Hi all! Hope those of you who dwell in the Northeast have been able to enjoy all the snow! Before 2010 ends, we'd like to announce next week's featured author visit.
Join us next week as Wendelin Van Draanen visits to tell you all about her new book The Running Dream (on sale January 11). Post your questions or shout outs for Wendelin on her forum here. In the meantime, here's a letter she wrote to all of you. Enjoy!
"Hi!
I’m excited to talk about my new book The Running Dream with you. It’s been a long process and I can’t believe it’s finally a book! I knew very little about prosthetic limbs or what people who need them experience, so writing about it with respect and authenticity was of paramount importance to me, and took time and serious focus.
There are certain things I believe we need to keep in our emotional arsenal as we navigate through life. Hope is a big one. The more of it we can carry, the better. My mission as a writer is to give my readers hope to carry with them, and to promote a belief that they can do anything they set their mind to. The people I met during the course of writing The Running Dream were inspiring testimony to the importance and power of that mindset. Especially remarkable was the amputees’ attitudes—the optimistic way they dealt with their situations; the way they turned limitations into new opportunities.
There’s so much to discuss. Are there characters in the book you identify with? Ones who remind you of people in your life or at your school? Do you know someone like Jessica or Rosa? Like Fiona? Is there a coach you know that’s like Kyro?
Or maybe you’re into running—maybe you can identify with Jessica’s not wanting to live after learning her leg could not be saved.
So many things go into writing a story—it’s like seemingly disparate experiences from life get lassoed by an idea and brought together to become a future experience. It’s impossible for me to anticipate a story like The Running Dream—it’s suddenly just there, crowding my mental corral, demanding my attention.
So let’s talk! I’m looking forward to discussing whatever aspect of the story is of interest to you. Thanks for participating!
-Wendelin Van Draanen"
truqueen89: I can't wait. Was it difficult writing about something you knew so little about prior to writing the book? That is when majority of my writers block comes in. In English sometimes we have to write on topics I have little or no Prior Knowledge on it is a tough task how did you overcome this obstacle?
Addictedtolife: Thanks for the letter! What's the book about?
WildBunnies: Interesting, I love the title!
Frazzletastic: Thank you for stopping by, Wendelin! :) I can't wait to discuss the book with you. It sounds very fascinating. <3
ShaEliPar: Thanks for stopping by to answer fan questions, I look forward to reading what you have to say! Look forward to learning more about you and your book.
stephnii: Thanks so much for being here, Wendelin!
LunitaBere: Hey, Wendelin! It is awesome to have you here. I'm really looking forward to reading The Running Dream. It sounds like such an inspiring novel =].
Books_Rule:
Thanks for the letter!
I can't wait to read The Running Dream!
Nica88:
Can't wait to hear what you have to say about your new book!
YAbkreader: Thanks Wendelin, looking forward to you discussing The Running Dream.
JennH:
There are certain things I believe we need to keep in our emotional *nal as we navigate through life. Hope is a big one. The more of it we can carry, the better.
Wow. Thank you for that.
thebookmuncher: awesome, cool!!
imsoulreader: Hiiiii!!:D
OktopusInk: Thanks for stopping by, Wendelin! I can't wait to read The Running Dream. :P
ACS: Thanks for taking the time to write the letter and for answering questions for us later. I'm looking forward to reading your responses.
danielle93: What an awesome letter. It was really nice to read you talking about wanting to give your readers hope, I think that is a very great goal to have as an author! Thanks for writing us this letter and for coming by to answer our questions.
bananafruitbats: The Running Dream sounds like a very interesting book. I can't wait to pick it up.
nikx2141: Thank you for stopping by! I'm hoping everyone will have as much fun reading her responses as I will!
EmeraldSun: Sounds like a great novel! I really like the cover too (:
TheTotalBookNerd: Cool!
Kami178: Nice >;D
Bookendipity: Nice letter
SolidWorks: Thanks so much for being here, Wendelin!
r4 r4: I Love Neal Diamond!