Interview with Young Author Marina Baker

I am so excited to feature an interview today with young author Marina Baker, who I have been honored to know for a few years now. She has participated in Write On's Summer & Winter Writing Camps and she is also a featured author in Dancing With The Pen II. 

Marina is a prolific and talented writer and has already published a collection of poetry titled Sock Drawer. Now, she is celebrating the publication of her novel Escape Reality, which is available on Amazon here. 

Read on for Marina's insights about the writing process, finding inspiration, going after your goals, and publishing your work!

Marina and her brother, Miles, in Colorado.

What would you like readers to know about you as an introduction?

My name is Marina Baker. I am in ninth grade and I live in Ventura, California. Some of my other hobbies, besides writing, are swimming and reading.

How did you get your idea for Escape Reality? Take us through your writing process. 

I got the idea for Escape Reality when my mom said that I had a little inner monster inside me after I got really mad when doing yard work. I thought that this would be really cool if I actually turned into a monster, which happens to the main character of Escape Reality, Lily.

What do you like most about writing? 

What I love most about writing is the fact that I can create a whole new world that can be my own. I also love that I can possibly inspire other people, just like how I was inspired by some of my favorite authors.

Marina, you are quite amazing because at your young age, this is already your second published book! (Your first, Sock Drawer, was a wonderful collection of poems!) How was writing and publishing Escape Reality different from the writing and publishing experience of Sock Drawer? 

I think that when I self-published Sock Drawer I was new to the world of publishing. One big difference was that my parents and I really had to set up the font size and page breaks, everything like that. When publishing Escape Reality I didn't have to worry about that as much, because the book was published as a Kindle eBook. I think that both experiences were very important and memorable. 

Do you have any advice for other writers, or for other young people going after their dreams? 

For other authors, I would say to keep working for your goals. If I had scrapped all of Escape Reality because of the first page, I wouldn't be where I am now. For other young people, I would say the same. Go with your gut and keep pushing because you are going to achieve great things. 

Can you share a few of your favorite books or authors? 

One of my favorite books is the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling. I really look up to JK Rowling and think that she is an amazing author. Another one of my favorites is the Selection series by Kiera Cass. I would definitely recommend both of them.

What inspires you? 

I am really inspired by other writers as well as my cat, Chanel. I also really like to write about magic and far off places.

What are you working on now? What’s next? 

Right now I am working on a story about an escaped prisoner. I don't really know how it is going to pan out, but I really like it so far, and I hope that I can stick with the story.

Anything else you’d like to add? 

Some other things about me: I am addicted to Harry Potter books. I just love the story so much!!!


Links:

• Order Marina's book Escape Reality here.
• Learn more about Dancing With The Pen II here.

New Story by "Dancing With The Pen II" Contributor Vivek Bellam

Today we continue our Dancing With The Pen II blog tour with an exclusive extra story by young writer Vivek Bellam, whose story "Battlebots" is featured in the book. Order a personalized copy of Dancing With The Pen II: a collection of today's youth writing here or on Amazon here.

Dogs Can Write?!

by Vivek Bellam

My dog Lillipup walked over to me with a pen in her mouth. Lillipup is a golden brown color. She is small, has floppy ears, and a peacock tail, and she is four years old.

“Lillipup,” I said, “give the pen to me.”

Lillipup ignored me and walked over to a piece of paper that had dropped on the floor. She clicked the blue pen and, when the ink touched the paper, everything she wanted to say to me appeared on the paper like magic.

The pen wrote, Hey Vivek. I want my teddy bear. Do you know where mom put it? 

The teddy bear is Lillipup's toy that she found when we went to visit our cousins. She liked the toy so much that we decided to bring it back home with us. Before long, Lillipup had ripped off an ear of the bear. Now the area where one ear used be is sewn together. The bear is small, has no accessories, and is the same golden color as Lillipup's fur.

When Lillipup dropped the pen, I picked it up, and wrote down what I wanted to say to her, hoping she would understand it.

I wrote back, I don't know where Mom put your bear. Also, do you remember when we adopted you? 

When we first adopted Lillipup, I didn't like dogs. When my sister came back from looking at puppies, there was a certain dog she wanted me to see. As soon as I saw Lillipup, I immediately wanted to play with her.

I didn't know if Lillipup could read the words I wrote down, but somehow, she understood. When I gave the pen back to her, she wrote, You can keep the pen. And I do remember that. Why were you scared of dogs?

I nearly shouted it, but I whispered, “Street dogs bit dad in India once and he got an infection, but I was never scared of you. Thanks for the pen, Pup. I'll write more to you later!”

With that, off I went to my room with my new blue Pilot G-2 07 magical clicking pen.

-------

Vivek Bellam is a ten-year-old fifth grader who lives in California. 

Links: 

Order Dancing With The Pen I & Dancing With The Pen II directly (personalized copies available!) or via Amazon.

If you have a few minutes and could write a review on Amazon, that would be fantastic!

You can also follow Dancing With The Pen on Facebook. We're featured on Goodreads, too!

New poem: "Christmas" by Adele Carcano

Today we continue our Dancing With The Pen II blog tour with an exclusive extra poem by young writer Adele Carcano, whose piece "Because" is featured in the book. Order a personalized copy of Dancing With The Pen II: a collection of today's youth writing here or on Amazon here.

Christmas

by Adele Carcano

Christmas
Jingle Bells, mistletoe, Christmas trees and joy
but not without him
he makes it better

Jingle Bells, mistletoe, Christmas trees and joy,
hot chocolate, marshmallows, blankets made of snow,
he makes it better
because without him there would be no...

Hot chocolate, marshmallows, blankets made of snow,
but not without him
because without him there would be no
Christmas.

-------

Adele Carcano lives in sunny California and enjoys volleyball, playing cello and writing! 

Links: 

Order Dancing With The Pen I & Dancing With The Pen II directly (personalized copies available!) or via Amazon.

If you have a few minutes and could write a review on Amazon, that would be fantastic!

You can also follow Dancing With The Pen on Facebook. We're featured on Goodreads, too!

Interview with Young Author Rosalie Chiang

Rosalie Chiang is a talented young writer with two stories featured in Dancing With The Pen II. On top of that, she has recently published her own book, A is for Albatross: Birds A to Z. This beautifully written and illustrated collection of poetry is as fun as it is informative. Children of all ages -- and adults, too! -- will love this book. You can order it on Amazon here. Read on for Rosalie's thoughts about reading, finding inspiration, and the writing process!

Can you tell us a bit about yourself? 

My name is Rosalie Chiang. I am ten years old, in sixth grade, and I live in Fremont, California. I love reading, gardening, cooking, and of course writing poetry. I am homeschooled and have won 2nd place once and 3rd place twice in two national level poetry contests for homeschoolers.

Describe your book and how you got the idea to create it. Take us through your writing process.

Last year, I got an idea of finding birds for each letter of the alphabet. I wrote a quatrain with a rhyme scheme of AABB for each bird, plus a short paragraph about it. Then my dad drew each bird and I painted them. Finally we put them all together and published it on Amazon.com. The whole process took about a year.

Have you been writing for a long time? What do you like about writing? 

I have been writing since I was five. I especially enjoy writing poetry that rhymes! I also like writing stories because it lets your imagination flow.

Do you have any advice for other writers, or for other young people going after their dreams? 

Write about what you enjoy.

Can you share a few of your favorite books or authors? 

I generally like classics. Some of my favorite books are C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and Roald Dahl’s The BFG. My favorite poets are Shel Silverstein and Jack Prelutsky. They are fun to read and listen to. I also like Shakespeare.

What inspires you? 

I love animals and nature. I enjoy doing things with my hands like cooking, planting and science experiments. My parents give me many opportunities to try anything I desire.

What are you working on now? 

I am working on an A to Z book of freshwater fish.

Thank you so much, Rosalie, for taking the time to be with us today!

Links:
- Order A is for Albatross: Birds A to Z on Amazon here.
- Read Rosalie's award-winning poems here and her honorable mention essay here.
- Order Dancing With The Pen II on Amazon here; personalized copies are available here.

New poem: "Fall" by Molly Barkis

Today we continue our Dancing With The Pen II blog tour with an exclusive extra poem by young writer Molly Barkis, whose poem "Dear Mr. Leon" is featured in the book. Order a personalized copy of Dancing With The Pen II: a collection of today's youth writing here or on Amazon here.

fall

by Molly Barkis

spices and sweets,

tricks and treats

pumpkins, and patches

and color all around

rain smells, sweaters,

an eerie feel

only the demons will tell,

of the horrors of halloween

spices and secrets,

tricks and teases

-------

Molly Barkis is fourteen years old and loves to write! She finds inspiration in traveling, cooking, and music. 

Links: 

Order Dancing With The Pen I & Dancing With The Pen II directly (personalized copies available!) or via Amazon.

If you have a few minutes and could write a review on Amazon, that would be fantastic!

You can also follow Dancing With The Pen on Facebook. We're featured on Goodreads, too!

"October" by Ryan Lee

Today we continue our special Halloween feature on the blog! In the next few days leading up to Halloween, we will be featuring poetry on this topic, from the spooky to the light-hearted. We hope these pieces help you get into the Halloween spirit!

• "Predators and Prey" by Neel Kanamangala

Our second piece comes from Dancing With The Pen II contributor Ryan Lee, whose story "The World's Record of the Greatest Battle" is featured in the book. Order a personalized copy of Dancing With The Pen II: a collection of today's youth writing here or on Amazon here.

October 

Outside playing four-square and wall-ball
Cool air against my face
Trick-or-treat at the end of the month
Or stay home and wait for people to ring your doorbell
Brisk winds encircle you
Everlasting time of leaves falling
Remember the fun of October

----------

Ryan Lee is a third-grader in northern California. He learned to read at a very young age, and he enjoys writing a lot. Hero stories are his favorite. Although he likes to read and write, his favorite subject in school is math. Ryan also likes swimming and skiing. He enjoys listening to music, singing karaoke with his dad, doing Snap Circuit projects and assembling remote-controlled robots.

Links: 

Order Dancing With The Pen I & Dancing With The Pen II directly (personalized copies available!) or via Amazon.

If you have a few minutes and could write a review on Amazon, that would be fantastic!

You can also follow Dancing With The Pen on Facebook. We're featured on Goodreads, too!

"Predators and Prey" by Neel Kanamangala

Today we kick off a special Halloween feature on the blog! In the next few days leading up to Halloween, we will be featuring poetry on this topic, from the spooky to the light-hearted. We hope these pieces help you get into the Halloween spirit!

Our first piece comes from Dancing With The Pen II contributor Neel Kanamangala, whose poem "Technology Every Day" is featured in the book. Order a personalized copy of Dancing With The Pen II: a collection of today's youth writing here or on Amazon here.

Predators and Prey 

When the moon is full, and the sun has set
Dig deep, fly high, let nothing cause you to fret
Beware, beware, the coming of the one
Or else he will appear, and cause your blood to run 

Beware, beware, the falling to the deep
In darkness dwells and secrets keep
For he walks alone in fading light
As he goes hunting through the night

Monsters lurk in the trees
Death is a calm breeze
I am not afraid of thee
The strongest monster in the forest, is me

His blades are sharp, his aim is keen
So beware, beware, the coming of the unseen
His victims are slain, one by one
A prayer to those below, the hunt has now begun

----------

Neel Kanamangala is eleven years old and in the seventh grade. He spends his free time playing games, reading and swimming.

Links: 

Order Dancing With The Pen I & Dancing With The Pen II directly (personalized copies available!) or via Amazon.

If you have a few minutes and could write a review on Amazon, that would be fantastic!

You can also follow Dancing With The Pen on Facebook. We're featured on Goodreads, too!

New story by "Dancing With The Pen II" Contributor Nicole Ham

Today we continue our Dancing With The Pen II blog tour with an exclusive extra story by young writer Nicole Ham, whose short story "Winter Wonderland?" is featured in the book. Order a personalized copy of Dancing With The Pen II: a collection of today's youth writing here or on Amazon here.

The Elephant Who Could Fly

by Nicole Ham

Once there was an elephant. He was an average-looking elephant. Some might have even called him boring. Suddenly, the strangest thing happened. The elephant grew wings! Therefore, he could fly!

However, all the other elephants laughed at him, thinking that there was no way an elephant could actually fly into the air because elephants weigh so much.

Surprisingly, though, this elephant's wings grew and grew and grew until they could lift the elephant up into the sky!

(Did I mention his name? If I didn't, his name was Flippers. Funny name, huh?)

Flippers flew to all sorts of places. People couldn't believe their eyes. "A flying elephant!" they said. "I never imagined such a thing was possible!"

Unfortunately, one man in Madagascar said that it was all a hoax. "It's all false, I tell you!" he shouted. "That elephant is a loser!"

Flippers the elephant heard this man's insults and grew angry. I'll teach him a lesson, he thought.

So Flippers the flying elephant flew over the man and dropped honey onto his head. Ka-plat! The man was a sticky, gooey mess. Flies and bees buzzed around his head, attracted to the honey.

The next morning, when Flippers woke up, his wings had disappeared.

"Awe!" he sighed. So he returned to his normal life as a ground-based elephant.

original drawing by Nicole Ham

----------

Nicole Ham is eleven years old. She likes art and especially animals. Her favorite sport is gymnastics. Her family loves to play board games. 

Links: 

Order Dancing With The Pen I & Dancing With The Pen II directly (personalized copies available!) or via Amazon.

If you have a few minutes and could write a review on Amazon, that would be fantastic!

You can also follow Dancing With The Pen on Facebook. We're featured on Goodreads, too!

New story by "Dancing With The Pen II" Contributor Kevin Ham

Today we continue our Dancing With The Pen II blog tour with an exclusive extra story by young writer Kevin Ham, whose short story "Hot! Hot! Hot!" is featured in the book. Order a personalized copy of Dancing With The Pen II: a collection of today's youth writing here or on Amazon here.

The Story of a Basketball

By Kevin Ham

One day, the strangest thing happened: my basketball had a face on it! The ball started bouncing around. I put a basket in front of him. He jumped and landed right in the hoop! I tried bouncing him. I shot him, and he went in the hoop. The face disappeared. I set the ball down, and the face came back.

The next day, I went to the park with the strange ball. I went over to the basketball courts. Some teenagers were playing basketball. They laughed at me because they thought I was bad.

I would prove them wrong. I went all the way to the end of the court, and shot the basketball very softly. Surprisingly, the ball started arcing higher and faster, soaring all the way towards the hoop at the far end of the court. Then... swish!

The teenagers were shocked. Some of them had their mouths open. One said, "You're a legend!" Another asked, "Are you Stephen Curry?"

I became famous all around the world! The next morning, people were surrounding me. I said, "I only have time for one question. You. In the back."

"Is the ball super lightweight or something?"

"No, it isn't," I answered. "Do you want to carry it yourself and see?"

"Oh sure!" replied the man. I tossed the basketball to him and he said, "Yep, this is normal weight."

I went to the park to shoot some baskets, and everyone followed me. I thought it was pretty annoying. I shot and shot. I thought they would start getting bored, but more and more people kept coming. Soon news reporters showed up to talk to the crowd.

One audience member said, "I never saw him miss one."

Another person said, "He should join the NBA. He really should!"

I tried and tried to make my way home, but I couldn't escape through the mob of people. Finally, I slipped through some people's legs and got out. I ran as fast as I could to my house. I shut the door and caught my breath. I said to the basketball, "This was the worst day ever!" I ran around the house and shut every window and locked every door.

Then I plopped on my bed and hid the magic ball underneath it, way in the back. I guess being a regular basketball-playing kid is better than I thought it was!

----------

Kevin Ham is nine years old and goes to John Green Elementary School. He loves basketball and Minecraft. He lives with his mom, dad, grandma and sister. 

Links: 

Order Dancing With The Pen I & Dancing With The Pen II directly (personalized copies available!) or via Amazon.

If you have a few minutes and could write a review on Amazon, that would be fantastic!

You can also follow Dancing With The Pen on Facebook. We're featured on Goodreads, too!

Interview with "Dancing With The Pen II" Contributor Charlotte Owens

Today we continue our Dancing With The Pen II blog tour with an interview with young writer Charlotte Owens, whose story "Grammy's Life" and essay "Nature Walk" are featured in the book. Order a personalized copy of Dancing With The Pen II: a collection of today's youth writing here or on Amazon here.

What would you like readers to know about you as an introduction? 

Hello. My name is Charlotte Owens. I am an 11-year-old 6th grader from Richardson, Texas. Writing is where I shine the brightest, but my other hobbies include drawing, softball, and volleyball.

Describe your pieces that were published in Dancing With The Pen II. How did you get your ideas? 

My first piece is titled "Grammy's Life." It was written shortly after the passing of my great grandfather, who I loved very much. Writing this tale helped me to express my grief. My second piece, "Nature Walk," was written after I left my busy household for a breath of fresh air. This was a prompt given to me by Dallas, which I found to be one of my favorites. I found peace in my quiet neighborhood and put it into words.

Have you been writing for a long time? What do you like about writing? 

I have been writing for quite a while. I've always loved books and found great joy buried within. When I was 6, I asked my mom while in the car if I could type up a story on her laptop. Thinking it was going to be a short story, she gladly let me do so. However, it ended up being 50 full pages of nothing but writing. That's when I realized that I loved to write. I think what interested me most about it was the freedom it gave me to express my thoughts and feelings through the minds of my characters.

What does it mean to you to have your piece included in this book? What was it like to get the news? 

I was thrilled to get the news that two of my pieces were to be published in Dancing with the Pen II. However, when I received a copy of my own, my family was not there to celebrate with me. I was at summer camp when it arrived in a package. I began flat-out crying. Happy crying!

Do you have any advice for other writers, or for other young people going after their dreams? 

As for advice for other authors or young people going after their dreams, keep doing what you're doing. If you work hard and believe in yourself, it will pay off in the end. Believe me, I know. Getting my stories published has given me a great head start, but I know I can do more. You will meet people that will give you wonderful opportunities. For instance, Dallas Woodburn has been a huge influence and inspiration in my life. I think we need more people in the world like Dallas!

Can you share a few of your favorite books or authors? 

As for my favorite book, I believe it would have to wind up somewhere in the Harry Potter series. Whenever I open up one of those immensely thick books, I feel as if I've landed in a whole new world. A magical place I would never want to leave. (This is one of the reasons I was so thrilled the eighth book came out!) J.K. Rowling has a brilliant mindset, and I will always look up to her.

What inspires you? 

What really inspires my greatest writing is when somebody changes my point of view and my eyes are open to new thoughts and ideas. For example, when a young idol such as Albert Einstein, Eminem, or Walt Disney had been turned down by others, they eventually rose above it to make it on top. They pushed through the negative and turned into something bigger than anybody could imagine. That's what I call inspiring!

What are you working on now? What’s next for you?

I am currently working on a story based on the amazing tale of Jeff Banister retold with my own twist. I find him to be an amazing man with such a dauntless childhood.

What's next for me? An adventure of inspirational events that are sure to turn into wonderful books!

----------

Charlotte Owens is an eleven-year-old sixth grader living in Richardson, Texas. In her spare time, she loves drawing and writing short stories prompted by her writing mentor, Dallas Woodburn. 

Links: 

Order Dancing With The Pen I & Dancing With The Pen II directly (personalized copies available!) or via Amazon.

If you have a few minutes and could write a review on Amazon, that would be fantastic!

You can also follow Dancing With The Pen on Facebook. We're featured on Goodreads, too!

Interview with "Dancing With The Pen II" Contributor Arielle DeVito

Today we continue our Dancing With The Pen II blog tour with an interview with young writer Arielle DeVito, whose poem "senescence" is featured in the book. Order a personalized copy of Dancing With The Pen II: a collection of today's youth writing here or on Amazon here.

What would you like readers to know about you as an introduction? 

My name is Arielle DeVito, I’m 17 and I’m a rising senior. I’m from Cleveland, Ohio, and when I’m not writing or reading, I play the flute, figure skate, paint, sew costumes for myself and others, and bake a lot of cupcakes.

Describe your piece that was published in Dancing With The Pen II. How did you get your idea for the piece? 

My poem “senescence” was published in Dancing with the Pen II. The idea from the piece actually came from my wanting to write a four-part poem based off the four elements -- senescence was originally intended to be for the “earth” part. But when I finished it, I realized that I preferred it as a standalone piece, and that it didn’t follow the element theme as much as I’d intended.

Have you been writing for a long time? What do you like about writing? 

To be honest, I can’t remember a time that I haven’t been writing! I’m fairly new to poetry, but I’ve always been writing stories. I like writing for a lot of reasons, including because I get to share my stories with other people and because it can help me figure out what I’m thinking and feeling.

What does it mean to you to have your piece included in this book? What was it like to get the news? 

It was really exciting! Being published has helped me realize that there’s a possibility that I can actually follow this dream and make writing into a career for me. When I found out, I immediately called up all my friends and my English teacher to tell them, and we just all freaked out a little bit.

Do you have any advice for other writers, or for other young people going after their dreams? 

My advice would be to get started following your dreams now. Things might sometimes seem far-off, but there’s always something you can do to work towards them. In my case, this was starting to submit my writing for publication and making time to free-write for at least ten minutes a day. Little things you can do are just as important as big ones!

Can you share a few of your favorite books or authors? 

This question always gets me, because I love so many different books and authors! As a child, I think I was most influenced by Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and of course the Chronicles of Narnia. Recently, I’ve really loved reading books by Neil Gaiman, Malinda Lo, and Marissa Meyer, as well as reading poetry by Billy Collins, Sarah Kay, and Jamaal May.

What inspires you? 

I think I’m inspired by the world in general, but especially by the amazing people who surround me and the stories I read or hear from others.

What are you working on now? What’s next for you?

Right now I’m working on editing the novel I wrote for NaNoWriMo a few years back and just continuing to write poetry. I think next I’d like to work on more short stories and maybe a sequel to the book I’m editing!

Anything else you’d like to add? 

Just a huge thank you for being included in this book, as well as good wishes for any other young writers trying to get themselves out there – I believe in you!

----------

Arielle DeVito, native to the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio, is an incoming twelfth-grader who can often be found lurking in libraries and comic book stores. A passionate writer since the age of six, she also enjoys reading anything and everything available, sewing historical costumes, and baking (usually cupcakes).

Links: 

Order Dancing With The Pen I & Dancing With The Pen II directly (personalized copies available!) or via Amazon.

If you have a few minutes and could write a review on Amazon, that would be fantastic!

You can also follow Dancing With The Pen on Facebook. We're featured on Goodreads, too!

Interview with "Dancing With The Pen II" Contributor Shane P.R. Carlson

Today we continue our Dancing With The Pen II blog tour with an interview with young writer Shane P.R. Carlson, whose story "Endwise Swan Song" is featured in the book. Order a personalized copy of Dancing With The Pen II: a collection of today's youth writing here or on Amazon here.

What would you like readers to know about you as an introduction?  

My name is Shane Paul Rockenstein (yes, that’s what the P.R. stands for) Carlson. I am 14 years old, going into my freshman year of high school, and I live in Camarillo, CA. I have many, many hobbies, some of which are playing piano, playing guitar, playing ukulele, playing harmonica, singing, acting, reading, watching (good) movies, swimming, golfing, playing hockey, and filming short films. In fact, I want to become a (film) director when I grow up.

Describe your piece or pieces that were published in Dancing With The Pen II.

It’s very funny how different my story is now than when I first wrote it. It was initially more of a horror story, but now it’s sort of like the movie “Stand By Me.” I got the idea from a story I heard on the Internet. My initial story was similar to the story on the Internet, and then I changed it and made it my own. My story was about two kids having a sleepover being haunted by someone in the forest nearby. I had to change it since it was a bit too dark. Just a wee bit.

Have you been writing for a long time? What do you like about writing?

I’ve been writing for a very long time. I used to write scripts for movies on my mom’s computer. I actually started writing more-or-less professionally in the fourth grade, when I was 10. I wrote a story about pirates. It was essentially Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl verbatim. I love writing because I love creating characters and stories and worlds. It’s amazing to see a story that I’ve written completed so others can see it and experience my creations.

What does it mean to you to have your piece included in this book? What was it like to get the news? 

This is my very first publication. I am so excited for people to read what I’ve written for the first time. Hopefully there will be many more stories of mine for people to read very soon! Getting the news was great. I was excited. I didn't really have time to do anything to celebrate, though, since I’ve basically been acting in show after show for the past three years.

Do you have any advice for other writers, or for other young people  going after their dreams?  

Just keep doing what you’re doing. If someone tells you, “You can’t be in the film industry! Don’t you realize how slim a chance there is for you to get in?” or something like that, just ignore it. Though it’s true that it’s hard to get noticed in an industry like the film industry, don’t let naysayers stop you from achieving your dreams. It’s like my mom says, “If it’s meant to be, it’ll happen.” Stephen Spielberg, one of the greatest directors of all time, got into the industry by staying in the bathroom during the bathroom stop on the Universal Studios tour (back when they had a bathroom stop). He then toured the lot and got a pass to do so for three days. He toured it all three days, and, when his pass expired, he found another person to give him a new one. He did this every day during the summer, then quit school and got a job at Universal.

Can you share a few of your favorite books or authors?  

I’ve been on a Stephen King kick lately. I’ve read tons of his books, my favorite so far being Misery. His books are dark, but I absolutely love horror. I guess you could say he’s my favorite author. To anyone who’s interested in reading his books, I’d recommend Carrie, Salem’s Lot, It, The Stand, and, of course, Misery.

What inspires you?  

Many things inspire me. Most of what inspires me comes from my life, but I combine what comes from my life with genres I’m interested in. My book about a boy who becomes a superhero was inspired by my love of Batman and a girl I liked. (Note: This was back in fifth grade.) Inspiration can come from anywhere, I believe.

What are you working on now? What’s next for you?  

I really want to finish editing my superhero book I mentioned previously soon. I’ve finished my first draft, and I’ve run into some trouble with editing. I’ve lost motivation, I guess. I let the book sit for a while, and now I think I’m getting my motivation back. This publication definitely has helped, as I now want to have more publications. Once I finish this book, I can move on to other projects, like an apocalyptic novel I’ve started.

Anything else you’d like to add? 

To my fellow writers: Keep at it.
To Dallas: Thank you for helping me for the past couple years. Here’s to many more to come.
To my family: Thank you for everything. I love you guys.
To everyone: Look out for my name, 'cause I’m going to be famous very soon. :)

----------

Shane P.R. Carlson has been writing since he was five. He always has ideas for stories, which he sometimes acts out with his Legos. He loves to write and hopes he can continue to throughout his life. 

Links: 

Order Dancing With The Pen I & Dancing With The Pen II directly (personalized copies available!) or via Amazon.

If you have a few minutes and could write a review on Amazon, that would be fantastic!

You can also follow Dancing With The Pen on Facebook. We're featured on Goodreads, too!

Interview with "Dancing With The Pen II" Contributor Miriam Larson

JOIN US TODAY at 5pm at Mrs. Figs' Bookworm in Camarillo, CA for our Southern California Book Release Party celebrating our young writers! Eleven young authors published in Dancing With The Pen II are scheduled to attend, and will read their work and autograph copies of the book. We would love for you to come out and help us make this a special, unforgettable evening for these amazing young writers! 

Today we continue our Dancing With The Pen II blog tour with an interview with young writer Miriam Larson, whose story "Dancing In The Rain" is featured in the book. Order a personalized copy of Dancing With The Pen II: a collection of today's youth writing here or on Amazon here.

What would you like readers to know about you as an introduction? 

My name is Miriam Larson. I'm a 17-year-old high school senior who was born in Cambodia but now lives in Ventura, California. I sing and play with my cats when I'm not writing!

Describe your piece that was published in Dancing With The Pen II. How did you get your idea for the piece? 

I wrote a piece titled "Dancing in The Rain" which is abut expectations versus reality. I got the idea from my own personal experience and wrote the piece because I realized it also described some other situations in my life. I always hoped for the best and used to be disappointed when things didn't work out. But from writing "Dancing in The Rain" I've grown and learned.

Have you been writing for a long time? What do you like about writing? 

I've been writing since I was very little! I remember when I wrote about a singing dolphin at age seven and won an award from my local fair. Writing is such a huge part of my life. To me, it's like a way to escape, or a way to let some feelings out. But besides that, it also makes me feel happy and I love feeling happy.

What does it mean to you to have your piece included in this book? What was it like to get the news?

I was honestly very surprised! I was just hoping for some feedback on a piece, and to hear it was going to be published made my whole entire year! I'm still in a bit of shock, and when I told my close friends and family, we all were so happy. One of my friends almost cried for me because she knew how important writing was for me.

Do you have any advice for other writers? 

My advice is that I would give is that you shouldn't limit yourself to any specific style. I used to think I was strictly a fiction writer, and I was very stubborn in that. But now, I write non-fiction and poetry too. I was so pleasantly surprised when I realized I had strengths in my writing and this discovery pushed me to try other new things.

Can you share a few of your favorite books or authors? 

The first book series I fell in love with was Harry Potter, but the first book I connected with was Every Soul a Star by Wendy Mass. All her other books also remain in my top favorites. The book I recommend to everyone is The Abandoned by Paul Gallico. That one made me cry for the first time over a book. I re-read it every year to get different perspectives on it.

What inspires you? 

I'm inspired by people around me and my peers. Everyday things inspire me, like my cats, little experiences, hardships and the fact that writing is the only thing that makes me feel grounded.

What are you working on now? What’s next for you? 

I'm currently working on finishing a novel from NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) and it's so fun. I think next for me would be writing my own songs.

Anything else you’d like to add? 

I'm so happy to be included in this book! My confidence came back and I've written more emotional pieces about myself.

----------

Miriam Larson is a 17-year-old high school senior in Ventura, California. Besides writing, she also spends time singing and running track.

Links: 

Order Dancing With The Pen I & Dancing With The Pen II directly (personalized copies available!) or via Amazon.

If you have a few minutes and could write a review on Amazon, that would be fantastic!

You can also follow Dancing With The Pen on Facebook. We're featured on Goodreads, too!

New Poem by "Dancing With The Pen II" Contributor Jothika Puli

Today we continue our Dancing With The Pen II blog tour with a special poem by young writer Jothika Puli, whose short story "How Jupiter Got So Big" is featured in the book. Order a personalized copy of Dancing With The Pen II: a collection of today's youth writing here or on Amazon here.

Yellow

by Jothika Puli

Yellow is dandelions waving to the sun, saying, "Hello."
Yellow sounds like laughter from happy children,
The sun brightly shining on your warm face.
Yellow smells like the sour lemon zest you smelled the other day
And the bright pollen landing on your itchy nose.
Yellow feels like the bumpy pencil that you were holding,
Or that warm ray of sunlight hitting your face.
Yellow makes me feel cheerful whenever I am sad or grumpy.
Yellow tastes like an ice-cold lemonade on a hot summer afternoon,
Or that tangy mustard on your hot dog sausage.
Yellow is happiness logically filling your head.
Yellow is where fields of yellow tulips bloom,
That sliver of sun in the broad daylight.

----------

Jothika Puli is ten years old and goes to John Green Elementary, where she is in fifth grade. She plays piano and right now is in Level Five.

Links: 

Order Dancing With The Pen I & Dancing With The Pen II directly (personalized copies available!) or via Amazon.

If you have a few minutes and could write a review on Amazon, that would be fantastic!

You can also follow Dancing With The Pen on Facebook. We're featured on Goodreads, too!

Sustaining Your Inner Child

“I have inflammation of the imagination.”
― Lera Auerbach, Excess of Being

Nervous energy and excitement filled the room. Kids sat at tables with their parents, siblings and family friends. They were all dressed in nice clothes, and while their parents chatted, the kids were laser-focused on reading the bright-covered books they had just received. Soon pizza was served, and everyone filled their plates with slices of pepperoni and cheese, along with rainbow-sprinkled homemade cupcakes. And then it was Showtime.

"Hi, everyone!" I exclaimed from the front of the room. "I am so pleased to welcome you to our celebration of these amazing young writers who have just been published in our new book, Dancing With The Pen II!"

Everyone applauded, the young writers blushed, and then it was time for them to strut their stuff. One by one, I called them to the front of the room to read from their pieces that were published in the book. One by one, they shyly made their way to the front of the audience, and read their pieces out loud. As they soaked in the audience's enraptured attention, each young writer seemed to visibly grow in size: postures became straighter, voices became louder and more expressive. When they finished, after the audience cheered and I presented each one with a certificate and the parents became paparazzi taking a barrage of flashing photographs, I watched as each young writer walked proudly back to their seat -- walking a little taller, with much more confidence and joy. So different from the nervous, uncertain people who had walked up to the front of the room minutes before.

That is why I work so hard to publish young writers. That is why I believe it is so crucial to help young people discover their own unique voices, and to give them avenues to share their voices with others. That is why I founded my organization Write On! For Literacy fifteen years ago, and why the work grows even more important to me with each year that passes. Because I have seen firsthand the effect that reading and writing and sharing and growing has on young people. On all of us.

In her article "When Writing is Not a Career" Linda Wilson writes:

A woman I once interviewed for an article told me that astute observers can identify a child's interests and talents as early as four years old. At four, asking people questions came naturally to her son. So she went out and bought him a toy microphone. Unleashed was a blossoming reporter, who carried his microphone with him everywhere, asking people, "What do you do?" and, "Do you have a favorite pet?" When it came time for college she offered to help pay for it, but she struck out. He wasn't interested. What he did do was put himself through broadcasting school and upon completion, got a job as a disc jockey. Later, he went on to become a popular sportscaster. He told her he loved his career so much that he wanted to be buried with his microphone (a real one this time). She concluded the interview by saying, all this because I recognized his interest early-on, and directed him toward it during his early, most informative years.

I'm not saying that all of the young people I work with will make careers as writers. (Although I am proud that many of my students and mentees have gone on to study Journalism or Creative Writing in college!) But I do hope that all of them will continue writing throughout their lives. I hope they keep writing to express their own ideas, to share their thoughts with others -- or even just to share their innermost thoughts and feelings with themselves.

Many of the young writers I am honored to work with do have dreams of forging writing careers. I hope to help them build unshakeable confidence in themselves and their unique gifts, confidence that cannot be torn down by the inevitable rejection letters and criticism and disappointments that will come along the way. With all the writers I work with, of all ages, my utmost goal as a teacher is to do for them what the best teachers in my life have down for me: to help them locate that spark of passion they feel deep inside themselves, and to fan it into a roaring flame that will never die out. As Lera Auerbach writers in Excess of Being, "You can only master something by loving it."

In truth, our pizza launch party for Dancing With The Pen II was not just a celebration of a new book being published. It was more than that: more than just a single day, a single book. It was a celebration of a love affair with writing that each of these young writers has embarked upon, and that hopefully will continue throughout their lives -- sustaining their inner children, nurturing their joy in creating, and keeping their imaginations inflamed and vibrantly alive.

Interview with "Dancing With The Pen II" Contributor Neel Kanamangala

Today we continue our Dancing With The Pen II blog tour with an interview with young writer Neel Kanamangala, whose poem "Technology Every Day" is featured in the book. Order a personalized copy of Dancing With The Pen II: a collection of today's youth writing here or on Amazon here.

What would you like readers to know about you as an introduction? 

My name is Neel Kanamangala, and I am eleven years old. I am in the sixth grade, and currently reside in Plano, Texas. I have an interest in science, swimming, and writing. I hope to continue to write throughout my life.

Describe your piece that was published in Dancing With The Pen II. 

My piece "Technology Every Day" is a poem that shows how deeply technology influences our lives in the short amount of time that we’ve had access to it. I got the idea from a Microsoft writing contest that Dallas pointed me towards. Although I was too young to enter the contest, Dallas encouraged me to continue working on the piece, and I finished with a product that I am happy about.

Have you been writing for a long time? What do you like about writing? 

I have been writing for approximately one and a half years. I really enjoy the immersive experience that writing, and literature in general, has to offer. It prompts you to concentrate on creating your masterpiece.

What does it mean to you to have your piece included in this book? 

I was really excited to receive news of my poem’s acceptance to the book. I thought of this book as a great way to get feedback, and expand my writing career. I did in fact celebrate by going out to Olive Garden with my parents and brother.

Do you have any advice for other writers, or for other young people going after their dreams? 

If you want to get better at writing, I think that you should definitely ask for feedback from peers or teachers. Also, I would throw variety into my routine. For example, I may write a few poems, and then write a essay or story. If you want to follow your dreams, make sure that you are constantly making progress. Never procrastinate or give up. You should always be proactive and persistent.

Can you share a few of your favorite books or authors? 

My favorite authors have to be J.K. Rowling and Rick Riordan. I absolutely adore the Harry Potter series and the Percy Jackson series. My favorite books are probably The Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling, and Fallout by Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen.

What inspires you? 

I am inspired by the overachievers of the world. All the great athletes, physical or mental, provide me with a sense of reason and hope. I always try to work just as hard as those people to achieve my goals.

What are you working on now? What’s next for you? 

I am currently working on another rhyming poem about friendship. It is specifically about my best friend, my dear brother. After I finish that, I plan on composing a short story about ancient mythology, most likely Norse.

Anything else you’d like to add? 

I would like to share a quote from Mahatma Gandhi: “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” I feel that this is true because you have to take responsibility for your actions and your dreams to actually make the world change to be a better place.

----------

Neel Kanamangala is eleven years old and just finished the sixth grade. He spends his free time playing games, reading and swimming.

Links: 

Order Dancing With The Pen I & Dancing With The Pen II directly (personalized copies available!) or via Amazon.

If you have a few minutes and could write a review on Amazon, that would be fantastic!

You can also follow Dancing With The Pen on Facebook. We're featured on Goodreads, too!

Bonus Essay by "Dancing With The Pen II" Contributor Ryan Wu

Today we continue our Dancing With The Pen II blog tour with an exclusive extra essay by young writer Ryan Wu, whose short story "How Earth Came to Be" is featured in the book. Order a personalized copy of Dancing With The Pen II: a collection of today's youth writing here or on Amazon here.

My Awesome Experience With TRACK3R 

 By Ryan Wu 

When I got to my friend Shawn’s house, I was already excited because Shawn had some really cool things at his house to do. When he showed me his TRACK3R, it took my excitement to a whole new level.

It all started when we ate dinner with Shawn’s family. I asked my mom if we could go to Shawn’s house. She said, “Yes, but you have to check with Shawn’s mom.”

So I asked Shawn’s mom. She replied, “Sure!”

I was so happy, my head almost exploded. I love Shawn’s house because it’s spacious, and Shawn has tons of fun stuff to do, such as video games and Monopoly.

After dinner, we went to Shawn’s house. Shawn said, “I have something to show you.”

Shawn is eleven years old, and he is tall and likes cello and basketball. I followed him upstairs to his room. The first thing I noticed was the big obstacle course mat.

“What’s that for?” I asked.

“You’ll see,” replied my friend, pointing at the shelf.

On the top shelf was a brand-new Lego Mindstorms EV3 TRACK3R. It was white with gray and red plating, with tech-looking graphics. It looked like a Mars Rover with treads. The main computer was in the center with right, left, up, and down buttons. A motor controlled the attachments, and wires were woven everywhere.

Trying not to leave my jaw hanging I said, “Oh my gosh! Where did you get that!?”

Shawn explained it was a birthday gift from his parents. He had done nearly every program, and demoed them for me. There was a rotating blade, a claw arm, and a ball shooter. I was fascinated. He said there was one more program left to do, and asked me to help. I never turn down an offer to try something new, so I said yes.

The new program had a hammer attached to the motor. The TRACK3R randomly hits while shakily driving in a circle until it detects movement behind it, turns around, and hits pretty hard behind it. We programmed on Shawn’s laptop using a programming website he downloaded, built the attachment, and plugged in a USB cord connecting Shawn’s laptop and TRACK3R to download the program into the robot. We tested it and we were successful!

“Yeah!” cried Shawn. We then played with it for a while. Later, we went downstairs and played Mario Kart for hours until I had to leave for home. Best day of my life!

I believe that every kid should get the chance to experiment using a TRACK3R so they can learn the art of programming and have fun. I personally liked the experience because it engaged my curious nature. I first got hooked on computers and programming when I went to the Maker Fair, a fair of tech that travels around the globe. I got so hooked I started down my path of coding and programming. My main goal is to become an inventor and patent my own creations. I want to create inventions that help people in their everyday lives.

---------------

Ryan Wu lives in Pleasanton, California with his parents and younger brother. He is ten years old and enjoys playing soccer and four-square, building Legos, camping, skiing, and drawing. He also plays the piano and violin, and loves technology. Ryan has traveled all over the world.

Links: 

Order Dancing With The Pen I & Dancing With The Pen II directly (personalized copies available!) or via Amazon.

Please take a few seconds to "follow" Dallas on Amazon! And, if you have a few minutes and could write a review on Amazon, that would be fantastic!

You can also follow Dancing With The Pen on Facebook. We're featured on Goodreads, too!

Discounted bulk orders are available at the Write On! website: www.writeonbooks.org.