“A Writer’s Playground”–A place to find wordplay, writing, and monthly calendar activities for kids and those young at heart.
It’s Friendship Day, August 5, 2012.
Here to celebrate with us is Julie Bowe, author of “Friends for Keeps” Series. Pull up a chair or sit under a tree. You’re in for a real treat. Are there any fourth graders reading this? Is there anyone out there who has had a friend for more than a year? Two years? More than two? How many years?
Let’s hear what Julie Bowe has to say about fourth grade Ida May and her friends from “Friends for Keeps” Series.
Welcome Julie Bowe!
1. Julie, what was your fourth grade school year like? How was it the same as the characters in “Friends for Keeps?” How was it different?
I attended a small school, like Ida and her friends. We had just one classroom of fourth graders, so I knew all my classmates well. I experienced much of the same friendship drama Ida experiences. There were rifts between the girls, and the boys always did their best to annoy us. 🙂 Like Ida, I had to deal with a bully for awhile–a boy who called me names and harassed me in other ways. Ida’s dad talks about this boy during one of their conversations in My Last Best Friend.
2. What friendship skills did you learn in fourth grade?
Well, that was a long time ago so my memory is a little rusty! In general, I learned that words can harm, but they can also heal. I learned that friendship can sneak up on you. I learned that holding hands with your BFF is the best feeling in the world.
3. What friendship skills did your book characters learn in fourth grade? Did they learn any of them the hard way?
I’m not sure that anything worth learning ever comes easy so, yes, Ida and her friends learn things “the hard way” throughout the series. And that’s okay. I think people spend way too much time trying to avoid the hard stuff. Life is much more interesting when we dive in and get whirled around a bit. What specific friendship skills the Friends for Keeps characters learn? You’ll have to read the books to find out! 😉
4. What friendship skills did you learn while writing “Friends for Keeps” series? Could you give an example?
Be a friend to yourself and other writers–set realistic writing goals; pat yourself on the back when you meet a goal; offer words of encouragement and honest critiques to your writing friends.
5. What advice would you give concerning making friends?
Accept people for who they are and where they’re at.
6. Ida May has a friend who moves away in your book series. Did you ever have a good friend move away or hurt you in some way? Did you take a risk to make things right afterwards? What did you do?
I didn’t have a best friend move away like Ida does in My Last Best Friend, but when I visit schools, I’m always amazed by the number of students who have had such an experience. Books can be so grounding for kids, especially when their lives are uprooted by a move and/or shifting friendships. Connecting with a good book feels like coming home!
7. As an author, what are some risks you have taken?
I think authors risk scrutiny when they put words on paper and then pass them around for everyone to see. They risk having those words misunderstood or, more often, read in ways they hadn’t envisioned. But that’s the beauty of stringing words together. Everyone experiences them in different ways.
8. Julie, did you ever hear Ida May’s voice helping you write your story? Tell about it.
When I’m working on a story, I listen for my characters’ voices throughout the day while I’m doing the dishes, shopping for groceries, etc. I cut up copies of my old drafts and use the slips of paper for jotting down story ideas and snippets of conversations I hear between the characters. Then, later, I’ll sit down at my computer and add the bits and pieces to the draft.
9. What advice would you recommend to a young writer?
Read a lot! Books. Magazines. Cereal boxes. Your sister’s diary. (Hee!–maybe not that last one.) Write a lot! Write for the pure fun and joy of creating something new. Try not to worry if your writing is ” good enough” to get published.
10. Do you plan to write another series about friendship? If so, tell us about it.
I’m working on the first book in a new series for young readers. Like the “Friends for Keeps” series, the new series will revolve around a group of fourth grade friends.
Time for cheers and a giveaway.
Thank you Julie Bowe for making Friendship Day 2012 an extra special one.
*APPLAUSE!
Okay readers, leave a comment and you’ll be entered in a giveaway for a signed copy of the final book in “Friends for Keeps” series entitled: My Extra Best Friend. Please consider following this blog. If you want to be entered in the giveaway and you’re not a follower, include your email address. Entries are open to residents of USA and Canada. Contest closes on August 8, 2012 at midnight. The winner will be announced by August 10.Good luck!
Look for the entire “Friends for Keeps” series at your local book store. Remember to celebrate Friendship Day and your friendships.
- To learn more about Julie Bowe visit her at her website: http://www.juliebowe.com/
- For another blog post about Julie Bowe, read an interview at From the Mixed-Up Files by Jacqueline Houtman on June 15, 2012.
http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2012/06/15/meet-julie-bowe-friends/
Copyright © 2012 Linda Martin Andersen
Do you know the order of the “Friends for Keeps” Series? The answer will be listed in the next post. Stay tuned to see if you’re correct.
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