Debbie Dadey, Children's Author - Debbie Talks to Kids

Friday January 4, 2008

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Can you believe it's 2008! I just finished a snow monster book and it's so cold outside right now I feel like a snow monster.

Rachel, you should be able to get Ghostville Elementary #14 at 1-800-Scholastic. The ISBN # is ISBN (0-439-88359-8). You'll need your parent's help. Camryn-YOU ROCK! Danielle, I bet I can guess your teacher's name and I have your letters right here on my desk. My printer was giving me trouble, but I hope to mail them today. Kasey, enjoy middle school.

Kevin!!, I told my editor your idea and she liked it. I'm meeting her next week in NYC and she suggested we talk about it further. The title of your story sounds creepy! The thing that helps me finish a story is that I do some planning before I start. Try figuring out what you want to happen first, in the middle, and how you want it to end before you even begin writing.

Sonja, thanks for your great idea. I like reading kids' books too. They're fast and fun. Yes, I did write at lunchtime with Marcia. We did do some synopsis (summaries) of books, but never a whole book I don't think. I like to read before I go to school too. It is very relaxing. Take care, Debbie

Thursday December 27, 2007

I'm still smiling from Christmas. There's an Elvis Presley song that says "Why can't everyday be like Christmas?" I think that's a great idea. In 2008, I'm going to try to be more joyful and thankful for all my blessings every day! And speaking of blessings, I'm so happy to have you write in to me and I want to wish you a VERY HAPPY 2008!!!!

Sophie, to get book titles I brainstorm different ones until I find the one I like the best. Brainstorming is just writing down everything I can think of no matter how crazy-sometimes the crazy ones are the most fun!

Brenton, with all my Christmas celebrations I just now got the chance to peek into your envelope. I can't wait to read it all. I did notice the Werewolves Don't Go to Summer Camp play. I was just going to work on putting something on the teacher's site for that exact book. Would you be interested in looking at the play I have for Vampires Don't Wear Polka Dots and making yours the same lenght or just a bit longer? The hard part would be condensing the whole book into one short play, but I think you can do it. You have a great start. You will notice on the teacher's site I do offer a small fee that I could pay you if you want to finish what you've started. Unfortunately I still don't have my copies of MRS. JEEPERS CREEPY CHRISTMAS yet and I'm pretty bummed about it.

Drew, you sound like an amazing reader! Brandy, everytime I say Reindeers Do Wear Striped Underwear I smile. I hope you smiled while reading the book. Lele, the ending of Mermaids Don't Run Track was my favorite part. Jenny, I've always wanted to write a tooth fairy book. Hopefully in 2008 I'll get the chance. One goal of mine is to definitely finish my screen play. I think it's great to have goals so maybe you can make one for yourself.

To everyone, I hope good things happen to you in 2008! Debbie

Friday December 21, 2007

Merry Christmas to one and all! After today my kids are officially on holiday break. ElvesDontWearHardHats They can't wait. Greetings to Nervisa and Amin. Elma, I have lots of favorite books, but at this time of the year I do like Santa Claus Doesn't Mop Floors and Mrs. Jeepers Creepy Christmas. Johnny and Adem, I love the playground in Elves Don't Wear Hardhats. Courtney, Alena, and Emily-I'm so glad you got the book. Lani, have you asked your teacher for help with math? Or maybe your parents or an older brother or sister?

Jessie and Izhar, my newest book is Mrs. Jeepers Creepy Christmas. Kevin, I bet your teacher wishes you could listen. Kevin, Adina, Myleana, Christopher, Semir, Mary Ann, Bakang, Loan, Phuong, and David- I'm so glad you liked Leprechauns Don't Play Basketball. Did you know another elf named Eli makes a return visit to Bailey City in Mrs. Claus Doesn't Climb Telephone Poles?

Sidra, I have three pets. You can see their picture on the About Me section. Lohnhinh, if I see an elf I will let you know. Priscilla, whenever I make a title I always brainstorm and write down everything I can think of-then I take those ideas and pick the one I like the best or sometimes combine different ones. Urooj, I think it is fun to write because I can make anything happen in a story. Julie, the don't part of my titles actually came from something Liza said in one of my books.

Michael, I like it when Eddie says Holy Toledo too. Brenton, the answer to what is in the box is on my site. If you'd like to play detective, you can find it. Just look to see who had the right answers and then look back in the kid's talk for those kid's answers. Your package is on my desk. I can't wait to check it out. (A BSK book usually has about 42 typewritten pages.)

Hi to Ethan and Tabitha. Check out your library for all the free books you can ever borrow. Kevin, my next book is Vampires Do Hunt Marshmallow Bunnies. It comes out around March. Christian, you can write to me at Scholastic, Inc. 557 Broadway NY, NY 10012. But you can also find out a lot about me at http://www.debbiedadey.com/Swamp/BookReport.php

May the blessings of this holiday be upon you, Debbie

Friday December 14, 2007

Did you guys get an ice storm? We did, but it wasn't too bad. It was actually quite pretty. Ice coated the trees and each little blade of grass even had it's own ice coat.

I started a new book this morning about a snow monster, so the weather fit right in. I can look out my office window, see the ice and get inspired.

Thanks to Diandre, Joong Ho, and Josie for their guesses about what might be in the box in Mrs. Jeeper's basement. The winners were announced today. Should I ever tell the answer or should I let people find out for themselves by reading the book?

pyramid Kevin!, Egypt is a interesting place. I went there about eight years ago to visit a school in Cairo. My oldest son went with me and we saw the Great Pyramids and even went on two trips on the NIle River. It was one of the most exciting trips I've ever had. The school I visited, The Cairo American College, was amazing and the people were wonderful. By the way, you might enjoy Mummies Don't Coach Softball.

Greetings to Jenelle, Amina, and Mr. Cazier's class! I hope you like Genies Don't Ride Bicycles (my mom's favorite.) My first book came out in 1990, so I'll let you do the math to see how long I've been writing. (Oh yes, I used to be a teacher too!) My favorite book is usually the one I'm working on right now, but The Worst Name in Third Grade is definitely one of my favorites, along with Mrs. Jeepers Creepy Christmas. Which, I'm sorry to say I don't even have yet! I can't wait to get my copies, so Phillip and Erick may get theirs before I do. Lizz, I'm from Kentucky.

Brenton, that's so cool that you are doing lots of writing. There are contests for kids who are writers that you might consider, as well as magazines that publish kids stories. Sometimes it's a bit easier to have success there than starting with book publishing. I'm told getting a script looked at is even harder than getting a book published! But like my dad TrollsDontRideRollerCoasters told me one time, if other people can do it-then so can you. So good luck to you and Author-to-be. I think one of the books that I had the most fun writing was The Slime Wars because I wrote it with my son, Nathan.

Sorry it took me so long to answer Isaiah, but J.J. helped Eddie win in Trolls Don't Rider Roller Coasters so he wouldn't cry really loud (because she hates loud noises). ttyl, Debbie

Wednesday December 5, 2007

It's snowing here in Pennsylvania! How's the weather down under Brenton? I'm sorry to say my editor doesn't seem interested in Bailey Journals, although Marcia and I loved the ideas. I agree with you and lkechi that it would be cool to have a BSK movie. Yes, you are correct that 1 page equals 1 minute in a screenplay if you are using Courier 12 point for your font (that's what all screenwriters use). I think the book that I dedicated to you is Vampires Do Hunt Marshmallow Bunnies which comes out in March. I'll look forward to your package.

Yes, Makayla it was cool to meet you. I hope you liked Wizards Don't Need Computers. Greetings to Bu, Helen (hope you had a great birthday!), and my darling daughter Becky (can't wait to hear you sing on Thursday.)

Joshua, my newest book is Mrs. Jeepers Creepy Christmas. There's even a contest for it on my homepage. Kasey, Haley, River, Amanda, Azilywsa, Mora, Brittany, and Sarah had great guesses. Hurry to guess, the contest ends next Wednesday!

Christian, you're in luck. Just look on my website at http://www.debbiedadey.com/Swamp/BookReport.php and you'll find everything you need about me. You can google John Steven Gurney for his information. There's also a link on my Swamp Page to his site. ttyl, Debbie

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