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SENT In IN the DT back NN of IN my PP$ mind NN was VBD the DT idea NN that IN I PP might MD write VV a DT book NN nonfiction NN about IN the DT experience NN one CD day NN . SENT But CC when WRB it PP was VBD over RP , , although IN I PP did VVD write VV an DT article NN or CC two CD and CC I'm NP still RB happy JJ to TO talk VV about IN it PP , , I PP found VVD I PP didn't VVD have VH the DT energy NN to TO relive VV it PP to TO the DT extent NN that WDT would MD be VB required VVN for IN writing VVG a DT book NN . SENT But CC I PP did VVD want VV to TO use VV what WP I'd NP learned VVD in IN any DT way NN possible JJ , , and CC that IN , , plus CC my PP$ concern NN about IN battles NNS over IN sex NN education NN in IN various JJ parts NNS of IN the DT country NN and CC the DT presence NN of IN stealth NN candidates NNS on IN school NN boards NNS led VVN to TO BURNED JJ BOOKS NNS . SENT How WRB can MD those DT of IN us PP in IN the DT children's JJ literature NN community NN combat NN efforts NNS to TO ban VV books NNS like IN ANNIE NP . SENT By IN reacting VVG actively RB whenever WRB such JJ attempts NNS occur VVP . SENT Support VV the DT librarians NNS and CC teachers NNS who WP are VBP on IN the DT front JJ lines NNS of IN such JJ cases NNS . SENT Write VV letters NNS to TO the DT editor NN . SENT go VV to TO school VV board NN meetings NNS . SENT speak VV out RP in IN public NN about IN the DT importance NN of IN the DT First NP Amendment NP . SENT Argue VV reasonably RB with IN those DT who WP would MD ban VV books NNS but CC know VVP that IN there EX are VBP some DT people NNS whom WP you'll RB never RB convince VV . SENT listen VV to TO their PP$ views NNS politely RB and CC calmly RB and CC tell VV them PP yours NNS , , equally RB politely RB and CC calmly RB . SENT If IN you're NN a DT librarian NN , , if IN you're NN in IN a DT position NN to TO do VV it PP , , offer VVP to TO provide VV a DT book NN in IN the DT library NN to TO counter VV the DT views NNS in IN the DT book NN you're NN protecting VVG . SENT Remember VV that IN the DT First NP Amendment NP protects VVZ and CC must MD protect VV ALL DT views NNS , , not RB just RB those DT with IN which WDT you PP agree VVP . SENT If IN you're NN a DT teacher NN , , school NN administrator NN , , or CC school NN board NN member NN , , perhaps RB consider VV allowing VVG individual JJ kids NNS to TO opt VV out RP of IN reading VVG books NNS to TO which WDT their PP$ parents NNS object VVP remember VV , , parents NNS do VVP have VHP the DT right NN to TO control VV their PP$ own JJ children's NNS reading VVG but CC still RB firmly RB support VV the DT books NNS you've NN chosen VVN as IN educationally RB worthwhile JJ and CC strive VV to TO keep VV them PP in IN the DT curriculum NN . SENT If IN you're NN a DT publisher NN , , avoid VV rejecting VVG a DT manuscript NN solely RB because IN it PP might MD be VB challenged VVN . SENT if IN you're NN a DT writer NN , , try VV not RB to TO censor VV yourself PP solely RB because IN someone NN else RB might MD try VV to TO . SENT These DT are VBP hard JJ issues NNS , , and CC my PP$ answers NNS will MD probably RB seem VV simplistic JJ to TO some DT people NNS . SENT There EX is VBZ no DT easy JJ overall JJ solution NN . SENT each DT censorship NN case NN has VHZ to TO be VB handled VVN individually RB . SENT The DT American NP Library NN Association's NP Office NP for IN Intellectual JJ Freedom NP , , the DT National NP Council NP of IN Teachers NP of IN English NP , , the DT American NP Civil NP Liberties NPS Union NP , , the DT National NP Coalition NP Against IN Censorship NN , , and CC People NNS for IN the DT American NP Way NP all RB stand VVP ready JJ and CC willing JJ to TO help VV with IN censorship NN battles NNS . SENT Step NN One NN is VBZ to TO contact VV them PP if IN you PP have VHP a DT book NN in IN trouble NN . SENT For IN those DT who WP are VBP unfamiliar JJ with IN such JJ dynamics NNS , , why WRB is VBZ this DT so RB important JJ . SENT I PP think VVP it's NNS important JJ because IN , , as IN I PP implied VVD above IN , , one CD of IN the DT first JJ steps NNS to TO dictatorship NN is VBZ thought VVN control NN , , and CC one CD of IN the DT first JJ steps NNS to TO thought NN control NN is VBZ censorship NN . SENT One CD of IN the DT greatest JJS strengths NNS of IN this DT country NN is VBZ our PP$ freedom NN to TO express VV our PP$ individual JJ ideas NNS and CC to TO be VB exposed VVN to TO those DT of IN others NNS so IN we PP can MD make VV up RP our PP$ own JJ minds NNS what WP we PP think VVP about IN all DT issues NNS . SENT Without IN that DT , , we'd JJS be VB in IN danger NN of IN following VVG charismatic JJ , , persuasive JJ leaders NNS blindly RB and CC letting VVG other JJ people NNS do VVP our PP$ thinking NN for IN us PP . SENT I PP just RB finished VVD HOLLY'S NP SECRET NN , , which WDT is VBZ about RB a DT young JJ girl NN who WP moves VVZ to TO a DT new JJ town NN and CC doesn't NN want VVP her PP$ new JJ friends NNS to TO find VV out RP that IN she PP has VHZ two CD moms NNS . SENT In IN closing VVG the DT book NN , , I PP imagined VVD how WRB validating VVG a DT read VVP it PP might MD be VB to TO a DT child NN who WP , , like IN Holly NP , , has VHZ two CD moms NNS or CC two CD dads NNS , , for IN that DT matter NN . SENT I PP wonder VVP if IN you PP could MD share VV some DT of IN the DT feedback NN you've NN received VVN from IN young JJ readers NNS over IN the DT years NNS not RB just RB related VVN to TO how WRB your PP$ work NN touches NNS on IN gay JJ and CC lesbian JJ themes NNS but CC also RB more RBR broadly RB . SENT I NP haven't NP received VVD any DT mail NN about IN HOLLY NN yet RB , , but CC I PP still RB get VVP lovely JJ , , moving VVG letters NNS about IN ANNIE NP , , from IN both DT straight JJ and CC gay JJ readers NNS , , both DT adult NN and CC young JJ adult NN . SENT Some DT of IN the DT straight JJ ones NNS say VVP that IN to TO them PP ANNIE NP is VBZ one CD of IN the DT best JJS love NN stories NNS they've NN ever RB read VVD , , which WDT is VBZ very RB gratifying JJ to TO me PP . SENT And CC many JJ of IN the DT gay JJ ones NNS even RB now RB , , when WRB more JJR and CC more JJR books NNS with IN gay JJ themes NNS are VBP being VBG published VVN say VVP they've NN never RB read VVD a DT gay JJ book NN before IN and CC are VBP excited VVN to TO have VH found VVN one CD that WDT reflects VVZ their PP$ lives NNS and CC experiences NNS . SENT They PP feel VVP it PP validates VVZ them PP , , lets VVZ them PP know VVP there EX are VBP others NNS like IN themselves PP , , and CC that IN they PP can MD lead VV normal JJ lives NNS . SENT Similar JJ letters NNS come VVN from IN readers NNS of IN GOOD JJ MOON NN RISING VVG . SENT The DT most RBS moving JJ ones NNS are VBP those DT who WP tell VV me PP ANNIE NP or CC GOOD JJ MOON NN has VHZ helped VVN them PP feel VVP better JJR about IN themselves PP and CC has VHZ given VVN them PP hope VVP that DT they'll NN find VV a DT love NN one CD day NN , , as IN Liza NP does VVZ in IN ANNIE NP , , and CC as IN Jan NP does VVZ in IN GOOD JJ MOON NN . SENT One CD teacher NN wrote VVD me PP that IN he PP was VBD sure JJ ANNIE NP had VHD kept VVN one CD of IN his PP$ students NNS from IN suicide NN that's NNS perhaps RB the DT most RBS moving JJ comment NN of IN all DT . SENT I've NN gotten VVN a DT lot NN of IN letters NNS from IN younger JJR kids NNS about IN my PP$ monster NN books NNS saying VVG things NNS like IN This DT is VBZ the DT best JJS book NN I've NN ever RB read VVN . SENT and CC asking VVG questions NNS about IN monsters NNS and CC pointing VVG out RP mistakes NNS , , too RB . SENT Kids NNS have VHP very RB sharp JJ eyes NNS and CC are VBP quick JJ to TO find VV flaws NNS and CC things NNS that WDT don't VVD quite RB make VV sense NN . SENT That's NNS one CD of IN the DT many JJ reasons NNS why WRB I PP love VVP writing VVG for IN them PP . SENT My PP$ serial JJ novel NN , , THE DT SECRET NN OF IN SMITH'S NP HILL NN , , brought VVN in IN quite PDT a DT bit NN of IN mail NN including VVG some DT very RB polite JJ , , well RB thought VVD out RP letters NNS from IN a DT sixth JJ grade NN class NN pointing VVG out RP that IN the DT ending VVG wasn't JJ exciting JJ enough NN . SENT That DT got VVD me PP thinking VVG about IN the DT unique JJ structure NN of IN serial JJ novels NNS in IN general JJ , , and CC has VHZ led VVN me PP to TO think VV very RB carefully RB about IN the DT final JJ chapter NN of IN my PP$ next JJ one NN . SENT Many JJ of IN the DT letters NNS I PP get VVP about RB both CC my PP$ serious JJ and CC not RB so RB serious JJ fiction NN ask VV questions NNS about IN writing VVG and CC about RB becoming VVG a DT writer NN . SENT And CC of IN course NN they PP ask VVP personal JJ questions NNS as IN well RB . SENT How WRB would MD you PP describe VV the DT current JJ status NN of IN gay JJ and CC lesbian JJ related JJ children's NNS and CC young JJ adult NN literature NN . SENT What WP are VBP the DT bright JJ spots NNS . SENT What WP makes VVZ you PP crazy JJ about IN the DT whole JJ thing NN . SENT What WP might MD be VB slowing VVG down RP progress NN . SENT The DT biggest JJS bright JJ spot NN is VBZ that RB there's RB been VBN a DT slow JJ but CC steady JJ stream NN of IN kids NNS books NNS dealing VVG with IN homosexuality NN for IN the DT last JJ 20 CD years NNS or CC so RB . SENT For IN a DT number NN of IN years NNS , , I've NN been VBN keeping VVG a DT list NN of IN gay JJ YA NP fiction NN , , starting VVG in IN 1969 CD with IN the DT late JJ John NP Donovan's NP I'LL NP GET VVP THERE RB , , I PP BETTER RBR BE VB WORTH IN THE DT TRIP NN , , the DT first JJ kids NNS book NN with IN homosexual JJ content NN . SENT the DT list NN includes VVZ more JJR than IN 100 CD titles NNS a DT few JJ are VBP anthologies NNS in IN which WDT there's RB a DT single JJ gay JJ story NN . SENT There's RB been VBN a DT steady JJ stream NN of IN nonfiction NN , , too RB , , especially RB in IN the DT last JJ few JJ years NNS . SENT Frances NP Ann NP Day NP has VHZ written VVN a DT wonderful JJ book NN an DT annotated VVN bibliography NN published VVN by IN Greenwood NP called VVD GAY JJ AND CC LESBIAN JJ VOICES NNS that WDT includes VVZ fiction NN and CC nonfiction NN at IN all DT levels NNS from IN picture NN book NN age NN through IN YA NP , , plus CC a DT section NN of IN authors NNS biographies NNS . SENT I PP suppose VVP I PP should MD confess VV that IN I PP had VHD the DT honor NN of IN writing VVG the DT foreword NN . SENT The DT mere JJ fact NN that IN such PDT a DT book NN has VHZ been VBN published VVN is VBZ a DT sign NN that IN gay JJ literature NN for IN kids NNS has VHZ become VVN a DT bone NN fide NN genre NN . SENT In IN the DT early JJ years NNS , , very RB few JJ gay JJ YA NP novels NNS had VHD gay JJ or CC lesbian JJ protagonists NNS . SENT the DT gay JJ character NN was VBD usually RB the DT straight JJ protagonist's NNS best JJS friend NN , , parent NN only RB one CD parent NN , , or CC other JJ relative NN . SENT That RB , , I'm NP glad JJ to TO say VV , , is VBZ changing VVG , , and CC I PP hope VVP it PP continues VVZ to TO do VV so RB . SENT I PP also RB think VVP we PP need VVP books NNS with IN GLBT NN protagonists NNS in IN which WDT the DT main JJ issue NN in IN the DT book NN isn't NN sexual JJ orientation NN . SENT After IN all DT , , in IN many JJ YAs NP , , love NN and CC sexuality NN are VBP present JJ , , but CC more JJR as IN background NN than IN as IN the DT focus NN of IN the DT story NN . SENT I PP tried VVD to TO address VV that DT need NN in IN my PP$ novel NN LARK NN IN IN THE DT MORNING NN , , which WDT has VHZ a DT lesbian JJ protagonist NN , , but CC the DT focus NN of IN the DT story NN is VBZ her PP$ helping VVG two CD young JJ straight JJ runaways NNS , , one CD of IN whom WP is VBZ suicidal JJ . SENT But CC straight JJ reviewers NNS tended VVD to TO ask VV Why WRB does VVZ she PP have VHP to TO be VB gay JJ . SENT and CC gay JJ ones NNS seemed VVD to TO want VV the DT book NN to TO be VB a DT coming VVG out RP story NN . SENT Consequently RB , , LARK NN hasn't NN done VVN very RB well RB . SENT Picture NN books NNS have VHP led VVN the DT way NN in IN books NNS for IN kids NNS with IN gay JJ or CC lesbian JJ parents NNS . SENT there's RB a DT shortage NN of IN them PP for IN older JJR kids NNS . SENT There's RB a DT growing VVG need NN for IN recognition NN , , too RB , , that IN gay JJ kids NNS are VBP recognizing VVG their PP$ homosexuality NN at IN increasingly RB younger JJR ages NNS . SENT it's NNS perhaps RB time NN for IN some DT young JJ YA NP or CC old JJ middle JJ grade NN books NNS with IN protagonists NNS who WP are VBP questioning VVG or CC discovering VVG their PP$ sexual JJ orientation NN . SENT I'm NP not RB sure RB if IN progress NN is VBZ slowing VVG down RB or CC not RB . SENT In IN 1999 CD , , I PP counted VVD 12 CD YA NP novels NNS , , the DT most RBS published VVN in IN any DT year NN since IN 1980 CD and CC probably RB the DT most JJS in IN any DT year NN since IN gay JJ YA NP fiction NN began VVD . SENT Most JJS years NNS in IN that DT time NN period NN saw VVD between IN 1 CD and CC 5 CD new JJ titles NNS . SENT I'm NP not RB up RB on IN the DT latest JJS figures NNS I've JJ been VBN a DT bit NN lax JJ with IN my PP$ list NN lately RB , , I'm NP afraid JJ but CC they're NN certainly RB still RB coming JJ . SENT The DT annual JJ Lambda NP Book NP Awards NNS , , which WDT include VVP a DT Children's NP YA NP category NN , , certainly RB helps VVZ , , as RB does VVZ recognition NN of IN the DT genre NN by IN such JJ professional JJ magazines NNS as IN Publisher's NP Weekly NP , , School NP Library NN Journal NP , , VOYA NP , , and CC Horn NP Book NP . SENT Gay JJ characters NNS secondary JJ and CC minor JJ are VBP appearing VVG more RBR and CC more RBR frequently RB in IN books NNS for IN adults NNS as IN well RB as RB for IN kids NNS , , and CC that's NNS a DT very RB good JJ sign NN , , I PP think VVP , , in IN that WDT it PP reflects VVZ the DT fact NN that IN gay JJ people NNS are VBP part NN of IN society NN . SENT Well RB it's NNS also RB trendy JJ , , I PP guess VVP , , to TO include VV a DT gay JJ character NN . SENT But CC adult NN books NNS that WDT focus VVP on IN the DT GLBT NP experience NN seem VVP to TO be VB going VVG out RP of IN style NN a DT bit NN , , where WRB there RB isn't JJ as RB much RB of IN a DT crossover NN e NN . SENT g NN . SENT , , straight JJ audience NN as IN there EX perhaps RB is VBZ in IN kids NNS books NNS . SENT How WRB have VH you PP seen JJ your PP$ writing NN evolve VV over IN the DT years NNS . SENT Wow NN , , that's NN a DT tough JJ one NN . SENT I PP think VVP I PP hope VVP . SENT I'm NP less RBR prone JJ to TO what WP I PP used VVD to TO call VV soapboxing NN than IN I PP was VBD when WRB I PP started VVD out RP . SENT In IN my PP$ first JJ attempts NNS at IN writing VVG a DT gay JJ book NN , , I PP tended VVD to TO get VV up RP on IN my PP$ soapbox NN and CC preach VV instead RB of IN telling VVG a DT story NN . SENT I PP think VVP I'm NN better RBR now RB at IN curbing VVG my PP$ soapboxing NN , , although IN reviewers NNS of IN my PP$ gay JJ books NNS sometimes RB speak VVP of IN my PP$ agenda NN in IN a DT somewhat RB disparaging VVG way NN . SENT I'm NP better RBR at IN cutting VVG than IN I PP was VBD when WRB I PP began VVD writing VVG professionally RB . SENT my PP$ stint NN working VVG for IN Scholastic JJ Magazines NNS helped VVD with IN that IN enormously RB . SENT I PP learned VVD there RB , , when WRB I PP often RB had VHD to TO write VV to TO a DT character NN and CC line NN count NN as RB well RB as IN a DT word NN count NN , , that IN there EX are VBP many JJ ways NNS of IN saying VVG the DT same JJ thing NN , , some DT of IN them PP shorter JJR than IN others NNS . SENT I PP had VHD trouble NN plotting VVG when WRB I PP started VVD out RP as IN a DT writer NN . SENT in IN fact NN , , I PP wrote VVD my PP$ fantasy NN novel NN FOURS NNS CROSSING VVG as IN a DT plot NN exercise NN . SENT I PP don't VVD find VV that DT especially RB difficult JJ now RB . SENT I'm NP no RB longer RBR as IN drawn VVN to TO nonfiction NN as IN I PP used VVD to TO be VB , , and CC recently RB I've JJ been VBN doing VVG some DT writing NN for IN kids NNS younger JJR than IN YA NP . SENT YA's JJ my PP$ first JJ love NN , , though RB . SENT I PP suspect VVP I'll NP always RB write VV YAs NP . SENT What WP new JJ directions NNS are VBP interesting JJ to TO you PP . SENT I'd JJ like VVP to TO do VV more RBR historical JJ fiction NN in IN fact NN , , I'm NP working VVG on IN something NN historical JJ right NN now RB , , a DT serial JJ novel NN that's NNS a DT book NN that WDT appears VVZ in IN installments NNS in IN newspapers NNS nationwide JJ that IN I PP hope VVP I'll NP be VB able JJ to TO expand VV into IN a DT real JJ book NN . SENT And CC I PP have VHP an DT idea NN for IN a DT regular JJ historical JJ novel NN that IN I'd NP like VVP to TO pursue VV one CD day NN in IN the DT not RB too RB distant JJ future NN . SENT For IN a DT long JJ time NN I've NN been VBN mulling VVG over IN a DT new JJ fantasy NN , , also RB . SENT it PP seems VVZ to TO be VB evolving VVG into IN a DT book NN set VVN in IN the DT future NN , , and CC I'm NP not RB sure RB if IN it'll NN remain VVP a DT fantasy NN , , technically RB . SENT I PP don't VVD think VV it's JJ sci NN fi NNS either RB . SENT I'm NP not RB sure JJ what WP it'll NN turn VV out RP to TO be VB . SENT I'd NN like IN to TO experiment NN more JJR with IN form NN , , too RB . SENT I'm NN fascinated VVN with IN some DT of IN the DT innovations NNS in IN form NN and CC style NN in IN some DT current JJ YAs NP . SENT What WP advice NN do VVP you PP have VHP for IN beginning VVG writers NNS . SENT Read VV , , read VV , , and CC READ VV . SENT Read VVN everything NN and CC anything NN . SENT read VV the DT kinds NNS of IN things NNS you'd NN like VVP to TO write VV , , sure RB , , but CC read VV other JJ things NNS as IN well RB . SENT And CC write VV , , write VV , , WRITE VV . SENT Write VV what WP you PP enjoy VVP writing VVG , , but CC write VV other JJ things NNS , , too RB . SENT poetry NN , , stories NNS , , essays NNS , , plays NNS , , journals NNS . SENT how WRB to TO articles NNS , , travelogues NNS , , history NN . SENT do VV journalism NN if IN you PP can MD . SENT Write VV about IN what WP moves VVZ you PP , , what WP makes VVZ you PP angry JJ , , what WP makes VVZ you PP laugh VV . SENT Carry VV a DT notebook NN and CC jot VV down RP ideas NNS as IN they PP come VVP to TO you PP but CC don't NP rely VVP on IN inspiration NN . SENT make VV yourself PP write VV every DT day NN . SENT Self NN discipline NN is VBZ vital JJ to TO writers NNS . SENT I've NN seen VVN many JJ a DT good JJ writer NN fizzle NN because IN he PP or CC she PP hasn't VVD carved VVN out IN time NN to TO write VV it's NNS hard JJ to TO do VV , , but CC essential JJ . SENT Beginning VVG writers NNS who WP are VBP trying VVG to TO sell VV often RB ask VV if IN they PP should MD try VV to TO tailor VV their PP$ work NN to TO what WP market NN listings NNS and CC surveys NNS say VVP publishers NNS want VVP , , or CC if IN they PP should MD write VV what WP they PP themselves PP want VVP and CC then RB try VV to TO find VV publishers NNS that IN fit NN . SENT My PP$ feeling NN is VBZ that IN it's NNS better JJR to TO write VV what WP you PP want VVP and CC then RB try VV to TO find VV a DT market NN for IN it PP , , for IN I PP think VVP the DT resulting VVG work NN is VBZ likely JJ to TO be VB better JJR and CC more RBR honest JJ and CC more RBR satisfying JJ to TO the DT author NN , , too RB . SENT But CC I PP have VHP to TO admit VV that IN some DT writers NNS have VHP a DT lot NN of IN success NN with IN the DT opposite JJ approach NN , , so RB you PP should MD probably RB try VV both DT approaches NNS and CC see VV which WDT works NNS for IN you PP . SENT Do VV you PP have VHP any DT particular JJ suggestions NNS for IN gay JJ and CC lesbian JJ writers NNS . SENT Oh UH , , yes UH . SENT First RB , , remember VVP that DT writing NN is VBZ a DT form NN of IN coming VVG out RP . SENT make VV sure JJ you're NN ready JJ to TO do VV that IN if IN you're NN going VVG to TO try VV to TO be VB published VVN . SENT Try VV not RB to TO soapbox NN . SENT write VV stories NNS , , not RB sermons NNS . SENT Don't NP try VVP to TO pack VV every DT kind NN of IN injustice NN and CC every DT gay JJ issue NN into IN a DT single JJ novel NN or CC story NN . SENT focus NN on IN the DT plot NN and CC the DT characters NNS and CC the DT theme NN . SENT and CC concentrate VV on IN one CD issue NN or CC idea NN and CC matters NNS related VVN to TO it PP . SENT Decide VV on IN your PP$ audience NN . SENT gay JJ , , straight RB , , or CC both DT . SENT Write VV honestly RB from IN your PP$ heart NN that IN most JJS of IN all DT . SENT Where WRB do VVP you PP turn VV for IN instruction NN and CC inspiration NN . SENT Virginia NP Woolf NP , , certainly RB , , but CC I PP find VVP that IN reading VVG any DT well RB written VVN work NN of IN fiction NN makes VVZ me PP want VVP to TO write VV , , teaches VVZ me PP , , and CC gets VVZ my PP$ creative JJ juices NNS flowing VVG . SENT Walking VVG in IN the DT woods NNS and CC sitting VVG by IN the DT sea NN often RB restore VV me PP . SENT ideas NNS , , sentences NNS , , characters NNS often RB come VVP to TO me PP in IN quiet JJ moments NNS . SENT I PP used VVD to TO run VV , , and CC found VVD that DT running VVG was VBD a DT good JJ time NN for IN me PP to TO work VV out RP specific JJ literary JJ problems NNS . SENT walking NN does VVZ that IN , , too RB . SENT I'm NN lucky JJ in IN that WDT I PP get VVP ideas NNS easily RB , , more JJR than IN I PP can MD use VV , , and CC I PP don't VVD seem VV to TO have VH writers NNS block NN , , although IN there EX are VBP times NNS when WRB I PP find VVP it PP easier JJR to TO write VV than IN others NNS . SENT But CC my PP$ magazine NN training NN taught VVD me PP that IN it's NNS possible RB necessary JJ . SENT to TO write VV something NN even RB if IN one CD doesn't NN feel VVP like IN it PP and CC even RB if IN the DT writing VVG isn't NN going VVG well RB . SENT One PP can MD always RB rewrite VV later RBR , , after IN all DT and CC one CD usually RB should MD anyway RB . SENT . SENT What WP are VBP your PP$ favorite JJ books NNS as IN a DT reader NN today NN . SENT What WP qualities NNS in IN them PP appeal VVP to TO you PP . SENT Like IN most JJS people NNS , , I PP like VVP a DT well RB written VVN novel NN that WDT tells VVZ a DT good JJ story NN and CC is VBZ peopled VVN with IN engaging JJ characters NNS . SENT When WRB I PP find VVP an DT author NN I PP like VVP , , I PP try VVP to TO read VV a DT lot NN of IN what WP he PP or CC she PP has VHZ written VVN . SENT I PP love VVP reading VVG YAs NP , , naturally RB , , and CC , , as IN I PP think VVP I PP said VVD above IN , , I PP think VVP some DT of IN the DT most RBS exciting JJ writing NN being VBG done VVN nowadays RB is VBZ in IN the DT YA NP and CC children's JJ field NN . SENT I PP only RB occasionally RB read VV current JJ best NN sellers NNS , , and CC the DT only JJ mysteries NNS I PP like VVP are VBP those DT that WDT are VBP more JJR like IN regular JJ novels NNS than IN mysteries NNS . SENT I PP don't VVD much RB like IN sci NN fi NNS or CC horror NN despite IN my PP$ vampire NN books NNS . SENT , , and CC I PP like VVP historical JJ novels NNS about IN eras NNS and CC people NNS that IN interest NN me PP , , although IN that's NNS a DT fairly RB recently RB acquired VVN taste NN . SENT I PP don't VVD read VV many JJ short JJ stories NNS . SENT I PP read VVP nonfiction NN for IN research NN purposes NNS and CC to TO learn VV about IN things NNS I PP need VVP or CC want VVP to TO know VV . SENT For IN example NN , , when WRB my PP$ partner NN and CC I PP were VBD building VVG our PP$ log NN cabin NN in IN Maine NP , , we PP read VVP tons NNS of IN carpentry NN books NNS . SENT No UH , , we PP didn't VVD build VV the DT whole JJ thing NN , , but CC we PP did VVD do VV most JJS of IN the DT finish NN work NN inside RB . SENT In IN fact NN , , the DT first JJ thing NN I PP do VVP when WRB I PP want VVP to TO learn VV something NN is VBZ read VVN a DT book NN about IN it PP . SENT What WP do VVP you PP do VVP outside IN your PP$ writing NN life NN . SENT I PP wish VVP I PP had VHD more JJR time NN for IN many JJ activities NNS that IN I PP enjoy VVP , , but CC every DT year NN I PP seem VVP to TO have VH less JJR and CC less JJR . SENT I PP do VVP grow VV vegetables NNS and CC flowers NNS . SENT that's NNS a DT hobby NN that IN I've NP stuck VVD with IN for IN many JJ years NNS . SENT I PP used VVD to TO weave VV , , and CC I'd NP love VVP to TO go VV back RB to TO that DT , , but CC right RB now RB I PP don't VVD seem VV to TO have VH time NN . SENT I PP enjoy VVP walking VVG and CC hiking VVG most JJS of IN my PP$ walking VVG these DT days NNS is VBZ with IN our PP$ dog NN , , Pippin NP , , but CC I'd NP like VVP to TO do VV more JJR walking NN on IN my PP$ own JJ for IN exercise NN . SENT I PP do VVP at IN least JJS do VV stretching VVG exercises NNS and CC lift NN weights NNS . SENT Day NN to TO day NN cooking NN kind NN of IN bores NNS me PP , , but CC I PP enjoy VVP special JJ cooking NN and CC making VVG up RP recipes NNS . SENT I PP used VVD to TO be VB fairly RB active JJ on IN various JJ committees NNS and CC on IN the DT newspaper NN in IN my PP$ small JJ town NN . SENT right RB now RB my PP$ community NN service NN is VBZ pretty RB much RB limited JJ to TO Prism NN , , a DT support NN group NN affiliated VVN with IN our PP$ local JJ high JJ school's NNS gay JJ straight JJ alliance NN . SENT Off IN and CC on IN , , I PP get VVP involved VVN in IN gay JJ issues NNS and CC try VVP to TO brush VV off RP my PP$ activist JJ hat NN . SENT But CC time NN , , time NN , , time NN won't NN someone NN please VVP invent VV a DT 48 CD hour NN day NN . SENT Do VV you PP do VV school NN visits NNS or CC other JJ speaking NN . SENT How WRB can MD people NNS get VV in IN touch NN with IN you PP . SENT Yes UH , , I PP do VVP school NN visits NNS and CC workshops NNS , , and CC I'm NP happy JJ to TO speak VV to TO librarians NNS , , teachers NNS , , writers NNS , , folks NNS interested VVN in IN censorship NN issues NNS , , gay JJ straight JJ alliances NNS , , etc FW . SENT People NNS who'd NN like VVP to TO contact VV me PP for IN these DT purposes NNS should MD get VV in IN touch NN with IN Farrar NP , , Straus NP , , and CC Giroux NP at IN 212 CD 206 CD 5366 CD . SENT What's NP up RB next JJ for IN your PP$ fans NNS . SENT Let's NNS see VVP . SENT I PP have VHP a DT picture NN book NN , , MOLLY'S NP FAMILY NN , , and CC a DT middle JJ grade NN or CC young JJ YA NP novel NN , , THE DT MELANEY NP SUMMER NN , , coming VVG out RP within IN the DT next JJ year NN or CC two CD , , from IN Farrar NP , , Straus NP Giroux NP , , plus CC a DT story NN in IN a DT new JJ collection NN from IN Knopf NP . SENT In IN the DT works NNS are VBP a DT middle JJ grade NN mystery NN series NN called VVD the DT Candlestone NP Inn NP Mysteries NNS , , from IN Two CD Lives NNS Press NP . SENT an DT adult NN novel NN whose WP$ contract NN is VBZ in IN negotiation NN . SENT the DT new JJ serial JJ novel NN I PP mentioned VVD , , and CC a DT new JJ YA NP . SENT Search VV this DT site NN powered VVN by IN FreeFind NP