Betsy & James Haynes

Santa's Diaries

Discussion

Fiction is a field and art of constant change. Researching, writing formats, media, popular subjects and submissions are in a state of flux. Joining other authors for discussions is almost a "have to". Local writing groups, such as SCBWI and MWA (see the Quick Links column) can be one of the best ways to dialogue with other authors of whatever genre, listen to professional presentations and have there work critiqued.

To ask me a question, click below. I'll respond to it as quickly as I can. The answer will appear here. Make sure you ID yourself so you'll know who I'm responding to.

Your Question

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By the way, what gave you the idea to write the Taffy Sinclair series?
~Evelyn

i have a question betsy, where could i get your books ( except on the on the internet )
-Fans

Hello, my name is Evelyn and I'm 12 years old. I really enjoy your books on Taffy Sinclair. I was hoping that you may write some more. I was 10 when I first experience the joy and laughter of the wonder books. I have only read two of your amazing books. I am hoping to read more and to contact you.
Your Favorite Reader,
Evelyn Aguilar

Hey, Matt. Thanks for your question. Unfortunately, there isn't. my book THE GREAT MOM SWAP was made into a movie, and my series Bonechillers was on Saturday morning TV for a while.

Is there a movie based on your novel Deadly Deception? Matt, Idaho

Is there a movie based of the novel "Deadly Deception"?

Q: I'm 12 and I love to write stories. Is there anywhere I can get them published? Carli B, Florida

A: There certainly is. I was 11 when I got my first poem published in a St. Louis paper. There are lots of magazines that publish stories, poems and art work by kids. The most famous is STONE SOUP. Check your library to see if they have a copy. You can find other markets in a book in the reference section of your town's library called, CHILDREN'S WRITER"S AND ILLUSTRATOR'S MARKET. There is a new one published every year, and it lists publications, their addresses, the rules for submitting and what they pay (usually in copies).

Q: Where do you get your ideas? Debbi A, Ohio

A: I hear that question all the time. And do you know what? They're all around me and you, too. For instance, one day I was walking my dog in a vacant lot. I stopped to let him chase a butterfly and all of a sudden about a gazillion fire ants decided to have my foot for lunch. If you've ever been bitten by fire ants, you know how much that hurts! While I was jumping around, trying to shake them off my foot, I suddenly asked myself "what if?" WHAT IF I was a kid, and my friend and I were walking though the woods? And WHAT IF we were captured by two ginormous ants and carried away to their house-size ant hill and forced to be slaves, licking the ant eggs to keep them dry, among other things? By the time all the ants were off my foot, I had the whole plot for ATTACK OF THE KILLERANTS, (HarperPaperbacks).