In Conversation with Gary D. Schmidt
I have been a fan of Gary D. Schmidt for years!. I finally made a connection with Gary through another writer, Thanks Josh Allen!. If you don't know any of Gary's books you are in for a great treat. There is a slide show of titles at the bottom of this post. Pick one, You won't be disappointed.
I am found of Orbiting Jupiter, Okay for Now and Lizzie and the Buckminster Boy.
join us in our Conversation.
I am found of Orbiting Jupiter, Okay for Now and Lizzie and the Buckminster Boy.
join us in our Conversation.
Summary
Steven and Gary Schmidt discussed their experiences as academics and writers, including their struggles with balancing multiple roles, the importance of productivity, and the challenges of completing a dissertation. They also shared their experiences with mentorship, editing, and the process of writing, with a focus on children's literature and young adult literature. The conversation also touched on their shared perspectives on historical events, their creative projects, and their upcoming plans, including attending the NCTE event.
Steven and Gary Schmidt discussed their experiences as academics and writers, including their struggles with balancing multiple roles, the importance of productivity, and the challenges of completing a dissertation. They also shared their experiences with mentorship, editing, and the process of writing, with a focus on children's literature and young adult literature. The conversation also touched on their shared perspectives on historical events, their creative projects, and their upcoming plans, including attending the NCTE event.
Gary's Transition From Academia to Writing
In the meeting, Steven and Gary Schmidt discussed Gary's transition from a full-time academic to a full-time writer. Gary shared his experiences of juggling both roles, prioritizing his time, and finding moments to write in the cracks of his busy schedule. He also mentioned his teaching load at Calvin University, which included upper-level writing, children's literature, and medieval literature courses. The conversation ended with a discussion about the curriculum, with Gary mentioning that his courses typically ended with Chaucer, before moving on to Shakespeare.
In the meeting, Steven and Gary Schmidt discussed Gary's transition from a full-time academic to a full-time writer. Gary shared his experiences of juggling both roles, prioritizing his time, and finding moments to write in the cracks of his busy schedule. He also mentioned his teaching load at Calvin University, which included upper-level writing, children's literature, and medieval literature courses. The conversation ended with a discussion about the curriculum, with Gary mentioning that his courses typically ended with Chaucer, before moving on to Shakespeare.
Balancing Writing and Academic Careers
Steven and Gary discussed their writing habits and experiences as academics. Steven shared his struggle to balance his interests in English and Education departments, with the latter preferring more social science work. Gary, on the other hand, talked about the tension between academic and creative writing, and how she was evaluated on teaching and publication. Both agreed on the importance of productivity in their writing careers. They also discussed the influence of famous writers like Stephen King, Jack London, Steinbeck, and Hemingway on their writing routines.
Steven and Gary discussed their writing habits and experiences as academics. Steven shared his struggle to balance his interests in English and Education departments, with the latter preferring more social science work. Gary, on the other hand, talked about the tension between academic and creative writing, and how she was evaluated on teaching and publication. Both agreed on the importance of productivity in their writing careers. They also discussed the influence of famous writers like Stephen King, Jack London, Steinbeck, and Hemingway on their writing routines.
Writing Strategies and Children's Literature
Steven and Gary discussed their experiences with writing and the challenges of completing a dissertation. Steven shared his strategy of breaking down the task into manageable bites and the importance of revision. They also discussed the process of writing a page a day, which Steven found helpful in producing a substantial amount of work over time. The conversation then shifted to their involvement in children's literature, with Gary recounting how he started teaching the subject and eventually began writing in the field. He shared his experience of sending his first novel, The Sin Eater, to Virginia Buckley, Catherine Patterson's editor, despite the perceived arrogance of the action.
Steven and Gary discussed their experiences with writing and the challenges of completing a dissertation. Steven shared his strategy of breaking down the task into manageable bites and the importance of revision. They also discussed the process of writing a page a day, which Steven found helpful in producing a substantial amount of work over time. The conversation then shifted to their involvement in children's literature, with Gary recounting how he started teaching the subject and eventually began writing in the field. He shared his experience of sending his first novel, The Sin Eater, to Virginia Buckley, Catherine Patterson's editor, despite the perceived arrogance of the action.
Mentorship, Editing, and Genre Discussions
Steven and Gary discussed their experiences with mentorship and editing. Gary shared his long-term relationship with Virginia Buckley, who he considered an editor and mentor. He described their interactions as brutally honest but ultimately beneficial for his writing. Steven then asked about the perception of Gary's work as children's literature versus young adult, to which Gary responded that he sees himself more in the middle grade area, but some of his works blur the lines between genres. Steven also shared his interest in reluctant readers and his journey into teaching young adult literature.
Steven and Gary discussed their experiences with mentorship and editing. Gary shared his long-term relationship with Virginia Buckley, who he considered an editor and mentor. He described their interactions as brutally honest but ultimately beneficial for his writing. Steven then asked about the perception of Gary's work as children's literature versus young adult, to which Gary responded that he sees himself more in the middle grade area, but some of his works blur the lines between genres. Steven also shared his interest in reluctant readers and his journey into teaching young adult literature.
Writing Styles and Book Covers
Steven and Gary discussed their writing styles and the challenges of maintaining variety in their work. Gary expressed his fear of falling into a predictable pattern and his desire to write projects that are radically different from each other. He also shared his experiences with book covers, stating that he has no control over them and must trust the process. Steven agreed, noting that publishers often market books in a way that appeals to a specific audience. They both acknowledged the importance of variety in their writing and the occasional dissatisfaction with book covers.
Steven and Gary discussed their writing styles and the challenges of maintaining variety in their work. Gary expressed his fear of falling into a predictable pattern and his desire to write projects that are radically different from each other. He also shared his experiences with book covers, stating that he has no control over them and must trust the process. Steven agreed, noting that publishers often market books in a way that appeals to a specific audience. They both acknowledged the importance of variety in their writing and the occasional dissatisfaction with book covers.
Authorship, Literary Quality, and Themes
Steven expressed his difficulty in reading multiple books by the same author, unless he is captivated by the first one. He praised the debut author and the follow-up book, emphasizing the importance of maintaining literary quality in subsequent works. Steven also discussed the themes in Gary's book, "Okay for Now" which revolved around family dynamics, the Vietnam War, and a child's sensitivity to art and bullying. He appreciated the book's unique narrative style, where the protagonist occasionally resists self-revelation.
Steven expressed his difficulty in reading multiple books by the same author, unless he is captivated by the first one. He praised the debut author and the follow-up book, emphasizing the importance of maintaining literary quality in subsequent works. Steven also discussed the themes in Gary's book, "Okay for Now" which revolved around family dynamics, the Vietnam War, and a child's sensitivity to art and bullying. He appreciated the book's unique narrative style, where the protagonist occasionally resists self-revelation.
Discussing Vietnam War and Literature
Steven and Gary discussed their shared experiences and perspectives on historical events, particularly the Vietnam War and its impact on their lives. They agreed that the war had a profound effect on the country and its people, leading to a sense of loss that still resonates today. Steven suggested that young adult literature has become more open to discussing loss and trauma, using 9/11 as an example. They also discussed a collaborative book project with Ron Kirchy, which involves 30 short stories arranged according to the tide. Steven offered to curate a list of recommended books about 9/11 for Gary.
Steven and Gary discussed their shared experiences and perspectives on historical events, particularly the Vietnam War and its impact on their lives. They agreed that the war had a profound effect on the country and its people, leading to a sense of loss that still resonates today. Steven suggested that young adult literature has become more open to discussing loss and trauma, using 9/11 as an example. They also discussed a collaborative book project with Ron Kirchy, which involves 30 short stories arranged according to the tide. Steven offered to curate a list of recommended books about 9/11 for Gary.
Creative Projects and Shared Memories
In the meeting, Steven and Gary discussed their creative projects. Gary shared about his upcoming books, including a story about a young Athenian who escapes Hades and a plot involving resentment and vulnerability among 10 kids from La and Portland, Maine. They also reminisced about their time teaching at Hamlin University and their friendship with Gene Yang. Steven expressed admiration for Gene's work, particularly "American Born Chinese." Gary also mentioned his current project of transcribing his wife's grandfather's diaries from rural Maine in 1905, which he hopes to turn into a story about community and hard-scrabble farming.
In the meeting, Steven and Gary discussed their creative projects. Gary shared about his upcoming books, including a story about a young Athenian who escapes Hades and a plot involving resentment and vulnerability among 10 kids from La and Portland, Maine. They also reminisced about their time teaching at Hamlin University and their friendship with Gene Yang. Steven expressed admiration for Gene's work, particularly "American Born Chinese." Gary also mentioned his current project of transcribing his wife's grandfather's diaries from rural Maine in 1905, which he hopes to turn into a story about community and hard-scrabble farming.
Gary's Writing Process and NCTE Plans
Gary and Steven discussed Gary's writing process, particularly his method of revising as he goes along. Gary explained that he doesn't use outlines or storyboards, instead, he writes a certain number of pages each day and revises them before moving on to the next section. He also mentioned that he takes notes along the way for any changes he needs to make later. Steven found this method fascinating and appreciated the efficiency of Gary's process. They also discussed their upcoming plans, with Steven mentioning that he will be attending NCTE and Gary confirming his presence there as well. They agreed to keep in touch and possibly meet up during the event.
Gary and Steven discussed Gary's writing process, particularly his method of revising as he goes along. Gary explained that he doesn't use outlines or storyboards, instead, he writes a certain number of pages each day and revises them before moving on to the next section. He also mentioned that he takes notes along the way for any changes he needs to make later. Steven found this method fascinating and appreciated the efficiency of Gary's process. They also discussed their upcoming plans, with Steven mentioning that he will be attending NCTE and Gary confirming his presence there as well. They agreed to keep in touch and possibly meet up during the event.