Ask the Author: Shelley Pearsall
Answered Questions (6)
Shelley Pearsall
Hello Darsh,
Thank you for writing to me about Trouble Don't Last. I'm so glad to hear that you loved the book and that it is a tradition to read it at Avon Middle School each year. I remember visiting your school in past years I think. I would be happy to donate a Q&A/virtual visit with your classroom if your teacher would like to reach out to me. I live in Scotland now, so that's why I don't do in-school visits any longer. If she wants to schedule a virtual visit with me, she would need to write to me using the contact form on my website: www.shelleypearsall.com. Thanks again for writing! And keep on reading -- Shelley Pearsall
Thank you for writing to me about Trouble Don't Last. I'm so glad to hear that you loved the book and that it is a tradition to read it at Avon Middle School each year. I remember visiting your school in past years I think. I would be happy to donate a Q&A/virtual visit with your classroom if your teacher would like to reach out to me. I live in Scotland now, so that's why I don't do in-school visits any longer. If she wants to schedule a virtual visit with me, she would need to write to me using the contact form on my website: www.shelleypearsall.com. Thanks again for writing! And keep on reading -- Shelley Pearsall
Shelley Pearsall
Hi Ilyas,
Gosh...that is a tough question. I'm not sure I can narrow my list to Top 10 of all-time, but here are 11 of my favorites for youth, not in any particular order.
1. Harry Potter (2nd book)
2. Holes
3. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
4. Out of the Dust
5. Zlata's Diary
6. The Giver
7. Wonder
8. Single Shard
9. The Great Gilly Hopkins
10. Moonbird
11. The Watsons Go to Birmingham
Gosh...that is a tough question. I'm not sure I can narrow my list to Top 10 of all-time, but here are 11 of my favorites for youth, not in any particular order.
1. Harry Potter (2nd book)
2. Holes
3. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
4. Out of the Dust
5. Zlata's Diary
6. The Giver
7. Wonder
8. Single Shard
9. The Great Gilly Hopkins
10. Moonbird
11. The Watsons Go to Birmingham
Shelley Pearsall
Just like kids, each book is unique -- so I can't say I have an overall favorite, but I do have favorite things...and least favorite things...about each one. I can say that each book has surprised me and changed me as a person and as a writer, which is one of my favorite parts of being an author.
Shelley Pearsall
I feel a lot of different emotions when I write...it often depends on the scene I am writing, or on how challenging the writing is on that particular day. Joy, surprise, sadness, frustration, wonder...all of these emotions are part of the writing experience -- sometimes in the same day! Boredom is the only emotion I try to avoid when writing...if I'm bored with what I'm writing, than I can usually predict that readers will be too. Thanks for your questions!
Shelley Pearsall
Hi Chris,
I enjoyed visiting your school last year! When people admire my work, it means a lot to me because writing is such a solitary task. You never know if what you are writing will connect with readers in the way you hope it will -- there are a lot of doubt-filled days -- and so, when readers respond positively to a story and characters, it makes me feel both relieved and proud that the writing worked its magic again.
I enjoyed visiting your school last year! When people admire my work, it means a lot to me because writing is such a solitary task. You never know if what you are writing will connect with readers in the way you hope it will -- there are a lot of doubt-filled days -- and so, when readers respond positively to a story and characters, it makes me feel both relieved and proud that the writing worked its magic again.
Shelley Pearsall
Thanks for your question, Alyssa! I generally try to keep violence to a minimum in my books, but if you are looking for suspense and tension, I'd suggest my book, Crooked River, which is about a murder trial on the frontier.
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