Thursday, 21 May, 2009

Now, as is usual for this time of year, I am between books.  The final touches have been added to The Unfinished Angel (Sept. 09), I've written and given a speech at IRA about the most recent book (Hate That Cat) and the forthcoming Angel, and now is time to catch up on 'stuff' and re-fill the well.  And yet. . .it is also hard not to begin a new book.  I'm used to that daily routine of writing the next scene.

A couple IRA notes:  

   I don't get much opportunity to be with other writers, so I was charged up to have at least a few minutes with Kate DiCamillo, John Scieszka and Jacqueline Woodson.  I admire them and their work.  I was honored to read Kate's newest book, The Magician's Elephant, in advance copy; it's pure Kate, pure pleasure.  Scieszka's recent Knuckleheads is hilarious; anyone who has two or more brothers would especially enjoy this book.  (I've got three brothers, all knuckleheads.)  I love all of Woodson's books and am about to begin her new one, Peace, Locomotion (follow-up to Locomotion.)

   One other thing I love about these three writers is that they all have good senses of humor.  I love "being in their energy", as my Angel would say.

   And was it my imagination or was this IRA crowd especially enthusiastic and fired up?   Nice mood all around.

I'm new at blogging.  I hope I get better.  Tomorrow I'll try posting a photo. . .