On one of my procrastinatory meanderings about the Internet, I came across a reference to a referendum soon to be held in Arizona. If passed, it will require that at least 65% of the operating budget of any school district be spent on "in the classroom" activities. (The national average is apparently something on the order of 61% - the difference amounts to billions that, it is said, could be spent on teacher salaries.). An organization called "First Class Education" is apparently behind this.
Since I do not intend this to be a political blog, I decline to say whether I think this specific policy implementation is a good idea. One thing, however, particularly struck me as being a bit odd. The First Class Education web site describes what it considers to be an "in the classroom activity," which they claim is based on some definition provided by the National Center for Education Statistics:
The National Center for Educational Statistics definition of “in the classroom spending” appears below. Generally, if the expenditure has to do with direct instruction of students in any form, from learning to read a book, read music, read Braille, to learning to read a football pass protection pattern, the expenditure is counted as being an “in the classroom” expense.
“In the Classroom”
Classroom Teachers, Personnel
General Instruction Supplies
Instructional Aides
Activities -- Field Trip, Athletics, Music, Arts
Tuition Paid to Out-of State Districts &
Private Institutions for Special Needs Students
"Outside the Classroom”
Administration
Plant Operations & Maintenance
Student Support -- Nurses, Counselors
Food Services
Instructional Support including Librarians
Teacher Training & Curriculum
Transportation
Note the highlighted portions.
Huh? Libraries aren't "in the classroom," but sports are?! Other than phys. ed., aren't "athletics" universally considered an extracurricular activity?
Thursday, April 21, 2005
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
"Go not to the elves for counsel...
for they will say both no and yes."
If you can identify the (a) the source and circumstances of the quote (within an acceptable degree of precision) and (b) the typo in the original, thou art a geek forever (and not [necessarily] of the chicken-head-biting-off kind).
I tend to think of this quote when asked how I go about writing.
Often, beginning writers are more than merely curious about my admittedly idiosyncratic methods. Some seem to feel that there is a "magic rule" to writing a novel - that if they simply uncover the magic rules they will have a novel. And a good one, too. In truth, of course, there is no such magic pill. What works in one situation will not necessarily work for another. Kind of like building a bridge.
Recently, I was asked whether I start with a character and then write to allow the plot to develop, or start with the plot and then let the characters develop.
The answer: a little of both. I'll start out with a situational idea (e.g., the Galileo story in junior high or a vegan in a deli) that has a beginning and an end, but nothing remotely resembling a plot outline. I will, however, populate the situational idea with relatively well-developed characters. I'll then write a first draft.
Like those of Hemingway, my first draft will be [insert scatalogical metaphor]. I will then go back and work out the problems in the plot. Once this is done, the characters go back and make it work.
Easy as pi.
If you can identify the (a) the source and circumstances of the quote (within an acceptable degree of precision) and (b) the typo in the original, thou art a geek forever (and not [necessarily] of the chicken-head-biting-off kind).
I tend to think of this quote when asked how I go about writing.
Often, beginning writers are more than merely curious about my admittedly idiosyncratic methods. Some seem to feel that there is a "magic rule" to writing a novel - that if they simply uncover the magic rules they will have a novel. And a good one, too. In truth, of course, there is no such magic pill. What works in one situation will not necessarily work for another. Kind of like building a bridge.
Recently, I was asked whether I start with a character and then write to allow the plot to develop, or start with the plot and then let the characters develop.
The answer: a little of both. I'll start out with a situational idea (e.g., the Galileo story in junior high or a vegan in a deli) that has a beginning and an end, but nothing remotely resembling a plot outline. I will, however, populate the situational idea with relatively well-developed characters. I'll then write a first draft.
Like those of Hemingway, my first draft will be [insert scatalogical metaphor]. I will then go back and work out the problems in the plot. Once this is done, the characters go back and make it work.
Easy as pi.
Trust your reader...
Readers are not stupid. If they do not know what a word is, they can infer its meaning from context or (gasp) look it up.
Note that this post is also related to my post on Research.
Think of trusting your reader as an aspect of being true to your character (not you, personally, the ones in your book). Your character will know stuff you don't, and also stuff you (or the reader) don't necessarily need to know. That's what makes a well-rounded character -- if there weren't this idea that he has a depth beyond that which is presented, he won't seem realistic.
For example, toward the end of NINJAS, I have a scene in which Elias comes home, his father is sawing away at the cello, and Elias observes that something to the effect that "Beastmaster VII ran downstairs and hid under the Flemish double harpsichord."
Now, a harpsichord is a fairly unusual instrument (these days). A Flemish double harpsichord is even more unusual. However, Elias doesn't think anything else about it, does not explain why on earth the family would own a Flemish double harpsichord, or even tell the reader what a Flemish double harpsichord is. He just goes upstairs to confront his father.
He does not expalin because he would not explain. To him, the Flemish double harpsichord is as much a part of the background as a televison set.
Trust your reader.
Note that this post is also related to my post on Research.
Think of trusting your reader as an aspect of being true to your character (not you, personally, the ones in your book). Your character will know stuff you don't, and also stuff you (or the reader) don't necessarily need to know. That's what makes a well-rounded character -- if there weren't this idea that he has a depth beyond that which is presented, he won't seem realistic.
For example, toward the end of NINJAS, I have a scene in which Elias comes home, his father is sawing away at the cello, and Elias observes that something to the effect that "Beastmaster VII ran downstairs and hid under the Flemish double harpsichord."
Now, a harpsichord is a fairly unusual instrument (these days). A Flemish double harpsichord is even more unusual. However, Elias doesn't think anything else about it, does not explain why on earth the family would own a Flemish double harpsichord, or even tell the reader what a Flemish double harpsichord is. He just goes upstairs to confront his father.
He does not expalin because he would not explain. To him, the Flemish double harpsichord is as much a part of the background as a televison set.
Trust your reader.
Monday, April 18, 2005
I met Claire!
Who's Claire? She wrote this review of Ninjas, Piranhas, and Galileo. Won a contest for it, too. Obviously, she's an individual of discerning taste and formidable intellect.
Cyn and I had the pleasure of attending an open house at the Howson Branch of the Austin Public Library last Saturday. Claire was one of the attendees.
We had a great time. In addition to the general public, there were several "adult" authors, as well, and they offered our books for sale. Good turnout, too.
Cyn and I had the pleasure of attending an open house at the Howson Branch of the Austin Public Library last Saturday. Claire was one of the attendees.
We had a great time. In addition to the general public, there were several "adult" authors, as well, and they offered our books for sale. Good turnout, too.
Monday, April 11, 2005
I'm appalled...
Really.
Okay, my wife will tell you this is not an unusual condition. But, I just heard on the radio that "Sesame Street" is re-working the Cookie Monster ("CM") in response to the "obesity crisis." Cookie Monster, of course, was the blue muppet with the googly eyes who had the all-cookie diet and the sublime theme song "C is for cookie." Apparently, the folks at Children's Television Workshop are going to be having CM assert (and put to music) that "cookies are a sometimes food." AAAAGHH!!!
Several things are deeply wrong with this. First, CM never actually ate the cookies. After all, he is a muppet, made of various types of cloth. When he seized the cookies, he generally made a mess and scattered the things across the set, but never actually ingested the things via his "mouth." (As a child, I noticed this, and had/have enough of my parents in me to think that this was a waste – I will concede that possibly I am not representative). Second, it is completely not in character that CM would, after a lifetime (35+ years) of deriving sustenance from the most elegant and efficient of confections, that he would suddenly and arbitrarily have an epiphany and utterly reject his favorite. Third, what's next? I think it can be asserted without fear of contradiction that unhygienic living conditions have killed more people than obesity. Oscar the Grouch lives in a garbage can. Are they going to have him move to a gated community in the suburbs and actually bathe regularly? Or maybe they should quarantine Big Bird because after all, he may be susceptible to bird flu?!
Okay, my wife will tell you this is not an unusual condition. But, I just heard on the radio that "Sesame Street" is re-working the Cookie Monster ("CM") in response to the "obesity crisis." Cookie Monster, of course, was the blue muppet with the googly eyes who had the all-cookie diet and the sublime theme song "C is for cookie." Apparently, the folks at Children's Television Workshop are going to be having CM assert (and put to music) that "cookies are a sometimes food." AAAAGHH!!!
Several things are deeply wrong with this. First, CM never actually ate the cookies. After all, he is a muppet, made of various types of cloth. When he seized the cookies, he generally made a mess and scattered the things across the set, but never actually ingested the things via his "mouth." (As a child, I noticed this, and had/have enough of my parents in me to think that this was a waste – I will concede that possibly I am not representative). Second, it is completely not in character that CM would, after a lifetime (35+ years) of deriving sustenance from the most elegant and efficient of confections, that he would suddenly and arbitrarily have an epiphany and utterly reject his favorite. Third, what's next? I think it can be asserted without fear of contradiction that unhygienic living conditions have killed more people than obesity. Oscar the Grouch lives in a garbage can. Are they going to have him move to a gated community in the suburbs and actually bathe regularly? Or maybe they should quarantine Big Bird because after all, he may be susceptible to bird flu?!
Saturday, April 09, 2005
Book People, Anne Bustard, Kurt Cyrus
Today was the signing for author Anne Bustard and illustrator Kurt Cyrus's Buddy, a picture book biographical tale of Buddy Holly.
Anne, Kurt, and Book People put on a great show, filled with a reading, music, Buddy Holly glasses, and an art sale (of the original watercolors). Prominent attendees included illustrator Don Tate, authors April Lurie, Julie Lake, Brian Yansky, Phil Yates, Annette Simon, and Jane Peddicord; numerous members of SCBWI Austin; and former employees and owners of the much-missed Toad Hall Bookstore.
Anne, Kurt, and Book People put on a great show, filled with a reading, music, Buddy Holly glasses, and an art sale (of the original watercolors). Prominent attendees included illustrator Don Tate, authors April Lurie, Julie Lake, Brian Yansky, Phil Yates, Annette Simon, and Jane Peddicord; numerous members of SCBWI Austin; and former employees and owners of the much-missed Toad Hall Bookstore.
Friday, April 08, 2005
Blogging TLA...
Today concludes the Texas Library Association Annual Conference, held here in Austin for the first time in some forty years.
Highlights included:
Teri Lesesne booktalking new MS/HS literature, including TOFU AND T.REX. The complete list is at her Goddess of YA Literature blog.
The panel on Humor in Multicultural Literature, with Alex Sanchez, Roger Leslie, Cynthia Leitich Smith, me, and moderated by Victor Schill. (Thanks to Victor's good offices, there are also plans to do a similar panel at ALA this summer in Chicago.).
The poetry slam panel, moderated by Sylvia Vardell, and including Lee Bennett Hopkins, Janet Wong, and Walter Dean Myers.
Dinner at The Bitter End, with my editor, Amy Hsu, and the folks at Little, Brown.
More notes on TLA are at Cyn's blog.
Highlights included:
Teri Lesesne booktalking new MS/HS literature, including TOFU AND T.REX. The complete list is at her Goddess of YA Literature blog.
The panel on Humor in Multicultural Literature, with Alex Sanchez, Roger Leslie, Cynthia Leitich Smith, me, and moderated by Victor Schill. (Thanks to Victor's good offices, there are also plans to do a similar panel at ALA this summer in Chicago.).
The poetry slam panel, moderated by Sylvia Vardell, and including Lee Bennett Hopkins, Janet Wong, and Walter Dean Myers.
Dinner at The Bitter End, with my editor, Amy Hsu, and the folks at Little, Brown.
More notes on TLA are at Cyn's blog.
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
Interview with me on Ninjas...
I finally did my "Story behind the Story" interview on Ninjas, Piranhas, and Galileo for Cyn at her blog.
Enjoy.
Enjoy.
Sunday, April 03, 2005
Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II died yesterday. While I'm not Catholic, I'm a native of Chicago, a city that has more people of Polish ethnicity than any city in the world other than Warsaw. (For those interested, PBS's American Experience series did a show called "God Bless America and Poland, too"). I still remember both when John Paul II was shot and when he went to Chicago -- believe me, both were big deals. For his lengthy service and his anti-communism, he deserves honors.
As I said, I'm not Catholic, so the thing I associate most with John Paul II (other than going to Poland during the height of the Cold War and facing down Gen. Jaruzelski (sp?)) is somewhat secular and, well, literary: When I was a teenager, I read a novel by Morris West called "The Shoes of the Fisherman." It was published sometime during the 1960s (I believe), and it featured the first non-Italian pope in some 400 years. He was a fierce anti-communist from eastern Europe. Poland? No. The Ukraine, which was pretty close. I found it oddly prescient and a little creepy in the same way that I regard the guy who, circa 1900, wrote the novel about the "unsinkable" ocean liner called "Titan" that hit an iceberg...
As I said, I'm not Catholic, so the thing I associate most with John Paul II (other than going to Poland during the height of the Cold War and facing down Gen. Jaruzelski (sp?)) is somewhat secular and, well, literary: When I was a teenager, I read a novel by Morris West called "The Shoes of the Fisherman." It was published sometime during the 1960s (I believe), and it featured the first non-Italian pope in some 400 years. He was a fierce anti-communist from eastern Europe. Poland? No. The Ukraine, which was pretty close. I found it oddly prescient and a little creepy in the same way that I regard the guy who, circa 1900, wrote the novel about the "unsinkable" ocean liner called "Titan" that hit an iceberg...
Friday, April 01, 2005
PINNED
Pinned, by Alfred C. Martino (Harcourt, 2005). Martino's first novel, Pinned, offers the story of two wrestlers, Ivan Korske and Bobby Zane, and their respective quests to win the New Jersey State Wrestling Championship. Ivan, a driven outcast at a middle class school (his only friend is Shelley, the girl next door), is mourning the death of his mother and desperately needs to win to land a scholarship to college in Arizona, as far away from his hometown as possible. Bobby, from an upper middle class family (his parents are a lawyer and a real estate agent) finds his focus on the mat even as his parents' marriage is dissolving, and he discovers that having sex with his girlfriend can have consequences. Martino, a former wrestler and wrestling coach, adroitly captures the grit and passion of the sport as the wrestlers strive for victory and to make weight.Also of interest to fans of wrestling: Wrestling Sturbridge, by Rich Wallace (Knopf, 1996)(scroll down for mini-review)
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