The National Writing for Children Center

While Mama Had a Quick Little Chat by Amy Reichert

Writing for Children — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:23:06 +0000

Reviewed by Carma Dutra, Picture Book Reviewer for the National Writing for Children Center

Title: While Mama Had a Quick Little Chat
Author: Amy Reichert
Illustrator: Alexandra Boiger
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Atheneum/Richard Jackson Books (May 17, 2005)
ISBN-10: 0689851707
ISBN-13: 978-0689851704

“While Mama has a quick chat with Uncle Fred, Rose is supposed to be getting ready for bed.” Yeah right. All children know how quick these “quick little chats” can be when they try to get Mama’s attention. Rose’s Mama gave her detailed instructions what to do while she was on the phone.

“Brush your teeth. Wash your face. It’s getting late! I want you in bed by half past eight.”

Rose thought “No problem,” but then the door bell rings and four muscley men appear with a load of party supplies. To no avail Rose calls and calls out to her Mama but she keeps saying she will be through soon, so Rose lets them in.

More people begin to arrive and Rose tries to slam the door but people keep coming with waiters and trays of hors d’oeuvres. Rose can not stop this big party no matter how hard she tries so she decides to join in the fun. Something odd happens when a magician appears.

“Mama!!!” shrieked Rose “Come right now and see!”

“Rose, dear,” said Mama. “Stop Pestering Me!!!”

Finally the band arrives and they need a drummer so Rose steps in and begins to play a boogie beat. When Mama warns she is ready to get off the phone Rose makes sure everyone leaves and take their mess with them. Everyone left and thanked Rose for a fun time. Mama finds Rose fast asleep in her bed and none the wiser as to the big bash that had just happened in her living room.

The story is told in rhyme with an upbeat and steady rhythm and characterizes the impatience children often exhibit while waiting for attention from the parents. Children will appreciate the humor because they will be able to relate to Rose. On the flip side parents will relate to Mama when she becomes irritable as Rose shrieks and begs for attention.

Mama and Rose both have skinny legs and pointy toes with red hair going everywhere. The cartoon type illustrations add a lot sparkle and life to the story. The addition of Rose’s cat in the illustrations adds a bit of amusement as a spectator to the party. This is a splendid book to share with everyone.

About the author: Amy Reichert has a home phone, a cell phone, a speakerphone, a headset phone, and call waiting. She can cook, clean, work in the garden, check e-mail, help with homework, brush her cats, eat, read, exercise, drive, watch TV, feed her fish, and write a book — all while having a quick little chat! She lives with her husband and two children in Bethesda, Maryland.

About the Illustrator: Alexandra Boiger is the illustrator of While Mama Had A Quick Little Chat by Amy Reichert; and Roxie and the Hooligans by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, as well as Doris Orgel’s Doctor All-Knowing, coming in 2008. She lives in San Anselmo, California.

********
Carma Dutra is a freelance writer and children’s author. Learn more about children’s writing tips and reviews of award winning books by visiting Carma’s Window at http://carmaswindow.blogspot.com. Download the free EBooks, Tips for Children’s Writers and Illustrators, and Unite to Write, a compilation of thirteen top expert authors as read at ezinearticles.com, an online article directory.

Alexandra Boiger, Amy Reichert, book review, Carma Dutra, picture book, Quick Little Chat

After the War, Before the Peace by Sharon Poppen

Writing for Children — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:20:25 +0000

All this week, the National Writing for Children Center is hosting Sharon Poppen as part of a virtual tour for her new book, After the War, Before the Peace.

Here’s a summary of her book. Tomorrow, we’ll post an excerpt.

NOTE: This book is definitely for YA and older readers.

After the War, Before the Peace

Follow four South Carolina brothers, post Civil War, attempting to avenge atrocities done under the guise of war. The saga takes them on a journey to manhood, love and peace with respectability.

The story begins as Michael joins his older brothers. In a border town, Michael meets Lita. Despite being sold by her father into a brothel, she guards her body ferociously. She shocks everyone when she throws herself at Michael. Oldest brother Jim works at balancing life on the run with a family living with his mother. A raid unites them with Yankees who are trying to right the wrongs perpetrated on southerner veterans.

Youngest brother Danny loves Deborah, a hometown girl who is a born flirt, anxious for adventure. Danny becomes her dupe in escaping their small town. The rogue Yankee solder that raped their mother is found. Do they become revengers and commit a murder? Surprisingly, it’s Danny’s logic that leads the brothers in their dilemma. Danny’s daughter is born to a terrified wife who ignores her child. The birth plants seeds of concern in Michael about Lita’s ability to bear children. Deborah, left alone for months at a time, finds excitement with a gang of cattle rustlers. She is introduced to sexual escapades she never dreamed existed, but finds she doesn’t want to live without.

The family is brought to Mexico while they petition for an amnesty for their lawless activities. Having the entire family together acerbates Michael’s concerns. He worries about how Lita’s culture and religion will be accepted in the United States. After the brothers risk a trip to Washington, do they get their amnesty? Does Deborah abandon her family? Does Michael throw away a legendary love? Read After the War, Before the Peace to find out. Reader comments include “Has a Gone With the Wind flavor”, “Reminiscent of The Thornbirds” and “Another Lonesome Dove.”

After the War Before the Peace, Sharon Poppen

SIMON SAYS - Tips for the Revision Process

Writing for Children — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:40:57 +0000

SIMON SAYS
A weekly column from children’s author Simon Rose

Whether you’re an established writer or just starting out in your career, there are no right and wrong ways to revise your work. Some people do revisions and edit as they go along, while others insist on finishing the entire piece before they even start to look at any alterations.

The Alchemist’s Portrait went through over twenty versions before it was finally ready, my other novels between five and ten each, I think. However, it isn’t strictly a revision process for me. I don’t just sit down and write the novel from the beginning and work through to the end, although this is what may authors do.

Since writing The Alchemist’s Portrait, I have spent a lot of time on the outlines for my subsequent novels, ensuring the plot is just right before I even start writing the actual book. I spend perhaps six months working on the detailed outline to the story. This outline usually comprises at least one paragraph for each chapter of the book and can be as much as ten thousand words in length. Sometimes during the process, a piece of dialogue or an action sequence begs to be written, because it is rattling around in my head and so I do write that right away, since I can always move it around in the story later on the computer. Planning your book out in this way isn’t for everyone, but I find it works well for me.

revising your manuscript, revision techniques, Simon Rose, Simon Says

An Interview with Author Sharon Poppen

Writing for Children — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:57:17 +0000

The National Writing for Children Center is hosting author Sharon Poppen all this week for a virtual tour for her new book After the War, Before the Peace.

Here is an interview with the author:

Q: What inspired you to write the book?

Sharon Poppen: I’ve always been fascinated with the stories about the U.S. Civil War. For years the story of four brothers circled around my imagination. Slowly, the characters began to individualize themselves to the point where they almost seemed like a memory rather than a fiction story. When that happened, the story of their search for peace after the war literally typed itself.

Q: What are your future goals?

Poppen: My goals are simply to write every day, publish as often as possible and to enjoy life every moment.

Q: Do you any future books planned?

Poppen: Yep, I have six books and one novella completed and ready for publication. The main characters of my first novel, After the War, Before the Peace, are members of the Farrell family. I’m finding that various members of the family are interesting enough to be the ‘star’ in a sequel, so I see many more books to come. In additional to the Farrell sequels, I’ve a novel completed about an Irish girl in the Yukon, another one about a straight man and a gay man who fall in love in the 23rd century and another about three American children caught up in the French orphanage system. I have an ebook western Hannah that is going to print around the first of the year and a story about a returning Vietnam vet finding love. I have over 300 short stories, many of which beg to be expanded into a novel. So yes, I have future books planned.

Q: Do you see a purpose in your book?

Poppen: The purpose in my book(s), is enjoyment – for the reader and for me.

Q: What writer most inspires you? Why?

Poppen: Leon Uris inspired me the most. His characters are so very real. He deftly uses plot to move his characters along, but it is his ability to write characters that can make me laugh, cry, love and hate that draws me to his books and his style. The same can be said for James Michener, Alan Drury, the very early Harold Robbins and Ayn Rand. When you reach ‘The End’ of the books by these authors, you cry because these ‘characters’ are going out of your life and you will miss them.

Q: How do you define your writing?

Poppen: Character driven.

Q: In one sentence—what do you want people to say about your writing in fifty years?

Poppen: Sharon Poppen’s writing brings her readers into contact with characters, places and situations that ring true and enable the reader to ‘participate’ in things the reader never dreamed possible.

After the War, Civil War stories, Sharon Poppen

Meet the Author - Sharon Poppen

Writing for Children — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 03:19:13 +0000

The National Writing for Children Center is pleased to host author Sharon Poppen on this virtual tour for her new book, After the War, Before the Peace.

For the next several days we’ll be presenting short posts to help you get to know Poppen and her work.

Today, meet Sharon Poppen!

Sharon Ann Greene Poppen grew up in Chicago, Illinois in the 1950’s. She is a current resident of Lake Havasu City, AZ and has lived in California and New Mexico over the years. Along the way, she married and raised a son and daughter. A second marriage brought three stepchildren. After years in the telecommunications business, Sharon retired to Arizona and earned an AA in English from the Mohave Community College and is now enrolled in Northern Arizona University working on her BA.

In her spare time, she writes and dotes on her five grandchildren. Sharon’s short stories and poetry has been published in several literary publications. Her work has also received recognition from such prestigious organizations as the Arizona Authors Association where she was awarded a Second Prize in fiction for her unpublished novel Abby and the National League of American Pen Women with an Honorable Mention for her short story A Walk in the Desert. Sharon is currently a member of the Lake Havasu City Writer’s Group and the Society of Southwestern Authors in Tucson, AZ. Her goals are to write, everyday. To publish, as often as possible. To enjoy life, every moment.

To learn more about Sharon Poppen visit her website at www.sharonpoppen.com.

After the War Before the Peace, Sharon Poppen, virtual book tour