Bless you. For wanting. For caring. For doing
what your heart dictates, often against staggering odds.
If
it's any consolation, the wanting is part of the program. And the caring
never stops. Whatever you achieve, whatever you write, there'll be
something else to aim for after that. Without the glorious carrot of the
next book, the hope that your words will measure up at last, why would you keep
writing?
Publishing is harder than ever, and scraping by
is mandatory. But all that's pretty irrelevant to where your writing
journey takes you. Because I promise you, each time you create characters
and follow them through trials and tribulations like our own, you will find
something sacred, something enduring in human nature. Like satori or a
dream, you may not be able to take it with you, but while you're writing, you
will know why you are on this planet.
Salutations, as
Charlotte would say, and Write On!
Here and There
www.scbwi.org
national website of the Society of
Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
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, has a
new punk-gothic hit on her hands in Tantalize (Candlewick, 2007).
P.S. Although modesty forbids Louise from
mentioning that Cyn's site did a great interview with her, you can read it for
yourself at: http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2005/08/author-interview-louise-hawes-on.html. J
www.rawsistaz.com website for
literature of particular interest to African American young readers
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://stonesoup.com/br2/2005/TheVanishingPoint.html.
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.bylinemag.com
While their web presence is less than inspiring, you may find their monthly
issues more user friendly. Packed with tips and articles on the craft and
business of writing, this publication is the jumping off place for many new
authors since it also features stories and poems by talented beginners.
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 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!
North Carolina
www.ncwriters.org website of the
North Carolina Writers Network
www.wincbooks.com Writers and
Illustrators of North Carolina, a membership of professional children’s book
creators
www.scbwicarolinas.org/ Carolinas
chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
www.ecu.edu/nclr/
website of Eastern
Carolina University's fine magazine, The North Carolina Literary Review. This
summer they're devoting their whole issue to NC's many and wondrous writers for
young readers. (Be sure to read the interview with Louise!)
http://www.claycarmichael.com website of author and illustrator, Clay Carmichael
www.eileenheyes.com website of
author, Eileen Heyes
www.elizabethmcdavidjones.com website
of author, Elizabeth McDavid Jones
http://www.francesdowell.com/ website of author, Frances O'Roark Dowell
www.pansieflood.com/
website of author Pansie Hart Flood
http://home.att.net/~vmwf/
website of author/illustrator Virginia Wright Frierson
www.consiepowell.com website of
author and illustrator, Consie Powell
http://dlwstoryteller.com/
website of author and storyteller, Donna Washington
www.caroleweatherford.com website of
author and poet, Carole Boston Weatherford