tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17281062719028402582024-03-21T15:28:09.632-07:00Kelly Milner Halls -- Wonders of WeirdLooking for weird books bound to please reluctant readers? Look no further. This is the place to come for great links and the help tht goes with them.
I am Kelly Milner Halls and you can reach me at KellyMilnerH@yahoo.com or KellyMilnerH@aol.com.Kelly Milner Hallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00807291322398912914noreply@blogger.comBlogger108125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728106271902840258.post-24817062656773150862016-09-26T19:26:00.000-07:002016-09-26T19:26:36.580-07:00NF4NF Conference -- a realm of Neffer Love! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Thursday night, September 22,
2016, I landed at Houston's Hobby International Airport and met my volunteer
driver from the <a href="http://www.patmillerbooks.com/conference.html">NF4NF</a> team, Balaka Ghosal.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
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<span style="background: white;">Balaka had a warm smile and a face beaming with
kindness and intelligence. She put me at ease instantly, then introduced
me to the couple who would be riding with me, <a href="http://nancyisanders.com/about-the-author/">Jeff and Nancy Sanders</a>, and I
realized I'd noticed Nancy before.</span><br />
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<span style="background: white;">As she walked past me on the flight from Las Vegas
to Houston, I noticed that Nancy, like Balaka, had an infinitely warm smile --
and a really neat t-shirt. Her husband was just as kind.</span><br />
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<span style="background: white;">I thought, something rare was about to happen.
And I was right.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">Earth mother and author Pat Miller had invited me
to be a part of the NF4NF Conference, so I'd been adopted into a very special
writing family -- the tribe of Neffers.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;">I've done other conferences before, many of them,
like <a href="https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/">Highlight's</a> legendary Chautauqua events were and are exceptional. But there
was something about this intimate gathering in Rosenberg, Texas that drew warm
people like moths to a life giving flame. That something was the tone Pat
Miller so clearly set.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">We were all equals, and we were all at the
conference for the exact same reason -- to share what we had with one another.
The workshop teachers -- <a href="http://www.patmillerbooks.com/">Pat Miller</a>, <a href="http://www.candacefleming.com/">Candace Fleming</a>, <a href="http://www.peggythomaswrites.com/">Peggy Thomas</a>, Nancy
Sanders and I may have been a little better published than some of the
conferees, but that wasn't the point. The point was, we all cared about
writing nonficton, and we all wanted to do better. We were there to
elevate the art form and each other. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">By lunch Friday, I had more
than 30 new friends. When I left Sunday I had a new family.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">If ever you have the chance to join Pat Miller's
Neffer family, don't hesitate. You'll learn a lot about succeeding in the
world of nonfiction writing and you'll understand, in the realm of Neffers,
you're never alone.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="background: white;">Thank you, Pat and all my Neffer friends. I
am beyond grateful for you all.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Kelly Milner Hallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00807291322398912914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728106271902840258.post-33460550357656953762014-05-31T13:27:00.000-07:002014-05-31T15:20:48.274-07:00My best friend, Andy -- aka Andrew Smith<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In the summer of 1976, the bicentennial year, I graduated from <a href="http://www.nphs.org/">Newbury Park High School</a> in Newbury Park, California. So did my best friend, Andy Smith -- <a href="http://www.authorandrewsmith.com/Author_Andrew_Smith/Home.html">Andrew Smith</a>, the meteoric Young Adult author. We went out that night. We had dinner, we held hands and wandered the sidewalks of Westwood, shopped at Pier I, and we laughed. We always laughed.<br />
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None of that was new. He was the best friend I ever had. We did a LOT of things together. We ate lunch together -- remember your wheat jeans and the ketchup packet, Andy? We had German class together and,
eventually, journalism -- the academic pursuit that would become my life's work. We babysat Troy together, a third grader with Cerebral Palsy. We went to Disneyland and pretended to be Star Wars extras. We went to Magic Mountain and rode the first loop coaster on earth backwards. We bugged each other at work -- him at Carl's Junior, me at the Music Loft. We went to see THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE at the drive in theater and we saw INDIANA JONES at Mann's Chinese. Neither of us slept the night we saw the EXORCIST in the same theater. We even bought his Toyota Celica together. <br />
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Until I met Andy, my school life was bleak. I was bright, but shy and maybe a little silly. I'd endured four middle schools before landing at NPHS, and my emotional bruises were obvious. My eyes were always on the ground. Invisibility was my primary goal. But Andy saw past it. Andy saw me, and I loved him for it.<br />
<br />
In time we drifted apart, but the truth is, I never stopped thinking about him. I missed him just about every day of my life, and started looking for him when the Internet made that possible in the mid-1990s. My detective work failed.<br />
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Then, out of the blue I got a phone call. Andy had seen my author website and tracked down my phone number. I don't remember the exact quote, but he said something like, "I'm glad at least one of us did it." I told him I always thought it would be him. But he was a high school teacher in California, not a writer.<br />
<br />
"Where's the novel?" I asked.<br />
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"What makes you thing there's a novel?" he replied.<br />
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"Where's the novel," I repeated. Fiction had always been his first love, and I couldn't believe that love had really ended, even after all those years. <br />
<br />
"It's in the drawer," he said.<br />
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"Get it out," I said. "We're going to get it published."<br />
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That was GHOST MEDICINE, and the rest -- IN THE PATH OF FALLING OBJECTS, STICK, THE MARBURY LENS, PASSENGER, WINGER, GRASSHOPPER JUNGLE and 100 SIDEWAYS MILES (so far) -- is literary history. I may have given him a spark, but Andy fanned the flames. He had the will, the determination and the sheer talent to catch fire. <br />
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Today, the <i>Boston Globe</i> announced that his latest novel, GRASSHOPPER JUNGLE was this year's <a href="http://www.hbook.com/2014/05/news/boston-globe-horn-book-awards/2014-boston-globe-horn-book-awards-excellence-childrens-literature/">Horn Book Award</a> winner for fiction, and I had to smile. Even in high school, I knew Andy was destined to be a writer. He made me laugh, sure, but he also had depth beyond his years or his peers, depth that drew me to him. In fiction or nonfiction, he had something to say, and smart people listened.<br />
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So I want to congratulate him on this award and every marker of success he's enjoyed and will yet experience. I am so glad you're a part of my life again. And while I respect that you are Andrew Smith now, I'm glad you'll always be a little bit Andy, to me.<br />
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See you in November!<br />
<br />
Kelly<br />
<br />
Kelly Milner Hallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00807291322398912914noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728106271902840258.post-89217788551039794642014-05-25T16:02:00.000-07:002014-05-31T13:28:09.311-07:00BLOG TOUR: THE WRITING PROCESS IN FOUR QUESTIONS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’ve done this once before, so forgive me if it seems
silly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But when <a href="http://www.susangoodmanbooks.com/">Susan Goodman</a> asked me to join her
team for this round of THE WRITING PROCESS BLOG TOURS, I couldn’t resist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Susan sent me to <a href="http://davidelliottbooks.com/news">David Elliott’s blog</a> to
remind me of the four questions, and he reminded me that lots of other great
authors, like <a href="http://www.carmenoliver.com/">Carmen Oliver</a>, and <a href="http://www.sarazarr.com/">Sara Zarr</a>, are also taking part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So here’s my latest take on THE WRITING PROCESS, in four
questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope you’ll also explore my
friend’s <a href="http://www.clairerudolfmurphy.com/blog/">Claire Rudolf Murphy</a> and <a href="http://www.poetry4kids.com/blog/news/blog-tour-my-writing-process/">Kenn Nesbitt</a><a href="http://www.poetry4kids.com/blog/"></a> as they offer their points of
view on the same four questions. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Onward to excellence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Kelly<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What am I currently working on?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">For
a writer who has written more than 40 nonfiction books, it’s amazing for me to
admit, I’m working on three 12,000 word novels – fiction inspired by true
stories – for Andrew Karre at Darby Creek/Lerner for the first time in my
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And while I’ve written several
fictional YA short stories, this really is a first for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A challenging, exciting first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I’m pretty excited about it. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">How
does my work differ from others in my genre?</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">On the
fiction front, we’ll have to wait and see to answer that question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the nonfiction, it’s easier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most writers of young reader nonfiction
search for “award winning” topics to document.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I wouldn’t mind winning awards, but that’s not my niche.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I look for topics that will draw kids into
the books – especially kids that might not otherwise love to read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was a reluctant reader growing up, so I
write for those kids now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Topics like
Bigfoot, aliens, sea monsters and ghosts carefully researched and presented set
my work apart from other nonfiction writers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When it comes to my animal stories, they are usually laced with human
drama, which might set them apart, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I hope so. </span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Why
do I write what I write?</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I write what I write because
these are the books I would have wanted to find in the library as a kid – books
I never did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I write for the child in
myself, and for children everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
write to my passions, hoping the work will shine with that enthusiasm. </span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">What
is my writing process?</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">My process
is unconventional.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The research isn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like all writers of nonfiction, I read a
whole lot about my topic – articles, books, academic papers – and do interviews
with prominent experts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do field trips
to explore the places or subjects about which I’m writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All that is fairly typical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But how I tackle the actual writing process
might not be. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">I wake up in
the morning, tackle my email, play a few video games, then write for as long as
I feel excited about the topic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I
clean house, walk my dog, play more games to break the day up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once that’s done, I’m ready to write
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I write as long as I feel the
work is fresh, then break again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the
while, I have the television in the background, usually MSNBC – I’m a liberal
news junky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cannot write if it’s too
quiet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think that started when I did
magazine features as a single mom with two kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to learn to write amid happy chaos, and
now I can’t seem to manage without it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">So my
process is a little scattered and seems random.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But it’s not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a pattern
that works FOR ME.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if I can convey
any one thing in this blog, it’s that there is no WRONG process, as long as it
works, as long as it helps you produce your finished product.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Don’t try to
copy any other writer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Try they’re
styles on if you’re just beginning – if you like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But feel sure the process you adopt, the one
that fits your life and rhythm will be just as good as anything you read about
anywhere else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The main objective is to
keep writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do that, and it all falls
naturally into place. </span>Kelly Milner Hallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00807291322398912914noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728106271902840258.post-85326956908602573392013-09-26T14:58:00.001-07:002013-09-26T14:58:21.782-07:00Kelly's Curiosities -- Phase I: Space Rocks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNMKBn0ztrLydq1CNZ2jLwUvtca4dSci0ad6sdB4YZ6OQ48wjUvDx_LuIDHZ8FE_wzuqMnuYecdEaNfEoJELai9UFrKEF_iKrqxJOBgIZFtZchcAPdCuPo47x_rH7r9nKrNzq2L4PWMEhw/s1600/032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNMKBn0ztrLydq1CNZ2jLwUvtca4dSci0ad6sdB4YZ6OQ48wjUvDx_LuIDHZ8FE_wzuqMnuYecdEaNfEoJELai9UFrKEF_iKrqxJOBgIZFtZchcAPdCuPo47x_rH7r9nKrNzq2L4PWMEhw/s640/032.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
To my sheer delight, the first episode of KELLY'S CURIOSITIES debuted on Monday, September 23, 2013. If you've read my other posts, you know we filmed all ten episodes on August 29 and 30 of this year, and it was a crazy, fun two days of hard, amazing work. The producer/editor, the camera person and the animator are all brilliant professionals, and I think we've created something special together. So I hope you'll check them out, starting with <a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/is-that-a-space-rock-in-your-gold-medal/15v06gb"><b>this one</b></a>. <br />
<br />
This video was inspired by the remarkable space rock that thundered across Russian skies in February of 2013. I couldn't get enough of the videos and news reports of the stellar event. I was so hungry for information, it was thrilling. Yeah, I get thrilled by facts -- weird, I know.<br />
<br />
As I watched and talked to my friends about the "space rock," I started wondering why reporters were calling it a space rock, rather than by a more specific name. Then I realized, I didn't know what to call it either.<br />
<br />
All my life, I've heard about comets and asteroids and meteors and meteorites, but I realized, I didn't know what made them each DIFFERENT from one another. So I decided to find out, and this two minute video is the end result. <br />
<br />
Each of the ten videos we shot will be about high interest, sometimes weird topics including:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/is-that-a-space-rock-in-your-gold-medal/15v06gb">Space Rocks</a><br />
<br />
A Creepy 1920's Mystery Bust<br />
<br />
Insect Fossils<br />
<br />
Mexico's Island of the Dolls<br />
<br />
Raptorex vs T. rex<br />
<br />
And five more crazy subjects.<br />
<br />
We wanted to celebrate weird information in an easy to digest format, and I think the MSN team did a magnificent job! So I hope you'll watch the videos and share the on your blogs and Facebook pages, your listservs and in your classrooms. Because they're perfect for viewers 9 and up, to be sure. <br />
<br />
If we get enough views, we might get to do more, and I'd LOVE to do more. But even more to the point, I think this hard working team DESERVES recognition. They made me look good. And when you're a 56 year old chubby lady with gray hair, that's not as easy as it sounds.<br />
<br />
Let me know what you think, okay? <br />
<br />
Kelly<br />
<br />Kelly Milner Hallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00807291322398912914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728106271902840258.post-53437447314456939312013-09-12T14:33:00.003-07:002013-09-12T14:33:31.961-07:00The Writing Life -- Do What's Right for YOU! <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVHFSTmctQCzCiZ_iXnrl6vKYX-MZnluZX5vRIOoforbQhPbOvAV0hko0CyonKU3_GFcW_FjjzTFlwNghA_IFIpDbomFuuQyZAwGd4u0miTySMCu5HAYoBz3Ro7X6KHFKTp5s5lSRvTr3w/s1600/IMG_1793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVHFSTmctQCzCiZ_iXnrl6vKYX-MZnluZX5vRIOoforbQhPbOvAV0hko0CyonKU3_GFcW_FjjzTFlwNghA_IFIpDbomFuuQyZAwGd4u0miTySMCu5HAYoBz3Ro7X6KHFKTp5s5lSRvTr3w/s320/IMG_1793.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Writing life? Sure. But sometimes, you stop and hug your dog.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A week or two ago, someone on my NFforKids listserv asked how we all work on our writing. I responded, and several people encouraged me to post it on my blog. So here it is. Hope it proves no way and every way is the right way to be a writer. : ) Just do it! <br />
<br />
THE POST<br />
<br />
Because being a writer is my day job -- and my only source of income -- I
do something writer related every single day, rain or shine, holiday or
non-holiday, for at least ten hours a day. I am almost always on
deadline for something or I won't make my bills. So I juggle it all as
efficiently as I can. <br />
<br />
I wake up when I wake up, now that both my girls are able to drive cars
of their own to get where they need to be. If my body says I need 8
hours, I sleep 8 hours. If it says I need 12, I sleep 12. I am very
flexible with sleep when I'm at home because that pattern seems to keep
me from getting sick. Rest is really important to my writing life.
Once I'm awake, I start by checking my email, because email will
determine my priorities for that day. I juggle at least 4 projects at
any given time -- proposals to backlist. And every book deserves
attention. <br />
<br />
A lot of my email is school visit related, but that's part of the job.
So I coordinate those first. I do between 40 and 60 school visits a
year, so that's pretty time consuming, from invitation to completion.
But it helps pay the bills, and it sells lots of books. A lot of my
email is in response to interview requests, as well. So tending to that
correspondence immediately is terribly important. Most of my books
take about 4 years to research and write, with a huge uptick toward
their submission deadlines and their release dates. <br />
<br />
Research fills the rest of my hours -- some for projects sold, some for
projects about to be pitched to acquiring editors at various houses. I
do a LOT of research long before the book sells to be sure I have enough
information to merit a book. Some say that's risky, and maybe it is.
But nothing ventured, nothing gained. I have yet to do research on a
book idea without selling it, eventually, with only one exception, and I
still haven't given up on that project. I'll sell it, eventually.<br />
<br />
I don't write actual book text as efficiently when I'm traveling for
school visits, but I do write in hotels and I absolutely do revisions in
hotels. I am pretty tired after a full day of school visits, so I'll
sometimes take a 40 minute nap right after school, write until bedtime,
then wake up for the next day's school events. I am far slower with
original text in hotel rooms than I am at home, but I can and do make it
happen. <br />
<br />
I also promote my books on social media, but I do more toward building
and keeping my professional relationships strong. I'm lucky, because a
lot of the librarians i visit become real friends to me. So when I talk
to them on Facebook -- when I ask about their kids or their vacations
-- I really do CARE about their lives, not because they buy my books but
because we've connected in a real way. But that also keeps my career
healthy. <br />
<br />
Chris Crutcher always says there is nothing in this life that is not
about human connection and relationships. I absolutely agree with him.
So I attend to those relationship every day, in all my writer
capacities. The work makes me happy...not rich, but happy. So I feel
really lucky to have that opportunity. Lucky, but REALLY hard working,
too. <br />
<br />
I could probably take more days off, if I wanted to. But I get too
antsy to take a whole day off. I do play video games to break up the
day a little. When I finish part of one project, I'll pay a game to
clear my head -- to prepare my mind to do something else. So as odd as
it sounds, playing is part of my writing process. I have to play little
tricks on myself to keep all the balls I'm juggling in the air. So
far, so good. <br />
<br />
If I have any advice for others, it's write every day, even if it's just
a little bit. Be flexible with yourself, because every one of us will
forge our own path, our own way. A glimpse at someone else's process is
informative, but what works for me might not work for you, and vice
versa. So use other people's patterns to help you understand your way
is GOOD for YOU. If you don't have a process yet, try a few on for
size, then customize them for you lifestyle. Before my girls were
grown, my babies were top priority, and I still managed to build a
career. <br />
<br />
One last thing, writing friends keep you sane. Never overlook the value
of friends who do what you do -- who take it seriously. They are armor
against all those people who ask when you'll write a real book or ask,
"How you written anything I've heard of?" People outside the circle
will still ask those dumb questions. But your writing friends will make
it easier NOT to resort to violence in response. : ) <br />
<br />
Hope this helps! <br />
<br />
Kelly<br />
<br />
Kelly Milner Halls<br />
Children's Writer<br />
www.wondersofweird.com Kelly Milner Hallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00807291322398912914noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728106271902840258.post-49880114409671179082013-09-05T14:13:00.001-07:002013-09-05T14:15:04.566-07:00Ten Episodes Video Taped! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A week ago today, my friends Brian and Mel drove from Seattle to Spokane and transformed my living room into a video set. Together, we filmed ten, full episodes of KELLY'S CURIOSITIES for MSN on Thursday, August 29 and Friday, August 30, 2013.<br />
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Our biggest challenge -- I thought -- would be my dogs. Abbey is a 4-year-old Great Dane and Pug is a 14 year old pug, as you might have guessed. I thought Abbey would be like a bull in a china closet with all that expensive equipment -- cameras, monitors, lights, reflectors, boom mikes, the whole nine yards. But thanks to my daughter Vanessa's skill with animals, they became our calm studio audience. Pug's snoring as she slept was the biggest hurdle. She is still wondering why we kept waking her up, I'm sure. Abbey was totally zen.<br />
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What turned out to be hard was pronouncing several Russian, Chinese and Japanese names. The fact that I had to trip over those pronunciations really distracted me from telling the stories associated with the names. It surprised me that the worry over those three or four words slowed me down so much. But once we got those episodes complete, it was a little easier.<br />
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Easier. That's a relative term. It was never entirely easy, because it's a fun and complicated process. My job was to give the producer and camera person the bits and pieces they needed to go back to Seattle, to their computers and animators and musicians and jigsaw the videos together.<br />
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So I did the same stories again and again and again -- as many times as it took. Then I recreated different motions I made in each re-telling so the camera could zoom in for close ups on the items I was holding.<br />
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It was hard at times, but always fascinating and mind blowing. Videos staring me? A plump, aging writer of things weird? It's like an old lady Cinderella story, and I know it.<br />
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I am so grateful for this opportunity. I hope people like them so much we'll get to do another ten episodes...then another ten...then another ten. I hope they are so much fun, they go viral so we can travel to locations to shoot the stories where they unfold. But even if that doesn't happen, color me delighted!<br />
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I got to be a video star for two days in my living room. It doesn't get too much better than that! <br />
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<br />Kelly Milner Hallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00807291322398912914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728106271902840258.post-44978119973412459232013-08-14T10:56:00.002-07:002013-08-14T10:56:15.665-07:00Kelly's Curiosities<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I can't talk TOO much about it yet, but in the next few months, I'll add something new to my writer's resume -- video episodes. Thanks to the good folks at MSN, I'll write and play in ten 3-minute explorations of things odd and amazing. <br />
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So my daughter Vanessa (in the photo above) and I have been working really hard to turn our living room into a set for these quirky little news programs, and this is the result.<br />
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A lot of that stuff was already on my living room wall. But we ramped it up pretty high to prepare for the big days (August 29 & 30). We won't get to see the finished products until the very talented producer, editor and animator add the REAL magic. But the scripts are finished, and so is this weird backdrop.<br />
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It's a little hectic and scattered, like I am. But it's me -- so very me. There are four professional reproductions of the four chapter
illustrations for <a href="http://www.wondersofweird.com/tales-of-the-cryptids.html">TALES OF THE CRYPTIDS</a> -- a gift from the illustrator
and my friend, <a href="http://www.rickspearsart.com/">Rick Spears</a>. <br />
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There is a photo of a mother and baby bat <a href="http://www.marykaycarson.com/Home/Home.html">Mary Kay Carson</a>'s photographer husband was kind enough to give me -- shot for Mary Kay's stellar book <a href="http://www.marykaycarson.com/Bat_Scientists.html">BAT SCIENTISTS</a>. I love that book. <br />
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There is a drawing of <a href="http://www.jenniferholm.com/p/babymouse.html">BABY MOUSE</a> that <a href="http://www.jenniferholm.com/">Jenni Holm</a> asked her brother Matthew to draw and send to me. I can't tell you how much that means to me.<br />
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There is a drawing of the upper crust Sasquatch featured in <a href="http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/tv_shows/tss/index.html">THE SECRET SATURDAYS</a> drawn by the show's creator, <a href="http://jaystephens.com/">Jay Stephens</a>. He sent it to me because TALES OF THE CRYPTIDS helped him prepare for writing the series. How cool is that? <br />
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<a href="http://www.thescop.com/">Jonathan Auxier</a> drew the fun sketch of Sasquatch chasing ME when we both spoke at the Cavalcade of Authors in the spring of 2013. <br />
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There is a tiny bottle of Yeti Cologne courtesy of<a href="http://www.lisayee.com/"> Lisa Yee</a> and ComicCon, a stain glass rendition of the chick from <a href="http://www.wondersofweird.com/i-bought-a-baby-chicken.html">I BOUGHT A BABY CHICKEN</a> created by my father, a tyrannosaur skeletal representation Rick gave me, two masks Kerry gave me of <a href="http://www.pokemon.com/us/">Pikachu</a> and <a href="http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/catbug">CatBug</a>, a snaffle bit I used when I had my horse more than 40 years ago, a modest collection of <a href="http://funko.com/#/work/">Funko POPS</a> and more. <br />
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Every item represents a part of who I am. Kelly's Curiosities will, too. I'll tell you more about the video series very soon. In the meantime, here's a sneak peek at me as a cartoon character. You'll see more of cartoon Kelly, too! <br />
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Stay tuned! The fun has just begun.<br />
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<br />Kelly Milner Hallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00807291322398912914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728106271902840258.post-51983379283386290032013-08-10T17:10:00.003-07:002013-08-11T23:53:00.951-07:00Children's Authors Blog Hop! <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhheTwMKylMmw6MMF_B_iQJqUZoIWkq35XqmFE0W8I-Dv654K_5ttTYFxE7LISvxo2NxJdPFlVCPEtR4FhqoCt00CP9kgRF8XlH-kDgs8xxI_INJb69qm_bdahkK5cpzByjp3xaaBzClbHU/s1600/NCTE+2012+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhheTwMKylMmw6MMF_B_iQJqUZoIWkq35XqmFE0W8I-Dv654K_5ttTYFxE7LISvxo2NxJdPFlVCPEtR4FhqoCt00CP9kgRF8XlH-kDgs8xxI_INJb69qm_bdahkK5cpzByjp3xaaBzClbHU/s400/NCTE+2012+035.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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A few days ago, my friend <a href="http://school4spies.com/doing-the-blog-hop-kidlit-style/">Bruce Hale</a> (on the far right) invited me to join him
on the <b>Children’s Authors Blog Hop</b>, created by Phyllis Griggs at her <a href="http://http//www.indiechatter.blogspot.com">IndieChatter Blogspot</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I agreed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can you resist playing with Bruce
Hale?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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What does that mean? It means I’ll answer the four blog questions, like all the stellar
writers before me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I’ll introduce
you to my three recommended children’s writers – the same way Bruce introduced
me and two others! </div>
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<br /></div>
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Hope you enjoy the fun as much as I have!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Kelly</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<u><b>What are you working on right now?</b></u></div>
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I just finished two books for a series called LIE
DETECTOR – fun question and answer books for young readers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One was about dinosaurs, the other was about animals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope they are the first of many books in
the same series, because they were enormously fun to write and the
illustrations are going to be sensational.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am also finishing my new book for Millbrook called GHOST.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will offer evidence for and against people
living on as spirits after death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<u><b>How does it differ from other works in its genre?</b></u></div>
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GHOST is very much like the books I’m best known for, and I
love it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love delivering books kids
love to read for fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>LIE DETECTOR is a
little different because it’s for younger readers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the publisher loves the way I find surprising
details to share, and they allowed me a lot of room to exercise my voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So maybe they’re not so different, when you
really get down to it. </div>
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<u><b>Why do you write what you do?</b></u></div>
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I write what I write for the curious child I was, and the
curious adult I continue to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I write
for all the kids out there like me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Being curious is wonderful, but frustrating if you can’t find answers or
theories on answers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like moving the
discussion forward through the books I write.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I like empowering kids to dig deeper themselves, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think my books do that. </div>
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<u><b>What is the hardest part about writing?</b></u></div>
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Nonfiction probably pays less than any other genre, so as a single mom, that’s the hardest part of writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But nonfiction is my heart and my
passion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I do my best to find a way. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Thankfully, school visits help for nine months of the year, and I am
enormously grateful to those schools kind enough to host me.. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Now, let me introduce three of my favorite nonfiction
writers – dedicated professionals who care as much about curious kids as I do,
even if they write wonderful books that are very different from my own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqeh8JlZi3sxwf6WXgTC9XgCwiCyilYgSIab4XSsnWzZ0UUn-US7rhC69qGU_xo0st7D3KiyKpSm-AxnYmUdXayE4h1DnvJbp_ebmTjJ_ms9TymsanZ6H66p8yXOfPdcLnFSvk9UwtJzh/s1600/Larry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqeh8JlZi3sxwf6WXgTC9XgCwiCyilYgSIab4XSsnWzZ0UUn-US7rhC69qGU_xo0st7D3KiyKpSm-AxnYmUdXayE4h1DnvJbp_ebmTjJ_ms9TymsanZ6H66p8yXOfPdcLnFSvk9UwtJzh/s1600/Larry.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.brimner.com/"><b>Larry Dane Brimner</b></a></div>
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I met <a href="http://larrydanebrimner.blogspot.com/">Larry</a> when we both staffed the Highlights Foundation’s
Workshop at Chautauqua in New York six or seven years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was so smart and so friendly, we became
instant friends and I couldn’t wait to read his books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neither could thousands of other people,
thanks to his astonishing hard work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
of my favorites is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Black-White-Confrontation-Shuttlesworth-22Bull-22/dp/1590787668">BLACK AND WHITE</a>: <span class="st">The Confrontation between
Reverend Fred L. Shuttlesworth and Eugene “Bull” Connor.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="st">Larry worked so hard to present a clean,
clear vision of how the Rev. Shuttlesworth fought for the civil rights of
African Americans while Bull Connor fought to preserve the status quo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He brought the heart and hope of war torn
Birmingham, Alabama into focus and he brought me to tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Such a brilliant project – if you haven’t
read it, give yourself a treat and read it now.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHs9vg6yYP1McJaIag2sx1krEnWDWaVTyBn7Lprmj_gkMFwTr2HT7CJknyALQrpILR1p1GOw-pQvykkaGkkHDo7dQvxzD0vYPMI4igLAsJ1YHRM2yoEMstKRJfy5gk_OdvS0OujLMZYD0/s1600/Black+and+White.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHs9vg6yYP1McJaIag2sx1krEnWDWaVTyBn7Lprmj_gkMFwTr2HT7CJknyALQrpILR1p1GOw-pQvykkaGkkHDo7dQvxzD0vYPMI4igLAsJ1YHRM2yoEMstKRJfy5gk_OdvS0OujLMZYD0/s400/Black+and+White.jpg" width="358" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJWuVEaRujyTrnmEI9ZuqjD1hzYPKzdHsHVdokKPU3970KDa_BWsuRoLGMncTj2dYB1qrEznAaqV236AW7zB0YCGSyZYnDVnKBPJA5voqR_pxrprYdZYcI4oKrTEyg6X6v_AfnUTx7obyA/s1600/NCTE+2012+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJWuVEaRujyTrnmEI9ZuqjD1hzYPKzdHsHVdokKPU3970KDa_BWsuRoLGMncTj2dYB1qrEznAaqV236AW7zB0YCGSyZYnDVnKBPJA5voqR_pxrprYdZYcI4oKrTEyg6X6v_AfnUTx7obyA/s200/NCTE+2012+023.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9GzV4NA9_TY7nSYaB7nJD060q2iP8Yjq_bjD1PKKBD4Z9bXWPJj0bMVqCwGLCR9qC6DhcjFJHSQ138D7n4YXd5oY4jnSZ6plBImMz6Jex9iNStI5n5FzMqRCe-yy7aT-QaKGL1Bs7vbAM/s1600/Mary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>
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<a href="http://www.clairerudolfmurphy.com/"><b><span class="st">Claire Rudolf Murphy</span></b></a></div>
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<span class="st">When I moved to Spokane, WA, I had lunch with my
friends <a href="http://www.chriscrutcher.com/">Chris Crutcher</a>, <a href="http://www.terrytrueman.com/">Terry Trueman</a> and Claire Rudolf Murphy (right, next to Meghan Nuttall Sayres, another wonderful author).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris and Terry were talking about what movie
tie-in Happy Meal toys might look like for Terry’s book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stuck-Neutral-Terry-Trueman/dp/0064472132">STUCK IN NEUTRAL</a> about
a profoundly disabled teenage boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chaos
ensued, while Claire and I watched.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="st">I figured if she could take that craziness
(craziness I LOVE), I wanted to know her better, and I’m so glad I
had that opportunity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I discovered Claire
feels as passionately about American History as I do about all things
weird.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She writes for those kids aching
to know more about what life was like in the “olden days,” and she helps them see
how those days gone by have helped shape the world we know today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Her book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Marching-Aunt-Susan-Anthony-Suffrage/dp/1561455938/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1376177143&sr=1-1&keywords=Claire+Rudolf+Murphy">MARCHING WITH AUNT SUSAN</a> is one example, but she has a new book on the horizon you won't want to miss. Top secret for now, but trust me. </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>I’m so
proud I can say, “I knew her when.” </span><br />
<br />
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0eCn3ceztTCYHFPoq3agCEKnWX4uRBa_UvCPB71UMksqR2wEcRb89GMHw3jI3_GnJJQhJay2FlLy1lzeOgWKGTTT2dMFD-MZBxab69FowB4c5ZF9Xix4bCorKB4BCycai-RBxOvh1Xq1/s1600/Claire+Rudolf+Murphy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0eCn3ceztTCYHFPoq3agCEKnWX4uRBa_UvCPB71UMksqR2wEcRb89GMHw3jI3_GnJJQhJay2FlLy1lzeOgWKGTTT2dMFD-MZBxab69FowB4c5ZF9Xix4bCorKB4BCycai-RBxOvh1Xq1/s400/Claire+Rudolf+Murphy.jpg" width="344" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisHbOaoFgtua92zURUq7_27eKTAz2ZfCRoLjzSyIXfc7t5XHsO9_xL2yYpyIal7l6yRJMz3OJccdaGd_mZPjWP34JGDf4ihfAzQqtA8h4Cqvwze7EYrH4nM4uqbOaCXpOiCkPfN4bJCAdz/s1600/Mary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisHbOaoFgtua92zURUq7_27eKTAz2ZfCRoLjzSyIXfc7t5XHsO9_xL2yYpyIal7l6yRJMz3OJccdaGd_mZPjWP34JGDf4ihfAzQqtA8h4Cqvwze7EYrH4nM4uqbOaCXpOiCkPfN4bJCAdz/s200/Mary.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.marycronkfarrell.net/"><b><span class="st">Mary Cronk Farrell</span></b></a></div>
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<span class="st">Like me, Mary (far right, with Trent Reedy and John Bladek, two MORE great Spokane writers) started as a freelance writer, crafting short nonfiction for both kids and adults, so she
had mad props from me even before we got to know each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as I’ve watched her nonfiction children’s
book career unfold – and as she’s stewarded the Spokane SCBWI group <a href="http://www.poetry4kids.com/">KennNesbitt</a> and I started many years ago –I’ve gained a whole new respect for her
unique abilities as a writer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She finds
topics that surprise and enlighten me and I can’t wait to see more. </span></div>
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<span class="st">I love her book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Journey-Top-World-Courage-Commitment/dp/1467555061/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1376178521&sr=1-1&keywords=Journey+to+the+Top+of+the+World+by+Mary+Cronk+Farrell">JOURNEY TO THE TOP OF THE WORLD,</a> but I REALLY can't wait for her new book about World War II nurses trapped in a Japanese prisoner of war camp long after the war was actually over. Mary is a winner -- watch for big things from this remarkably talented author. I'll post about it as soon as I'm allowed! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCjoL7pEhyl584UUcLQgt9fhpBqu8izC9MXK-gnFSwNCAgoJCEu34TP7EcwAb7SlGP9X9rBcykCA9q2glBjfIBrbHuwUL61KjLZXJqawvkMXkIs4ZQcdv3Nj0ff6MYYlHYqjbBzap1loQ/s1600/Mary+Cronk+Farrell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCjoL7pEhyl584UUcLQgt9fhpBqu8izC9MXK-gnFSwNCAgoJCEu34TP7EcwAb7SlGP9X9rBcykCA9q2glBjfIBrbHuwUL61KjLZXJqawvkMXkIs4ZQcdv3Nj0ff6MYYlHYqjbBzap1loQ/s400/Mary+Cronk+Farrell.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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<br />Kelly Milner Hallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00807291322398912914noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728106271902840258.post-75734926037391330242013-08-10T15:54:00.001-07:002013-08-10T15:54:09.976-07:00Why we write what we write. People ask me, OFTEN, why I write the kinds of books I do. And the answer is pretty easy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqK2sMCslhbC04C1SlSBvXs9OBfuzvP3KZIllsEqyBMUOlhElUr-ynnEh4ngeWKmR99oarg3QPDVMxgEisjk_0bmj7GeWP-FtUzZelOqz9SbigLTO4oqm7Id3k_3extIR8wMm5S8oq-43o/s1600/Lizard+Egg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqK2sMCslhbC04C1SlSBvXs9OBfuzvP3KZIllsEqyBMUOlhElUr-ynnEh4ngeWKmR99oarg3QPDVMxgEisjk_0bmj7GeWP-FtUzZelOqz9SbigLTO4oqm7Id3k_3extIR8wMm5S8oq-43o/s320/Lizard+Egg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I write about weird stuff for two reasons. First, I love weird stuff. I always have. From the time I was a little girl growing up in <a href="http://www.ci.friendswood.tx.us/">Friendswood, Texas</a>, I collected all things odd and amazing, from animal skeletons to lizard eggs, to odd stones I found exploring the woods. I sat in my father's lap watching documentaries like <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__MGYrcapdk">Walter Cronkite's 21st Century</a>. I lived a life full of wonder. <br />
<br />
The second reason I write about weird things is not so different. Kids still love weird stuff as much as I loved it 45 years ago. They have as many questions as I did, and I love the idea of helping them find answers. <br />
<br />
I know I'm on track, too. I don't win a lot of awards, though I would love to. That's not the feedback that keeps me confident. It's the reaction of librarians and kids. Every week, I get letters from kids who love my books and can't wait to tell me. I also get drawings inspired by my books like this one from April.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKx1qDt6U_htflW0lzdTtOlz5mVJr54rwfAMkMVvxurs8PmUMVIBOufPfXUO9lw7b2MW8tKv_rk3uSWTfG-z7YSEhUG7qRkkYQ77BStuNWtDCDRgfLoskIu5AQvPvCyWeEX8Bast8m4kO7/s1600/AlienDrawingAug8_2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKx1qDt6U_htflW0lzdTtOlz5mVJr54rwfAMkMVvxurs8PmUMVIBOufPfXUO9lw7b2MW8tKv_rk3uSWTfG-z7YSEhUG7qRkkYQ77BStuNWtDCDRgfLoskIu5AQvPvCyWeEX8Bast8m4kO7/s320/AlienDrawingAug8_2013.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
After reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Alien-Investigation-Searching-Truth-Aliens/dp/0761362045">ALIEN INVESTIGATION</a>, April wrote to me to tell me how much she loved it. And she drew her own version of an alien to share with me. When a 5th grader takes the time to read, write and draw, that's an all around win.<br />
<br />
I will write more traditional books like <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Saving-Baghdad-Zoo-Story-Heroes/dp/B0046LUF9A/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1376174929&sr=1-1&keywords=Saving+the+Baghdad+Zoo">SAVING THE BAGHDAD ZOO</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dinosaur-Mummies-Beyond-Bare-Bone-Fossils/dp/158196000X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1376174969&sr=1-1&keywords=Dinosaur+Mummies">DINOSAUR MUMMIES</a>. My latest books are two early chapter books for National Geographic, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/National-Geographic-Kids-Chapters-Everything/dp/1426310781/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1376175011&sr=1-1&keywords=Tiger+in+Trouble">TIGER IN TROUBLE</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/National-Geographic-Kids-Chapters-Courageous/dp/1426313969/ref=pd_sim_b_6">COURAGEOUS CANINE</a> -- both more traditional. And kids love those too. <br />
<br />
But writing weird holds a special place in my heart, because when I was little, no one could answer my weird questions. Are aliens real? Do UFOs mean us harm? Is Bigfoot waiting to kill us at our campsites? They may seem like silly questions to adults. But thoughts like these kept me up at night as a kid. And no one would talk to me about them. My books offer well researched evidence to answer those questions -- or at least to help them draw well informed opinions of their own.<br />
<br />
We each have our own reasons for writing the books we write, and every one is valid and important. Because there are kids waiting for the book only you can write. <br />
<br />
Get to it, no matter what you decide "IT" should be.<br />
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Kelly Milner Hallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00807291322398912914noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728106271902840258.post-76676922672512330142013-01-03T16:41:00.000-08:002013-01-03T16:41:25.409-08:00RISE OF THE CHAMPION, William Joyce<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Because I was enchanted by the artistry of the theater advertisements, and because my 22-year-old Vanessa wanted to see it, I took a chance yesterday and saw RISE OF THE GUARDIANS. I never saw a compelling advertisement, never really got what the movie was about, beyond Santa, Jack Frost, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy and the Sandman.<br />
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To my absolutely delight, RISE OF THE GUARDIANS turned out to be a brilliant, beautiful story full of passion and heart and true imagination, thanks to <a href="http://www.williamjoyce.com/">William Joyce</a>, one of my all-time favorite picture book authors (left).<br />
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Driven in large part by the invisible Jack Frost's quest for his identity and purpose, the story begins as Jack is called by the Man in the Moon to be a new Guardian. The Boogie Man, known as Pitch is souring the dreams of children and threatening to do worse. All the talents of all the Guardians will be required to stop him. <br />
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Jack has heard of the others, of course, known to each other as North, Tooth, Bunny and Sandy. People believe in them, and they can be seen because of it. But the boy, once frozen in an icy pond, is invisible, even to the kids delighted by his wintery skills. What good can he do? Why was he chosen?<br />
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North challenges Jack to find his core, the one thing that defines who he really is. North admits his core and purpose is wonder, and says he inspires wonder within children around the world. Tooth is loving guardian to childhood memories. Bunny is the champion of hope. And Sandy, of course, helps kids to dream. <br />
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Jack agrees to battle Pitch, even if he doubts his own worth. Together, they offer us a story as gripping as any theatrical film I've seen this year in a visual feast second to none. I loved Pixar's BRAVE and Disney's WRECK IT RALPH, but this film produced by Dreamworks was far better -- just as Dreamworks HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON was the best animated film of 2010.<br />
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As a children's writer, RISE OF THE GUARDIANS reminded me that each of us who write for kids are guardians too -- people who remind kids of the wonders of the world through the stories we tell. And more than once, the movie had me in tears, proud of doing what little I can to be a worthy ally to the characters in the film.<br />
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Life can be hard, for kids and adults. Our fears, like Pitch, threaten to silence those things in life that make us feel rich. Those things are more valuable than money or anything it can buy. Those things define who we are and who we want to be. RISE OF THE GUARDIANS reminded me of those core gems each of us should nurture. I'm grateful for that -- and for <a href="http://www.williamjoyce.com/">William Joyce</a>.<br />
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I interviewed William many years ago by telephone, and hung up wishing I could be his friend. Now I feel that way, all over again. Thank you, for creating something with a magical core to enrich us. <br />
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Kelly Milner Hallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00807291322398912914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728106271902840258.post-59457240928728611992012-12-14T12:13:00.003-08:002012-12-14T13:30:54.503-08:00Sandy Hook Elementary<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of the News Times.</td></tr>
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I woke today to the early reports of violence on the Sandy Hook Elementary School campus in Newtown, Connecticut. A gunman stormed the principal's office, then his mother's kindergarten class. In minutes,20-year-old Adam Lanza, holding his brother Ryan Lanza's ID, was dead. So were his mother, and six other adults. So were 20 children, probably five-year-olds.<br />
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My heart is broken.<br />
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I visit elementary schools all over the country. I visit those same kindergarten classrooms, where there shiny little faces are so new and so excited they are impossible not to adore. They ask in appropriate questions. They spin. They giggle. They love. They radiate hope and promise -- perfect little clean slates eager to learn and connect in any way possible.<br />
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What could drive a young man -- a good looking kid who looks like my daughter's friends -- to gun down his mother and 20 of her tiny students with two semi-automatic pistols? What statement could he be hoping to make by going to her school to take his last stand? Why claim those perfect, innocent victims along with his mother? <br />
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Where did we go wrong?<br />
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I hear cries of gun control, and I agree. We need to find a way to keep guns out of the hands of people likely to snap. But how can we tell which people will turn to violence?<br />
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I hear cries of tighter security at schools. But locked doors would have opened easily to the son of a teacher at the school. No one would have suspected he was a danger, would they? <br />
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It's all speculation at this point. But could the shooter have suffered with mental health issues? Seems pretty crazy to gun down a classroom full of kids, if you ask me. Kids exactly like those kids that welcome me every time I visit a school. Was this young man mentally ill and we simply missed it? If he was, how can we get better at recognizing and correcting the symptoms of the mentally ill?<br />
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I remember, vividly, the year Ronald Reagan turned the mentally ill out onto the streets, saying inpatient treatment was cheaper...that there was no need for mental hospitals that cost the taxpayers so much money. I remember the immediate rise of homeless people who may have planned to take their meds, but somehow forgot or got confused or couldn't afford them.<br />
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I am a flaming liberal, but I hesitate to take guns from responsible gun owners. I know a lot of people who keep them safely for self defense or as collectors. They don't worry me -- now. But I do wonder how we can be sure those reliable people will never slip over to the dark side? We can't be sure about that. Depression strikes, as do other common mental illnesses. So it seems to me, we can only hope to prevent this kind of violence by being more careful about who gets guns AND by tending to people with mental illness more effectively. <br />
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Most importantly, the discussions have to begin. We don't need defensive nonsense from partisan mouth pieces. We need real conversations from all sides. We need to find a way to better protect our kindergarteners, our middle schoolers, our high schoolers, our college campuses, even our parents and grandparents.<br />
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We have to TALK ABOUT IT to make it better. Period.<br />
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I'm in tears thinking about those perfect little people, their lives cut short. Senseless can be defined by this shooters selfish choices. We will never know what magic they did and would have brought to our world. But the loss is immeasurable.<br />
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In the days and weeks to come, please let us do SOMETHING so they will not have died for nothing.<br />
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My heart is broken. Those kids, like all kids, were my tribe. I wish their parents any comfort they can find. I wish, how I wish, there was something I could do to help them.<br />
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Crushing. <br />
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<br />Kelly Milner Hallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00807291322398912914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728106271902840258.post-51559980951297958242012-12-08T14:02:00.000-08:002012-12-08T14:06:09.565-08:00Edmonds, Seattle & Bellevue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After NCTE, I was sick as a dog -- so I basically slept through Kerry's birthday and Thanksgiving (sorry baby girl). Then I headed to the Washington Coast for a week of school visits at Edmonds, Seattle and Bellevue elementary schools. I was a little bit altered at the first three schools, thanks to three different over the counter cold meds I took to quiet all my symptoms. But I think I did a good job, even with the floating sensation. I sure loved the kids and the teachers and the sensational librarians who coordinated the whole thing. Ann Bell-Hayes and her kids at Cedar Way made this and other signs to welcome me. And boy, did I feel welcome. Ann even picked me up at the airport, snuffy nose and all. Bless her for pretending not to notice how sick I was. : ) <br />
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Ann's friend Kristine McLane at North Beach Elementary in Seattle took my picture at the close of her school day for a new READ poster. She warned me my curly hair wouldn't look perfect. I reminded her I'd never had a perfect hair day with that curly hair, so I'd be fine with it. And boy do I love the poster she created. Thanks, Kristine -- for the poster and the cool ride from Seattle to Bellevue. I had no idea how fast paced things were in these high energy cities until you gave me the tour! FUN! <br />
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On my last day, I visited Linda Peterson at Woodridge Elementary. Parent volunteer Melanie Pang picked me up and took me to the school, and the fun never stopped. Melanie and I are Facebook friends now. Neat! The kids were so wonderfully prepared, they knew just what to expect. That was true at all five schools, and I appreciate it so much. One of Linda's students -- a Russian girl named Madino -- had done a review of my new book, TIGER IN TROUBLE so I posed for a picture beside it. Madino gave me FIVE STARS so she's my new best friend. How great is that?<br />
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Thank you, Ann Swenson at Madrona School, Joan Maybank at Beverly Elementary, Ann Hayes-Bell at Cedar Way Elementary, Kristine McLane at North Beach Elementary and Linda Peterson at Woodridge Elementary. You ignored my sniffles and, together, we made it a week to remember. I will forever be grateful -- truly. You are the BEST. Kelly Milner Hallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00807291322398912914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728106271902840258.post-46112386189280482582012-12-08T13:33:00.002-08:002012-12-08T13:33:21.675-08:00NCTE 2012 in Las Vegas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Three weeks ago, I was lucky enough to attend my first NCTE in Las Vegas. My publisher, Chronicle Books, sent me to promote GIRL MEETS BOY. I was also part of a panel on reaching reluctant readers with Ellen Hopkins, Terry Trueman and Bruce Hale -- moderated by Cari Sandler. <br />
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Every aspect of the experience was sensational. I had dinner with Claire Rudolf Murphy and Meghan Nuttall Sayres the first night -- even tossed a few dollars in the slot machines. I ran into Teri Lesesne and Paul Hankin, walking the MGM Grand mall toward the conference center. <br />
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I attended Claire's panel on using picture books for older readers -- sensational. I also sat in on Charlie Price's panel on mystery novels for young adults. Charlie is not just a great mystery writer (who won the 2011 Edgar Award), he used to teach at the Lakeside Alternative School with Chris Crutcher, MANY years ago.<br />
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My own panel was so terrific, in large part because all of the authors on it with me were people I knew and respected enormously. Makes for a great panel. And any discussion on reaching reluctant readers is important to me. That's always my primary target audience. So grateful to Cari for putting the proposal together. <br />
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Finally, Chris Crutcher, Terry Trueman and I signed copies of GIRL MEETS BOY at the Chronicle booth. It was a little crazy. Chris had just signed ARC copies of his new book, PERIOD 8 at HarperCollins and he was bouncing from the Chronicle table to the exhibit hall isles like a ping pong ball. But I really appreciated the fact that he and Terry took the time to sign the anthology. I was grateful. Truly. <br />
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I left Las Vegas brain adled and sick -- a sinus infection and chest cold this time (not strep throat). But it was a wonderful opportunity, one I hope I get to experience another time in the not so distant future. Thank you, Chronicle Books, Claire Rudolf Murphy, Meghan Nuttall Sayres, Cari Sadler, Ellen Hopkins, Bruce Hale, Chris Crutcher and Terry Trueman. Thank you everyone else I saw, met, spoke with. My first NCTE was truly great. <br />
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<br />Kelly Milner Hallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00807291322398912914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728106271902840258.post-34554464156451536772012-06-07T13:02:00.001-07:002012-12-14T12:14:19.289-08:00Strep Throat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I flew home from New Hampshire on Friday, May 25. I was tired, of course. I got up at 3:00 am EST to catch my 5:00 am plane, which was midnight Pacific Time. All of my connections went well, which is fantastic. Manchester to Detroit, Detroit to Salt Lake city, Salt Lake City to Spokane. Not a hitch. But when my daughter picked me up at the airport, I felt a scratch in my throat. I tossed back some ZICAM (an author visitor's best friend), and blew it off. <br />
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The next day, I felt a little like I was coming down with a cold -- tired, mostly and still that sore throat. More ZICAM and sleep. Then came the fever, and all I could do was sleep. I checked with the librarians, no reports of strep at the schools. So I passed it off as a summer cold. Ten days later, the sore throat, fever and headaches remained, with no other symptoms. No sniffle. Only a little cough.<br />
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By Sunday, June 3, my throat hurt so much, I couldn't even swallow ice water. So I went to the doctor. Yup, it was Strep Throat, a bacterial infection of the throat caused by Group A <i>Streptococcus</i> bacteria. All the online medical groups say it will clear up on its own in a week, but mine was still thriving ten days after the first symptoms arose, so I was glad to go to the doc for antibiotics after wasting more than a week feeling crummy. Hope I'm 100% by this weekend so I can do revisions on my third UNCLE JOHN'S BATHROOM READER FOR KIDS contributions. Book three is called SMELL-O-SCOPIC. Should have written about Strep Throat.Kelly Milner Hallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00807291322398912914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728106271902840258.post-12439667722945626062012-06-07T12:37:00.001-07:002012-06-07T12:37:43.035-07:00SCBWI Regional Conference, Portland, OR<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Thanks Robyn and Judi for including me as a speaker at your SCBWI regional conference in May. I had a sensational time for so many reasons. First, I had no duties on Friday, so I got to attend sessions. Because I love illustrations so much, I sat in with the artful folks, and what a treat that was. <br />
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Here is Simon & Schuster art director <span id="caption">Laurent Linn is reviewing porfolio assignments at this session, which was astonishing for me to watch. How I wish I was good enough to illustrate for a pro like him. He was brilliant and smart and so tuned in to kids. </span><br />
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My agent Jill Corcoran was also a speaker, so it was super great to catch up with her and her sensational new assistant, Eve. Dinner was so relaxing and fun. <br />
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Toward the end of the conference, Laurent shared more of his wisdom, as participant book covers flashed on a screen behind him. Obviously, this one was mine. Can't get over how smart this guy was. Amazing. <br />
<br />Kelly Milner Hallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00807291322398912914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728106271902840258.post-22127245157205369242012-06-07T12:13:00.001-07:002012-06-07T12:13:21.448-07:00Thank you, New Hampshire!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Completed my last school visits for the 2011/2012 school year on May 22, 23 and 24 in the lovely state of New Hampshire. The first two days were at the Deerfield Community School in Deerfield, NH. The third was at Rundlett Middle School in Conchord, NH. Deerfield was a beautiful little community with the sweetest kids EVER, not to mention a really great librarian named Gina Schonwald. <br />
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She was so kind, she even swung back by her house after picking me up to try and give me a glimpse at a huge snapping turtle that had come into her yard to lay eggs. I'd never seen one in person, and she took the time to give me a look (except her husband had already moved the big girl to keep their cat from getting "snapped"). I did get to hold one of their freshly hatched baby chickens. How I love peeps! <br />
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After my time at DCS, Nancy Keane picked me up for my day at Rundlett. It was my second opportunity to visit Nancy's great school, and I couldn't wait. The kids are so energetic and enthusiastic, I love them. And they didn't let me down...hopefully, I didn't let them down, either. : ) <br />
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They created their own cryptids -- mysterious animals -- to win a pizza lunch with me, and man were their creations amazing.<br />
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These are just a few of those submitted. They were all sensational. One of my favorite kids at the pizza lunch was a great guy named William. William wore the COOLEST Sasquatch t-shirt (below) and he kept calling me "the ultimate woman" because I liked to write about cool topics like Bigfoot and video games. But all the kids were sensational. So was Nancy Keane.<br />
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Once school had concluded, we had a whole evening to kill because my flight out of New Hampshire didn't leave until 6:00 am the next morning. So Nancy drove me to Manchester, NH to do a little ghost research at the famous Palace Theater. More about that in my next book for Millbrook, GHOSTS. I got a great story from Deerfield, too, about Blackbeard's 13th wife. So cool. I'm loving research for this new book.<br />
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Last but not least, Nancy and I had the best grilled cheese sandwiches on earth at Manchester's famous Red Arrow Diner. Well, it's famous if you're a political junky like I am. When candidates for national political office visit New Hampshire -- and they all visit New Hampshire -- they grab a bite at the Red Arrow. Al Gore had eaten at my booth. How cool is that? <br />
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Bottom line, I had such a lovely visit with my friends in New Hampshire. Thank you so much for having me, and I hope you'll have me back again. I really do feel like I've made new friends everywhere I go.Kelly Milner Hallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00807291322398912914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728106271902840258.post-10266013189327797312012-06-04T15:00:00.001-07:002012-06-04T15:00:55.427-07:00Sasquatch Conference -- May<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In May of 2012, I got to head back to Richland, WA to speak at my first Sasquatch conference since IN SEARCH OF SASQUATCH was released. It was my chance to catch up with the greatest names in Sasquatch investigation to see if they approved of what I'd done with the book. To my great delight, they were very, very pleased, including the one and only Bob Gimlin (above), of the famed Patterson Gimlin film (below).<br />
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Radio host Thomas Cantrell hosted the conference and offered me the speaking slot. I was honored, but half the people I wrote about were sitting in the audience. My topics were limited because they were about to talk about the same subjects. So I mentioned how kids love the idea of a new species surviving in the wilderness regions of North America. It was a wonderful experience. After I spoke, Bob and his friend David Ellis pulled me aside to share something special with me. It was a baby Sasquatch plaster cast, pictured below in my very small adult hand. Astonishing. <br />
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If you could see it the way I could, you'd see the dermal ridges -- like fingerprints on the toes and other parts of the tiny foot, proving it's not a fake footprint. This is either a very heavy toddler human, or an average weight toddler Sasquatch. How I hope it's a Sasquatch. <br />
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Thank you, Thom, for including me at your conference. I'm so grateful.Kelly Milner Hallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00807291322398912914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728106271902840258.post-37946413573929351622012-06-04T14:49:00.000-07:002012-06-04T14:49:03.150-07:00Texas Library Association -- April<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I was born and raised in the great state of Texas. I am living proof of the old saying, "You can take the girl out of Texas, but you can't take Texas out of the girl." I live in Spokane, but the Lone Star State will always be my home. Is it any wonder my first trip to TLA was incredibly meaningful to me?<br />
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My publisher, Chronicle Books covered my hotel expenses, thanks to the recent releast of GIRL MEETS BOY, my first YA fiction anthology. So my first duty was the publisher cocktail party. Who should I see first, but John Green? Now I know who John is, of course. But I didn't know he knew who I was until he said, "Kelly, hey, I didn't know you were going to be here." John Green knew my name, and took this fun picture. Thanks John. I'm a fan, from Booklist forward.<br />
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Next, I saw my old friend Bruce Hale at the cocktail party. Bruce and I have been friends since my first or second speaking event at the SCBWI National conference in L.A. but the friendship really clicked when I mediated a panel discussion outside of Detroit, Michigan with Bruce, Bruce Coville, my editor at the time, Tanya Dean, their editor at the time Michael Stearns. THAT was a hoot! Anyway, it was fun to catch up with Bruce, too.<br />
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Christa Pryor and Melanie Rivette Mallory are two of my all-time favorite librarians and both work in the Houston, Texas area. I've been the two schools for Christa (a third this fall), and two for Melanie (I hope a third this fall). So running into them was absolutely running into good, good friends. <br />
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I was fortunate enough to do the Lone Star Book Panel with my friends David Lubar, Brian Faulkner and Adam Gidwitz. TALES OF THE CRYPTIDS was a Lone Star Book back in the day, so I was included and it was an enormous honor.<br />
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Last but not least, I got to talk YA, Doctor Who, and dozens of other fantastic topics with the kids and staff from the Friendswood Public Library. This was huge to me. Why? Because I spent the best part of my childhood living in Friendswood, Texas. It wasn't planned that I'd land with these kids. The universe just gave me a huge present, and I couldn't be more grateful. My first trip to TLA was sensational. I just hope it won't be my last. Going home is always a pleasure.Kelly Milner Hallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00807291322398912914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728106271902840258.post-34315976907888184522012-06-04T14:24:00.002-07:002012-06-04T14:24:28.282-07:00Casper, Wyoming<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In April, I landed in Casper, Wyoming -- where Dick Cheney grew up. For twelve years, I lived in Longmont, Colorado and traveled through Casper when I drove to visit relatives in Utah. And anyone who knows dinosaurs knows the Tate Museum in Casper. <br />
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But it was my first chance to do school visits there. The people -- both educators and parents -- truly love their kids. They are fighting for their chance to thrive as students and, eventually, as adults. It was such an honor to be a short term partner in that endeavor. And they made the days in Casper fun. The teacher below was 6'9" tall. I asked him to let me compare his very substantial feet to the plaster cast of Sasquatch, and he was such a great sport to say yes. <br />
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One school even bought one of my books for each student. How rare is that? Thank you so much for having me, Casper! I'm always here if you need me. <br />
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<br />Kelly Milner Hallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00807291322398912914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728106271902840258.post-33293700195323133502012-06-04T13:55:00.001-07:002012-06-07T12:24:07.991-07:00Oregon, Wisconsin ROCKED!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I closed out March by visiting Christine (Chris) Antonuzzo and the astonishing kids at the Rome Corners Intermediate School in Oregon, Wisconsin. Spending two days at a single school adds a magic that cannot be matched any other way. Although each group I saw was made of of kids I hadn't seen before, that second day gave me a familiarity I don't often enjoy. It feels like MY school, in a way, and the kids have heard about me, may even be looking forward to seeing me. I see the kids I've already seen in the halls, and the smiles are real and warm. It's such a rare treat, I always appreciate it.<br />
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But it was especially fun with Chris at the helm. First, we're both munchkins -- short. Second, we both truly love the kids. And last, we're both heavily into politics (both liberals). So after school, Chris took me to the Wisconsin State Capital in Madison, which was amazing, to me. <br />
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Did you know Wisconsin is the Badger State? My daughter's boyfriend loves badgers. I had to pose for a picture. Plus I was hoping to see union busting naughty Gov. Scott Walker, but he wasn't in. Protestors say he never leaves his office by the traditional routes, but via underground tunnels so he won't have to talk to his constituents. Who knows? I love his badger, either way.<br />
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After we toured the capital building, it was time for dinner and I wanted something uniquely Wisconsin. So Chris took me to The Old Fashioned, a Madison favorite, to get their famous cheeseburger with an egg. Yes, I mean it. A cheeseburger with a fried egg perched on top (see below).<br />
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The little bits beside this ambitious burger are deep friend cheese grits. OMG. I'd never had deep fried cheese, but what better place to try them than Wisconsin? The burger was good but OH SO MESSY. The cheese was unlike anything I've ever eaten before. Like eating cheesy little erasers. LOL. Oddly fun. <br />
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Thank you, Chris and all the kids in Oregon, Wisconsin for making my two days with you absolutely fantastic. Thank you Chris, for the friendship. Means the world to me. <br />
<br />Kelly Milner Hallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00807291322398912914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728106271902840258.post-75990543963900413522012-06-04T13:36:00.002-07:002012-06-04T13:36:30.219-07:00Bothell, WA -- Blue Heron and a murder of crows!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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People in Bothell and its surrounding sister cities CARE about their environment. They protect the stunning Blue Heron rookeries with passion and unyielding devotion. Watching one of the mated parents launch from their high altitude nesting sights -- the picture of ancient history in sync with the present -- infuses you with the same determination. Don't ever let this graceful birds lose their protected status in Bothell. <br />
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So they had me on their side from the minute I checked into my hotel. But it kept getting better, each of the four days I was in the region. The kids were sensational -- so bright and engaged. So were the librarians, which explains the kids. That is always cause for celebration. <br />
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As if all that wasn't enough, I made a discovery the day I arrived. Bothell had an enormous murder of crows. More than 10,000, according to one university professor, gathered in various places in Bothell each night to sleep with more safety and more warmth (safety and body heat come with gatherings of great numbers). <br />
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As a kid who grew up intrigued and terrified by THE BIRDS (thank you Mr. Hitchcock), I wanted to see this astonishing act of nature. Alas, it wasn't to be. The librarians tried really hard to help me. And I'm grateful. But I'd come at the onset of nesting season, so they were off doing other important things. But here (below) is a picture of what PART of that murder would have looked like, had I found it. Another year. I swear, I'll be back just to see that -- and those graceful Blue Heron. <br />
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<br />Kelly Milner Hallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00807291322398912914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728106271902840258.post-1035236535911401232012-06-04T13:12:00.004-07:002012-06-04T13:12:58.683-07:00Letters About Literature -- Washington State<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In March of 2012, I joined two librarians to judge the Washington State Level I entries for the national competition known as <a href="http://www.lettersaboutliterature.org/">Letters About Literature</a>. It was such an honor to pour over the top entries in search of a state winner and several runners up. We agreed on our winner -- Clare Doran, a Seattle, WA 6th grader wo wrote to Jamie Ford, author of HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET -- and that winner went on to win an honor slot at the national level, too. <br />
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I have agreed to judge the Washington State Level I entries for next year as well, as have the other two judges. I hope this will be the start of a lasting, lovely relationship. It's a cause that means a lot to me. Kelly Milner Hallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00807291322398912914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728106271902840258.post-26819124406108705402012-06-04T13:04:00.000-07:002012-06-04T13:04:21.430-07:00Port Orchard, WA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When I found out I was headed for Port Orchard, WA -- on the Kitsap Peninsula -- I was pretty excited. The teacher-librarians were great. The kids were amazing. But I was extra-excited because the 911 Sasquatch call featured in my book, IN SEARCH OF SASQUATCH came from a caller in this area. As I traveled from hotels to schools, I kept watching the thick forest surrounding us and wished (how I wished) I could catch a glimpse of one of those big guys. No luck, but the time I spent with the kids was absolutely sensational. Thank you, Michelle Peck and Jane Dierck. I hope you had as much fun as I did. Kelly Milner Hallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00807291322398912914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728106271902840258.post-65419187695802325092012-06-04T12:34:00.001-07:002012-06-04T12:34:28.471-07:00Gonzaga University<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After spending most of February in central Washington, I came home to speak with Dr. Beth Cooley's writing students at Gonzaga University on March 5, 2012. Beth is a brilliant YA novelist in addition to being a stellar professor, so I was a little puzzled as to what her students could get from a nonfiction writer. But it was such a great experience. Thank you, Beth, for making it possible. You students were amazing. <br />
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The photo at the left is from the Gonzaga campus publication. I really appreciated that great article running, too. Kelly Milner Hallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00807291322398912914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728106271902840258.post-71518011188872980882012-06-04T12:27:00.000-07:002012-06-04T12:27:11.897-07:00The Literacy Connection<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Time to update my blog. YIKES. I've been so busy on Facebook, I forgot to update here. So it if looks like I did a bunch of entries TODAY, that's because I did a bunch of entries TODAY. Each one is about a special yesterday, so I hope that counts, too. : ) <br />
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As I mentioned in my last post, I did 19 schools in Washington State's TriCities region -- Richland, Kennewick, Pasco, Connel and Walla Walla -- thanks to the amazing women at the Literacy Connection. Educators and former educators joined forced more than a decade ago to bring author visitors to schools. Advance book sales covered hotel and travel expenses, the schools covered the honorariums. <br />
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No one does it better than Carol Berry and her team. No one. And I had a lovely time essentially living in the TriCities during the month of February 2012. THANK YOU for an exceptional experience. I am beyond grateful. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxy2VkWbujru0-5xB2uGjb4NaumMpthbGSq5HFLakH0SSuQc87XRnnoQT7LFJNJhpdWf5kWOy9DEaDLsukVq0vB1ncIBVNLY5mxGdmVwXyEWZCm4eO9BiJTgluwGhd-1-eyzafY-KPTu5/s1600/MeadowBrookFeb2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxy2VkWbujru0-5xB2uGjb4NaumMpthbGSq5HFLakH0SSuQc87XRnnoQT7LFJNJhpdWf5kWOy9DEaDLsukVq0vB1ncIBVNLY5mxGdmVwXyEWZCm4eO9BiJTgluwGhd-1-eyzafY-KPTu5/s320/MeadowBrookFeb2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Kelly Milner Hallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00807291322398912914noreply@blogger.com0