Sunday, October 18, 2009
Avi in Williamsburg
Avi is one of kids' favorite authors. He has written 70 books and won many awards including the prestigious Newbery Medal. He came to Williamsburg this weekend to receive the Beacon of Freedom Award for his novel Iron Thunder.
The Beacon of Freedom Award is a child-chosen award supported by a generous donation from the Disabled American Veterans. Local kids read five or six books chosen by a committee and vote on their favorite. So kids, if you haven't read Avi, please make it a priority to do so. You can visit his website at: http://www.avi-writer.com/
Friday evening at the award presentation, Avi spoke at the Williamsburg Regional Library. He had valuable things to share with kids and other writers.
As a student, Avi was a lousy writer. Kids, there is hope for you even if you find writing challenging.
Avi stressed that each of his books goes through as many as 60 or 70 revisions. He explained that if you see something that looks easy, for example like someone playing tennis well, it is the result of lots of hard work. It is the same with writing.
A student asked Avi what was the favorite book he had written. He replied that is is always the book he is working on. He has to believe that it is his best work. There is a lesson here for us all. You must believe in what you write and strive to make it your best work.
The Beacon of Freedom Award is a child-chosen award supported by a generous donation from the Disabled American Veterans. Local kids read five or six books chosen by a committee and vote on their favorite. So kids, if you haven't read Avi, please make it a priority to do so. You can visit his website at: http://www.avi-writer.com/
Friday evening at the award presentation, Avi spoke at the Williamsburg Regional Library. He had valuable things to share with kids and other writers.
As a student, Avi was a lousy writer. Kids, there is hope for you even if you find writing challenging.
Avi stressed that each of his books goes through as many as 60 or 70 revisions. He explained that if you see something that looks easy, for example like someone playing tennis well, it is the result of lots of hard work. It is the same with writing.
A student asked Avi what was the favorite book he had written. He replied that is is always the book he is working on. He has to believe that it is his best work. There is a lesson here for us all. You must believe in what you write and strive to make it your best work.
Being able to go to dinner with Avi was very special. Not only is he a good writer, but I found him to be lively and likable, humble and humorous, knowledgeable and kind.
I was delighted to learn that he, like yours truly, can't spell and relies on spell check.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Home Again!
We have returned to the US after being out of the country for nearly six weeks. After a delightful visit to Paris, seeing friends, my husband and I walked over the Pyrenees Mountains on the Camino de Santiago in Spain, a 1200-year-old pilgrimage route during the month of September. It was a tremendous experience. We walked 391 miles. I carried a twenty pound pack.
Not everyone carried a pack!
My husband, Otis, seen below is the second-oldest pilgrim we met. He has just turned 75. We heard rumors of older pilgrims, but we didn't meet any. His pack weighed 25 pounds.
The youngest pilgrim we met was just 13 months old. He was from Brittany in France and he wasn't walking. His dad was carrying him in backpack. 
Probably nothing could be more boring to you, my readers, than seeing someone's travel photos. I am devastated that due to a malfunctioning memory chip, we lost a third of them. However, if you would like to see additional photos, check them out at :
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27952030@N07/sets/72157622462398455/show/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27952030@N07/sets/72157622462398455/show/
