Fun and Games: Researching THE BRIXEN WITCH

Once I realized there would be a bit of a Pied Piper element to The Brixen Witch, I knew I had research to do. After the fun part -- reading every single version of the legend that I could find -- it was time to get down to brass tacks or, in this case, rats' tails. How to write believably about the task of catching rats?

I'm not proud. I started with Google. Eventually I found my way to an awesome, wonderful website called Project Gutenberg. That's where I found this, from 1898:

This detailed 63-page treatise told me everything I'd ever want to know about catching rats, and a lot I would have preferred not to know. (I learned not to snack while reading it.)

It was written by a man who clearly took great pride in his work. And why not? He had 25 Years'  Experience.

He was a good writer, too. Here is the bit of ad copy he wrote at the end of his booklet:

Ike Matthews is prepared to go out Ratting with parties of gentlemen or their gamekeepers on their private estates during the summer, supplying dog, ferrets, and nets, at moderate charges.  

Ike Matthews is also willing to go out rabbit-shooting with gentlemen during the season, and will supply and work ferrets at reasonable charges.  He is also prepared to break dogs and puppies to ferreting and Ratting on reasonable terms.

Any number of live Rats and rabbits supplied at a few days’ notice.

All orders promptly attend[ed] to.
           Undeniable References.
                    Yours truly,
                              IKE MATTHEWS.

Which just goes to show: There's a lot of truth hiding within the pages of fiction.

Writing mini-lesson: Metaphor

Nothing like hearing Cole Porter himself singing "You're the Top."
And your toes will be tapping, too!

About that Brixen Witch cover

If you look closely at the mountain in the background of the Brixen Witch cover...

...it might remind you of this:

This is a photo of Der Schlern, the real mountain in the Italian Alps, with its own witch legend. I took this photo in the year 2000. That's how long I've wanted to write a story about that mountain, and that witch. Now here it is 2012, and it's about to happen! (The rats are just a bonus.)

In which I consider the research authors do

If you are a teacher or librarian, and are a member of the International Reading Association:

I have a blog post up today on the ENGAGE blog, titled  "Let the Dominoes Fall: Following Research Where It Takes You."

I hope you'll stop by!

(Thanks to the people at the IRA for posting it.)

A cover! A cover!

Say hello, world, to the cover illustration for my newest novel for kids:

Coming in June 2012 from Margaret K. McElderry Books, it's a re-imagining of the Pied Piper tale...and yet, that only begins to describe the story.

There is so much I love about this cover, and I find something new to love every time I look at it. The boy (our hero, Rudi) looks exactly like I've always imagined him -- right down to the lederhosen! He's innocent, but brave; a reluctant hero who rises to every challenge (and there are many).

And the Fiddler: yikes, how menacing! Even more menacing than the rats. And if you look closely, you can see rats at his feet, too. Gives me shivers.

What I love most about this cover, though, is how very many details and elements of the story are included in this picture; and yet, it's not a mish-mosh; it's a cohesive picture, which itself  tells a story (without giving away too many secrets).

I can't wait to hear reactions from readers: What do you expect the story to be like, now that you've seen this picture?

It's all about the story

If you're a book person (and probably even if you're not), I bet you hear this statement almost every day, or something like it:

"E-books may be here to stay, but it's not the same as holding a real book in your hands."

Well, of course it's not the same. Then again, it's exactly the same.

When you read a book, you're not reading pages or paper or ink. You're reading words. You're reading story. And who cares if the words and story are rendered in pixels or on paper?

It makes no difference.

I'll agree that paper books are comforting. They are often very beautiful. But they are also heavy, bulky, and take up a lot of room in my bag.

I will always have shelves full of books. But not the thousands I have now. I imagine one day my book shelves will be filled with beautiful works of art that contain the stories I love best, first read on my e-reader.

Hay! Let's go to Wales!

Well, I'd like to go someday:

I could hike the Breton Beacons,

mmmm....

And I could go to the Hay Festival at Hay-on-Wye, home of "Britain's best-known literary festival."

Fresh air, beautiful scenery, and books. What could be better?

(photo from the Telegraph)