Transcript of an Online Chat With Ann M. Martin Hosted by BookSense.com

Hosted by BookSense.com on Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Ann M. Martin says to (12:05):
Hi everyone!

caren says to (12:05):
What was your favorite book and author when you were a kid?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:06):
It's hard to choose one favorite book and author! My favorite genre was light fantasy. I liked the Wizard of Oz books, Mary Poppins, Dr. Dolittle

caren says to (12:06):
Do you carry around a notebook and a pen with you so you can write down any ideas you come across?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:07):
I don't carry one with me specifically to write down ideas, but at home on my desk, I have lots of pieces of paper all over the place with ideas on them

caren says to (12:07):
What is the best part about being an author?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:07):
Well, for me, the best part is making up stories. That's just what I love to do. As an author I get to do hat all the time, and I like being in a fantasy world and creating characters

keh says to (12:08):
HI, this is Ms. Heneman's class. We are reading A Dog's Life. We were wondering if you are going to make a series with this book?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:08):
I'm not going to make a series, but I've had so many requests for a sequel, that I think I may write a companion book at some time.

Ann M. Martin says to (12:09):
Not a sequel, because that would continue Squirrel's story, but instead the companion book would be the story of Squirrel's brother, or the mom

keh says to (12:09):
How did you come up with the ideas for your books?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:09):
The ideas come from all over the place! Sometimes the stories are based on things that actually happened, sometimes I get ideas from reading the newspaper... Some are based on my own childhood. They come from lots of different places

caren says to (12:10):
How did you come up with the characters and places in the Main Street books?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:10):
Flora and Ruby are based on 2 sisters I know. The older sister is quieter and more reserved, and a little more serious. The younger sister, like Ruby, likes to be onstage and in the center of attention.

Ann M. Martin says to (12:11):
The Willets are based on my own parents... The places are made up in Camden Falls, but the Row Houses are based loosely on the Row Houses my mother grew up in Milwaulkee

Ann M. Martin says to (12:12):
(Milwaukee)

keh says to (12:12):
We haven't read the Main Street books yet. What are they about???

Ann M. Martin says to (12:12):
The stories take place in the fictional town of Camden Falls, MA

Ann M. Martin says to (12:12):
They center around 2 sisters, Flora and Ruby, who move to Camden Falls to live with their grandmother after their parents die

Ann M. Martin says to (12:13):
It's about them adjusting to their new lives, and lots of the other people in town

caren says to (12:13):
Are any of the characters in Main Street based on your or people you know?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:13):
Flora and Ruby are based on 2 sisters I know

caren says to (12:13):
How many books are you planning to write in the Main Street series?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:14):
There will be at least 7... I don't know yet if there will be more beyond that, but at least 7!

caren says to (12:14):
I loved reading A Corner of the Universe. Are you planning to write any more books with disabled characters?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:15):
Thanks so much, I'm glad you liked it! I don't think I am going to... I don't have any plans to write future to write books about Hattie or her family

caren says to (12:15):
How do you capture the reader's attention and make them want to read on?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:16):
That's an interesting question...

Ann M. Martin says to (12:16):
I try to keep the story moving with unexpected twists in the plot, I include lots and lots of details about the characters and the settings... I think details make reading more interesting, and I try to write at least some of the times with a sense of humor

caren says to (12:16):
have you ever written an autobiography?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:17):
No, Scholastic published a biography a LONG time ago (like 15 years ago!) but I haven't written an autobiography and I don't plans to right now

caren says to (12:17):
In Main Street, is Camden Falls based on a real town?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:18):
Yes, Camden Falls is loosely based on Woodstock, NY, near where I live. But there are a lot of differences. I also had Princeton, NJ, where I grew up, for inspiration. But it's mostly ficitonal.

Ann M. Martin says to (12:18):
(fictional)

keh says to (12:18):
Why did you choose to be an author?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:19):
My parents read aloud to my sister and me a lot when we were growing up, and I love to read, so I grew up with lots and lots of wonderful childrens books. I always liked to write, so it seemed natural that I would start writing childrens books of my own.

keh says to (12:19):
Is being an author exciting for you?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:20):
Yes, it certainly can be exciting! First of all, I love what I do. I feel very lucky to do what I love to do all day. It's also exciting for me when I get to go to schools or bookstores and meet the kids that read my books.

caren says to (12:20):
Do you have any pets?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:21):
Yes, I have 3 cats, Gussie, Willy and Woodstock. I have 1 dog, Sadie, who was the inspiration for A Dog's Life

caren says to (12:21):
What's the best thing about being any author?

caren says to (12:22):
Where do you write your stories? Do you have one specific place or do you write anywhere?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:22):
I love telling stories and making up stories, so for me it's a lot of fun to spend my time creating imaginary worlds and characters

Ann M. Martin says to (12:23):
I can write almost anywhere as long as it's very, very quiet. Usually, I write in my dining room. I can see outside into the backyard, which I like because I can see the wildlife out there.

keh says to (12:23):
How many books have you written?(Tp)

Ann M. Martin says to (12:23):
Apart from the books in the BSC series, I think there have been about 20

caren says to (12:23):
What are some of your hobbies?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:23):
My favorite hobby is sewing. I love to sew, needlework, knitting.

Ann M. Martin says to (12:24):
Every summer I have a vegetable garden, but my favorite is still sewing. Sewing and needlework figure a lot into the Main Street books!

caren says to (12:24):
As an author what is your typical day like?(Tp)

Ann M. Martin says to (12:24):
I usually get up very early, and I start writing around 8 or 9 in the morning. I write until lunchtime.

Ann M. Martin says to (12:25):
I take a break at lunchtime and walk Sadie, and in the afternoon I either continue writing, or related project like editing a manuscript I've already written, or outlining). At the end of the day I usually answer my mail.

caren says to (12:25):
How do you feel when you get your manuscript back from your editor?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:26):
That's my favorite part of the writing process! I love hearing comments from the editor, that's my chance to make the manuscript better and tighten it. After I finish a story, I don't feel like I have perspective on it, so it's important to me to get my editor's thoughts on it.

caren says to (12:26):
How many times do you revise your work before the book is finished?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:27):
That depends entirely on the book -- A number of years ago, I was writing with Laura Godwin for "The Doll People" -- we wrote it start to finish 5 times! (Tp) Usually I just have one bigger re-write, and then after that smaller editorial changes. But it really depends on the book.

julie says to (12:27):
If you had to pick any other job aside from being an author, what would it be?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:28):
I would really love to own a sewing store or a book store. I know either one would be really hard work, but I think I would really enjoy it.

caren says to (12:28):
I belong to a book club, have you ever been in one? If so, what books have you read recently?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:28):
Yes, I've belonged to the same book club for about 6 years now!

Ann M. Martin says to (12:29):
We read mostly adult books, and the last one that we read was called "Fierce Attachments", and the one before that was a novel called "The History of Love". We did also read young adult book, "Sade" and a kids book, Pam Munoz Ryan's "Esperanza Rising"

keh says to (12:30):
HOw old were you when your first book was published?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:30):
My first book was published in 1983, so I was 28

gk says to (12:30):
My daughter and I belong to a Mother-Daughter book club (for girls in grades 4 - 6 ). Would you recommend this book for the book club

Ann M. Martin says to (12:31):
Absolutely, Main Street would be just right for grades 4 - 6

caren says to (12:31):
Do you have any advice to kids that want to become authors?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:31):
Yes, I have a couple pieces of advice

Ann M. Martin says to (12:32):
One, is to become familiar all different forms of writing (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, journalism, etc.)

Ann M. Martin says to (12:32):
The other is to keep a writing journal, which is just good writing practice -- a journal is a fabulous source for story ideas

caren says to (12:32):
Have you ever had writer's block?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:33):
I don't have writers block very often, because I always outline before I start writing a manuscript. When I have an outline, I know where the story is going, so I don't get stuck that often.

caren says to (12:33):
I just finished reading Main Street and really enjoyed it. When are the next books coming out?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:34):
Thanks! I'm very glad you enjoyed it. The second book will be out in August, and the 3rd will be in October, and the next will be in Spring of 2008... I'm not sure which month yet.

Ann M. Martin says to (12:34):
(month yet)

keh says to (12:34):
What was the first book you published?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:34):
The very first book was Bummer Summer in 1983

caren says to (12:34):
Will you be writing Main Street as long as you wrote The Baby-Sitters Club?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:35):
No, I know for sure I won't be. Unlike in the BSC, where the characters didn't age (They were always 13!) in Main Street the characters are going to age and grow. By the time they reach high school, that seems like a natural end to the story

julie says to (12:35):
Have you always been an author? If not, what was the craziest job you ever held?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:36):
Not always, but I haven't really held any "Crazy" jobs. I've taught, and I've worked with kids who have autism. I did a lot of baby-sitting when I was younger... but I'm afraid there wasn't anything crazy

caren says to (12:36):
How do you feel seeing your name in print?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:37):
It's very exciting! It's very rewarding to know I worked on a project and that it's completed and published, so it's very exciting.

caren says to (12:37):
What was your favorite subject in school?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:37):
I have a couple of favorite subjects, mostly with languages. I liked English class, Writing classes, and I really enjoyed foreign language classes like Spanish and French.

caren says to (12:37):
Are there any similarities between BSC and Main Street?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:38):
There are some -- like the BSC, the Main Street characters are girls, but a bit younger... there are a lot of other strong characters in Main Street that are boys and adults.

Ann M. Martin says to (12:39):
Both series have a big cast -- I think the setting of Main Street is much more important to the series than Stoneybrook to BSC. But both series have stories centering around family and friendship.

julie says to (12:39):
Do you do all your writing on a computer, or do you use pen and paper, too?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:40):
I use both -- when I start, I make all of my notes on hand, I think better when I just scribble the notes down... When I write the outline and the manuscript, I do that on my computer. I do all my editing by hand, on the printed-out pages

keh says to (12:40):
What is your favorite animal?(F)

Ann M. Martin says to (12:40):
I can never choose just one! As far as pets go, I like cats and dogs equally, so I guess they are both my favorites. (L)

caren says to (12:41):
Who is your favorite character out of all the books you've written?

keh says to (12:41):
Thanks for all your answers, we (L) your books!

Ann M. Martin says to (12:41):
I can never choose one favorite! I really like Hattie and Adam in A Corner of the Universe, and Karen from BSC Little Sister was a lot of fun to write about, along with Ruby from Main Street. I very much liked Ellie in Here Today, but I can't really pick a favorite

julie says to (12:42):
In Main Street there's a character Flora and Ruby call Scary Mary... why is she so mean?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:42):
you welcome!

Ann M. Martin says to (12:42):
She's actually not mean! the kids in town think she is because she's a bit strange and reclusive. Not until Flora get to know her better do they realize she's not scary at all, she just very shy.

caren says to (12:43):
Is Min's character in Main Street based on anyone you know?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:43):
No, she's not, but she's named after the grandmother of somebody I know (they also called her Min, short for "in a minute!")... but her character is made up

caren says to (12:43):
Did you ever start a book and not finish it?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:45):
Mostly, no... that's because I always outline first, so if I don't have a good outline at first I won't continue the book. I think once there was one book in the Little Sister series where I got partway but couldn't finish! But that's usually what the outline prevent

caren says to (12:45):
In the past you've collaborated with other authors, how does the writing process differ?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:47):
It really depends on who i'm writing with -- when I was working with Paula Danzinger -- since it was in the format of letters, we didn't have to change our writing style much. She gave me inspiration to write with more freedom

Ann M. Martin says to (12:47):
Working with Laura Godwin, that was a different writing experience and I had never worked on fantasy before, so I learned about writing with a new genre.

julie says to (12:47):
Are you currently working on any sewing projects? If I wanted to get started in sewing, what is something easy for me to begin with?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:48):
Yes, I'm always working on something!

Ann M. Martin says to (12:49):
Right now I'm working on coordinating outfits for my friend that is having twins, so I'm coordinating a little girl outfit and a little boy outfit. (F)

Ann M. Martin says to (12:50):
For an easy project to start with, I think there are a lot of sewing patterns for kids to learn to sew... an easy to start off with would be a pattern for shorts or a skirt. or something a little easier than would be a pillow - but with a pattern you'll have instructions to give you a hand.

caren says to (12:50):
Which store would you like to own on Main Street?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:51):
Definitely Needle and Thread, the sewing store!

julie says to (12:51):
If you could have dinner with any other author 9current or past), who would it be?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:52):
My heavens! That's a hard one. Wow, I would have to love dinner with Harper Lee, who wrote To Kill A Mockingbird. If I couldn't do that, I'd like to have dinner with Stephen King. To Kill A Mockingbird is my all-time favorite book, but I've always liked Stephen King's book and scary stories, so I'd love to meet him sometime.

caren says to (12:52):
How difficult was it to get your first book published?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:53):
For me, it wasn't very difficult to find a publisher, but it took about 3 years to write the book. I was very lucky, I was working in children's publishing at the time and I knew about the different companies and agents. Making the story publishable took a long time though!

julie says to (12:53):
How did you come up with the idea of row houses that all connect on the top floors? That's such a cool idea. Do houses like that really exist?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:55):
The row houses are eight attached houses, and there are probably a lot throughout the country and world. I included them in Main Street because my mother grew up in row houses like that.

Ann M. Martin says to (12:55):
When she was growing up, she and her friends thought that the attics were all connected, but I think that was an urban myth. Of course, that didn't stop them from always looking for that secret door!

caren says to (12:55):
Where did the name King Comma come from?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:57):
I volunteer as a foster caregiver for stray cats, so there's usually at least one foster cat at my house in my home. A few years ago a couple came to adopt a black kitty with a white mark on his forehead. They named it King Comma, and I thought it was a great name and wanted to use it in a book.

caren says to (12:57):
Would you ever write another book in the BSC series?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:58):
I don't have any plans to write another book in the BSC series, but if the editors asked for one and we thought of a great idea, I think I could write one more. But I don't think the series could continue beyond that.

caren says to (12:58):
Have any of your books been made into movies?

Ann M. Martin says to (12:58):
The BSC was made into a movie and also had 13 episodes for television.

julie says to (12:58):
I love Main Street -- thanks so much for writing it, and for answering all my questions!

caren says to (12:58):
Thank you for all your great answers?(F)

Ann M. Martin says to (12:59):
Thanks so much for writing in your questions and I'm glad you're enjoying Main Street! Be sure to check out the new Main Street website also. (www.scholastic.com/mainstreet/)