Me, Skyping with a room packed with 6th graders. Can you tell?

I had a virtual visit today with a wonderful school in Colorado, and I know some of you may want to know how that all went. First, prior to the visit, I definitely made use of the the great tips provided by author/teacher Kate Messner when she hosted a SKYPE visit at her school with Laurie Halse Anderson. What a huge help that was! Thank you!

Skype Author Visit - my view of the students, a little blurry but good enough.

So here’s how I did a virtual visit from my home office in Chicago with about 175 6th graders, hundreds of miles away.

1) First, I worked with the school’s librarian to set up a time for the visit. Our visit was for 45 minutes toward the end of the day. We also discussed making sure the kids had some familiarity of my book PARIS PAN. Reading a few chapters always helps to make the visit way more relevant and gets them pumped up before the big day.

2) About a month before, the librarian also helped coordinate pre-ordering of my books. I sent her pre-order forms and she gave me a spreadsheet of names so I knew to whom the books should be signed. SO HELPUL!  A local bookseller ordered my books. I picked them up, signed them, and included autographed swag with my shipment so the kids would all have something from me after the visit.

2) The school and I set up Skype accounts for the visit. I’ve used Skype before; it’s very easy to work with, but if you’ve never used it, try it out beforehand so you don’t panic if you get disconnected or experience difficulties during your Skype call.

3) We did a test-run right around the time of the school visit–the day before–which helped because I had a decent idea of what our connectivity would be like. There was a slight lag – it seemed like there would be one second before the person on the other side could hear what I was saying.  So that took some getting used to. I had to pause a bit longer than normal for a response.

Before a Skype Author visit

4) Prior to the call, I cleaned up my office a little and put stuff on the walls so the students wouldn’t be looking at total blankness in the background. I also dressed as if I were really about to start writing. (Okay, actually, I upped it a notch by wearing my “neater-looking” hoodie and jeans, instead of a tomato-stained sweatshirt and yoga pants, but it was close enough.)  Ladies: I did wear some make-up even though I normally walk around my house without even a hint of lip gloss. There was no need to totally frighten the kids.

5) I made sure there was enough light in my office.  In Skype, you can test your webcam and get a really good idea of what you look like to your audience.  I positioned my laptop at the right height, opened the blinds, etc. I also turned off my phone so I wouldn’t be interrupted by a random call.

6) I decided on the visuals I would need.  For kids in upper-elementary, I usually have a PowerPoint for in-person visits, but because I was a little freaked by the notion of having to deal with more than one application for this visit, I went old-school and held up actual objects as well as printed pictures. I also jotted down notes and stuck them in front of my computer so I could keep track of my talk.

7) I think it can be frustrating to speak to kids for minutes on end without any feedback whatsoever, and I like to involve them. So during the visit, adults in the room helped me call upon students during the presentation.  So it was nice to be able to ask students questions and call on them with the help of a teacher in the room. In some cases, I couldn’t hear responses, but if that happened, someone near the microphone would repeat back the answer for me. I would also ask group “Yes/No” questions where the whole audience could respond.

Also as Kate suggests, I had the librarian have some kids come prepared with questions to ask me at the end of my talk.  That was really helpful. We were able to get through questions very quickly that way. I wish we had been able to do more though which brings me to my next point.

9) Looking back, I would modify the length of my talk. Things in general moved a bit slower when conversing over Skype.  It  takes a few minutes to get everyone into the groove, etc. There’s a bit more logistics involved. There’s that small Skype delay that happens on both sides. All of that adds up. And, if you are lucky, you will have a SKYPE interruption that will require you to quit out of Skype and restart it.

10) Crowd control went fairly well, thanks to the teachers at the school. I think there was some additional stress on my part because I wasn’t sure how easy it would be to calm down an excited audience if I wasn’t actually there. But I think what  really helped was having teachers set expectations for the kids prior to beginning, like asking them to be patient with the technology, etc. so that if things went wrong, mass hysteria wouldn’t break loose.

Snoop, the best listener around and my biggest critic

11) Finally, I think a unique opportunity that a virtual author visit provides is to show kids the stuff you just can’t bring to an in-person visit. I’ve always dreamed of taking my bunny Snoop along when talking about my writing process, but the logistics of carting around a live animal to a school in another state is insane. So Snoop got to make an appearance at the very end of the visit. The crowd went wild. Note: I’m very glad I saved my bunny for the very last minute, because if I had shown him way up front, the kids would have gone crazy and probably spent the whole talk, wondering when the bunny would be making another appearance. Other things I got to share with the kids: the view from my window, what I kept in my office cabinets, and even the futon I lie on when I get tired of writing.

So all in all, I think the virtual author visit is the wave of the future! What a great way to connect with my audience in the comforts of my own home – no flights and security lines to go through. No stuff to lug around. Schools win, too. No need to pay for travel, lodging, etc. and so many wonderful authors are speaking for reduced fees or even free.

I hope to do many more virtual visits in the future.

But there is one thing I do miss from having an in-person visit – the awesome hugs from fans. Now THAT is kinda hard to replace virtually, so I will keep doing the in-person visits as well, even if I have to leave the bunny behind.

P.S. A big thanks to Dawn Lewallen, Ian Jones, and the students at Stuart Middle School for making history with me for District 27J.  I shall never forget it! Thank you!

Happy virtual-visiting,

Cynthea

Signing a T-shirt at Downers Grove Author Fest

I had a wonderful time visiting the 3rd, 4th, and 6th Graders at Indian Trail Elementary and the 5th graders at Henry Puffer.  The signing at the Downers Grove Public Library was tremendous as well! Thanks to everyone, including Mrs. Box, Mrs. Sanger, and Kathleen March for making it such a fun day!

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Yeehaw! I’ve just learned my debut middle grade novel PARIS PAN TAKES THE DARE is an Oklahoma Book Award finalist. So honored! It’s been great to see PARIS recognized. First, it was  the TeensReadToo Gold Star Award for Excellence, the Cybils and the Texas Lone Star Reading List nomination, and now … Oklahoma Book Award Finalist.  *Over the moon*

Dear Casady,

It was so great to meet you all. What a way to end the school week just before the big storm. The weather was awesome, you all were awesome, and btw, your school is really, really awesome, too.

Who knows the answer?

But I’m not writing to tell you something you already know. I wanted to tell you I really wish I could spend another day playing four-square and hanging out in your classes. I also had a huge hankering to pick up a violin and see if I play a little bit better than Paris Pan does.

Okay, I’ll get more serious for a second. I also wanted to share a few pictures of the event AND just a handful of some of the great letters I got from you (SCROLL DOWN). I hope none of you were kidding about wanting to write because I fully expect a lot of published books coming out of this group!  Remember that statistic I told you. If you don’t think you’ll want to do it now, there’s a REALLY great chance that when you get old like me, you will! (I just figured out what the exact percentage is. 81%!!! of Americans believe they’d like to write a book one day.)

I hope you all start TODAY. Get that head start, or at least keep it in the back of your mind as a possibility. There’s nothing like being able to tell a great story and having other people enjoy them! Also, there’s that small chance you could buy your own island, too.

A special thanks to Carl Albert, Allison Tien, Agnish Chakraburrty, and Aubrey Hermen who took me around campus. Seriously, I would have gotten lost in about 30 seconds and you would have had to fish me out of the lake if you hadn’t been there to watch out for me. I also enjoyed listening to all the scandalous stories you told me about your teachers. (KIDDING!)

Finally, another big thanks to Mrs. Freeland, Mrs. Odom, Mrs. Crossno, Mrs. Larsen, and Mrs. Oswalt.  You all made me feel so welcome! And I’ll never forget the diagramming refresher and the oral language lesson. Very surreal to be in school again. I actually missed being in middle school again. Is that weird or what?!

Now here come the pictures and the letters. Hope to see you again one day, everybody! Thanks again!

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All Purpled Out!

Dear Jarman Elementary,

Wow! I’ve finally read every single one of your notes, and I am really impressed.

You all came up with some great book ideas! Many suggested a sequel to Paris Pan. I might have to do that now that you’ve given me plenty of material to work with. I also LOVE one student’s title suggestion: Paris Pan 2: The Dare Returns. Awesome.

The animal story ideas were amazing, too. I do have a thing for animals – dogs, cats- you name it. Kira, thank you for noticing!

Watch out for a book from me one day featuring an animal as the main character. Maybe Go, the dog from Paris Pan, can get a starring role!

I was very happy to hear some of you think you might write a book one day. When you do, be sure to tell me all about it. I will be the first in line to buy it!

Finally, I wanted to show you pics from the visit and just a few of the many great letters you wrote (scroll down). Wow, seriously, thank you.  Your enthusiasm means so much to me. I hope we’ll see each other again one day.

Happy reading and writing,

Cynthea

Check out those tattoo faces!

P.S. A.J., to answer your question, the best time to write is when you want to write!  There are no rules about when you should write and when you shouldn’t. Write when inspiration strikes!

P.P.S. Tea and A.J., to find out how to get a publisher, do check out my articles at www.writingforchildrenandteens.com. Also Jarman Elementary library has a copy of WRITING FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS: A CRASH COURSE. Check out the chapters on how to find an agent or editor.

P.P.P.S. Lexie, the amount I write a day really depends on how much I can get done. Some days, I can write about eight pages. Some days, I can write only one sentence! (Though usually I can get in at least one paragraph.) If I feel like I am out of ideas or words, I still try to write SOMETHING just to keep the story going. Even if it doesn’t make sense. I know I’ll have to fix it later, but that helps me get to the good parts.  Some days, I just have to stop and start again the next day. Again, there are no rules. Do whatever works for you! If whatever you’re doing doesn’t work, keep trying something else until it does!

P.P.P.P.S. Micah, I live in Chicago, Illinois, but I return often to Oklahoma to visit family!

My last P.S.! A special thank you to Jessica Smith and Patti Pitcock for all of your help in making the visit a great day for everyone. Union rocks! I’m so proud to be a former student!

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Saturday, April 10, 2010 (8:30AM – 12:45PM)
Arlington, OH
Revision 9-1-1 Workshop: Intensive Care for your Work-in-Progress

• Tired of rejections?
• Manuscript stuck?
• Can’t look at your work objectively?

In this intensive 4-hour workshop, author and writing coach Cynthea Liu shows you how to revise your ailing work into submission-shape! You will learn how to quickly identify issues with voice, setting, plot, character through real-life examples, and Cynthea will share smart revision techniques to heal manuscripts as painlessly as possible. She’ll also point out symptoms most people casually push aside that shouldn’t be ignored.

• You must bring a completed or work-in-progress fiction children’s or teen manuscript to the workshop (no magazine stories or poetry, please. Rhyming picture books are okay, though. In fact, bring ‘em on!).
• You are encouraged to submit a first page. Cynthea will read first pages, critique them for you, and select some for ANONYMOUS discussion throughout the workshop.
• You must come with a positive attitude, and you must have skin as thick as a Brontosaurus because Cynthea promises to be 100% candid about your writing.
• You must be prepared to work, learn, and laugh because we will be having some fun!*

Class is limited to 30 participants. This ensures maximum interaction between instructor and student.

Cynthea will also be offering paid manuscript critiques (up to ten double-spaced pages), which includes a written critique AND a 15-minute phone consult. You must turn in your manuscript by 03/10/10.

Snoop

Finally, this workshop is not for just anyone. By attending, you must agree to take The Solemn Critiquee Oath:

• I shall not shed a single tear upon reading my critique
• I shall remember I am asking for only one opinion. That is all.
• I shall not take any comments personally as some of Cynthea’s comments could be perceived as offensive and
• I shall allow Cynthea’s rabbit Snoop to consume the manuscript if he so wishes.

About Cynthea Liu

Cynthea Liu

Cynthea Liu left a career as a technology consultant to become a children’s book writer, proving that anyone, no matter how inexperienced, can write for children if one has the drive and the patience to learn. She obtained a literary agent within her first year as a writer and sold two novels soon after at auction to the Penguin Group (PARIS PAN TAKES THE DARE, Putnam, 2009 and WHAT I DIDN’T TELL YOU, 2011). Her third book sold to Penguin on proposal (THEGREAT CALL OF CHINA, Speak, 2009).

Writing for Children and Teens: A Crash Course

Cynthea is also the author of WRITING FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS: A CRASH COURSE, Pivotal, 2008) and the woman behind the popular web site www.WritingforChildrenandTeens.com where she and her bunny Snoop freely dispense writing advice. They have critiqued over a thousand writing samples from web site followers, and Cynthea has seen some of her most devout tiquees go on to sell their manuscripts, ranging from picture book to YA novels, to major publishing house.

Her long-time critique partner Tammi Sauer (who has sold six picture books in the last three years to Simon & Schuster, Dutton, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and Bloomsbury) calls Cynthea ,”GOLD!”

What the “critiquees” say …

“You critiqued three chapters of my MG story … and your critique was one of the things that inspired me to work on this story last year … Fast forward to this year. I finished the story, sent it to my agent, who sold the story … ” – now published MG author with Roaring Brook Press and Scholastic

“THE most thoughtful critique I’ve ever, ever gotten, and I’ve gotten a lot … lately all I’ve been getting is pats on the back for my WIP, and while they feel great, I knew the first draft of my new story wasn’t perfect … So your comments are so very appreciated.” — now published YA author of three books with G.P. Putnam’s Sons

“ It’s funny the mixture of emotions a crit can make me feel. Kind of hurt/pissed off first when I don’t get an automatic gold star. Then embarrassed at all the mistakes. Humbled. And now … ecstatic. Because you were so right about [X] … just that one pointer I think is going to make this story so much better.” – YA author under-contract with a three-book deal from Hyperion

How to Register

Only online registrations are accepted through the SCBWI-Central and Southern Ohio website. You do NOT have to be an SCBWI member to register. If you would like to receive a critique (to be delivered at the workshop), please make sure you select the correct option.

Click here to register for the workshop (critique optional).
Click here for instructions on how to turn in a first page for anonymous discussion.

Dear Briarglen Elementary,

At Briarglen Elementary

First, I wanted to apologize for taking so long to repond to your thank you notes and letters! I’ve had a crazy last few months, visiting schools, attending conferences, and taking some time out for my family as well. The life of an author can be crazy at times; hope you forgive me!

I read through each of your thank you notes carefully and all the memories of my wonderful visit to Briarglen came back instantly. You were all wonderfully involved in the reader’s theatre and the quiz show and I had such a great time talking to you about writing and reading!

Many of you shared with me ideas for a new book YOU want to write and how much fun you had. I am so glad to hear it!

Also, I wanted to make sure I answered some of the questions you posed in your letters and I’ve also included some awesome pics of the event for you to see. In there, you’ll also see some samples of the great letters you wrote! (scroll down)

Awesome letters in the making!

Visha, my parents did come from China. Take a look at my other video for The Great Call of China to learn more about my family and upbringing. I also only have one daughter. And I did fly from Chicago to Tulsa to see you all!

Mackenzie, the author of A Crooked Kind of Perfect is Linda Urban. And she is a very nice lady! I really enjoyed that book, too. It is one of my favorites.

Hector, I was 28 years old when I started writing my first book for publication. My favorite sport is bowling! (I’m not very athletic.) I also like to ski and rollerblade. I’m 34 years old this year!

Beyonce, thanks for the compliments, and I hope you keep thinking about becoming a writer! Thanks for the note about my makeup, too! I had just bought some new eye shadow and was excited to wear it for the visit!

Andrew, I drink a lot of Diet Dr. Peppers while writing my books. For every book, I probably consume at least 30-60 cans over the course of many months. However, I may need to cut back because all that pop gives me headaches, too! Bah! (I do like my Diet Dr. Pepper though.)

Keila, I hope to come back again one day! It was a lot of fun for me, too. I’m also flattered that you think I am the best author in the world. Authors like to hear words like that!

Finally, a special thank you to Leslie Cohen and Tammy Beadles for putting together such a wonderful event for Briarglen. I so appreciate the opportunity you gave me to share this experience with your students!

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First a heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in the Take the Dare: Show You Care auction launched on the release day for my debut middle grade novel PARIS PAN TAKES THE DARE. Like Paris, we dared to do the unexpected and show where our hearts truly lie. I was so proud to be among hundreds of children’s book writers, editors, agents, and illustrators, raising money for a school in need in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

The effort raised more than $15,000 for Tulakes in just a few weeks. On Sept 16th, I had the pleasure of visiting Tulakes for the first time and delivering a check in the amount of 13,918.09 – funds raised from the auction itself (minus darned paypal fees) and more than a thousand more dollars in donations through DonorsChoose.org to Tulakes and other schools in Oklahoma. Not to mention book donations made directly to Tulakes.
I am so happy to have an update and photos so you can see what your efforts and dollars have done for this school.

Of course, words cannot describe the joy it was to visit the students and teachers of Tulakes personally. Tears were shed, hugs exchanged, and the students had a wonderful time meeting a children’s book author for the first time. And what a fantastic thing it was to meet the teachers who were eager to have the funds to get the kids the tools and resources they deserve to enhance their reading and writing programs!

I, along with the educators and students at Tulakes, thank you!

Enjoy the photos, reliving the experience with me and knowing that the joy continues each time a child opens one of those books that your time, money, and love got for these kids. Think of the insight each child will gain each time they crack open a dictionary to learn the meaning of a new word. Think of the pride each child will have each time they grab a book from their very own sturdy box that bears their name proudly.

**Before Take the Dare: Show You Care**

**After **

Thank you so much!

Cynthea

P.S. By now, everyone should have received their critiques or prizes for the auction. If you have not, and have not made previous arrangements with me, please contact me immediately at dare@cynthealiu.com.

P.P.S. A special thank you to Michele Parham for your tireless efforts in making this happen for Tulakes. Also to Lori, Maddy and Ashley for being such top-notch escorts during the visit; I couldn’t have had a smoother and more enjoyable experience!

P.P.P.S. And finally, a big thanks to all the authors, illustrators, editors, agents, and writers who made this all possible.  The list is too long to re-list so I’m linking to the auction prizes. Wow! What an event it was!

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All Purpled Out!

Dear Washington Irving Elementary,

Thank you so much for making me feel so welcome! I have never seen so much purple in my life. Your bookmarks and cards were amazing. As promised, I am posting some of my favorites here. Actually, I had my bunny Snoop pick them out so don’t blame me if you don’t see yours up there. I thought all of them were pretty amazing. I couldn’t do a better job if I tried myself!

Reading PARIS PAN the right way!

In addition to all of the art, I will never forget your awesome participation in the visit, of course. Plus, there was so much singing and dancing, we could have a made a musical!  Finally, let’s not forget the reading. Nothing cooler than reading in the dark with a favorite pillow and a flashlight.

Thanks again! I hope you big readers out there turn into serious writers. I look forward to reading your books on the shelves one day.

P.S. Mischievous Guys, you rocked. Ashley, thank you for the bracelet!

P.P.S. A big thank you to Mrs. Lemmons for putting together a great visit, and to the 5th grade teachers for sharing PARIS PAN with your students.  Please make sure you give Mrs. Lemmons and your teachers a big hug from me. Also, Mrs. Lemmons, I am still wearing the purple hair everywhere I go. LOVE IT!

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Dear 5th Graders at Independence Elementary,

I had such a great time meeting you on September 9, 2009 and sharing with you why I write. Hopefully, I have helped you think about why you might want to be a writer one day, too.  It’s very hard work, as you saw–you may not even like writing–AND it requires a lot of perseverance.

But there is nothing like being able to tell a good story and sharing it with others.

I hope the students who told me they were writing their own stories will finish them. Work hard, keep writing, and keep revising! I think it is awesome that you guys are getting such a head start. I wish I had known when I was in fifth-grade that I’d become a writer. Think of how many more books I would have out by now!

It was a pleasure meeting all of you!

Special thanks to Ms. Spomer and the third grade students who shared their stories with me in the morning.  Ms. Spomer rocks as always. And of course… Ms. Tosto who helped make it all happen for you guys! The wonderful thank you letters her students wrote demand my response, so here they are….

P.S. Blake, I think that’s a very good idea about the novel you are thinking of.

P.P.S. Ben, you are right on about the Dare.

P.P.P.S. Andrew, suspense is one of my favorite genres, too!

P.P.P.P.S. Happy B-day, Emily and we’ll see about PARIS PAN 2. I still need to finish this one other book first!  Good suggestion though!

P.P.P.P.P.S. Tary, isn’t that interesting about Paolini?  And it was just a summer project. WOW!

P.P.P.P.P.P.S. Kelly, keep working on that book! Dedication is half the battle!

P.P.P.P.P.P.P.S. Elijah, I’m glad to hear it! And I hope I still have 100 more good books in me. That’s a lot of work!

P.P.P.P.P.P.P.P… ..you get the idea.  Chase, family members and fellow classmates make GREAT material. Just be sure to change the names. And make the names really different from the people you know in real life (and don’t tell them you are writing about them unless you think they will think that’s cool).

P.P….S. Samantha,  I’m sooo glad the author visit wasn’t boring. Who likes to listen to boring authors? Not me!  Glad you liked Paris Pan!

P.P….S. Gabby, very interesting title for your book. I hope you write it, and keep writing, and keep revising. Way to go, girl!

P.P….S. Courtney, thanks so much for taking me to the teacher’s lounge. I really hope your story comes along well! I’m glad you got some new ideas for it from the visit. Awesome!

P.P….S. Erin, I loved how you signed your note, “A future author.”  I know that will come true for you one day if you keep writing, revising, and believing!

P.P….S. Averie, I hope you read THE GREAT CALL OF CHINA. It’s a very different book. The kind that might make you cry even. Write me after you read it and let me know if you liked it.

P.P…S. Elle, recurring dreams make great material for books! When I wrote Paris Pan, I would sometimes dream up new scenes in my sleep. So go with that! I hope you write lots and lots of books!

P.P…S. Hanson, Iswai, Joey: I hope you enjoy the rest of PARIS PAN, and those questions during the quiz were really hard, weren’t they? I did that on purpose because I enjoy making you all think! Next time, I will make them even harder. I enjoy watching you all squirm!

P.P…S. Kevin, thank you for the compliment! Now start writing!

P.P…S. Kyle, it would be cool if PARIS PAN were a movie! I’ll have my people talk to your people and see if we can get that going. Actually, PARIS PAN is being considered for film. So please cross your fingers for me!

P.P…S. Supreet, I enjoyed meeting you and I am so glad you think I look like I’m in my 20s! What a compliment! It was an honor to meet you, too.

P.P…S. Conner, I hope my new book comes out, too. But I have to finish writing it first and that could take me a while!  Boo! Enjoy the rest of PARIS PAN!

P.P…S. Robert, thank you for the kind words! Your fan – Cynthea

P.P…S. Tivona, you asked some great questions. Almost all of them are answered in my book WRITING FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS: A CRASH COURSE. But in short–no, you don’t have to have an agent, and the time it takes to become an author varies a lot. It depends on how quickly you write/revise and whether or not you send your book to the right editor at the right time. So check out the Crash Course if you are interested in learning about the details behind the submission process. Good luck with your writing!

P.P…S. Ryan, I LOVE animal stories. Did you know the first book I ever wrote was about animals? I haven’t finished revising it yet, but when I get that one done, I will be soooo excited to see it as a real book.  So I think your plan is a good one. Now write that book!

P.P.S-to-Infinity!  Thank you, Ms. Tosto, for having me out to see the fifth grade. The day was wonderful and you helped make it special for everyone!

Kids, did you hear that? You should all be clapping for Ms. Tosto now. *Clap, clap, clap—Huzzah!* I hope to see you all again one day!

Your fan,

Cynthea