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Author Interview with W.H. Beck & Book Giveaway

“What if [Malcolm] could prove to the Academy that he was a critter of…valor and merit? Maybe…he could admit the truth. Maybe then everyone could start thinking that not all rats are skuzzy.” ~ from MALCOLM AT MIDNIGHT

I’ve always been one to root for the underdog. Yes, even a rat. At our house, we aren’t pet people (allergies spoil the fun), and that one rat in the garage last summer was a little disconcerting. Still, like my son, I enjoy a good book about a critter surrounded by unfortunate rumors. Or, mistaken identity.

My son and I read W.H. Beck’s novel, MALCOLM AT MIDNIGHT, together and loved every page, every illustration. Beck tells the story of Malcolm, a rat who, after being mistaken for a mouse, becomes the fifth grade pet in Mr. Binny’s classroom. He learns quickly that he’s not the only pet in the school and that much of the serious work going on at McKenna happens once the Midnight bell rings.

Soon after he’s admitted into the Midnight Academy of McKenna school pets, Malcolm becomes the prime suspect in the mystery of a missing iguana. He sets out to prove, then (to himself and the other classroom pets), that rats are not all bad. In fact, he depends on his “every ratty fiber and trick” to save the day, and – likely – the entire school.

I’m honored to host W.H. Beck for a Q&A. Because my son and I read this book together, I asked him to come up with the first two questions. He rattled them off right away, adding that he hopes for a sequel. Which means, MALCOLM AT MIDNIGHT is too good not to share. I’m giving away a copy, so drop your name in the comments for a chance to win and look for the lucky reader on Tuesday, February 20th.

Now, welcome W.H. Beck!

CC: How did you decide to write your book?

WHB: Well, when I started Malcolm, I was working on a nonfiction animal series, so I think I had critters on the brain. I’ve also always loved stories that take place in the “regular” world, but have something a little fantastical going on just out of sight. Since I work in a school, it was fun to imagine what happened after all we humans headed home. It just grew from there.

CC: Did you ever own a pet rat?

WHB: Ha! No, we have a dog and a gecko—but I do get asked that a lot. The truth is, I’m not exactly sure where the rat came from, except that I wanted an animal that had to use his animal “superpowers” to solve a mystery. When I read about how rats can compress their bones to fit through the hole the size of quarter, hold their breath for three minutes and swim up through sewer pipes, and gnaw through glass and cement and steel…well, it seemed too fun not to use in a story. It also made it interesting to have Malcolm struggle with rat stereotypes.

CC: As an elementary school librarian, I imagine you run into a variety of readers, from voracious to completely uninterested. How does the challenge of meeting students at both ends of the reading spectrum influence your life as an author?

WHB: What a good question! And the answer is…I’m not sure I think about this overtly when I write. I am usually just trying to write a story that I like. But I think you’re right that it does influence me subconsciously. I’ve seen the power of humor in a story for kids and have a good sense for how long readers will stick with a descriptive passage (zero seconds, in case you’re wondering—it WILL be skimmed over). But I think what voracious readers love and what might draw in reluctant readers may not actually be all that different. And it may not be all that different than what brings me to a story—an interesting idea, characters I care about, something unexpected happening. The trick is coming up with all that, and doing it well. J

CC: What are you reading these days?

WHB: I am reading THE RUNAWAY KING by Jennifer A. Nielsen. I was a huge fan of THE FALSE PRINCE, so I was delighted to get the second book in the series as an ARC. (One of the perks of being a librarian as well as a writer!)

CC: Do you have any advice for up and coming writers?

WHB: I’m a huge believer in READING for writers (and really, for everyone—that’s why I became a school librarian, after all J). Anyway, for writers it is so important to read to not only know the market and what is selling, but also to study the craft. To analyze why stories work (or don’t work) and to figure out how other authors develop characters, create tension, and so much more. It’s the best homework there is.

~

As a kid growing up in Wisconsin, W.H. Beck’s dad always teased her that she would be a librarian someday. That’s because she read all the time—walking home from school, while brushing her teeth, under the table at dinnertime, and under the covers at night. And, sure enough, after earning an elementary teaching degree from the University of Wisconsin, she went on to get a master’s degree in information studies from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. (Yes, that’d be library school.)

She still lives and reads in Wisconsin, but now she shares her home and books with a husband, two sons, and a sneaky (but loveable) dog. By day, she’s an elementary school librarian. And early in the mornings, late at nights, and in between kids’ sports practices, she writes.

For more about W.H. Beck and her books, visit her website, where she’s put together a wonderful list of blog posts about MALCOLM AT MIDNIGHT, the revision process, post-publication, and the making of the book trailer.

Remember, drop your name in the comments for a chance to win and read your own copy of Malcolm at Midnight.

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A Writer’s Mind Never Rests

There’s a scene in the movie, Becoming Jane, when Lady Gresham and Mr. Wisely pay a call to Jane Austen’s family. After Lady Gresham suggests Jane and Mr. Wisely take a walk together in the “pretty little wilderness” nearby, we see Jane’s face change expression: her brow furrows, there’s recognition in her eyes of something important. She turns, then, sits down on a bench and feverishly scratches words into a notebook. Readers of Jane Austen know those words later find their way into her novel, Pride and Prejudice.

Even if you haven’t seen the movie, you know that feeling if you’re a writer, that insistent pull to grab a notebook and pen and leave all conversation in order to put the magic onto paper before it slips away. And you’d probably laugh like I did when, after Mr. Wisely tells Lady Gresham that Jane is simply writing, Lady Gresham (the quintessential non-writer) asks, “Can anything be done about it?”

As writers, we are defined by such moments. Nothing can be done about our obsession with words and dialogue and tiny notebooks in pockets. It simply can’t be helped.

Guilty.

I’ve pulled out my pen and notebook in the middle of church, when I should be singing or listening to the sermon, because something struck me that needed to be written down, stat. Sure, I felt a little guilty, wondered if it was somehow sacrilegious. So, I wrote pensively, as if I was simply taking notes on the hymn number (which, sometimes, was exactly what I was doing…verses in hymns have been known to inspire). But then, if I believe what Julia Cameron teaches us, I don’t need to feel bad: that burst of creativity was very likely sent from somewhere above; I was simply honoring the process.

I’ve learned to accept the fact that writing will always be on my mind. I will turn to story, the novel, even a blog post at unexpected times. I will over pack when I leave town, mixing writing paraphernalia with clothing, just as I did this weekend when my husband and I took off for a mini-vacation and a wedding. Along with too-heavy sweaters and an extra set of heels, I packed the iPad, the laptop, the notebook (or two). Though, I never sat down and put anything on paper (or on screen), my works in progress still made their way into my days.

We went snowshoeing on Saturday, and in the middle of the woods, I stopped. I listened to the quiet snowfall. I studied the height of the trees. I took a photo. Partly for the beauty, yes, but mostly for the inspiration.

Those trees begged for a place in my novel, in a scene centered around the protagonist’s walk through northern pines, majestic in their own way and protective of whatever lies beyond.

Which, after two hours trudging along the winding and rolling and thick-with-powder path in snow shoes for the first time, this protagonist hoped was a warming house with hot cocoa and a masseuse.

Funny, how our minds wander.

What did you capture this weekend?

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News & Noteworthy

The News.

Remember my post on Fearless Writing? I talked about taking chances, and not just on that work in progress. I know, I know. I keep bringing it up. But, mantras really work. Our efforts pay off, whether they nudge us in a different direction or shift our perspective ever so slightly or result in something much more concrete.

Suzannah Windsor, of Write It Sideways, is creating a new digital literary journal, COMPOSE. A while back, she sent out a call for editors, and I applied, not knowing if my experience was enough to earn me a spot on the masthead. But, I took the risk anyway. I was thrilled, then, to accept her offer of a position as an editorial assistant. Suzannah is a mother-writer who sets goals and gets them done. She’s a model for the rest of us trying to balance life and motherhood and writing, and I couldn’t be more excited to work with her on this new project. Read more about the full masthead here.

The Noteworthy.

At my day job recently, I heard of a website called Lynda.com. For half a second, I wondered about the site: who was this Lynda? What does she do? Then, I got busy with work again. It wasn’t until I saw a post on Facebook by Lisa Cron about her page on the site that I finally investigated. Lynda.com is an online learning center offering a myriad of courses from art and design to photography and, well, now writing. Lisa Cron, author of Wired for Story, has a new course up and running for those of us wanting to know more about story structure.

I’ve raved about Wired for story before, and I imagine the course follows Lisa’s book somewhat. But, if you’re like me, sometimes reading the book isn’t enough. I want more.

The course isn’t free. Not exactly. But, the cost is certainly doable: $25 gets you a 30-day subscription to lynda.com, which allows you to view Lisa Cron’s course AND any other courses that suit your fancy. Perhaps something on illustrations for a children’s book? One on formatting that ebook? Once you’ve subscribed, they’re all free. Even if you only watch Lisa’s The Craft of Story and cancel your membership after 30 days, that’s still a pretty good deal.

Another author using the internet as a classroom, of sorts, is Lisa Rivero. She’s written a great book for young historians called Oscar’s Gift, about Oscar Micheaux, the first major African-American filmmaker who has history as a homesteader as well. Right now, in honor of Black History Month, she’s posting lots of extras to go with her book: videos, writing prompts, and news about the time period in which Oscar lived. If you write historical fiction, for kids or grown-ups, check out Lisa’s website to see how historical resources can enhance the reading experience.

What’s new or noteworthy with you? And, have you ever visited lynda.com? I’d love to hear from someone who’s taken courses there, it looks so inviting.