As I did last summer, I’ve invited 13 admired middle grade authors to write for my blog for the next three months. I hope you’ll tune in each Tuesday to see who has answered these three questions. You should have a list of terrific books to read and share by the end of the summer … along with new authors to follow!
Your favorite book on writing:
The one book about writing that I have found most helpful to me is Aspects of the Novel by E.M. Forster. (Among his own illustrious and well-known novels are Passage to India, Howard’s End, A Room of One’s Own.) Based on a lecture series Forster gave in 1927, the seven aspects he discusses are story, people, plot, fantasy, prophecy, pattern, and rhythm.
In no sense of the word is this short volume a “how to do” book. Rather, Forster presents ways of thinking about the novel, broken down into its various aspects. That said, if he gets you to think about those aspects slightly differently than you usually do, it may help you extricate yourself from particular problems. They are also helpful when thinking about the novels you are reading. The fact that these were lectures delivered almost a hundred years ago in no way detracts from literary wisdom.
Reading aloud from my books:
Of all my books which teachers, librarians, and parents tell me they most enjoy reading aloud to kids, are my Poppy books. In fact, I have heard from many who have read the whole series to their students in the course of a year.
Though the books were not composed in sequence, the seven books as they exist today, have an over-arching storyline, beginning with Ragweed and ending with Poppy and Ereth, seven books in all.
That said, many readers begin with the third (and shortest) book in the series, Poppy. In particular, kids enjoy the nonsense swearing by the grumpy Ereth the Porcupine.
For older kids, the two-volume Beyond the Western Sea, with its short chapters and cliff-hanging structure seems to engage many—including adults.
Where do you write most often?
2 thoughts on “Summer Blog Series: Avi”
Oh, I’m so happy you are doing this again! I look forward to reading all the posts. I truly enjoyed last year’s series!
Love this series!