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Are you looking for some reading and writing inspiration?
I am excited to share with you an interview with award winning Minnesota author,
Mary Casanova!
Mary, you have written numerous award winning books in a variety of genres for a wide span of ages for children, ranging from lyrical picture books to historical fiction young adult novels. Can you tell us briefly how your career as a writer has developed and grown to include such a rich variety of published literature?
Early on in my writing dream, I envisioned writing novels for adults. Along the way, I wrote short stories, articles, and poems--accumulating a mountain of rejections and a few small publications. Not until I later when I was working toward a Master's Degree in English did I consider writing for younger readers. I stumbled upon a course in Writing for Children, read HATCHET by Gary Paulsen, and thought I might have a northwoods kids novel in me. I figured, if I could write a book that boys wouldn't put down, perhaps I could garner the interest of an editor. My first novel was MOOSE TRACKS, published in l995, and it's still turning reluctant readers (often boys) into more avid readers.
After that, I wrote more middle-grade novels set in Minnesota (STEALING THUNDER, WOLF SHADOWS, RIOT, WHEN EAGLES FALLS.) From there, I ventured into historical fiction by traveling to France to write a novel set in the 1500s during a dark time in history, influenced by my earlier research about wolves and people's superstitions. That resulted in CURSE OF A WINTER MOON, which in turn led to being asked to write for American Girl, as they were looking for someone to write a novel for them set in France during the time of King Louis XIV. I returned to France to write CECILE: Gates of Gold, set in 1711 at the Palace of Versailles.
Hosting an exchange student led to the retelling of a Chinese folktale and picture book called THE HUNTER. Paddling on Rainy Lake one day and rescuing a dog swimming after us lead to writing ONE-DOG CANOE.
And so I kept branching out and building on what I'd already done: writing adventure novels, historical fiction, picture books, series, American Girl books, and more recently, my YA-adult novel, FROZEN. (Not to be confused with the Disney story.)
I look forward to discovering what's next!
Do you have a favorite book that you have written - or do you find yourself favoring a certain type of genre?
I love reading historical fiction that somehow illuminates a time period and a slice of history. That's why it's no surprise that my favorite genre to write is historical fiction. Unfortunately, it's also the hardest. It requires so much research. Every detail must ring true and be plausible to the time and location, which is why I always do research on location (Norway for THE KLIPFISH CODE, set in WWII during the Nazi occupation), and the islands and locations used in FROZEN, set in l920 northern Minnesota on Rainy Lake.
Several of your American Girl novels have been made into full length movies, how involved are you in the process of a book being adapted to film? How it feel to have your stories and characters shared in a movie format?
I love that my stories are given another chance to reach an audience through film. I always remind myself--and kids--that movies are never the same as books. So far, I've been very happy with the films, CHRISSA STANDS STRONG (HBO/American Girl) and McKENNA SHOOTS FOR THE STARS (Universal/American Girl). In both cases, the films get at the heart of the story and convey the basic themes and messages I intended in the books.
I was on set when McKENNA was being filmed in Winnipeg. I sat in one of four director's chairs and had the privilege of watching a director work. It seemed much like my writing project. He'd watch scenes being enacted, and ask for another take, and another, and another, and another. Once what was filmed matched pretty closely what he had in mind, he'd say, "That's a wrap." And then he'd direct the crew and actors to move on to the next scene. I do lots of revisions, too, and at some point I have to say "good enough." Time to move on to the next chapter--or book.
As far as my actual involvement in the screenwriting, it's different each time. I was heavily involved with CHRISSA, asking the screenwriters from Hollywood to at times pull back on dialogue if it sounded to old for my characters. I made some changes in the books to better sync up with the film, but not many. It felt like a really great collaboration. With McKENNA, I read the screenplay in my hotel room the night before going on set. Watching it enacted the next day was pure magic!
On your website you mention you are working on a sequel to your young adult novel Frozen, are you currently working on any other projects?
I do have some exciting projects in the works with American Girl, but that's all pretty hush-hush until it comes out. Keep watching for it!
And yes, I'm working on a sequel to FROZEN, set to release in 2016. In addition, I will have two new picture books coming out over the next few years from the UMN Press . . . I'm always working on something.
What do you do when you are not writing?
When I'm not writing, I'm often spending time with our barn cat, three dogs and three horses. Oh, and we recently added chickens to our menagerie!. I love being around our animals and being outside, whether it's trail-riding, hiking, swimming, or skiing. I also enjoy playing the piano, baking, and reading! Living up north gives me the active-yet-quiet, nature-filled life I need as a writer.
Thank you Mary for such an inspiring conversation!
Now for more fun! Mary is generously offering a giveaway of 3 of her books:
One Dog Sleigh:
Harness bells jing-jing-jingle under branches frosted white, but is there enough room for everyone when squirrel, owl, lynx, and other forest animals ask to play?
Filled with lyrical text, bouncy rhythm, and whimsical illustrations, this is one heart-warming and adventurous sleigh ride you won’t want to miss. Bundle up and climb aboard!
Stealing Thunder:
Libby loves her horses, and although she doesn't have one of her own, she's lucky she can always visit with the horses that belong to her neighbors, the Porters. For years Libby has helped Mrs. Porter—Jolene—care for the horses in exchange for lessons. And during her time there, she has forged a special bond with Jolene's prize horse, Thunder.
Libby's world changes when Jolene mysteriously leaves and Libby is no longer free to see Thunder as much as she'd like. Bound and determined, she sneaks into the stable to visit Thunder. But Libby notices blood around his eye and realizes that Mr. Porter is taking his anger out on the horse. With the help of Griff, a new boy in her class with whom Libby is spending increasingly more time, she decides to steal thunder to ensure his safety. But Mr. Porter is on the lookout for Libby and has a backup plan of his own ...
In this fast-paced adventure, Libby finds her own voice as she stands up for what she believes in a world of adults who think they know best.
When Eagles Fall:
After getting in trouble and in a near-fatal accident, Alex Castille-Reed is sent to join her biologist father on an eagle-banding expedition in International Falls, Minnesota. She soon finds herself stranded on a small island with an injured eaglet, forced to fight for her own life, as well as that of her new charge.
Struggling against a storm, a bear, and hunger, Alex uses resources she never knew she had to make it home again.
Readers will find When Eagles Fall to be an exciting adventure story of survival and self-discovery.
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For your chance to win
One Dog Sleigh, Stealing Thunder, & When Eagles Fall,
enter the giveaway below:
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