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When 14-year-old Hannah wanted to do a project for History Day, she remembered reading about Elijah Lovejoy in the Riverboat Adventures. Hannah lives in Minnesota, and in addition to reading primary and secondary resources, she researched websites and e-mailed places in Maine, Missouri, and Illinois. Then she wrote and memorized her presentation, using three characters—a narrator, Mrs. Lovejoy, and a schoolgirl. In addition to competing in her own school, Hannah won regionals, and made it to state competition! |
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Do you have any tips for developing characters? I feel like I'm friends with the people in your stories, but I know that means that you must have put tons of time into making those characters into real people. How do you do it? —Rachel, Michigan With my major characters, such as Kate, Anders, and Erik in the Northwoods novels and Libby, Caleb, and Jordan in the Riverboat Adventures, I ask myself, “What does this character want? Then, “How can I say no?” That way my characters get really motivated and conflict develops. I also try to develop characters that have both strong and weak character qualities. If a strong quality goes too far it can become a weak characteristic. For instance, Jordan is so courageous that at times he can be too brave, and it borders on recklessness. |
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I want to be a writer, but where can I get published?
You might find a magazine that accepts writing from young people your age. Or perhaps you can write for a group at your school or church. One girl told me she wrote short articles in her local home-schooling newsletter. A number of students have published their own newsletters or magazines, and they're GREAT! Here's another idea: You'll learn a lot about writing by reading good books, then writing reviews. It helps you think through what you like about a book and then what you'd like to include in your own writing. Recently I discovered a girl named Jessica who reviewed two of my books, Escape into the Night and Race for Freedom, online. Not only is she accurate. She also creates interest in a novel and doesn't spoil the secrets in a story by giving away cliffhangers or too much information. She's already a great reviewer, and I hope that she continues writing. Christianbook.com offers a good opportunity for readers to write reviews. Be accurate so people can trust what you say. Be fair. Be enthusiastic. Give a specific reason why you like a book. And don't forget that your church newsletter may need someone to review books for young people your age. All these ideas can offer you great experience in writing to fulfill a certain need. That's what you want to learn to do. But remember—getting published isn't your number one goal right now. What's most important is that you have fun with your writing and that you learn to write. |
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Another Idea While I was in college, I kept a journal. Years later, after I had written a number of Northwoods books, I went back to that journal. This is what I had said: "I want to write about people who have the ability to overcome obstacles in their lives. How the answer is God. Not God in a wishy-washy way, but God with strength and purpose and power." Isn't it fun to know that the Lord helped me do that, even though I had forgotten about my prayer? |
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A number of you have told me that you'd like to be a writer. Maybe you've noticed that in the Riverboat Adventures Caleb feels the same way. Whether you become a full-time writer as I am or just need help with your schoolwork, here's a tip. Often the hardest part about writing is getting started. Think about what you want to say. Then, when you start writing, try to write as fast as you can without stopping to make corrections. Once you have your ideas on paper, go back to see if your thoughts are in the best order. Check your spelling and rewrite your sentences until they're the best you can possibly make them.
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