Welcome to a Conversation with Rich Wallace
The world of Young Adult Literature is a kind and welcoming space. From a causal meeting with Rich and Sandra Neil Wallace I was even luckier to find a friendship that has been productive and wonderful. I have been able to present with them at several conferences and occasionally I get an early glimpse a book or two.
In this conversation Rich and I talk about his early career as a sportswriter and as an editor at Highlights. From there we talk about his first novel, Wrestling Sturbridge and several others.
Rich is a treasure trove of information about the world of young adult literature.
Join us.
In this conversation Rich and I talk about his early career as a sportswriter and as an editor at Highlights. From there we talk about his first novel, Wrestling Sturbridge and several others.
Rich is a treasure trove of information about the world of young adult literature.
Join us.
Summary
Steven and Rich Wallace discussed the importance of exploring past stories and the emergence of Young Adult (YA) literature in the early 2000s, with a focus on the contributions of African American authors. They also discussed the evolution of young adult sports novels, the challenges of parenting in youth sports, and Rich's personal experiences with sports and his novel "War and Watermelon." Lastly, they shared their advice for aspiring writers and the fulfillment of writing as a profession.
Steven and Rich Wallace discussed the importance of exploring past stories and the emergence of Young Adult (YA) literature in the early 2000s, with a focus on the contributions of African American authors. They also discussed the evolution of young adult sports novels, the challenges of parenting in youth sports, and Rich's personal experiences with sports and his novel "War and Watermelon." Lastly, they shared their advice for aspiring writers and the fulfillment of writing as a profession.
Discussing Jonathan Daniels and Selma Stories
Steven had a conversation with Rich Wallace about Rich's book co-authored with his wife, Blood, Brother: The Story of Jonathan Daniels. Rich recounted the story of Jonathan Daniels, a young man from Keene, New Hampshire, who made significant changes in the treatment of recruits at VMI before joining the Civil Rights movement in Selma, where he was tragically murdered. The discussion highlighted the importance of exploring the past and uncovering hidden stories, with Rich revealing their plans to investigate more untold stories in Selma.
Steven had a conversation with Rich Wallace about Rich's book co-authored with his wife, Blood, Brother: The Story of Jonathan Daniels. Rich recounted the story of Jonathan Daniels, a young man from Keene, New Hampshire, who made significant changes in the treatment of recruits at VMI before joining the Civil Rights movement in Selma, where he was tragically murdered. The discussion highlighted the importance of exploring the past and uncovering hidden stories, with Rich revealing their plans to investigate more untold stories in Selma.
Rich's Journey to Becoming a Writer
Steven asked Rich about his journey to becoming a writer, particularly in the genre of young adult sports fiction. Rich shared that he started writing as early as third grade, inspired by the adventure books his uncle had created. After a gap in reading and writing due to his involvement in sports during middle and high school, he started taking creative writing classes in college. A novel writing class, in particular, sparked his interest, and he worked on the novel for over a decade while also interning at a newspaper, writing and editing daily. Rich's first novel, a sports story set in a small Pennsylvania town, was published when he was around 30 years old while he was working at Highlights for Children Magazine.
Steven asked Rich about his journey to becoming a writer, particularly in the genre of young adult sports fiction. Rich shared that he started writing as early as third grade, inspired by the adventure books his uncle had created. After a gap in reading and writing due to his involvement in sports during middle and high school, he started taking creative writing classes in college. A novel writing class, in particular, sparked his interest, and he worked on the novel for over a decade while also interning at a newspaper, writing and editing daily. Rich's first novel, a sports story set in a small Pennsylvania town, was published when he was around 30 years old while he was working at Highlights for Children Magazine.
Rich's Journey as Writer and Editor
Rich shared his journey as an editor and writer, starting with his transition from newspapers to magazines and his early struggles with writing. He persevered and eventually found success with his novel "Wrestling Sturbridge", which received critical acclaim and launched his career. He continued to write while working full-time as an editor at Highlights for Children, eventually proposing a series of sports-driven novels for middle-grade children called "The Winning Season". Rich stepped down from his position at Highlights to focus on writing but remained connected to the company, working part-time and doing consulting. He reflected on the revitalization of young adult literature in the late 90s and early 2000s, during which he and other writers produced strong works in the genre.
Rich shared his journey as an editor and writer, starting with his transition from newspapers to magazines and his early struggles with writing. He persevered and eventually found success with his novel "Wrestling Sturbridge", which received critical acclaim and launched his career. He continued to write while working full-time as an editor at Highlights for Children, eventually proposing a series of sports-driven novels for middle-grade children called "The Winning Season". Rich stepped down from his position at Highlights to focus on writing but remained connected to the company, working part-time and doing consulting. He reflected on the revitalization of young adult literature in the late 90s and early 2000s, during which he and other writers produced strong works in the genre.
Emergence and Evolution of Young Adult Literature
Steven and Rich discussed the emergence and evolution of Young Adult (YA) literature in the early 2000s, highlighting the contributions of several African American authors. Rich shared his personal journey of writing YA fiction, emphasizing his ability to connect with the teenage mindset. Steven noted the importance of fresh perspectives in the genre, given his own removal from the teenage experience. Rich also mentioned his successful collaboration with Sandra, resulting in notable works like "Muckers" and "Bound by Oath." The conversation underscored the productive partnerships and contributions to the YA literary landscape.
Steven and Rich discussed the emergence and evolution of Young Adult (YA) literature in the early 2000s, highlighting the contributions of several African American authors. Rich shared his personal journey of writing YA fiction, emphasizing his ability to connect with the teenage mindset. Steven noted the importance of fresh perspectives in the genre, given his own removal from the teenage experience. Rich also mentioned his successful collaboration with Sandra, resulting in notable works like "Muckers" and "Bound by Oath." The conversation underscored the productive partnerships and contributions to the YA literary landscape.
Evolving Young Adult Sports Novels
Steven asked Rich about his thoughts on the evolution of young adult sports novels, considering the increasing commercialization and codification of sports. Rich shared his observations that sports have indeed changed significantly since his time, noting that unstructured, outdoor play seems to be diminishing in favor of more organized, competitive sports. He mentioned that he sees this as a potential area for new fiction to explore and shed light on. Rich is currently writing an insights column for the Ncte Journal, exploring this theme further.
Steven asked Rich about his thoughts on the evolution of young adult sports novels, considering the increasing commercialization and codification of sports. Rich shared his observations that sports have indeed changed significantly since his time, noting that unstructured, outdoor play seems to be diminishing in favor of more organized, competitive sports. He mentioned that he sees this as a potential area for new fiction to explore and shed light on. Rich is currently writing an insights column for the Ncte Journal, exploring this theme further.
Nurturing Athletic Potential Through Sports
Steven shared his son's experience as a professional soccer coach for youth leagues in Kansas City. He highlighted the challenge of getting parents to allow their children to develop their skills by passing and redirecting the ball instead of simply kicking it. Rich agreed with Steven's perspective and added that young athletes should be exposed to various sports to sustain their interest and prevent burnout. Steven also shared a story about his wife's father, a former college football player and pitcher, who coached Danny Ainge, a future NFL quarterback, in youth soccer. The conversation underscored the importance of nurturing a child's athletic potential by providing opportunities to explore different sports and develop diverse skills.
Steven shared his son's experience as a professional soccer coach for youth leagues in Kansas City. He highlighted the challenge of getting parents to allow their children to develop their skills by passing and redirecting the ball instead of simply kicking it. Rich agreed with Steven's perspective and added that young athletes should be exposed to various sports to sustain their interest and prevent burnout. Steven also shared a story about his wife's father, a former college football player and pitcher, who coached Danny Ainge, a future NFL quarterback, in youth soccer. The conversation underscored the importance of nurturing a child's athletic potential by providing opportunities to explore different sports and develop diverse skills.
Discussing 'Perpetual Check' and Sports Experiences
Rich and Steven discussed their personal experiences with sports and shared their thoughts on a book about chess and sibling relationships, titled "Perpetual Check". Rich wrote the book based on his own experiences with his two sons and their differing approach to sports and competition. Steven appreciated the book's focus on the psychological aspects of sports and the dynamics between siblings, even though he was not a fan of chess. They both agreed that the book was well-written and deserved more attention, and recommended it for anyone interested in sports and sibling relationships.
Rich and Steven discussed their personal experiences with sports and shared their thoughts on a book about chess and sibling relationships, titled "Perpetual Check". Rich wrote the book based on his own experiences with his two sons and their differing approach to sports and competition. Steven appreciated the book's focus on the psychological aspects of sports and the dynamics between siblings, even though he was not a fan of chess. They both agreed that the book was well-written and deserved more attention, and recommended it for anyone interested in sports and sibling relationships.
Discussing Rich's Novel 'War and Watermelon
Steven and Rich discussed Rich's novel, "War and Watermelon," which is based on Rich's personal experiences during the 1960s. Rich shared that the novel centers around his older brother's resistance to the Vietnam draft and the family's efforts to secure a college deferment for him. Rich also described how the novel draws on his own memories of Woodstock, the Mets winning the pennant, and other cultural touchstones from that era. He emphasized the importance of accurately representing these historical events and the music of the time in his writing.
Steven and Rich discussed Rich's novel, "War and Watermelon," which is based on Rich's personal experiences during the 1960s. Rich shared that the novel centers around his older brother's resistance to the Vietnam draft and the family's efforts to secure a college deferment for him. Rich also described how the novel draws on his own memories of Woodstock, the Mets winning the pennant, and other cultural touchstones from that era. He emphasized the importance of accurately representing these historical events and the music of the time in his writing.
Rich's Writing Journey and Advice
Rich shared his experiences as a writer and electrician, and how he combined both professions to sustain himself. He advised aspiring writers to pursue any opportunity to gain writing experience, whether it's paid or not, and to not take their passion for writing for granted. He also mentioned that he has more writing projects in store and hopes to produce more books in the future. Steven, on the other hand, shared his advice for new writers and praised Rich's work, particularly "Wrestling Sturbridge." The two agreed that writing is a fulfilling endeavor, and they planned to stay in touch.
Rich shared his experiences as a writer and electrician, and how he combined both professions to sustain himself. He advised aspiring writers to pursue any opportunity to gain writing experience, whether it's paid or not, and to not take their passion for writing for granted. He also mentioned that he has more writing projects in store and hopes to produce more books in the future. Steven, on the other hand, shared his advice for new writers and praised Rich's work, particularly "Wrestling Sturbridge." The two agreed that writing is a fulfilling endeavor, and they planned to stay in touch.