Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Hanging out with Lauren Oliver

So last night Lauren Oliver stopped in Philly at Children's Book World to talk about her new middle grade novel LIESL AND PO. I love hearing Lauren speak about her writing. One of the things that always stands out to me is her view of story-lines, character arcs and deciding on projects. She doesn't confine herself to a genre, or even an age group--switching from YA to MG, and she said she's working on an adult novel... What draws her to story, or rather compels her to write each story is a journey her character needs to go on, one that is usually personal to her as well so she has an opportunity to grow with each character. I LOVE that!
Lauren Oliver (BEFORE I FALL, DELIRIUM, LIESL & PO) and K.M. Walton (CRACKED)

I really believe stories have a huge potential for healing and growth and have often found myself writing questions that not only do my characters need answers to, but that I need answers to as well.

3/4 of the First Novels Club and Lauren Oliver (Donna, Lauren, Sara, Me)

And the other awesome part of last night was hanging out with my some of favorite Philly writers and bloggers--we're really building such an amazing community here--I'm kind of in love with us. During the signing I hung out with Jamie who I adore from Perpetual Page Turner who also has a recap of last night posted, as well as Sara and Donna from the First Novels Club (SQUEEZE-LOVE), Jenna and Lillie (the greatest pair of sisters who write and blog), and I got to meet blogger Vi!


Me, Sara, Jenna, Donna, Lauren, Jamie, Lillie
Afterwards, Donna, Sara and I stayed looooong after Children's Book World closed to chat with our friend K.M. Walton (CRACKED, 1/12). We may have frozen a few of our outer limbs in the process, but the conversation was SO fun!

4 comments:

  1. I really wish more authors would come to my neck of the woods! Montana isn't a big draw for them. LOL. :-)

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  2. Oh I was so sad I missed this one. Looks like you guys had a great time!!

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  3. Despite getting lost on my way there and only hearing the tail end of Lauren's talk, I still had a GREAT time. Talking books and writing with you, Sara and Donna out back was fantasitc (even though my teeth chattered my whole drive home ; )

    I love that bookstore and will definitely be back!

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  4. Gosh, I wish I could have been there! Coincidentally, I just finished reading the book and loved it.

    Looks like you all had a great time.

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Thanks for commenting!