Kirsti Call: Do you utilize picture books as mentor texts? If so, how?
Andrea Beatty: I don't really use other books as mentor texts when I'm writing. In fact, I rather avoid reading other books in a similar vein or topic to my story for fear that it will prevent me from writing the story that's in my head. In trying to avoid steering toward that text, I would inadvertently veer off the road in a different direction. It would all be too distracting from the story that I need to write. I have enough voices in my head without complicating things further.
KC: How has reading picture books helped you discover who you are as a writer?
AB: The quality of picture books in the last 20 years has been astounding. Much, much better than when I was a kid. There were some great ones, of course, but the variety and depth of prose and magnificent illustration was nothing compare to the books available today. Seeing such a spectrum of styles was liberating for me because it helped me realize that I should just write my own stories. If they were good enough, they would find a home out there in this brave new picture book world.
KC: Were there any particular mentor texts that inspired you in the creation of Ada Twist Scientist or any of your other books?
There are certainly books which have influenced me as a writer. HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS and MISS SPIDER'S TEA PARTY come to mind. They showed me that rhyming books can include an emotional story arc and be very moving. I love rhyme, always. But often, rhyming books are sweet and silly but don't have much emotional heft to them. I still love those and have written some.
I never set out to make a point or have a moral in my stories. I find that sort of quest tedious and I think kids' do too, but my stories sometimes find their heart during the adventure. I love it when that happens because readers connect to that. Fiction is magical!
Andrea’s other books include the award winners Iggy Peck, Architect, Attack of the Fluffy Bunnies, and Secrets of the Cicada Summer. Andrea’s characters are smart, funny, and unapologetic in their passion. They are doers. Curiosity, creativity, innovation and persistence are recurring themes in her work. Andrea visits dozens of schools each year and is also available for Skype visits. For more information, visit her website: www.AndreaBeaty.com.
Great interview, Andrea and Kirsti! Thank you, Andrea for the tips :)
ReplyDeleteLoved Rosie & look forward to reading Ada. I agree that the picture book world has blossomed in the past 20 years. How I wish titles like yours were available when my adult daughters were young. Thank you both for a great interview.
ReplyDeleteI especially loved Rosie Revere Engineer, but all of the other books are great!! Congrats, Andrea!!
ReplyDeleteOh, I can't wait to read this new book! Yay! Thanks, Kirsti and Andrea!
ReplyDeleteThis was my favorite of the series yet and I purchased it for my first grade class. It fits perfectly with our ongoing inquiry studies in science. Thank you so much for being our ReFoReMo guest, Andrea!
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Reading is important for writer. It helps to improve your skills and set an essay writing example for you in future. Don't avoid reading other authors.
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