Kids and the Art of Writing

Quote of the Day:  Answers to the question on our last day of Writing Camp, kids age 7-12: What did you like best about Writing Camp?
Writing
Making new writing friends
Writing
Reading
Writing
Having time to write
Sharing our writing
Writing
All of it!
Meeting an author
Meeting two authors
Meeting three authors
We learned that we need to get our characters in trouble and out of trouble. (Thanks to guest author Candace Simar)

Guest Author, Candace Simar at Writing Camp

 

I think you get the picture. Kids came to our writing camp because they like to write! Guy Kelm and I had a blast working with 13 young authors on their writing.

 

Mary Aalgaard and Guy Kelm, facilitators for Kids and the Art of Writing Camp

at Franklin Art Center

 

Kids and the Art of Writing Camp

 

We had a party at the end called Amazing Beginnings where the kids read from their journals, stories that they started this week, poems, ideas, interesting characters, exciting action. They had it all. I am so inspired by their creativity.

 

I have so much more to tell you, but I don't want to overwhelm you. We spent two hours every day together for a week, and now, we all have more stories to write and share. Oh, ya, I brought Millie and Willie. The kids gave me a bunch of ideas for them, too.  They even hung around for the readings.

 

 

I'll share more with you next week. On Saturday, I'll be going to The Children's Theatre in Minneapolis to watch If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and sharing my review here.

 

Go. Create. Inspire!

 

Journaling Prompt:  What would you write on your author/personal bio?

 

Author David Treuer

Quote of the Day:  I once heard a journalist state that to write a book of nonfiction, a book about the lives of others, the writer had to feel in his gut that his informants owed him something, that he owned a piece of their lives.  But I don't think that is true. I think the opposite is true. I don't think my family or my people owe me anything. I feel that I owe my life to them and I set out to write a book that reflects this, reflects the debt I owe them, and does them honor.  To understand American Indians is to understand America. This is the story of the paradoxically least and most American place in the twenty-first century. Welcome to the Rez.
~ David Treuer, author of Rez Life

Me, David, and Krista, my publicist

Krista and I found a sweet way to spend our Valentine's lunchtime. We went to our local public library to meet author David Treuer and hear his presentation on his newest book, Rez Life. David is Ojibwe from Leech Lake Reservation in northern Minnesota. He has recently moved to California where he is a professor of literature and creative writing at USC in Los Angeles. He said that when he told his friends from Minnesota where he was moving they said, "Why would you want to move there? It's so dangerous."

David has an amazing perspective of life both on and off the reservation. He understands that people, traditions, treaties, and boundaries are complex. He brings to light both personal and regional history in his book. Brainerd is one of the first stops on his national book tour.

David said that researching this book was like going back to school. He dug deeper and learned more about his family, his people, and his nation. While he was digging and researching and writing, he kept thinking of his own three children and how this is their story, too. He dedicated this book to them.

Thanks, David, for the great talk today, your words and reading, and the connection we made. Visit David Treuer's website to learn more about the author and his books and to see if he'll be in a bookish place near you. He is delightful to meet and interesting to listen to. I'm eager to start reading Rez Life. 

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  Do your libraries or schools invite authors and artists? Write about some of the people you've met, what you enjoyed about their presentation, or whom you would like to see?

Lorna Landvik

Quote of the Day: Be yourself. Above all. Let who you are, what you are, what you believe, shine through every sentence you write, every piece you finish. - John Jakes

I had the great good fortune to hear Lorna Landvik speak at our local library last Saturday. Not only is she a good writer, but also a great entertainer/speaker, and an inspiration. She told one great story after the other, and I laughed so hard that I snorted. I went with my writer pal Jill, who was brave enough to ask the first question. Lorna threw her a chocolate kiss and answered the much pondered question about agents and publishing. When no one knows you, it's hard to get an agent. Once you've made a name for yourself, they take you out to lunch in NYC, even if you squirt lotion up the arm of your blazer and are wearing an old shirt underneath.

Lorna's best advice to us longing to be like her, "Never accept 'No' as your final answer."

After pouring her blood, sweat, tears, and great good humor into her first novel, Patty Jane's House of Curl," Lorna spent the next four years trying to get an agent or an editor to look at it. She received 30 rejections, and pointed out that that's nothing. Many famous authors have received more than that.

While I was buying Lorna's books and watching her sign them, I spewed out to her my own rejections and frustrations as a hopeful (sometimes hopeless) novelist. I told her about a NY editor who didn't even like my idea for a novel. She said, "That's ONE editor's opinion." And, "Don't give up."

And, as Polonius said to his son Laertes, "To thine own self be true."

You must answer the call of your gifts. Whatever it is that stirs up the longing in your heart, go and do that. Whoever gives you inspiration and makes you think, "I want to be like her," find a way to achieve that.

Dear Lorna Landvik, Thank you for coming to our little library in Brainerd and sharing your stories. You inspired me to live my dreams and never to accept "NO" as my final answer. May the blessings of your generous and humorous spirit ripple back to you this holiday season.

Your fan, Mary

Journaling/comment prompt: Who inspires you?