Wednesdays Quote

Today's quote comes from Susan L. Lipson.  She is a writer, mother, and teacher and has two very wonderful blogs, Writing Memorable Words and Writing for Students and Teachers: Inspiring Awe for Words and Awesome Writing. 

"If you worried about today yesterday, and today has turned out okay, ask yourself why you ruined yesterday with unnecessary worrying. And if today turned out lousy, ask yourself why you had to ruin yesterday TOO? One bad day is enough. In short, worry is a waste of energy."

Interview with Senior Editor Timothy Travaglini

Timothy Travaglini is Senior Editor for G. P. Putnam’s Sons, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group. Since 1994, he has worked in trade marketing for Scholastic, Inc.; been a bookseller for Books of Wonder, an all-children’s bookstore in New York City; and has edited for Henry Holt and Company, Walker & Company, and for Putnam since 2005. He is the editor of the New York Times #1 bestseller GOODNIGHT GOON, New York Times bestseller THE RUNAWAY MUMMY, and FURIOUS GEORGE GOES BANANAS by Michael Rex; The Youngest Templar trilogy by New York Times bestselling author Michael P. Spradlin; DREAMDARK: BLACKBRINGER and DREAMDARK: SILKSINGER by National Book Award finalist Laini Taylor; The Washington Post Best Children’s Book of the Year FLYGIRL by Sherri L. Smith; The Foundling’s Tale trilogy (formerly titled Monster Blood Tattoo) by D. M. Cornish; BENJAMIN FRANKLINSTEIN LIVES! by Matthew McElligott & Larry Tuxbury; many picture books by Patrick O’Brien such as YOU ARE THE FIRST KID ON MARS and CAPTAIN RAPTOR AND THE MOON MYSTERY; EARTH MOTHER by Ellen Jackson, illustrated by Leo & Diane Dillon; ONE WITCH by Laura Leuck, illustrated by S. D. Schindler; many of the romantic comedies of Janette Rallison such as JUST ONE WISH, and ALL’S FAIR IN LOVE, WAR, AND HIGH SCHOOL; VIOLENCE 101 by Denis Wright; the reissue of Newbery-Honor winner ENCHANTRESS FROM THE STARS by Sylvia Louise Engdahl:


Since this blog is about offering inspiration to writers and artists, my first question for you is, do you have a favorite quote? If so, why is it your favorite?
 
I have many favorite quotes, I could never say there is one that surpasses all others. But an apropos one might be Maxim Gorky’s 

“You must write for children in the same way as you do for adults, only better.”

You have edited so many books that have gone on to win prestigious awards and that constantly become New York Times Bestsellers, WOW! I applaud you for having such a phenomenal editorial eye! If you could be one character out of all the books you’ve edited, who would it be and why?

Thank you—although no success has been as “constant” as I would like. I love the question—I’ve never thought about that. There are a few characters that anyone might say I am already. But if I could be one, it might be Backbeard, the hairiest pirate who ever lived. No, wait, I’ve changed my mind: It would either be the kid from You Are the First Kid on Mars or Stewart Hale from Shanghaied to the Moon; because going into outer space would be really, really cool.


If you could go back in time when you first started working as an editor, what piece of knowledge would you take back with you into the future?

I find that the knowledge I most value is the accumulation of knowledge I have gained over the years. And you simply can’t start out with that. But rather than duck the question…let’s see…one piece… OK, how about this: I might track down a certain aspiring writer in Scotland and become friends with her. I would never say that I should have ever published her books. All successes are the results of stars aligning in a certain way, and if you mess with the time-space continuum, it’ll bite you in the end. But it would be nice to be friends…


What did you want to be growing up? Now that you’re an editor did this come as a surprise?

That changed frequently, I can remember wanting to be a fireman, an astronaut, an architect, a psychiatrist. Becoming an editor was never a surprise. Books were my one consistent interest throughout life. Everything else was fleeting.


You have come across many writers and artists in your career. What piece of advice have you given most?

Marry money.


If you could be any super hero, who would it be and why?

Wolverine. Because he’s indestructible, and feral.


If you could pick one word to describe yourself, what would it be?

I don’t know that I can pick one word. Quixotic. Oh, look, I just did. But keep in mind what happens to Don Quixote in the end…

Thank you Timothy for such insight into your amazing world of editing and for sharing Maxim Gorky’s wonderful quote! You’re adored for all the tireless work you do and if I could pick one word to describe you, it would have to be, accomplished.

Interview with Author Gary Buslik

Gary Buslik leads the life of a spunky and hilariously funny author/teacher. His love for writing started at a very early age and when he tried to pursue that dream, life took him on another journey. Although the cards of life didn’t first deal him the author card, he never gave up creating. For much of his career many knew him as CEO of an amazing company that skyrocketed in the stock exchange, but inside Gary has always been a lover of words. He is now the author of A ROTTEN PERSON TRAVELS THE CARIBBEAN and THE MISSIONARY'S POSITION; both are witty must haves for any traveler.

Since this blog is about offering inspiration to writers and artists, my first question for you is, do you have a favorite quote or piece of literature? If so, why is it your favorite?

As a teacher of Shakespeare I'm always pulling quotes from the Bard. I've found all the philosophy I've ever needed from him. It's also great for picking up women. "Go to your bosom: Knock there, and ask your heart what it doth know" is one of the greatest score lines of all time. This is the line I used when I met my future wife, and it worked for many years, until she finally said, "Out, out damn'd spot!"

If you could go back in time when you were a young adult, what piece of advice would you give yourself?

Your ego is your worst enemy.

Has there ever been a professor/teacher in your life that has left an impression on you in a big way? If so, what did they do?

My high school English teacher, Barbara Cyrus (now Martin). I was a horrible student, a total goofball. But she saw something in me and said so. She was very kind, very encouraging. For her it was probably just another day at the office, but for me it meant everything. To this day—a long, long time later—I'm still writing to please her. I send her copies of my books, fully expecting her to write back, "Well, it could be worse." You might not think that high praise, but to a teenage goofball it spelled career.

Since you are a teacher as well, how do you encourage your students when they’re having moments of self-doubt?

I tell my students to always try to see the other person's point of view. It will make them better people and better writers. As for self-doubt, some of my students need more, not less. (OK, I'm no Miss Cyrus.)

Sometimes my creative writing students are the worst. They'll write a first-person narrative and have the narrator kill himself at the end. When I ask the obvious—How did he write the story if he's dead?—they turn me in to the English Department for destroying their self-esteem. At least once a year I have to meet with the department head to fill out a form. He finally just gave me a pad of fifty and told me to submit them myself as necessary, that he has better things to do, such as lunch.

If you could be any hero, real or make believe, who would it be and why?

I don't think I have any heroes. I never thought about that before. I admire many people, but I just assume everyone else is at least as nuts as I am. I often wish I had been born without a cynicism gene, but then I wouldn't be an artist. As the great Christopher Rush said, "Unhappy people write; happy people bowl."

I suppose I wish I had a better picture for Facebook. Yours is really terrific, and it makes me want to tell you, "Go to your bosom: Knock there, and ask your heart what it doth know."

If you could pick three nouns to describe yourself, what would they be?

"Dog." "Cat." "Bird." The three pets with whom I will be buried. I miss them a lot. But at least they'll be buried with me, not with you know who.

Thank you Gary!  Your sense of humor is out of this world and so are your books.  I am so lucky to have interviewed you and I know many who will be happy to get to know more about you. 


If you would like to find out more about Gary Buslik and his fascinating life check out his website or pick up a book.  You wont be disappointed because he'll be sure to make you laugh.