Jennifer Jensen's Blog
Posted by Jennifer Jensen
I love finding out how writers write, gleaning tips from them, and hearing how they got started with their first book. I recently had the opportunity to interview some prolific and award-winning children's authors, and I'm sure I won't stop there.
So to make it easier for new writers to find their tips and advice on writing, finding agents, and getting published, I'm posting links to the interviews here. I hope you'll find them helpful and enjoyable. And if there are any particular children's writers you'd like to hear from, let me know and I'll try to set up an interview.
Selene Castrovilla, award-winning author of historical picture books and young adult novels:
Jane Yolen, prolific and award-winning author of YA novels, picture books, historical novels:
- Interview articles coming soon!
Sharon Siamon, prolific Canadian author of horse-oriented adventure series:
- Four articles listed in How to Write a Children's Book and FInd an Agent
Posted by Jennifer Jensen
I had the privilege recently of interviewing a very successful children's book author: Sharon Siamon, a Canadian who writes great horse adventures for middle grade readers.
Sharon loves horses, loves kids, and loves the outdoors, and these have translated into 38 books, with more than a million copies sold all over the English-speaking world, plus seven other European countries.
Sharon had some great comments and insights about writing. Here are the four articles that resulted – enjoy!
Posted by Jennifer Jensen
Bantry is a delightful town on the southwest coast of Ireland, and it holds the week-long West Cork Literary Festival every July.
Writing Workshops
There were weeklong morning workshops on every sort of writing: short stories, novels, children's, poetry, stage, screen, radio. I was interested in the novel & short story workshops, but they were geared to beginners, so I passed. Regrets now, because my friend signed up for the short story class, and they had a change of teacher who really pushed them, regardless of their experience. But I used my time in a comfy cafe working on my own stories, so that was good.
Readings and Interviews
For the three days I was there, I had picked out a seminar on creativity, two author readings, and possibly one "evening with an author" to attend, but ended up going to more than I planned, simply by accompanying my friend. The book launch and readings for the Fish Anthology (winners of short story / flash fiction / poetry contest) was great, even for someone like me who writes more commercial type fiction than "literary." Who knows, I may enter the contest next year!
A few of the readings and seminars included were:
- Martina Devlin (Venus Reborn, Ship of Dreams)
- Nell McCafferty, journalist
- Chris Binchy (The Very Man, Open-Handed)
- Jennifer Johnston (Shadows on Our Skin, The Old Jest)
- Annie Proulx (The Shipping News)
- Julie Parsons (The Hourglass, I Saw You)
- Martina Cole (Dangerous Lady)
- Many poets and short story writers
Flash Fiction Contest
One of the great things about the festival for me, besides getting a short story draft written and edit work on my children's book, was writing a story for the Flash Fiction contest. They gave us a paragraph to start, with a limit of 750 words for the whole story. Kind of fun, although I felt like it was a morning that could have been spent working on my stuff. But I ended up with 2nd place, and the winner was another friend from my writer's group! I think I'll rework it a bit and send it out. Couldn't hurt, right?
Posted by Jennifer Jensen
For genealogists, there's nothing like finding your family listed in a public record like a US Census, especially if that record contains information you didn't have before. I found out one New York ancestor had parents who were born in Ireland, and another who had two children I didn't know about--each had been born and died between censuses.
So where do new genealogists start? Which federal census year contains what information, and where can you find the census records?
US Federal Census Years Contain Different Data
Here are several articles that describe what information is in each federal census, plus tips on where you can access the census data.
- 1920 & 1930 US Federal Census
- 1900 & 1910 US Federal Census
- 1880 US Federal Census
- 1850, 1860 & 1870 US Federal Census
- Free Census Portions & Other Resources at the USGenWeb
Using the Census Data for Further Research
Where can the census data take your research? Read How to Use Genealogical Clues in US Census Data to find out what to do next. And good luck with your searching!
Posted by Jennifer Jensen
What are the challenges of writing fantasy? How do you create worlds? How do new writers find agents and get published? Any advice for aspiring authors?
New writers who dream of creating their own world filled with magic, dragons, elves or vampires would love to see inside the lives of successful fantasy authors. Here are articles with established fantasy writers to help you out. More interviews will be added as they are available.
Daniel Abraham:
Sarah Monette:
Shiloh Walker (paranormal and fantasy romance):
Posted by Jennifer Jensen
I was given a copy of John Truby’s The Anatomy of Story, and wow! It’s far deeper than the usual how-to-write-a-novel book that I come across. I’ve highlighted passages, and I’ve re-read two particular chapters several times, applying what he says to my own stories.
Truby is a very successful screenwriter, but the book is written for novelists and playwrights as well. A story is a story, and whether you’re writing a quietly intense literary novel or an action-packed blockbuster, Truby’s storytelling techniques will make you think.
I’ve been getting some serious writing time in lately (a good thing!), but am trying to keep up with my education as well, and The Anatomy of Story is worth the time if you’re up for it. But I wouldn’t really recommend it for new writers until they’ve read a few of the typical how-to’s and tried to apply the basic skills in their own stories.
Posted by Jennifer Jensen
One of the things new writers like about writer’s conferences is to hear the stories of novelists who have been published. How they got their first publishing contract, how new writers can get a foot in the door, and anything that creates a connection or gives insights into the life of a “real” writer.
I’ve been enjoying interviewing a variety of romance writers lately, asking just those questions to share with you. But since I can’t link each interview article to all the others, here is a list for your convenience. I’ll keep adding to it as I interview more authors.
- Celeste Bradley: Getting Published, Finding the Right Agent
- Celeste Bradley: Talks About the Writing Life and Advice
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