Ask the Author: W.C. Mack
Answered Questions (8)
W.C. Mack
I have a lot of favorite books! When I was a kid, I loved Judy Blume Books ("Blubber", "Tales of Fourth Grade Nothing"). I've read some good middle grade books lately, including several Wimpy Kid books, "My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece" and "When You Reach Me".
W.C. Mack
That's a good question! I think that Russell had accepted his role as the non-athletic twin for so long, it didn't cross his mind that he actually had natural ability when it came to basketball. So, when he found some success on the court, he gave the shoes all of the credit. The shoes gave him confidence which, in Russell's case, was "magic".
W.C. Mack
That's a good question! I think that Russell had accepted his role as the non-athletic twin for so long, it didn't cross his mind that he actually had natural ability when it came to basketball. So, when he found some success on the court, he gave the shoes all of the credit. The shoes gave him confidence which, in Russell's case, was "magic".
W.C. Mack
That's a good question! I think that Russell had accepted his role as the non-athletic twin for so long, it didn't cross his mind that he actually had natural ability when it came to basketball. So, when he found some success on the court, he gave the shoes all of the credit. The shoes gave him confidence which, in Russell's case, was "magic".
W.C. Mack
Hi Izzy,
I do have a regular "day job", working for a natural gas company. I work with a lot of great people and the company is very supportive of my writing.
I do have a regular "day job", working for a natural gas company. I work with a lot of great people and the company is very supportive of my writing.
W.C. Mack
That's a very good question! I actually felt sorry for each of them at one time or another. I felt bad for Owen when Russell made the team because it made Owen feel very threatened (like basketball was the only thing on earth he could possibly be good at - which is not true - and Russ was somehow taking it away from him). I also felt sorry for Russ because of Owen's behavior toward him.
This may be an interesting bit of background for you. When I wrote the book, it was originally told entirely from Owen's perspective. My editor suggested alternating between the two brothers from one chapter to the next, so I cut half of it and rewrote it from Russell's perspective. I think it was a very good suggestion and it really improved the book to hear both sides.
Thanks for the great question,
WC Mack
This may be an interesting bit of background for you. When I wrote the book, it was originally told entirely from Owen's perspective. My editor suggested alternating between the two brothers from one chapter to the next, so I cut half of it and rewrote it from Russell's perspective. I think it was a very good suggestion and it really improved the book to hear both sides.
Thanks for the great question,
WC Mack
W.C. Mack
Hi Opie,
I was inspired to write the Athlete Vs Mathlete series after I had a ton of fun writing a hockey series for Canadian readers. I chose basketball because it's a sport with a lot of action and I'd been a Portland Trailblazer fan for a few years. The fraternal twins who are nothing alike were inspired by my best friend's twin brothers, who were always expected to act a certain way and like certain things because of the way they looked. I always thought that was unfair.
Thank you for the question- I hope you enjoyed the series...
WC Mack
I was inspired to write the Athlete Vs Mathlete series after I had a ton of fun writing a hockey series for Canadian readers. I chose basketball because it's a sport with a lot of action and I'd been a Portland Trailblazer fan for a few years. The fraternal twins who are nothing alike were inspired by my best friend's twin brothers, who were always expected to act a certain way and like certain things because of the way they looked. I always thought that was unfair.
Thank you for the question- I hope you enjoyed the series...
WC Mack
W.C. Mack
Hi Robert,
Sorry for the slow response - I've been out of town for a few weeks.
I think a baseball book would be a lot of fun and I do have some ideas for baseball plots, but I'm working on some other projects at the moment.
I'm glad you hear you've enjoyed my books!
W.C. Mack
Sorry for the slow response - I've been out of town for a few weeks.
I think a baseball book would be a lot of fun and I do have some ideas for baseball plots, but I'm working on some other projects at the moment.
I'm glad you hear you've enjoyed my books!
W.C. Mack
W.C. Mack
Hi Jack!
I would love to write another Athlete vs Mathlete book (using bigger words!) in the future, but I am working on some other books at the moment.
I'm glad to hear you have enjoyed the series so much!
I would love to write another Athlete vs Mathlete book (using bigger words!) in the future, but I am working on some other books at the moment.
I'm glad to hear you have enjoyed the series so much!
W.C. Mack
Hi Taylor,
Great question!
I usually start with a short outline of a book, which is just a list of three or four things I'd like to happen in each chapter. I use that outline as a guide while I'm writing the first draft. When I finish writing, I read that draft, making changes as I go. Then I do the same thing again. And again! When I feel ready, I send the book to my editor, who suggests changes. I make the changes, then a copyediter goes through the book to make sure the grammar, puncutation, spelling are correct. The art department designs a cover, the books are printed and then they are shipped to libraries and book stores.
I hope that answers your question! Thank you for asking.
WC Mack
Great question!
I usually start with a short outline of a book, which is just a list of three or four things I'd like to happen in each chapter. I use that outline as a guide while I'm writing the first draft. When I finish writing, I read that draft, making changes as I go. Then I do the same thing again. And again! When I feel ready, I send the book to my editor, who suggests changes. I make the changes, then a copyediter goes through the book to make sure the grammar, puncutation, spelling are correct. The art department designs a cover, the books are printed and then they are shipped to libraries and book stores.
I hope that answers your question! Thank you for asking.
WC Mack
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