"How to Balance Writing AND Family Life"

 with Karen O’Connor

Thursday, March 3, 2005

 

Mel is Mel Boring, moderator of this interview with Karen O’Connor and web editor of the ICL Web Site.

Green shows names or usernames of people and the questions they asked Chat Guest Karen O’Connor.

Interviews are held every other Thursday evening for two hours, beginning at 9 CANADA/ Atlantic Time, 8 Eastern Time, 7 Central Time, 6 Mountain Time, and 5 Pacific Time.

 

 

Mel: Good Thursday evening! If there was ever a writer accomplished at BOTH writing to get published, and serving her family, Karen O'Connor is that writer—and wife and mother and grandmother. Karen is well established in the magazines and books of children. She has written children's stories, articles and books for the nearly four decades of her career. And recently, Karen O'Connor expanded her writing to write for adults also. She has been an instructor for the Institute of Children's Literature, and now teaches the adult writing course for the Long Ridge Writers Group. I have known Karen O'Connor over much of her writing career, and her lively, bubbly spirit is contagious, as I'm sure you'll experience tonight. Karen O'Connor, THANK YOU for coming and a WARM WELCOME back to our ICL Chat Room, friend!

 

Karen: It's great to be here once again. Thank you for inviting me.

 

Mel: Karen, were there other writers in your family of origin? Tell us about your parents and siblings and upbringing, please.

 

Karen: No other professional writers but my mother loved to write light verse for birthdays and family celebrations and both my parents respected literature and made sure my siblings and I had books to read and visited the library.

 

Mel: Did you do a lot of writing as well as reading while you were growing up, then?

 

Karen: Yes, I read books and magazines weekly. We didn't have a TV till I was in 8th grade.

 

Mel: Were there any special people in your life, your school, who influenced you toward writing?

 

Karen: Two teachers were a major influence, my third grade teacher who recognized my talent with words, and my fourth grade teacher who encouraged me, saying that maybe one day I would see a book with my name on it in the public library!

 

kayetlyn: What was your favorite book as a child?

 

Karen: I had many, but I believe The Little House and a book titled Geraldine Belinda Marybelle Scott were among the most memorable.

 

Mel: Did you submit story and article manuscripts before you wrote books?

 

Karen: Yes, my first sale was to a boys' publication for a short article on camping in your back yard. I was paid the magnificent sum of $12.50!

 

Mel: Can we expect to earn more nowadays, or are rates about the same as when you began?

 

Karen: Unfortunately, rates in the children's market are not much higher than thirty years ago. Of course it depends on the magazine, but in general, you can expect anywhere between $25 and $400, maybe more.

 

Mel: For such small sums then, WHAT really keeps children's writers writing?

 

Karen: For me, it's the love of children and my desire to reach them with information and stories that they might not have access to otherwise.

 

Mel: You know, it's always seemed to me that writers for children, especially, have truly admirable reasons for writing--other than money.

 

Karen: That's been my experience too, though I don't want to give the impression that payment doesn't matter. It does. A writer deserves to be paid for his/her work. We all need to make a living.

 

Mel: AMEN! What was your first book for children, and how did that come about?

 

Karen: My first title for children was How to Make Money, published by Franklin Watts, a part of an ongoing series for young people.

 

Mel: Could you tell us about some of your favorite children's books you have written?

 

Karen: Two come to mind. A book titled Feathers, which is about birds' feathers. It was a fascinating project to research. I learned so much. And the other is a book on homeless children, which really opened my eyes to this terrible problem.

 

kayetlyn: How old were you when you published your first article?

 

Karen: I was 34 years old, with three young children.

 

kristi: You've been a writer during many family phases, from mother to step-mom, to grandmother. Which is/was most challenging?

 

Karen: The most challenging phase was during the ending of my first marriage. I was in tatters emotionally but knew I had to keep going, for myself and for my kids and for my editors. I remember my oldest daughter reminding me, when I felt like giving up), not to give in to my feelings, but work through them and keep on writing. I took my own advice through her! :-)

 

Mel: My writer's hat is OFF to you, Karen! Divorce is a tough go, and thanks for sharing with us how our children can help us during that difficult time! Do you remember where/how/when, exactly, that you FIRST began to think about balancing your writing time, and still allow time for your family?

 

Karen: Right away. The moment I took up my pen, so to speak. I knew I'd have to find a way to keep myself happy and my family life balanced. So I made a plan for writing and I've stuck with it—with some modifications over time.

 

dyett: Did you always work from home or did you work outside the home before, when your children were young?

 

Karen: I have always worked at home because I wanted be available to my children. In the beginning I did not have enough money for an office anyway. Also, working at home allowed me the freedom to write at night or while the kids were out playing or watching TV, that sort of thing. Even now, with my children grown and gone, I prefer to work at home.

 

beverlymiller: Exactly WHEN do you write?

 

Karen: I write during the day, usually in the morning when I'm fresh, but that can vary depending on my speaking schedule, and family visits, appointments and so on.

 

Mel: Karen, can you suggest anything SPECIFIC to say to a friend who calls during your writing time that lets them know without hurting their feelings that you need your writing time?

 

Karen: I leave my answering service on. If I do get a call and need to pick it up because I'm expecting someone special, but it turns out to be a friend who just wants to chat, I tell that person I'm in the middle of a project and simply reschedule a time later that day. All my friends know I'm a writer so I don't have anything to apologize for.

 

Mel: EXCELLENT advice--thanks! Two questions in the same vein now:

 

kellyr: How did you divide your time between your young children and your writing?

 

scribblegirl: I have a hard time balancing it all, as well. How do you do it?

 

Karen: I wrote when my children were in school. I didn't start until my last one was in Kindergarten. I also spoke to my family about my dream of becoming a published writer and asked for their support. I helped myself, preparing meals ahead of time, minimizing all volunteer work, and planning ahead. For example, I decided to write one article a month. I set aside the necessary hours each week to do that. I'm happy to say that I sold 12 articles the first year and used the earnings to help pay for our family vacation to Hawaii that summer!

 

Mel: When you asked for your family's support, did you find that most of them DID support your writing dream? Did any NOT support it?

 

Karen: My children were very young at the time—under 9 so they didn't “cross” their mother! My husband encouraged me and helped when I needed it. But in general, I did most of my writing when the house was empty or on Saturdays when the kids were playing outside.

 

mcmacmom: Can you offer advice on writing with toddlers underfoot, even though you didn't write when your children were toddlers, Karen?

 

Karen: Toddlers do present a challenge. However, the story is that Margaret Mitchell wrote Gone with the Wind by hand at the kitchen table with toddlers underfoot, so I guess it can be done during naptimes and in the evenings, I imagine. Or trade babysitting a friend so you can get in an hour or so of writing each day.

 

Mel: GREAT example, that Margaret Mitchell book, Karen! It SEEMS, then, like your writing really took a "back seat" to family, is that accurate to say?

 

Karen: Absolutely. My family came first. I had always wanted to be a mom and I knew that the years with my children at home would be over soon. I had the rest of my life to write, which I am now enjoying. Also in those years I was still on the learning curve and I didn’t HAVE to earn money to support us, so I could take it easy and treat it as a hobby.

 

Mel: It makes me very PROUD to hear you say that! I think sometimes writers who see writing and family as "either-or" may have forgotten their "mission" in wanting to be a mom or dad.

 

Karen: I agree. If we're writing for children, surely children, especially our own, should come first!

 

Mel: VERY WISE WORDS!

 

kellyr: How do you tackle writer's block? Any tips?

 

Karen: I've never had writer's block. I have a theory about this, and that is that one does not run out of ideas as long as one remains alert to life and does his/her homework regarding the world of publishing. Writer's block, if there is such a thing, may stem from fear or procrastination—something to consider.

 

Mel: A FRESH insight, THANK YOU! Karen, for writers just starting out, what is at stake if we DON'T balance family obligations with our writing?

 

Karen: We could lose the harmony in our homes, we might give in to resentment, we might even alienate the very ones we love and live with, and even lose our marriages. It has happened to people I know.

 

rls: How long after starting to write regularly was your first publication?

 

Karen: I sold my first article to a publication while taking a correspondence course—roughly a few months.

 

priya: How do you feel when you are being disturbed by kids?

 

Karen: I didn't allow this to occur because I only wrote when the children were occupied in some way with their dad, or school, or play.

 

writermom: when the kids were younger, like 3 and 4 years old, how did you handle your workspace and writing time? I have a three-and-a-half-year old and just finally got a space other than my family room to write, but my preschooler can't be trusted to be left on her own.

 

Karen: As I mentioned earlier, I did not write until after my youngest went to Kindergarten.  Some of my previous answers apply here, trading babysitting times with a friend, or writing when the children are napping or with a relative.

 

dyett: Any advice for moms that are home who need to generate new ideas for writing to earn income?

 

Karen: I wrote from my experiences as a young mom. Here are some of the articles I produced: “How to Teach Your Kids to Pray,” “How to Have a Sense of Humor in Marriage,” “Parents—Your Child's First Teacher,” “Learning Games for Moms and Toddlers,” “How to Earn Your Summer Fun,” and so on.

 

Mel: It sounds like you wisely got ideas right out of your own "momming," Karen. GREAT suggestion!

 

Karen: Yes, and one can also find ideas by talking to other parents to see what's important to them.

 

mewf: Would you encourage entering writing contests, often?

 

Karen: Contests are fine but I don't have much experience in that arena. I preferred to write for publication.

 

kristi: How do you handle e-mail? What is your system so it doesn't take over your life and writing time? How do you set e-mail boundaries?

 

Karen: I'm an e-mail junkie, I confess! I read it first thing in the a.m., and throughout the day. I have a spam detector program that weeds out the stuff I don't want. I find that if I am busy with a project, I'm not as likely to let e-mail distract me. I don't have any set boundaries. What I do set is a schedule for the day and I don't go to bed until I finish.

 

caq: This is not a problem for me, but for those who might have this problem, how would you suggest working as a writer if you do not have the support needed from your family to pursue your goal? Should you put it aside until you have more time to yourself?

 

Karen: I suggest setting realistic goals that can be accomplished in the amount of time you have to yourself, even if it is minimal. You can find this time by giving up extras such as TV, volunteer work, lunches with friends, that sort of thing. This might sound harsh, but if you want to write, it really is up to you to carve out the time, regardless of the support or lack of it from your family. Once your loved ones see that you “mean business,” they will come around and eventually be so proud of you.

 

beverlymiller: Have you ever worked a full-time job and written at same time?

 

Karen: Yes. I still do. I teach for two writing schools and I speak at women's retreats and other events and some business meetings.

 

dyett: Can you suggest tips for moms that homeschool who write?

 

Karen: Yes. My two daughters both homeschool. And one is a writer, in the sense that she helps homeschooling moms teach their kids to write. She has written a book on that topic, so in that sense she too is a writer. She has five children and a very chaotic household, since the kids are there 24/7, but she absolutely amazes me, has set her mind to her profession and she makes it happen—early in the a.m., late at night, on weekends. Not easy, but doable.

 

Mel: Karen, could you tell us more about your writing daughter? What, exactly, does she write? And has she "followed in your footsteps," do you think?

 

Karen: She has written some articles, but mostly she writes the course she teaches online. She can be reached via her web site: www.bravewriter.com     She is following in my footsteps in one sense, but in another, she has carved her own niche, as has my son, who is also a writer. He has an online business that requires a lot of writing.

 

kellyr: I know you recently published an article about refugees. Can you tell us about your research for this article?

 

Karen: Yes, I wrote the article based on my relationship with a Kurdish family I met here in San Diego. Most of my research was in person with the family. It all started with a book on Kurdish refugees, which was assigned by Lerner Books. The background on the country and customs, etc. came from the Internet, talking to the family, and reading newspaper accounts.

 

Mel: That article, "Free at Last," was published last April in Highlights for Children Magazine.

 

Karen: And the article will be posted on the Highlights Magazine Web site very soon, at http://www.highlights.com

 

Mel: For that article, you WON the Paul A. Witty Award. CONGRATULATIONS!!! Can you tell us about that award?

 

Karen: I don't know much about it because the editor was the person who submitted my article.  However, she told me he was a man interested in good literature for young people; he apparently donated a certain amount of money to be given to the winner of the yearly competition sponsored by the International Reading Association.

 

Mel: When will you actually receive the award, Karen?

 

Karen: I'll be going to San Antonio in early May to receive the award at the awards banquet during the IRA's annual convention.

 

Mel: CONGRATULATIONS again!!!

 

mewf: Karen, did you write for children first, and is that all you write now, or have you broadened out to adult books, too?

 

Karen: I now write almost exclusively for adults. The article we've been talking about, “Free at Last,” is something I decided to do, since I had so much material left over from the book research and from my interaction with this dear family. The children considered me their American grandmother.

 

Mel: Do you still have some contact with them, Karen, though I believe they moved across the country?

 

Karen: No longer, but I wish I did. My husband and I visited them in Tennessee shortly after they moved there about four years ago, and we've had a few phone conversations since. By now most of the children are grown up and may be out on their own.

 

Mel: What SUPER things you and your husband did for peace and world unity!

 

kellyr: How many rejections did you get before getting published?

 

Karen: I didn't count but I can say that I could have wallpapered my bathroom with them! At that point, I stopped saving them.

 

Mel: HA, a TRUE COLLEAGUE in writing!

 

dyett: Do you find that it is more difficult to be published today, or was it more challenging 30-odd years ago when you began?

 

Karen: I couldn't say since I'm no longer a beginner. I do believe what my first husband always told me: "There is always room for excellence."

 

caq: Wouldn't you say that being self-motivated and determined are very important qualities to possess if you want to become a writer? You pretty much have to be a self-motivator, don't you? No one else can make you be a writer.

 

Karen: You are absolutely correct, caq. I ask new writers: Are you willing to do what it takes, no matter what it takes? This is a sobering question and one that each of us can only answer for ourselves.

 

priya: How do you take rejections? Any suggestions?

 

Karen: Rejections sting, no doubt about it. However, they come with the territory. They are part of the writing life. One learns not to take them personally; an editor is rejecting a piece of writing, not the writer as a person.

 

Mel: I've heard it said recently: "Rejections come, and rejections go; acceptances come and STAY”—in terms of the way an acceptance can overcome rejection.

 

Karen: I like that wording. You're right. Once you've had a piece of writing accepted, it overshadows previous rejections no matter how many you've had.

 

rls: Are there any magazines you recommend for children's writers to subscribe to?

 

Karen: I subscribed to The Writer and Writer’s Digest. Now Children’s Writer is also available. It was not in print when I started out.

 

dyett: What is the course you teach, please, the name with the web address?

 

Karen: www.longridgewritersgroup.com     and      www.christianwritersguild.com

 

dyett: What are Christian publishers looking for? Any tips to getting published in a Christian magazine?

 

Karen: The best advice I can give you is to read sample copies online or by ordering them from the publisher—and reading the magazine guidelines.

 

Mel: Karen, is there a helpful way you know of to explain to our very young children that "now we are writing" and why? How can we help them understand?

 

Karen: Not sure what you mean by “now we are writing,” Mel.

 

Mel: To explain to them just what we are doing, and why we need the time.

 

Karen: Oh, you mean why Mom or Dad is writing. The word 'we' threw me off. I’m not sure how to do that with very young children. I'd probably tell them that I need a little time for something important. And then let the child know when you'll be back with him or her. You might set the oven timer and when it dings the child can come get you. Not sure, since I never dealt with that. I waited to begin writing until my children were in school so I could avoid those kinds of distractions.

 

Mel: GOOD and PRACTICAL suggestions—thanks!

 

kayetlyn: Karen, what topics do you like to write about the most?

 

Karen: I love to write about relationships. I've written on grandparenting, stepparenting, marriage, parenting adult children, devotionals for building one's spiritual life, addictions and overcoming them, anything to do with communicating truth and love in various relationships, i.e. with God, self, and others. My mission statement is to open hearts and connect lives through writing and speaking.

 

Mel: I believe you've also published in Reader’s Digest, haven't you. Tell us about that.

 

Karen: I wrote an article on the importance of “being there” for the people in our lives. It was published in 1984.

 

Mel: I remember that article; it made a deep impression on me. And my impression of you, Karen, has always been that you are the kind of person who IS THERE for the people in your life.

 

Karen: Thank you, Mel. What a nice thing to say.

 

dyett: How do you come up with catchy titles for your works?

 

Karen: Dyett, I love your questions. You seem like a person who is really eager to make a go of this. I find titles everywhere I look. Sometimes in a newspaper piece, on a bumper sticker, in my journal. All over, really. For example, I wrote a book about women and money abuses. One day I saw a bumper sticker that said, "A Woman's Place is in the Mall.” I thought to myself, that's a lie. Voila! I had my title for the book: A Woman’s Place is in the Mall—and Other Lies.

 

Mel: EXCELLENT!

 

kellyr: Do you tend to write more for a certain age group or gender?

 

Karen: Kelly, thanks for asking. I have written for all age groups, but my last couple of books have been for the senior crowd—those over 50. You can see as I change and grow older, I tend to write for the age group I'm part of. Just seems to work out that way. My latest titles are for books of humor for people 50+: Help, Lord! I’m Having a Senior Moment and Gettin’ Old Ain’t for Wimps.

Help, Lord will have a sequel this month and to date it has sold nearly 150,000 copies!

 

Mel: Karen, could you summarize briefly for us Help, Lord! I’m Having a Senior Moment, please?

 

Karen: The subtitle explains the book: Notes to God on Growing Older. It is a book of diary entries to God, bemoaning in humorous language the embarrassing things we do as we age,  such as forgetting where we put the cordless phone and then finding it in the fridge when we're about to make dinner!

 

Mel: Was there a certain process by which you were LED to writing that book—if you can describe the process?

 

Karen: It was a divine appointment. I was attending a writers' conference and came armed with all sorts of great ideas in written form to give to editors in attendance. I received a bunch of “no thank yous.” Then while visiting casually with one editor, I told her I had this dizzy idea to write a book of humor for seniors. She asked me to describe it. I did and then gave her this wild title—the one mentioned. She became totally jazzed and said that if I could get a proposal to her within two weeks she'd take it to the editorial committee. She felt certain she could get me a contract. The rest is history.

 

Mel: What a GREAT "story behind the story"! And 150,000 copies is SUPER!

 

loretta: Hi, my question is regarding revision. I am almost done with my first YA book and would like to know if you have any techniques you might suggest for editing a long work.

 

Karen: When the book was about done, I would edit it myself first, doing the best I could with my talent. Then I might hire a professional editor to give it a careful going-over before submitting to an editor. This really does depend, however, on your ability to see the flaws and the strengths.  Since this is your first effort, it would be helpful to have a professional opinion.

 

Mel: How does a writer go about hiring a professional editor, Karen? Where might we find them?

 

Karen: You could look on the web. There are many writing services available. Write to one or two people and see what they offer, and what their charges are.

 

caq: Are the rates in the adult market for magazines and books higher than the rates for the children's market?

 

Karen: Typically, yes, but it really depends on the book and the author. The more of a “name” you have, the higher the advance payments. Article pay varies a great deal, since there are so many publications with varying budgets for writers.

 

caq: Is it extremely difficult to write a nonfiction book as opposed to writing a nonfiction article? To clarify, it seems to me that it would be so difficult to find enough material to use for book-length nonfiction, or to be able to organize that much information to write a nonfiction book. Seems like it would be much more difficult than organizing the material for a nonfiction article. IS it, in fact?

 

Karen: I see your point. I felt that way at first, then someone showed me a simple way to look at this. A nonfiction book for children might have six to ten chapters. Compare that to writing six to ten articles! That concept helped me with my viewpoint on book writing. For example, when I wrote How to Make Money, I came up with a list of eight money-making ideas and put them together in one book. I tied them together with an opening chapter that introduced the topic, and an ending chapter on how to save, spend and invest the money you make. It made a great little book and was pretty easy to write.

 

Mel: You have STRONG organizational skills, I can see, Karen!

 

dyett: Did you say your son has a Web site? If so, what is the URL of the site, please?

 

Karen: http://www.amazing-cover-letters.com   You can also contact me by e-mail at karen@karenoconnor.com

 

kellyr: So what advice would you give to an aspiring writer with two children in preschool?

 

Karen: I think I've already given all the advice I have for moms with toddlers and preschoolers. I'll offer another suggestion that occurs to me now. Either wait till they are in school, or set up a plan with your husband or mother or a friend where you can write a certain number of hours per week, while that person takes charge of the kids. It is impossible (almost) to do justice to your children and still write without some outside assistance.

 

Mel: Great idea!

 

priya: How friendly are the editors in accepting and encouraging new writers?

 

Karen: I find them very friendly, particularly if you come across as a professional-in-the-making, and by that I mean you are polite, know the guidelines for submitting, are aware of the subject and age group they specialize in, and approach them with a letter that is clear, inviting, and shows that you've done your “marketing homework.” It also helps to meet real live editors at writers’ conferences. I highly recommend attending at least one each year. I still follow that advice.

 

rls: Do you do a lot of research for your how-to articles, or base them more on your own experience?

 

Karen: I do some research by interviewing people for their quotations to give my articles an authentic touch. For example, I wrote an article on how to make hot pretzels (for middle-grade students). I researched the process in a book (or today I'd do so online). For an article on how to teach your children to pray, I used my own examples, and I asked other parents for their customs and ideas and I quoted them.

 

Grandma Jan: I'm an Institute of Children’s Literature student and a full-time medical writer. At the end of the day, I'm frustrated by my inability to be disciplined about doing my homework. As a single 50-something (aka Grandma Jan) who lives alone, my active volunteer life keeps me in contact with others, provides life-work balance, and puts me in touch with the real world and the issues of moms and kids today. The unintended result of my rich life is that my assignments are perpetually late. Do you have any suggestions for resolving a conflict between writer's burn-out and achieving my goal to have a fulfilling retirement career writing for children?

 

Karen: Grandma Jan, this is a hard call and a personal one. I can't tell you what to do, but I can share from my own experience. I know that I cannot be a writer and still have my hand in several pots at once, though I admit I try, because like you, I enjoy variety and fullness of life.  I think it would be wise to sit down with yourself and ask some hard questions and then answer yourself honestly.  Do you want to be a published writer in the children's field?  If the answer is “no” or “I

don't care” or “it's just a hobby,” or some other lukewarm response, then you'll know what to do. Drop the course and continue with your full-time career as a medical writer and enjoy your active volunteer life.  No shame in any of that.

However, if you truly want to be a published writer for children, then something's gotta go or at least be minimized.  When I asked myself those questions years ago I realized that I was using my volunteer work to mask my procrastination.  I kept thinking that helping others was more noble than using the talent I was given—to write.  That all changed when I met someone at a writers' conference who set me straight. He said, "Anyone can bag groceries for the homeless," which I

was doing at the time, "but not just anyone can write successfully the way you can.  Your job is to write.  Don't take your talent lightly. It's a gift from God..."

I went home, resigned from all volunteer positions for two years, cleared my calendar of fluff, and set to work.  I have been writing ever since and I never have burn-out or writer’s block and I never, ever procrastinate when it comes to writing.  This is my gift to the world from God and I treat it as a sacred mission. I pray you will find your answer for your situation.

 

Mel: Amen again!

 

dyett: What do you mean by "homework in the world of publishing"?

 

Karen: I mean learning the ropes of submission (author guidelines available from each publisher,) writing a letter of inquiry (called a query letter) and putting it into proper format, and making sure you know what the editor publishes and the age group the magazine is for. I believe I mentioned that earlier. Basically, it's paying attention to the details necessary to get yourself a shot at publication.

 

mewf: Have you ever heard of the Penwritership Magazine?

 

Karen: No, I haven't. I'll look it up on the web and see if I can find it. Thanks for mentioning it, mewf.

 

kellyr: About your refugee article, can you tell us then, how you pulled out the information for the children's version of this story (with the "material left over" you spoke about)?

 

Karen: The book was for children, too, so it wasn't a problem. I just focused on my relationship with the family and a little bit about their history. It was more of a human-interest article than an article about the Kurds as a nation.

 

Mel: One last question:

 

dyett: How does one survive until writing brings in some income?

 

Karen: It's best to have at least one person in the family making a solid income that covers the bills. As I said earlier I dedicated myself to growing as a writer, rather than focusing on making money. Although I enjoyed the small fees I received. They encouraged me. I hope each of you will look seriously at where you are in your life and where you want to go as a writer. Then commit on paper to a one-year plan and a five-year plan. With a roadmap to follow and some realistic goals  established you will be able to hang on during the tough times and keep your dreams alive. I did just that and you can do it too.

 

Mel: THANK YOU, Karen O'Connor, for the bright light you've shown for us tonight on how to work out the challenges of writing and publishing, and not neglecting, but maintaining a thriving family life. From you we have gleaned so many helpful suggestions that will help us in the real life of our writing tomorrow, and keep us from dividing our writing selves from our families. I am certainly hoping it won't be three more years until we're able to have you back as our Chat Guest. Will you please come back to our chat room and be our guest again in the future?

 

Karen: I'd be honored. Goodnight everyone and thanks so much for stopping by.

 

Mel: At our next Guest Chat, Thursday March 17-Lucky St. Patrick's Day-we have invited Joanne Mattern to return. Joanne is the author of more than 130 educational children's books, and was our chat guest last December 2. This time we've asked her to chat about doing research. So MANY of you have asked questions about research, such as what are original sources, where can they be found, and how do you put together and format a bibliography. Joanne has done this more than 130 times, so she knows research and bibliographies inside and out. She also worked as an editor at Morrow Junior Books, at one time one of the most outstanding children's book publishers of nonfiction, where the editor, David Reuther, taught her much about writing for children. Joanne Mattern was likewise an editor at Troll Communications. Now she is a totally freelance educational writer. If you have ANY questions about research, come out March 17 to chat with Joanne.

 

Mel: THANK YOU again, Karen O'Connor, for being our Chat Guest tonight. In the times when we are so often pulled between love of family and love of writing, we will remember your wise and sensible suggestions as to how to be BOTH a writer and a family person. CONGRATULATIONS again on your prestigious Paul A. Witty Award from the International Reading Association! We wish you well, both in your writing for children and for adults, Karen!