Cynthia Rylant
Pigs Galore
This past September, after years of writing and teaching the writing of realistic YA fiction, I was pleased to launch into the world a set of four early chapter books. Not surprisingly, the challenge of telling a story in 1000 words instead of 60,000 was huge. It was not the only challenge.
Instead of focusing on a teen girl in turmoil, I was now writing about a talking pig.… more
Skinny Dip with Barbara O’Connor
Which book do you find yourself recommending passionately?
Missing May by Cynthia Rylant. I read it at a time when I was struggling to find my writing voice. I was so struck by the strong sense of place in that book. It was obvious that West Virginia was Rylant’s heart’s home. So I decided to write stories that were set in my heart’s home—the South—and specifically the Smoky Mountains.… more