Editor’s Note: Many summer youth classes start June 18. Teaching artists from four of those classes were interviewed and their responses are below.
Three Questions with Dawn Frederick
“The ‘Knows’ of Publishing” (ages 15–17) with Dawn Frederick starts June 18
What’s your favorite part of summer?
My favorite part of the summer is seeing nature and people out and about. From seeing the bunnies (that live in my backyard) running around, to seeing numerous people cycling all over the city. Plus, the mornings where the birds are the first thing I hear (besides the alarm clock) is always a good time. And you can’t forget that the DQs are open too…which means I can eat ice cream more than one should.
What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever heard?
The best writing advice I ever heard was to write from within. Specifically write what comes naturally and go from there. The most important aspect of writing is going through the routine and getting into a regular practice of putting words on paper. Of course, the next process is the editing and revision stage, but alas if the writing is going to be truly representative of the author, it needs to be an organic experience.
What can students expect out of “The “Knows” of Publishing”?
“The ‘Knows’ of Publishing” is going to be a fun and informative class. For any teen who writes, wants to write, and/or work in publishing, there will be be something to take away from this class. I’m especially excited about the social media portion of our class, as well as the special guests who will be visiting on the day that we discuss careers in publishing. In addition, we’ll be presenting a special contest JUST for our class participants, that’s in collaboration with Paper Darts magazine. This is in addition to a free book proposal critique by Red Sofa Literary.
Dawn Frederick is the owner & literary agent of Red Sofa Literary, established in 2008. Red Sofa Literary is a celebration of the quirky, eclectic ideas in our publishing community. Dawn’s previous experience reflects a broad knowledge of the book business, with over a decade of experience as a bookseller in the independent, chain, and specialty stores, an editor for a YA publisher, a published nonfiction author, and an associate literary agent at Sebastian Literary Agency. Dawn earned a BS in Human Ecology and a MS in Information Sciences from an ALA-accredited institution.
Three Questions with Patrick Hueller
“On Your Mark, Get Set, Go! Writing Action-Filled Sports Stories” (ages 12–14) with Patrick Hueller starts June 18
What’s your favorite part of summer?
The hot, sunny part.
What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever heard?
Writers come back to haunt you. Wait—that’s baseball. Walks come back to haunt you (if you’re a pitcher). Here’s another good (writing-related) tip: Write stuff you would want to read even if you weren’t the author.
What can students expect out of “On Your Mark, Get Set, Go! Writing Action-Filled Sports Stories”?
Ice cream. Lots of ice cream. Wait—that’s what they can expect from an ice cream truck. In this class, they should expect sports. Lots of sports. If you’re a fan of sports, this class is a fan of you. We’ll spend our time talking, reading, and writing about sports. We might even have a few sports competitions—mini baseball? trash basket basketball?—inside the classroom.
Patrick Hueller received his MFA in Creative Writing (fiction) from the University of Minnesota. His sports novel, Foul (written under the pen name Paul Hoblin), was published in 2011 by Darby Creek, an imprint of Lerner Books. According to Booklist, Foul has “a strong grasp of sports action” and is “unbearably tense.”
Three Questions with Roxanne Sadovsky
“Creative Writing for Outsiders, Misfits, and the Counterculture” (ages 13–17) with Roxanne Sadovsky starts June 18
What’s your favorite part of summer?
Hands down, riding my bike, especially along the amazing trails. When that trail happens upon an outdoor music festival somewhere, I am super blissed out!
What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever heard?
It seems that my entire life I have been hearing and reading great advice about writing which has all made perfect sense (or none at all) at the time it was offered. The best has come from Brenda Ueland, Stephen King, and Cary Tenis. I’ve heard some doozies, I’ll tell ya that. Doozies I even took seriously, which I still regret to this day because they advised writing more from head than heart, which resulted in some pretty hollow substance beneath the shiny shell of big words. Luckily, a few folks came along at some point early enough in my wild young days in Los Angeles and told me, in not so many words, and in varied echoes, to write my truth. No matter what, write your truth. Ever since, I have followed the creative process into that deeper truth where lives an everflowing spring of pure writing flow!
There are two other pieces of writing wisdom I wish to share, which came to me at the U of M while getting my MFA…First, Michael Dennis Browne used to ask us after we wrote together “what was that like to write?” and for some reason that question has guided my writing and teaching ever since. Also, Charles Baxter told me while working with me on my memoir at the U to “linger.” He reminded me to not rush my scenes, to linger in the moment, the relationships, the real details of the moment.
What can students expect out of “Creative Writing for Outsiders, Misfits, and the Counterculture”?
A week to change your life!
Roxanne Sadovsky is a Twin Cities freelance writer and teacher who facilitates creative workshops to foster personal and community wellness. She recently earned her MFA from the University of Minnesota. Before she became a writer, she lived in Seattle and worked as a family and adolescent psychotherapist; needless to say, Sadovsky loves the creativity, passion, and personal discovery found working with anyone who doesn’t entirely fit into the mainstream!
Three Questions with Jane Snell Copes
“Stitch Up a Story: A Loft/MCBA Combo Class” (ages 6–8) with Jane Snell Copes starts June 18
What’s your favorite part of summer?
I’m a freelance teacher and I work in many different camp and class settings each summer. Day 2 of each week is such a pleasure because kids are so enthusiastic about what happened the first day, and often parents will stop by to let me know something wonderful from those “first day” stories.
But my favorite part of the whole summer is eating the first tomato out in the garden, dirt and all. I don’t share the first one!
Oh, but this year, my daughter is getting married in July, so that will be a wonderful time too. Just too hard to choose.
What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever heard?
When the muse is here, work like a demon. Don’t ignore her!
What can students expect out of “Stitch Up a Story”?
“Stitch Up a Story” is a new class that features quilt-themed story books and a writing style I call “patchwork.” We will work on small parts of stories, trade them with each other, and see what new stories we can make. We’ll also learn some simple sewing techniques to make a journal cover.
Jane Snell Copes is a writer, scientist, teacher, and inventor. She is also very enthusiastic about writing with and for youth. She has written directions and explanations for Science Museum of Minnesota exhibits, a project book called Let’s Try It…and See What Happens!, and articles about the science in the Harry Potter series. You may have met her teaching classes at Leonardo’s Basement, Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth, Urban Arts Academy, or the Science Museum. She is owner of Science Outside the Box, a tiny company that brings science fun to you. Jane is working on a book called Playing With Your Food.
