If you want to be a writer, you should write as often as you can. Most writers begin with a first draft that has many spelling and grammar errors. In addition, there may be places where the story doesn’t make sense, or where something has been left out. But that’s okay. Writing the first draft is a time to get all of your ideas out.
After the first draft is completed, it's time to revise. Try reading your draft aloud to someone else. Listen for mistakes, and then ask what they liked and didn’t like. Notice when they laugh or when they look bored. Then make your changes accordingly. Check the spelling of words you are not certain. Remember your main character should need or want something very much, have obstacles in his or her way, and be able to find some kind of solution to solve their problem. After you have completed all of your revisions, write another draft of your story. Some writers have been known to write more than ten drafts of the same story!
NEWS & EVENTS
The Year the Swallows Came Early is now a Bank Street Best Book for 2010.
Bookpage has named The Year the Swallows Came Early as one of the Ten best middle grade novels of 2009.
The Year the Swallows Came Early has been named by Booklist as a Top Ten First Novels for Youth in 2009.
The Year the Swallows Came Early is now a California Readers Collection List selection for 2010
The Year the Swallows Came Early has been nominated by SCIBA (Southern California Independent Booksellers Association) for their annual book awards.
Kathryn will be attending the 39th annual SCBWI summer conference from July 30-August 2, 2010.
MEET KATHRYN
When Kathryn was thirteen, her mother sent her to New York to visit her grandmother, who was a science fiction author. After seeing how her grandmother created the characters in her books, Kathryn decided that she, too, wanted to become a writer.