In Conversation with Kimberly Willis Holt
I love conversations with Kimberly Willis Holt. She is one of the kindest people I know in the world of Young Adult Literature. I love listening to her as she talks about her books, her writing process and her experiences in the world of Young Adult Literature.
In this conversation we discuss several of her books, including her experiences as she launched her first book, My Louisiana Sky. We discuss her writing process and how she has promoted her books over the years.
We also discuss her latest book, The Hurricane Girls.
Take a few minutes to join our conversation.
In this conversation we discuss several of her books, including her experiences as she launched her first book, My Louisiana Sky. We discuss her writing process and how she has promoted her books over the years.
We also discuss her latest book, The Hurricane Girls.
Take a few minutes to join our conversation.
Steven and Kimberly discussed her successful career as a writer, focusing on her award-winning book "Zachary Beaver Fever" and her strategies for promoting her work. They also delved into the writing process, with Kimberly sharing her methods for organizing scenes and understanding character perspectives, and Steven comparing her approach to Hemingway's. Lastly, they highlighted the importance of supporting new authors, Kimberly's current writing projects, and reminisced about their past interactions in the literary community.
Kimberly's Writing Career and Inspiration
Steven and Kimberly discussed her career as a writer. Steven expressed his admiration for Kimberly and recalled how her kindness influenced him during his own tenure in Baton Rouge. They discussed her notable book, "Zachary Beaver Fever," which won the National Book Award. Kimberly shared her fears about the expectations following her previous success and how her editor helped her overcome them. She also emphasized the importance of inspiration being rooted in one's life experiences.
Steven and Kimberly discussed her career as a writer. Steven expressed his admiration for Kimberly and recalled how her kindness influenced him during his own tenure in Baton Rouge. They discussed her notable book, "Zachary Beaver Fever," which won the National Book Award. Kimberly shared her fears about the expectations following her previous success and how her editor helped her overcome them. She also emphasized the importance of inspiration being rooted in one's life experiences.
Discussing the Impact of Zachary Beaver
Kimberly shared the story of her childhood encounter with a "fattest teenage boy in the world" at the Louisiana State Fair, which later inspired her to write the book Zachary Beaver. She expressed disappointment that the book didn't achieve the success she had hoped for, but noted that it captured the desired emotional impact. Steven, a sensitive reader, recalled the emotional impact the book had on him when it was first published in 1998 or 1999, highlighting its depiction of the complex emotions children experience. Both agreed on the book's enduring relevance.
Kimberly shared the story of her childhood encounter with a "fattest teenage boy in the world" at the Louisiana State Fair, which later inspired her to write the book Zachary Beaver. She expressed disappointment that the book didn't achieve the success she had hoped for, but noted that it captured the desired emotional impact. Steven, a sensitive reader, recalled the emotional impact the book had on him when it was first published in 1998 or 1999, highlighting its depiction of the complex emotions children experience. Both agreed on the book's enduring relevance.
Kimberly's Writing Journey and Book Tour
Steven and Kimberly discussed her range as a writer and her ability to explore different settings and topics in her young adult fiction. Kimberly shared her experience of stepping out of her comfort zone by writing about a Western book, "Zachary Beaver," set in Louisiana, which was different from her previous Southern-themed books. She also shared her strategy of planning a book tour six months ahead of her book's release to ensure its success. Despite some initial challenges due to her book's newness and the lack of internet at the time, Kimberly was able to connect with readers and promote her book through telephone calls and personal visits to schools.
Steven and Kimberly discussed her range as a writer and her ability to explore different settings and topics in her young adult fiction. Kimberly shared her experience of stepping out of her comfort zone by writing about a Western book, "Zachary Beaver," set in Louisiana, which was different from her previous Southern-themed books. She also shared her strategy of planning a book tour six months ahead of her book's release to ensure its success. Despite some initial challenges due to her book's newness and the lack of internet at the time, Kimberly was able to connect with readers and promote her book through telephone calls and personal visits to schools.
Kimberly's Personal Connections in Writing
Kimberly discussed her experiences as a writer, particularly focusing on the impact of her personal connections and sense of place in her writing. She recounted how her grandmother's involvement in a book launch helped open doors for her in her local community, and how her visits to libraries and bookstores as a child influenced her writing. She also mentioned her interactions with other writers, such as Anne Sullivan, and the importance of building personal connections in the writing industry. Steven encouraged her to continue discussing her craft and the importance of her sense of craftsmanship.
Kimberly discussed her experiences as a writer, particularly focusing on the impact of her personal connections and sense of place in her writing. She recounted how her grandmother's involvement in a book launch helped open doors for her in her local community, and how her visits to libraries and bookstores as a child influenced her writing. She also mentioned her interactions with other writers, such as Anne Sullivan, and the importance of building personal connections in the writing industry. Steven encouraged her to continue discussing her craft and the importance of her sense of craftsmanship.
Supporting New Authors and Their Impact
Kimberly and Steven discussed the importance of supporting new authors and identifying potential in their work. Steven shared his experience as the president of Allen and his focus on selecting a diverse range of authors to attract attendees. He also mentioned his interest in second and third books by new authors, highlighting the significance of their longevity in the industry. Kimberly's book, "My Louisiana Sky," was cited as an example of a successful book that has had a lasting impact in Louisiana, with Steven noting its adoption by schools and its continued influence.
Kimberly and Steven discussed the importance of supporting new authors and identifying potential in their work. Steven shared his experience as the president of Allen and his focus on selecting a diverse range of authors to attract attendees. He also mentioned his interest in second and third books by new authors, highlighting the significance of their longevity in the industry. Kimberly's book, "My Louisiana Sky," was cited as an example of a successful book that has had a lasting impact in Louisiana, with Steven noting its adoption by schools and its continued influence.
Book Writing Process and Strategies
Steven and Kimberly discussed the process of writing a book. Kimberly emphasized the importance of starting with a topic she cares about and shared her method of organizing key scenes using a timeline broken down by act one, act two, and act three. She also mentioned how she changes her writing environment to overcome writer's block and confirmed her understanding of writing a scene from multiple perspectives. Steven supported these methods and highlighted the benefits of changing the writing location for a different perspective.
Steven and Kimberly discussed the process of writing a book. Kimberly emphasized the importance of starting with a topic she cares about and shared her method of organizing key scenes using a timeline broken down by act one, act two, and act three. She also mentioned how she changes her writing environment to overcome writer's block and confirmed her understanding of writing a scene from multiple perspectives. Steven supported these methods and highlighted the benefits of changing the writing location for a different perspective.
Character Perspective in Writing Process
Kimberly and Steven discussed the writing process and the importance of understanding a character's perspective. Kimberly shared her approach of reading a draft from each character's point of view, which helps her identify any scenes where a character's presence could be strengthened or where their absence might improve the story. Steven appreciated this method and highlighted its value in enriching the overall plot. He also compared Kimberly's approach to Hemingway's writing style, where he imagined a scene from various perspectives to add depth to his work.
Kimberly and Steven discussed the writing process and the importance of understanding a character's perspective. Kimberly shared her approach of reading a draft from each character's point of view, which helps her identify any scenes where a character's presence could be strengthened or where their absence might improve the story. Steven appreciated this method and highlighted its value in enriching the overall plot. He also compared Kimberly's approach to Hemingway's writing style, where he imagined a scene from various perspectives to add depth to his work.
Discussing 'Hurricane Girls' Book
Steven and Kimberly discussed the recent book, "Hurricane Girls", which Kimberly mentioned she wasn't a part of but had been promoting. The book, which features the stories of three girls born around the time of Hurricane Katrina, was praised by Steven for its potential to inspire teachers to incorporate creative writing and history projects into their curriculum. Kimberly clarified that while the hurricane and its impact on the girls' lives were significant, they were not the main focus of the book. The story primarily revolved around the friendship and personal struggles of the three girls. She added that her dog, Georgie, was about to join the conversation but had been called out.
Steven and Kimberly discussed the recent book, "Hurricane Girls", which Kimberly mentioned she wasn't a part of but had been promoting. The book, which features the stories of three girls born around the time of Hurricane Katrina, was praised by Steven for its potential to inspire teachers to incorporate creative writing and history projects into their curriculum. Kimberly clarified that while the hurricane and its impact on the girls' lives were significant, they were not the main focus of the book. The story primarily revolved around the friendship and personal struggles of the three girls. She added that her dog, Georgie, was about to join the conversation but had been called out.
Kimberly's Writing Journey and Appreciation
Kimberly shared her experience as a writer, mentioning that she was currently working on a young middle-grade book about a dog. She also discussed the Piper Read books, which she said currently exist as an entity as she wasn't asked to write more. Steven expressed his appreciation for Kimberly's books, emphasizing their sophistication and the impact they can have on readers. Kimberly agreed, noting that she often underestimated her young readers' abilities and was surprised by their engagement with her books. The two also reminisced about their past interactions, including a book festival and an online summit.
Kimberly shared her experience as a writer, mentioning that she was currently working on a young middle-grade book about a dog. She also discussed the Piper Read books, which she said currently exist as an entity as she wasn't asked to write more. Steven expressed his appreciation for Kimberly's books, emphasizing their sophistication and the impact they can have on readers. Kimberly agreed, noting that she often underestimated her young readers' abilities and was surprised by their engagement with her books. The two also reminisced about their past interactions, including a book festival and an online summit.