up my head and commit myself. Mice Don’t Taste Like Chicken deserves a home in the hands of readers, and I’m set on making that happen.

I appreciate all the support everyone has given Mice Don’t Taste Like Chicken to this point. Please continue to follow the MDTLC blog for details on the new search.

~Scott

“Live, Learn, Teach”

www.micedonttastelikechicken.com

In My Bath- An Interview with Beth Reinke

2010-06-29T14:13:12Z

Readers:

Before you get too energetic about the title of this blog, I assure you that my interview with Beth Reinke did not occur in my bath. Sorry to disappoint!

Rather, In My Bath is the title of Beth's brand new children's book. I had an opportunity to ask this IndieDebut 2010 member a few questions.

How long haveyou been writing, and what inspired you to begin seriously devoting yourself tothe craft of writing?

I remember writing my thesis ingrad school and desperately wanting to write something else, something FUN.That’s when I knew for sure I wanted to be a writer. When my sons were babiesand toddlers, I enrolled in courses from The Institute of Children’s Literatureand learned everything I could about the craft. I started writing andsubmitting seriously when my younger son started second grade.

How do youlive your life like a writer? What day-to-day habits must you incorporateinto your routine?

Writing is my job, so most mornings I head straight to my computer to getstarted. I use two strategies to keeping organized – making lists and keeping acalendar by my desk. I write lists of things I need to do, from writing thankyou notes to mailing book orders to researching article topics. Without thelists, I would forget things, that’s for sure! My calendar has big squares so Ican write multiple entries for each day. For instance, on today’s date I wrote,“interview on Scott’s blog.” J

As any work-from-home mom will tell you, multitasking is a necessaryhabit, too. I fit in other tasks while writing - putting dinner in the crockpot, grooming the dog, doing laundry. Luckily, the laundry room is close to mycomputer so I can hear the dryer buzzer – LOL.

Who are someof the authors you lean on most for inspiration and craft when you get stuck inyour own writing?

Forinspiration, I read anything by Kathi Macias http://www.kathimacias.com/ who writes powerful novels as well as women’s nonfiction books. Rightnow I’m reading No Greater Love, thefirst book in her Extreme Devotion series. For inspiration and craft, I likewriter Kristi Holl’s blog at http://writers-first-aid.blogspot.com/

In youropinion, how important is the link between avid reading and strong writing?

Just about every writer will tell you that reading and writing gohand-in-hand, especially for those of us who love to work with words. I writearticles for magazines and find it helpful to analyze nonfiction. But when Itry to study the writing in a novel, but I usually end up lost in the story andforget to analyze it! Peeking into someone else’s life in fiction is so muchfun. J

What can youtell us about your current projects?

I'm working on two children's book manuscripts right now. One is a follow up to In My Bath. The other is an ABC book, which is new territory for me. I'm busy keeping up with my new website and blogs, too.

Where can we go to learn more about you?

Readers can visit me at http://www.bethbencereinke.com. My website contains a bio, links to food andnutrition articles I’ve written and two blogs. My “Food & Faith” blogcontains nutrition tips and healthy recipes. To read children’s book reviews,check out “Beth’s Book Basket.”

To learn about my illustrator, Ginger Nelson, please visit http://www.gingernielson.com. She does the bestestwork!

CONTEST!

Any tub adventure needs rubber duckies! Beth has graciously offered a set of five, squirting rubber duckies to the contest winner. Just reply, in the Comments section of this blog, with the answer to the question to register. A winner will be selected at random on July 5.

Question: What is the title of Beth's next book (listed as "Coming Soon" on her website)?

~Scott

"Live, Learn, Teach"

www.scotthbooks.com

Interview with Carla Mooney, author of Owen and the Dragon

2010-05-16T14:50:00Z

Readers:

Allow me to introduce you to fellow writer, Indie-Debut member, and author of Owen and the Dragon. Carla was kind enough to answer a few questions.

How long have you been writing, and what inspired you to begin seriously devoting yourself to the craft of writing?

I’ve been writing since I was a child, but as an adult had moved away from writing fiction and concentrated more on business writing. Then about 3 ½ years ago, my son developed leukemia and I quit my accounting consulting job to take care of him. It was during that time that I decided to turn back to something that I loved – writing, specifically writing for children.

How do you live your life like a writer? What day-to-day habits must you incorporate into your routine?

I am an early morning person, so I usually get the bulk of my writing done between 5 and 7 am, sometimes earlier if I have a deadline fast approaching. If I can sneak in another hour or two to write when my son is at preschool, that’s great. The rest of the day, I try to take care of emails, sending out proposals or packets. If I’m not falling asleep on my pillow, I try to read at night after the kids go to bed – either something that I’m researching or a new YA or MG book that I’ve heard about.

Who are some of the authors you lean on most for inspiration and craft when you get stuck in your own writing?

I usually have a few projects going at the same time. So if I get stuck on one, I tend to switch gears and take a break from it. Sometimes taking time away can help give me perspective on what isn’t working. Recently, I’ve been having a plot problem in one of my books. Reading the Hunger Games books by Suzanne Collins has been especially inspiring. As I read them, I was just amazed at how she built such a gripping plot with turns and twists throughout the books.

In your opinion, how important is the link between avid reading and strong writing?

I think it is extremely important. Even when I read a book that I don’t like or don’t connect with, I try to think about what specifically turned me off. Was the plot too slow? Was it too wordy? If it was a picture book, was it too clunky to read aloud? Looking at the book through the eyes of a reader helps me evaluate my own work in the same way.

What can you tell us about your current projects?

I’m working on a new book about the Explorers of the New World that should take me most of the summer to complete. I’ll be developing a bunch of projects for this book, so I’ve already warned my kids and their friends to get ready around the kitchen table!

I’m also very excited about my first picture book, Samson’s Story, coming out with Earth Day Publishing this fall. It’s the story of a boy with leukemia told through the eyes of his dog. He has feelings that anyone who has loved a person with a serious illness can relate to. Given my personal connection to this topic, I’m thrilled that a portion of the proceeds will be going to cancer related charities.

Where can we go to learn more about you?

There are lots of places! My website is www.carlamooney.com

You can also follow me on my blog at http://carlamooney.livejournal.com/ or on Twitter as Carlawrites.

~Scott

"Live, Learn, Teach"

www.scotthbooks.com

Young Reader's Rave Review

2010-05-08T00:18:22Z

Readers:

Here's a recent e-mail regarding O.Y.L. from one of my readers. While I'll keep her identity anonymous for now, I don't think it will be long before you see her name among the writing world. She's one talented young lady!

A few minutes ago I finished your novel (I would've finished it earlier, but when you're already more than halfway through a different book, you feel like you should finish that one first, you know?). I loved it; by the second page I was laughing out loud and reading sections to my family whether they wanted to hear them or not. (Notably from page 2, which had me in hysterics: '"I heard from Catey Arnold, who heard it from Stacey Martin, who lives next door to Evan; her sister said she thinks Evan thinks you're cute," said her brunette friend.')

Even though it wasn't in first person, I loved Jenna's voice that was maintained throughout the entire book. Being a writer and only child, much of her life--and the story--was inside her head. Her sarcasm had me grinning wryly and shaking my head, and her over-dramatic thoughts had me chuckling. I loved her character, so unsure and hurt and confused but wanting control, not unlike many other freshman like me.

However, I think my favorite character was Alan. Even though he knew his feelings weren't reciprocated, he held his geeky head high, confronted Jenna, and acknowledged their mess. He didn't seem fake (many "figures of interest" (even though, typing this, I doubt Alan really fits into that description) are), and even reminded me of one of my closest friends. Besides, he was a total sweetheart, so of course I fell in love with him instantly. I wish my boyfriend gave me his baseball cap ice cream bowls!

I loved the format, how everything gradually fell into place. I'm definitely going to reread it at some point because of this; I'm, almost positive I'll notice things I didn't before. Little by little I learned more about Jenna: her pain, her losses, her secrets. And when the full scene of her thirteenth birthday unfolded, I felt my eyes water. I could see that scene too clearly...it's still haunting, thinking about it now.

The use of the apple tree was ingenious. The way you transformed an already important object in her life into a metaphor which illustrates struggles we all encounter was incredible. And at the very end, when he hands her the apple back, my eyes widened and I loudly exhaled "Oh..." . I don't know if it was what you had intended, but it was him finally doing the same thing she had done all year, proving he understood, and somehow Jenna had her perfect apple, even though it had grown and ripened differently than she had expected.

Probably everyone who has read the book and talked to you about it has mentioned it, but WOW. The ending. Wow. Totally unexpected and clever... the kind of ending that leaves you feeling like one of the fooled on April Fool's Day, but when you can't help but smile as you flick the rubber fly out of your juice.

Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to participate in the workshop...I loved it and hope to have another opportunity like that sometime.

And thanks, of course, for writing this book! It was a great read which brought on nearly every emotion possible.

~Scott

"Live, Learn, Teach"

www.scotthbooks.com

www.micedonttastelikechicken.com

Highlights of Query Boot Camp w/ Janet Reid

2010-01-24T22:32:00Z

Readers:

Yesterday, I attended "Query Boot Camp" with Janet Reid, a successful agent from Fine Print Literary Agency in New York City. For those young writers and readers, queries are letters writers send to literary agents or editors at publishing houses to generate interest in their work. The word 'query' means 'to ask or inquire about', so the query letter essentially asks,"Would you like to publish my book?"

During the two hour boot camp, Ms. Reid shared a number of wonderful pointers for query creation. Her most important observation of the day--don't take advice from anyone else but literary agents about how to construct a query letter. After all, they ARE the ones who read them each day. They know what they want.

The most difficult part of the query letter is the first few lines. This is where you tell the agent what the book is about. This includes:

a. Who is the main character?

b. What happens to him/her?

c. What choice does s/he face?

d. What terrible thing will happen because of his/her choice?

Sounds simple, right? You know your work better than anyone else. Easy in theory, but difficult in practice. Query letters should run around 250 words or less. Within that time, you must also include things like title, word count, and publishing credits (if you have them). This leaves precious little space to waste words. You must condense a manuscript of tens of thousands of words into an introductory sentence of twenty or less. Once you've captured their attention, you have roughly 100 words to answer the question, "what is this book about?" without retelling the entire story.

"Expect to spend two months writing a good, solid query letter," says Ms. Reid. After all, an author only get one shot at an individual agent, so the work better be polished.

For more detailed information, visit Janet's blog at http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.com You won't be disappointed.

~Scott

"Live, Learn, Teach"

www.scotthbooks.com

A Billion for a Billion Campaign

2009-12-17T15:47:00Z

~Scott

"Live, Learn, Teach"

Ho, Ho, Holy Cow!

2009-12-16T15:44:00Z

Readers:

I drafted this poem for a little contest sponsored by a local literary group. Thought it would be fun to share as the holidays approach. They say writers write from personal experience. Well, here's my contribution to that belief (with a bit of embellishment along the way). Enjoy!

Slip out of bed,

tipity-toe.

Clock signals three.

Door opens slow.

Rustles I hear,

wrapping paper perhaps?

Santa’s come I am certain,

while the family naps.

Slink down the stairs,

grip on the rail,

stub my big toe,

stifle a wail.

Peer in gap between wall

and thin wooden slat.

Sure enough someone’s there,

all jolly and fat.

My fists clench in joy,

at his round silhouette.

His hands arrange gifts.

How many’d I get?

He bends over once more,

takes one step back,

and that’s when I see it--

a Santa butt-crack.

His red underwear

is distinctively clear.

I think this confusing,

puzzling, and queer.

Then lifting his leg,

he let’s loose flatulence,

which he wafts with his hand.

The most putrid of scents.

Who is this imposter,

this phony, this fraud?

My mouth it hangs open,

rounded and broad.

Santa lays the last gift

beneath our fake tree.

He turns his whole body,

and now faces me.

To learn Santa’s fake

is traumatic enough

without partial nudity,

bodily functions, and stuff.

But to learn of no Claus

at age six is so sad

when the red-underweared, farter

‘neath the tree is your Dad.

~Scott

"Live, Learn, Teach"

www.micedonttastelikechicken.com

If You Give A Mouse Some Milk

2009-11-29T22:49:00Z

Happy December, Readers!

Two weeks ago, my fifth-graders finished their read aloud projects. The goal? To practice a favorite picture book out loud until they knew it forward, backward, and upside down. Then, present it to their classmates in their best reader voice with props and questions for the audience--all the things the teacher normally gets to do.

The books of Laura Numeroff, author of such favorites as If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and If You Give a Moose a Muffin, of course received several instances of airtime. A student of mine became so inspired, he put together an homage of his own. I should note that this student works with this family on an active dairy farm each day, so you'll clearly see the tie in. With mice in mind as we approach the release of Mice Don't Taste Like Chicken, enjoy this cute tale (or tail?) from a fifth-grade author we'll call A.W.

If You Give A Mouse Some Milk

by A.W.

If you give a mouse some milk,

he will want to know how it was made.

When you tell him that it was made by cows,

he will want to go see some.

When you ask your mom to drive you,

he will want to grab his note pad to take notes.

When you get to the farm,

the farmer will take him to see the cows.

On the way to the cows he will see the chickens

and want to go feed them.

When he is done feeding the chickens,

he will see the barn and run in.

When he sees the cows,

he will want to make his own clay cow.

When he is done making the clay cow,

he will see a sink in the barn.

When he sees the sink,

he will want a drink of milk.

And chances are, when he asks for a drink of milk,

he will want to go to a different farm and see a different cow.

~Scott

"Live, Learn, Teach"

www.micedonttastelikechicken.com

www.scotthbooks.com

Interview with Laurie Zieber- Robin Falls Kids- 11-23-09

2009-11-24T12:32:00Z

On Monday, November 23, I had the opportunity to interview with Laurie Zieber on Blog Talk Radio. Below is the mp3 file. Laurie's show is part of Robin Falls Kids, a regular series of programs including authors and illustrators. More info is located at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/robinfalls

BlogTalkInterview09

Happy listening!

~Scott

"Live, Learn, Teach"