Words, Words, Words
In workshops and writing groups, I try to listen as much as I talk. I learn a lot that way! Lectures are different, though. They give me an opportunity to research and think about particular craft issues that interest me and the student writers I teach at the Vermont College of Fine Arts. In the hope these talks might help you be the best writer you can be, I'm glad to reprint or include the audio files of selected lectures here. Just click on the link to the talk you want to read or listen to. (The titles of audio files are underlined.)
On Overwriting: The Pitfalls of "Lyrical" Prose
Writing from the Core: Does It Have to Hurt?
September 11: the Day the Writing Stopped
Thou Shalt Not Tell . . . Or Shalt Thou?
Ten-Something: What's a Young Adult, Anyway?
Literary Predecessors of Lemony Snicket
Desire is the Cause of All Plot:
The Shape of Yearning in Life and Fiction
Starting Stories: Why Do They Fall in Love?
The Short Story: A Boat in a Bottle, and How It Got There
Poetry: It’s Not Just for Poets
Links to Live By
Lots of other writers have wise, wonderful things to say about writing and the creative process. Below you'll find a few of my favorites:
Here and There
http://hb.com/blog/ The inside track and years of experience: "Read Roger" is the blog of Horn Book's editor, Roger Sutton. Wise, funny and not to miss.
http://www.cynthialeitichsmith.com/lit_resources/cyalr_index.html This is author Cynthia Leitich Smith’s treasure trove of interviews, bios, and information about children's and YA lit. Not to be missed! Cyn (the author of Rain is Not My Middle Name and Indian Shoes, new punk-gothic hit series, Tantalize.
(Cyn did a great interview with me, which you can read for yourself here: http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2005/08/author-interview-louise-hawes-on.html. )
http://wordswimmer.blogspot.com A rich, absorbing writer's resource, Florida-based author/teacher Bruce Black's blog involves all aspects of the creative process. (An interview with Louise is here: http://wordswimmer.blogspot.com/2007/02/one-writers-process-louise-hawes.html )
www.stonesoup.com Stone Soup, a standout magazine by young writers and artists — including a terrific review, written by Chloe Miller, of one of Louise's books: http://www.stonesoup.com/archive/writing/26.
http://www.johnrechy.com/onWriting_toc.htm Whether or not you enjoy his raw and racy plots, this recipient of the PEN USA West Lifetime Achievement Award and long-time writing teacher, has scandalous, fascinating, often wise things to say about the writing craft.
http://www.tannerlectures.utah.edu/index.html If you haven't discovered this treasure trove of magnificent, free treatises on everything from stars to synonyms, please dive in: I particularly recommend entering the lecture library, going to the A-B-C-D section, and clicking the link to Robertson Davies' lectures "On Reading and Writing." You'll fall in love!
http://www.teachingauthors.com Six professional children's writers who also teach writing, have pooled their experience and genres to bring you priceless comments, exercises, and writing tips. Whether you write fiction, non-fiction, poetry or picture books, these graduates of the Vermont College MFA in Writing for Children Program know whereof they write!
http://throughthetollbooth.com/ What do nine writing women share? Passion, style, and the in's and out's of writing for children and young adults. Bookmark this valuable resource!
http://writeatyourownrisk.wordpress.com Last but far from least, the blog of the faculty of the MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults program at Vermont College of Fine Arts is fun, witty, and bordering on brilliant ☺
North Carolina
www.wincbooks.com Writers and Illustrators of North Carolina, is a membership of professional children’s book creators. In addition to news and downloads, you can find the individual websites of all our gifted members here.
www.scbwicarolinas.org/ Carolinas chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.
www.ncwriters.org Website of the North Carolina Writers Network.
Want to find the websites of other published authors?
Click this link :
