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If you ever wondered who Sonia Manzano’s (“Maria” from Sesame Street) favorite Muppet is, here’s her answer: Oscar the Grouch. “He’s negative.” He acts anywhere from age 80 to 8. He stirs up conflict in an otherwise harmonious neighborhood, and this conflict leads to stories.
In fact, Manzano’s new memoir, “Becoming Maria: Love and Chaos in the South Bronx” (Scholastic) is all about conflict–her tumultuous childhood in the Bronx, her Puerto Rican roots, and her longing for a “Leave it to Beaver” type of stability. With Maria, she was able to act out (and later, write scripts about) a character that children in inner cities could relate to, and provide them with storylines that offered satisfying resolutions–something they may seldom get in real life. She could be a mirror for these kids, an escape from a hard home life, and a role model.
Manzano thinks her difficult childhood lead to her success. Not in spite of her challenges, but because of her challenges, she was able to become a great actor, writer, and humanitarian.
She spoke quite a bit about the importance of empathy. Sure, people tell their kids to “Be nice.” But what about going beyond that? She questions why some people are afraid to let kids read sad stories. In books, readers are able to connect with characters and feel the deep emotions that dwell within them. It’s the perfect avenue for building empathy, and she believes we should consciously instill this value in children.
Manzano was a fabulous speaker. Many of us in the audience grew up watching her on television, and looked to her as one of the really inspirational and comforting adult figures in our lives. Manzano advocated for television; she pointed out that sometimes TV is a much-needed escape for some children, and that, like a book, it’s just the jumping off point for the imagination: What happens to characters when they’re not on TV, how does the story continue when the set is off? Kids with the freedom to imagine can, and will, grow up to be resourceful and successful adults.
Suzanne Lieurance is an author, freelance writer, writing coach, speaker and workshop presenter. She is a former classroom teacher and was an instructor for the Institute of Children’s Literature for over 8 years.
Lieurance has written over two dozen published books and her articles and stories have appeared in various magazines, newsletters, and newspapers, such as Family Fun, Instructor, New Moon for Girls, KC Weddings, The Journal of Reading, and Children’s Writer to name a few. She offers a variety of coaching programs via private phone calls, teleclasses, listserv, and private email for writers who want to turn their love of writing (for children and/or adults) into a part-time or full-time career.
0 Comments on Suzanne Lieurance as of 3/11/2015 1:24:00 PM
What is English? Ask any speaker of English, and the answer you get may be “it’s what the dictionary says it is.” Or, “it’s what I speak.” Answers like these work well enough up to a point, but the words that make it in the dictionary are not always the words we hear being used around us. And the language of any one English speaker can differ significantly in pronunciation and word order from the English of another, particularly today, when two out of three English speakers have learned English as a second or third language. In What Is English? And Why Should We Care?, Tim Machan addresses these deceptively complex questions in order to suggest the ways in which definitions of English always depend on speakers’ definitions of themselves.
Tim Machan is Professor of English at the University of Notre Dame. His books include What Is English? And Why Should We Care?, English in the Middle Ages, Language Anxiety, and Vafþrúðnismál.
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Suzanne Lieurance is an author, freelance writer, writing coach, speaker and workshop presenter. She is a former classroom teacher and was an instructor for the Institute of Children’s Literature for over 8 years.
Lieurance has written over two dozen published books and her articles and stories have appeared in various magazines, newsletters, and newspapers, such as Family Fun, Instructor, New Moon for Girls, KC Weddings, The Journal of Reading, and Children’s Writer to name a few. She offers a variety of coaching programs via private phone calls, teleclasses, listserv, and private email for writers who want to turn their love of writing (for children and/or adults) into a part-time or full-time career.
0 Comments on Suzanne Lieurance as of 4/1/2014 10:45:00 AM
In the past two months, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Cal State University Fresno, El Paso Community College, and Cal State University Channel Islands. Most of campuses have invited me to discuss my novel, Ocotillo Dreams. However, I always start off with something I learned to offer in Louisiana, “lagniappe,” meaning a little something extra. In my presentations, it means I introduce readers to my poetry and talking about my journey as a writer.
I’m humbled by the positive feedback of my poems and a bit surprised by how hungry students are for poetry. I haven’t put my finger on the issue, but I have a feeling that some people are afraid of poetry. I had a friend tell me that he doesn’t get poetry and therefore only reads fiction and non-fiction. I don’t buy it.
When I sit down to read a novel, I’m looking for the poetry in the prose. The moment in the telling of the story that makes me sigh and read the exquisite sentence over again. Most of us who really love words live for these moments. Maybe, it’s just me? Regardless, I’m happy to introduce readers to poetry. The lagniappe for me is when students and readers tell me they are inspired to write their own poetry and fiction. One of the questions I am often asked is: “What came first and what do you prefer, writing novels or poetry?”
Given that so far I’ve only written one novel, the answer is much easier than the proverbial chicken and egg question. Poetry remains my favorite love (to use El Ray Bradbury’s expression, he calls all forms of writing and genres loves).
I love the instant gratification of working on a poem and seeing a finished draft after scribbling words on a blank piece of paper. And yes, I always start with pen and paper. Sometimes the page is not blank. I’ve written notes on scraps of paper that have become future poems, such as receipts, napkins, and ATM stubs. Similar to things I jot down in the middle of the night, being able to read my writing is not as important as making the note to self and having a tactile reminder. The act of jotting down some words or phrases helps me remember my original intention.
While I love stories, both fiction and non-fiction, I believe it’s all about the poetry, the music, and the rhythm of words. I’m especially thrilled when readers of Ocotillo Dreams appreciate the poetry in my prose. I’m currently working on a new novel and I am excited that Tia Chucha Press will publish my first full-length book of poems, How Fire Is A Story, Waiting, (Fall 2012).
Next week, on Cinco de Mayo, I have the pleasure of joining Michele Serros, Heidi Durrow, Susan Dunlap, Candacy Taylor, and Karen Tei Yamashita at the 7th Annual Women’s Literary Festival, Saturday, May 5 at Fess Parker’s Double Tree Resort in Santa Barbara. The Registration Fee of $65 includes a.m. coffee, lunch and author presentations. Scholarships are available. Register at womensliteraryfestival.com.
Congratulations Melinda on all your accomplishments. Wishing you the best of luck now and always! You are doing SO many wonderful things in the literary community!
sk rolle said, on 4/28/2012 12:32:00 AM
Great commentary, Melinda. Instructive to read your very insightful thoughts on writing and to learn more about your personal journey. Thanks for choosing poetry.
Rukhsana K’han was a speaker at the Sunday luncheon at the summer SCBWI Conference in LA, where she accepted the Golden Kite Award. She is an excellent speaker and kept everyone riveted to her every word and laughing at her humor. In the last few years New Jersey has added quite a few Middle Eastern members and most have been asking me questions on what steps they should take to get published. I figured Rukhsana would have the answer so I called her and she said she would be happy to write something for my blog. It appears we can all learn something from her post.
Here is what she shared:
When Kathy Temean, the SCBWI Regional Advisor for New Jersey contacted me about writing a guest blog post about what it was like to write Muslim stories I thought it would be a great idea!
I’ve been writing seriously for over twenty-two years now, and coming from a Muslim perspective there are certain lessons I’ve learned that I can definitely share!
But these aren’t just lessons about writing from a Muslim perspective. These are lessons that anyone writing about any culture can benefit from!
In writing this blog post, I’ve combined ideas I elucidated in my speech “Writing about Other Cultures” . I’ve given this speech a couple of times now, the last time being at the SCBWI convention in L.A. just last August while I was there to accept my Golden Kite Award for my picture book Big Red Lollipop.
So here goes!
Ms. Temean said:
I am getting a lot of questions about where to submit or what publishers would be interested in Muslim stories.
This question’s easy! Any publisher that says they’re accepting multicultural stories will be interested in Muslim stories, and that would be most publishers—as long as the story’s GOOD!
What makes a story good? Interesting characters, interesting predicaments, a fresh and interesting voice that tells the story! In fact the very same ingredients that make ANY story good will make a Muslim story good!
It is extremely tempting to read a Muslim/multicultural children’s story and think, “I could write that!” Especially if the story’s not that well written.
Many beginning authors compare their writing to the worst out there. Thinking if *that* could get published, then surely the publishers will jump at my story! But that’s the wrong attitude to have.
You need to compare your work to the *best* that’s out there not the worst because the worst probably got published at a time when there were no other choices available in terms of Muslim/multicultural stories.
It might have been marketable then, but it isn’t now.
As for publishers who accept stories about Muslims, if you want some more specific suggestions check out the Muslim booklist that I mention below. Look at the publishers who’ve published these books, they’re a good place to start submitting.
The children’s field has gotten a LOT tougher in terms of quality and there are a LOT of good Muslim writers out there now, which brings me to the next point that Ms. Temean raised:
These writers feel there is a hole in the children’s market for stories for and about Muslim children.
Actually that’s not as true as it once was.
In fact I made it my business to prepare a Muslim children’s booklist on my website (that I’m constantly updating) where I’ve listed books being published by mainstream publishers, about Muslim and related cultural themes. You can find it here: http://www.rukhsanakhan.com/muslimbooklist/Muslimbooklist.pdf
I am constantly
0 Comments on Writing Muslim – Rukhsana K’han as of 1/1/1900
11:00AM - 2:00PM JCPL Author Meet and Greet - Come meet me and over 40 local authors at the 2011 JCPL Author Meet and Greet! Ask your favorite Colorado Authors all about their books and writing process. Activities include live readings, storytimes and crafts for the kids and more! This event will take place at the Belmar Library from 11 - 2 pm.
Saturday, October 8 8:00AM-4:30PM Douglas County Writer's Conference - An entire day of workshops, networking and activities for writers at Castle Rock High School. Gain valuable tips and insight from experienced writers and other publishing professionals. Tickets on sale now! Tickets are $75 for adults. Pitch your work to an agent in a private session for an extra $25. Special teen track pricing, $30. Workshop topics include fiction, poetry, nonfiction, publishing, and promotion. Recommended for adults and teens. Teen track includes teen-specific workshops and a pitch to a teen-friendly publisher! I'll being doing two workshops--Beyond Skin Deep: Creating Three-Dimensional Characters and Tapping Into Your Inner Teen: AKA Writing for Young Adults (Descriptions at TerriClarkBooks.com)
Sunday, October 23 2:00-4:00 PM Aurora Public Library Author Meet and Greet (CENTRAL BRANCH) - Don’t miss this unique opportunity to meet Metro Area authors, and discover their writing talents! Wander through the tables, chat with the authors, pick up a book & have it signed, and perhaps gain inspiration for your own writing project during this fun-filled afternoon! For more information contact: Megan Ellis 303-739-7473
Life has been full! Here are some pics to prove it!
Arkansas Literary Festival
April 8, Literacy on the Lawn, Governor's Mansion
School Visits: Paris Elementary and Cherry Valley Elementary
Teressa, Cherry Valley Elementary Literacy Coach
Oliver K. Woodman Project by Cherry Valley Elementary Students
Paris Elementary Assembly: Reading The Scary Slopes.
After School Quilts
I wish I could show you the kids who made these quilts (privacy issues!). They had a blast. There were five boys and one girl and everyone had a great time. We talked about the history of quilting and they chose to make Amish quilts; I think they liked the black, as much as anything. We met once a week for about 8 weeks to finish these projects.
Amish Quilts made by 10 year olds.
NonFiction BookBlast
Sunday, June 26, 2011. 8-10 am.
ALA Conference in NOLA.
Jacquie is all of the above and more! In my book of “Best People” she issimply a wonderful lady. She could also be called a “humorist” which she labeledme when awarding her gold star of the month at…
Yes, she has a tremendous sense of humor, and she is a gifted writer andspeaker. I will let her tell you why this former First Grade Teacher offorty-one years spends so much time speaking and writing. What follows is apartial list of the places and states that she visits to speak, copied from herwebsite:
Jacquie's Itinerary
I'm often asked why I spend so much time speaking and writing, andmy answer is always the same. I want to make a difference. And besides that, Ilove what I do. I get to meet new people (some in person and some online), seenew places, taste new foods, and learn new things. And that, my friends, iswhat I believe retirement should be — making a difference and doing what youenjoy. I plan to ride this merry-go-round for a few more years, and perhaps oneday I'll look out in the audience and see you. I hope so.
0 Comments on Jacquie McTaggart: Dynamic Speaker, Writer, Teacher, and Friend as of 1/1/1900
I'll be giving a writing workshop called Tapping into Your Inner Teen at the Author Fest of the Rockies on Friday, Oct. 2. This YA workshop is at 3:30. I'd love to see you there. This looks to be a really exciting week long event put on by the Manitou Springs Public Library. I only wish I could do more! Next year I'll know to take off work. Anyhow, check out all the guest speakers and fun programs.
My kids are back in school and I swear I've gotten more done in the last couple days then I did the whole three months of summer. LOL. But having them back in classes makes me think about the wonderful school visits I did last.year. I was blessed to visit a lot of area schools (sometimes 2 or 3 times) and do everything from individual room visits to large combined classes. Plus, there were bookfairs, AVID, book clubs and more. I hope to make some return visits this year, as well as visit new schools, because I met so many incredible people. To all the teachers, librarians and students who warmly welcomed me THANK YOU. And I hope your first week is off to a great start!
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Congratulations Melinda on all your accomplishments. Wishing you the best of luck now and always! You are doing SO many wonderful things in the literary community!
Great commentary, Melinda. Instructive to read your very insightful thoughts on writing and to learn more about your personal journey. Thanks for choosing poetry.
Fren'
How about that, La Bloga has the Facebook bug!