r/books • u/halseanderson AMA Author • Sep 29 '15
ama 7pm I am Laurie Halse Anderson, award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of Speak, Wintergirls, The Impossible Knife of Memory, Chains and many more – ask me anything!
I have twice been a finalist for the National Book Award (always the bridesmaid, never the bride...), and I received a shiny medal from the American Library Association for my "significant and lasting contributions to young adult literature." My newest novel, The Impossible Knife of Memory looks at what it’s like to have a suicidal parent who is broken by PTSD. It’s also about falling in love and figuring out who you are. SO MANY FEELS!
What else? I have a chainsaw that I pull out when attacked by book banners, I work in a magical cottage in the woods, and I'm trying to visit every country on this world. My homemade strawberry jam is a religious experience. Proof of the me-ness of me is here: https://instagram.com/p/8OKVAHB0GZ/ Writing advice, essay answers, oatmeal recipes... I'll be here from 7 - 8pm, Tuesday, 9/29. Ask Me Anything!
EDITED TO ADD - I am so very bummed that they only gave me an hour!!! Thank you SO MUCH for joining me! If you ever have other questions, you can ask me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/halseanderson. You can also see pics of my travels and my dogs on Instagram: https://instagram.com/halseanderson/
You guys are so wonderful - thanks again for such a fun ride!!!
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u/YAS100 Sep 29 '15
Speak was one of the life-changing books you read as a teen. It truly shaped a big portion of anyone who had the privilege of reading it. Did you have a book like that in high school? (you provided that moment to so many of us, I would love to know of who gave you a similar moment).
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Sep 29 '15
I'm going to echo the note of thanks for writing Speak. That book probably saved me.
My questions:
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What compelled you to write about topics like sexual assault before it was a more accepted subject in YA lit? (I don't know if 'accepted' is the right word here, but it's the only one I can think of. Sorry.)
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Did any of your books turn out completely different from what you had originally envisioned? How?
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u/Janagirl123 Sep 29 '15
I hope you realize how much of an impact your books have made on me and so many young women growing up. When I was around 13 I read every single one of your books and loved them. Speak was particularly important to me because it tackled a subject I rarely saw explored in YA fiction. I feel like part of the reason it is so hard for victims to speak out is because sexual assault is simply something we do not like to talk about. What was it like being one of the first authors to open up the dialogue in YA literature about rape? What inspired you to write this fantastic book that has helped many girls come to term with being assaulted?
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u/techsupportlibrarian Sep 29 '15
Hey Mrs. Anderson! I am a teen librarian, and I am so happy that you write books. Its just so awesome how much your work resonates with the teens, and your books are always flying off our shelves and heading home with teens.
How are you planning to celebrate Banned Books Week? Especially since your work gets targeted for its portrayal of how things really are for some people.
Keep writing! I love your work!!
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u/blue-lips Sep 29 '15
Hi Laurie,
I read Wintergirls in one sleepless night as a recovering anorexic when I was in high school. I cried pretty much from page one, it was such a moving experience to feel like someone out there understood what was going on in my head.
I don't really have a question, I just wanted to thank you for the comfort you allowed me on that lonely night.
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u/gagdude Sep 29 '15
What was your inspiration for writing Speak? It was one of my favorite books and remains something I talk about with my friends who read it along with me.
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u/Ivancloak Sep 29 '15
Hi Laurie,
I'm an English teacher that teaches your book Speak to ninth graders. I also recommend your book Catalyst as another book that they should read if they enjoyed Speak.
Would you ever have thought that you would have written a book that would be taught in classrooms across America? When did you realize that Speak was bigger than you had ever anticipated? And most importantly, if you could say anything to freshmen in high school, what would it be?
Thanks again for your time and for writing such a great book to work with in my freshman classes.
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Sep 29 '15
Chiming in to say that I'm also a teacher. Speak is one of the most borrowed books in my classroom library. It's extra special to me because I read it when I was my students' age. Great questions. I hope Laurie has a chance to see them!
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u/Chtorrr Sep 29 '15
What was your favorite book as a young child? And as a teen?
Did those books shape the way you write now?
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u/Kristin_Pekoll Sep 29 '15
It's #bannedbooksweek. What was your emotional reaction to hearing that your book was challenged? Can you share the experience?
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u/zelus523 Sep 29 '15
You always seem to tackle such sensitive and emotional subjects. Do you find yourself emotionally drained after a day of writing about these topics verses spending a day writing about something more lighthearted? Why did you decide to take on such difficult subjects? Thanks so much for doing this AMA and can't wait for your next book!
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u/MissEllyphant Sep 29 '15
What is the best piece of advice that you would give to young writers? Or what do you wish you knew early on in your career that you know now? Also, what are you currently reading?
I love your books and I cannot wait to teach them in my own classroom someday! Thank you for doing this AMA!
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u/TeaKitten Sep 29 '15
No question, I just wanted to let you know that my English 405 class (adolescent fiction) read your book Speak last semester. You gave us a lot to discuss, both from the actual content of your book and in the way you've responded to your book being banned/challenged. Thank you for continuing to write such great books about such important topics!
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u/Bubberducky2000 Sep 29 '15
What's the biggest thing that can make the difference between a good writer and a bad one?
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Sep 29 '15
Did you find it a struggle to get published for the first time? Or was it a relatively smooth process?
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u/HeyKidsRockOn Sep 29 '15
I'm curious about your drafting process. Do you plot before you begin writing? Or is it more of an organic, jump right in approach? And mostly, have you noticed any significant changes or evolutions in your creative process over the course of your career?
Thanks!
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u/coffeespoons87 Sep 29 '15
Hello! Thanks so much for doing an AMA. I love "The Impossible Knife of Memory." It unpacks such highly charged topics with delicacy and depth. I am wondering how you went about researching and developing the portions of that book which dealt with PTSD. It is a topic I have a personal interest in and would love to hear about your process behind that portion specifically in your book. Thanks for being wonderful!
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u/lily-mama Sep 29 '15
Why did you write wintergirls? It was cold reaslistic slightly scary. But a wonderful book nonetheless
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u/mildmilkallergy Sep 29 '15
so disappointed that this isn't further up on the front page. speak is such a great book and really helped me a lot throughout high school dealing with my own history of sexual abuse. no questions here, I just wanted to give you a genuine thank you. you're incredible.