Tiny Collections

I'm on a virtual trip to New Zealand this month as Christchurch Library's Star Author. What fun to connect with readers and writers on another Pacific shore. This week's topic is tiny collections: things writers anywhere, with any amount of space, can collect. Find links to the other entries on this page's Guest Blogs sidebar. 

I am a collector of small things. One of the great things about being a writer is that even a hobby like collecting can be part of the job. Do you like to write? Here are a three collections you could start for yourself.

I’ve been collecting postcards and photographs since my great aunt started sending me art postcards before I could read or write. Hundreds of postcards and photographs fit nicely in a shoebox. Read my last post to discover how collecting images inspires my writing. 

In elementary school I started collecting names. The smallest notebook has space for dozens of names. Characters like LeRoy Pence (Dear Papa), Harold Sylvester George Klein (Little Klein), and Verlon Leek (Button Down) were inspired by names I collected as far back as 3rd grade. Whenever you hear a name that you like the sound of, or is interesting to you, write it down.

And my favorite tiny collection? Words. I keep my words on small slips of paper in an ordinary jar. Sometimes a word just strikes my fancy and I’ll write it down: labyrinth. If I’m feeling verb-y, I’ll go to a cookbook and write down all the action words: mix, stir, whisk, sift... Sometimes I start thinking of a group of words and add a bunch at once. Recently I added words I like saying out loud: Iowa, Ohio, Maori, autumn, iota, swift, oriel, oleo.

I started collecting words with my writers group several years ago. We drew words from our word jars each time we met then each of us would write something using the same four words for our next meeting. 

Every chapter in Little Klein was written using those word jar words. Harold turns out to be sickly so I could  have his mother warm a teakettle day and night. A storm arose when I had to use the word wind. 

If you like to write, I think you’ll have as much fun as I do collecting pictures, names, and words. Better yet, grab a friend and start collecting together. Then watch your writing soar!

Button Down Birthday Party

Cake, presents, new friends who love to read. Could the Button Down birthday party have been any better? 

Manuel and I demonstrate what a three legged race is as I introduce Ned in The Luck of the Buttons. Tugs and Ned are discussing their chances in the three legged race when Ned says, "I can't catch, but I still like to play football."

Eager participants in discussion about how a book goes from idea to finished product, and all the jobs people have, and they could have someday, to make it happen. Reaching for Candlewick Press in Massachussetts

Cake from Layers Sensational Cakes of Monterey. A very sweet gift from my Iowa writer/illustrator friends Michelle Edwards, Jackie Briggs Martin, Claudia McGehee, and Carol Gorman.

What's the best present a book could get?

Readers! Thanks to the Granny Sisters - books for all!

Thank you, Ms. Bishop and Cesar Chavez fourth graders! 

Packing my bags

Today's the day! Heading out to celebrate the release of Button Down with fourth grader readers. 

Coming soon!

Even in California, there is a hint of fall in the air today. There is a brilliant red-orange vine climbing the tree outside my window. It is September at last and soon Ned Button will be running onto Tractor Field, arms outstretched, hoping to catch Lester Ward's football. 

Here's an excerpt from Kirkus's review of Button Down: 

Ylvisaker (The Luck of the Buttons, 2011) returns to the lovably unlucky Button family, this time with a gentle story about 11-year-old Ned and his love of football...

Short chapters, simple yet meticulous language, a wholesome feel and the universal story of a boy with a dream combine to give this one widespread appeal. 

Check out the full review here and look for the book on September 25! 

Summer News

I know it's baseball season, but I've got football on my mind. I'm counting down to the September release of Button Down, an underdog story about Ned Button, Greatgranddaddy Ike, and the opening of Iowa (now Kinnick) Stadium during the 1929 Hawkeye football season. 

For a sneak peek at Button Down, check out Candlewick's website, and take a gander at this sample chapter. 

Ned's cousin Tugs, heroine of The Luck of the Buttons, gets another opportunity to shine as well, when The Luck of the Buttons is released in paperback this August. 

And rounding out my very Button summer, I'm immersed in fascinating research and reading about the first summer of the Civil War for the telling of Greatgranddy Ike's boyhood story. Look for more Ike news in 2013!

While you wait for football season to begin, fill up on sports reading with John Coy's excellent 4 For 4 series, and take this list of sports books to your library.  

Happy summer!