Welcome Debut Novelist, Kristin L. Gray + giveaway

Dear Readers,

Please welcome Author Kristin L. Gray and congratulate her on her debut MG novel, Vilonia Beebe Takes Charge. I promise you'll love this book if you enjoy a heartfelt read with a large dollop of humor. It's a perfect pick for your middle grade readers or to read together as a family. Kristin is generously donating an autographed book to one lucky winner who leaves a comment. 

See comment contest details from Kristin in her post below. Enjoy!


Writing from the Inside Out. . .   by Kristin L. Gray  

 I’ve heard it said we writers have approximately eight seconds to capture a reader’s attention. Eight seconds to hook a reader browsing dozens of books at their local bookshop into wanting to leave with our story. Talk about pressure. Our first page, first paragraph, first line must sing. And if that’s not difficult enough, we need to maintain this level of quality throughout our story or we risk losing our reader to other demands or an electronic device. I’m a total sucker for strong openings, so I thought long and hard about this while working on my debut middle grade novel, Vilonia Beebe Takes Charge.

I learned (and am still learning) from authors who have mastered the art of a good opening. Thankfully, all that’s required to study up on this is a trip to your nearest bookcase.

In fact, I could spend a whole hour in my bookstore or local library doing this very thing. I love examining first pages to see which ones grab my attention and why. Why does this opening make my heart beat yes?

Many times it’s the voice. Often it’s a question planted into my mind that needs answered. I have to read on to find out more. Take Charlotte’s Web for instance. 

“Where’s Papa going with that axe?”

Yes, where is Papa going? And what is he doing with an axe?

Or my personal favorite:

“There’s no lake at Camp Green Lake.” (HOLES by Louis Sachar) Wow! What a brilliant line. Immediately I want to know why a camp would be named Green Lake if there’s no actual lake?

Or this one . . . 

“Trouble cruised into Tupelo Landing at exactly seven minutes past noon on Wednesday, the third of June, flashing a gold badge and driving a Chevy Impala the color of dirt.” Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage is brimming with voice. I love that her protagonist Mo LoBeau refers to the deputy as Trouble. You know from the very first word that this is a spunky heroine you will enjoy spending time with. Not to mention, Turnage’s descriptions come alive.

Then here’s mine. 

“The day I was born I was four times smaller than the trophy largemouth bass hanging in my daddy’s shop.”  These were the first words I ever wrote for Vilonia Beebe Takes Charge way back in 2013. We know right off the bat that Vilonia was preemie or at least a small baby. That line propelled me into exploring her character and her wants. Every story starts with a first line. What’s yours?

I’d love to hear first lines that hooked you as a reader. Tell me in the comments below for a chance to win a copy of Vilonia Beebe. And thank you to Clara for hosting me. 

As a bonus here’s a tentative first line from my WIP: Imagine the worst smell you can think of, multiply it by rotten fish, and I promise you a turkey truck smells worse.

Being responsible is NOT easy.

 

Fourth grader Vilonia hasn’t lost her rain coat in the three weeks she’s had it and she’s brushed her teeth every night and she’s volunteered to be the Friday Library Helper. But all that hard work is worth it if it means she can get a dog. Besides, this dog isn’t just because Vilonia has wanted one for pretty much ever. It’s also to help Mama, who’s been lost in one, big sadness fog for forty-three days—ever since Nana died. But Vilonia read that pets can help with sadness. Now all she has to do is keep the library goldfish alive over spring break, stop bringing stray animals home, and help Mama not get fired from her job. And she’s got to do all of it before the Catfish Festival. Easy as pie, right?

Praise for Vilonia Beebe Takes Charge:

*A humorous, poignant, realistic debut story about a very responsible little girl who's a "force of nature.  – Kirkus Reviews

*Gray brings Vilonia’s small Mississippi town to vibrant life, creating a cast of warm, eccentric inhabitants and traditions, including the annual Catfish Festival. Vilonia’s amusing scrapes serve to counterbalance the seriousness of her mother’s condition. – Publishers Weekly

*A heartfelt read filled with nuanced characters... a fast-paced adventure with a very human story. – School Library Journal

Kristin L. Gray drinks coffee (cream, no sugar) and writes books (funny, not sad) from her home in northwest Arkansas. She loves to read, walk her dogs, and eat cake for breakfast. Kristin’s fourth-grade self would never believe she has five children, two dogs, one fish, a bearded dragon, and a shy gecko. Vilonia Beebe Takes Charge is her first novel. To learn more about Kristin, or to send her a cake, visit her online at KristinLGray.com. 

Vilonia Beebe Takes Charge

S&S Paula Wiseman Books

Ages 8-12 | 208 pages | $16.99

ISBN: 9781481458429

Kristin has a new book under contract, The Amelia Six, a middle grade mystery. Details in the boxed text below:

Thank you, Kristin, for sharing your special talent with us. Thank you, dear readers, for stopping by to congratulate Kristin on her debut novel, Vilonia Beebe Takes Charge. The winner of the autographed book will be announced in one week.

Oops, I almost forgot! I bet you're all wondering who won The Green Umbrella by Jackie Azua Kramer. The lucky winner, chosen by random.org is: Rosemary Basham
Congratulations, Rosemary! Please email me: claragillowclark(at)gmail(dot)com with your mailing address and to whom you'd like the book personalized.

Stay tuned everyone! We have another debut author and giveaway next week. As always, thank you, dear readers, for continuing to support authors and children's books.

~Clara