Ask the Author: Ruth Campbell
Answered Questions (7)
Ruth Campbell
I don't have an official reading list, but I do have several stacks of books, waiting to be read. Most likely, I'll continue to read and enjoy Barbara O'Connor's lovely fiction tales. I also have collections of stories such as MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME and 21PROMS that I'm eager to get to. But, to be honest, most of my time will probably be spent writing a new book myself (a ridiculous YA comedy) and trying to sell another book that I'm finishing off now (an upper middle grade "magical realism" story). Anyway, I hope everyone has a wonderful summer, and don't forget to put on sunscreen!
Ruth Campbell
It evolved. Initially, I was going to write a brief book for fifth graders about a 10-year-old Minnesota farm girl and a 10-year-old British boy/evacuee and the high jinks that they got up to together during WWII. But, in my mind, the girl had an older sister who hated the little boy because he was safe with them while their father was overseas, protecting the boy's homeland. I quickly realized that I wasn't interested in the "high jinks" story, but WAS interested in the teen girl and Brit boy's conflict. And, since I didn't know anything about Minnesota farm life, I shifted the new story to nearby Pasadena. And voila!
Ruth Campbell
When there are characters I'm interested in, I can hardly wait to see what they're going to do or say and I'm eager for other people to see what happens to them, too.
Ruth Campbell
A short, contemporary YA novel that has a Twilight Zone-y thing going on.
Ruth Campbell
Edit rewrite edit rewrite edit rewrite edit rewrite edit rewrite edit rewrite. And don't get a college degree in writing. Get a degree in something that will pay the bills until your writing sells.
Ruth Campbell
Not having to get up early in the morning and go to a job where my overpaid boss gets to treat me like I'm worthless.
Ruth Campbell
I don't let it stop me. If I come to a part of a story that I'm writing and I don't know what to say, I'll do something like this: //describe room//. Then I'll write whatever I think should come after it and I'll deal with the bits I've skipped over at some other point!
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