Rebecca’s debut middle grade is The Last Loon, which I read a couple of weeks ago and loved. This is another heads up on the quality of books from Orca Young Reader series. Evan is a boy who is sent to live with his aunt for part of the Christmas Holidays. He’s got some attitude adjusting to do--and he get’s it, but not in a heavy handed here’s your lesson Evan. What he learns about himself and respect for others comes from within him and the concern he feels for a lone loon that is in danger of dying if it does not leave the lake it is on. Soon that lake will be frozen over and the loon will have no way to take off (they need water to get a good enough speed for take off, they’re too heavy to do it on land). The thought of what will happen to the loon if he doesn’t do something drives Evan to take action and do the things that makes an ordinary, poor attitude-ed boy a hero and the kind of person best friends are made of.And now....on with the interview.
How did this story idea develop? I have to tell you what I loved is that for me this would have been a dream vacation as a kid! Staying with an aunt, lakeside, wilderness for a back yard. But, Evan? Not so much.The loon part of the story was inspired by an actual loon rescue by my cousin on a lake in Ontario that I spent many summers at as a kid. I love loons so when she told me the story, I got goose-bumps and asked if I could use it. Some of the events in the story were based on real occurrences such as the part about the hovercraft. The character of Evan was developed slowly. The initial inspiration was a boy at a school visit I did, who didn't know what a frog was. It was the moment when I realized that lots of the kids had never seen wildlife outside the city. Many kids don't have the opportunity spend time out in the woods or on lakes the way I did. Being in the natural world had a huge affect on who I am. So, into my life walked Evan, a boy who needed the loon as much as the loon needed the boy. I made Evan a city kid with no experience in the wild, with the hope that the setting would gradually draw him in.
I liked Evan right away, although there were some things that could have made him un-likeable. Was it easy for you to get us to like him, or were them some rewrites involved to get you there.
Great question! Some readers have told me that Evan is too obnoxious at the beginning. He certainly has attitude. It took a while to develop his character. The first draft was all wrong--for one thing he was too young and whiney! I loved writing from the point of view of an eleven-year old boy and the humour helped. I have two boys of my own and I have always enjoy being around them and their friends. It's nutty but often amusing. I hoped the magic of being in the setting Evan was in, would work on him as he experienced new things. He is a lively, curious kid and the other characters treat him differently than he expects. Cedar had a big impact because he is so different than Evan. Writing in Evan's voice, in a first person POV, helped get into his head. I did have to work at finding a balance! My editor really helped that process.
You also write picture books. How do you balance that? One project at a time, work on both during your writing day?
I usually work on one thing at a time. Each story seems to demand my full attention. I wish I could do multiple projects simultaneously but the only time I can make that work is if the projects are in very different stages of completion. I work slowly. It takes time for me "to grow" a book.
Something I haven’t asked my pervious guests is where is their favourite place to write? What is yours? At a desk? On the couch?
I've just started using a treadmill desk. I love it!
Do you have a great author moment you could share? Maybe a question from a student during a school visit, or something from a book signing?
At a recent school visit, one of the students didn't quite believe that I, as the author of the book they'd been reading, was really coming. "Is she the real author or a knock-off?" I loved that. I love how kids think and how they question things.Okay--that moment? Priceless!
My book club is filled with aspiring writers, ages 8 and up and I’ve been gathering advice from my Oh MG & YA featured authors. I saw on your website that you’ve been writing since you were a child (including songs for your high school rock band the RADS!) What advice would you share?
Read, read, read! Write, write, write! Don't worry about the quality. The more you do the better you will get. Enjoy the process, because, it IS a process.
Speaking of my book club kids. Anything you'd like to recommend they read or we get for our library? Something that is a recent read, or a book you loved when you were a kid? The kids are aged 8-12, plus I now have three teenagers who’ve started to come. We’re starting a teen book club in the fall and they’re getting an early start!"Out of the Box" by Michelle Mulder, "Blob" by Frieda Wishinsky, and Arthur Slade's "Hunchback Assignments" series. "Zorgamazoo" by Robert Paul Weston, "Featherbrain" by Maureen Bush and anything by Diana Wynne Jones!
What’s next for you? Do you have anymore books you are writing for Orca Young Readers?
I'm working on a picture book for older readers set during WWII. All will be revealed soon...I would like to write more books at the Orca Young Readers level. I had so much fun writing The Last Loon!
Happy writing, Rebecaa and thanks again for being here! Before I move on to the Giveaway info, you can check this site out! Here what a loon sounds like.
GIVEAWAY-All you have to do is comment by this Wednesday, June 15 (midnight MST). Please include your email so I can contact you. Open to Canada and U.S.
LAST WEEK’S GIVEAWAY WINNER for Yolanda Ridge’s Trouble in the Trees was *Lisa*. The book is on the way!
More on Marvelous Middle Grade Monday: When Shannon Whitney Messenger developed Marvelous Middle Mondays I was in, as were many others and the group and posts are growing, growing!
Here are my MMGM posts all together-ed.
And here are other regular posters:
Knock-off writer. Hilarious!
ReplyDeleteCurious about the treadmill desk...
Thanks, Deb!
I know on the knock off writer, eh? Toooo funny.
ReplyDeleteCheck out Arthur Slade and Helene Boudreau they are authors with treadmill desks they've designed on their own. Very cool.
Loons are the state bird in my home state of Minnesota, so they and their calls across the lake are treasured here. This book sounds wonderful! Thanks for the review, interview, and giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI've seen loons in Maine but never knew that about how they take off. Interesting.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview, Deb! I'd enjoy reading this book.
And where can I get one of those treadmill desks??
I love this, can't wait to read this. I think it's so wonderful to see what compassion teaches us as human beings. Especially, compassion for animals.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the interview! I like the idea of writing at a treadmill desk.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview. Thanks for drawing our attention to what sounds like a wonderful story. :-0
ReplyDeleteI so enjoyed this interview, Deb. The Last Loon sounds super. I too am intrigued by the treadmill desk...
ReplyDeleteMy kids would love this! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteMargaret
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