Middle Grade Magic! Co Host Lisa Schmid Goes Deep with new novel Hart & Souls
05/20/24 • 35 min
This episode features co-host Lisa Schmid discussing her upcoming middle-grade novel "Hart & Souls." The focus is on the challenges of writing a second novel, known as the sophomore slump, and the unique pressures and expectations that come with it.
Key Discussion Points:
1. Introduction to "Hart & Souls"
- Lisa introduces her novel about Stix Hart, a sixth-grader dealing with anxiety from past bullying. He meets three ghosts with unresolved issues and helps them move on.
2. The Sophomore Slump
- Beth and Lisa discuss the difficulties of writing a second novel and the pressures that come with following up a debut success.
3. Inspiration Behind the Story
- Lisa shares a personal story about her son’s middle school experience and how an encounter with a troubled bully inspired "Hart & Souls."
4. Middle-Grade Writing
- The importance of making books accessible, fun, and educational without being preachy. Lisa balances serious issues with an engaging narrative.
5. Lessons from the First Novel
- Lisa reflects on the lessons learned from her debut, "Olly Oxley and the Ghost," and how they influenced her approach to her second novel.
6. Real-Life Issues in Fiction
- Addressing topics like bullying, anxiety, LGBTQ+ issues, parental abuse, and racism in middle-grade fiction. Lisa highlights the importance of reflecting real-life struggles in a relatable way.
7. Writing Process and Craft
- The challenges of creating multiple story arcs and weaving them together. Lisa emphasizes the importance of reading across genres to improve writing craft.
8. Advice for Aspiring Authors
- Tips for those starting their second novel, including changing the point of view to ensure distinct characters and stories.
This episode provides a deep dive into the creative process behind "Hart & Souls," highlighting the challenges and triumphs of writing a second novel. Lisa Schmid's insights offer valuable lessons for aspiring authors and middle-grade enthusiasts.
Listeners are encouraged to pre-order 'Hart & Souls' and attend Lisa's book launch on July 27th at Ruby's Books in Folsom, where she will be in conversation with Beth McMullen. Additionally, Lisa will be at the ALA conference in San Diego on June 29th and 30th, signing books and participating in a panel discussion.
Links Mentioned:
- Pre Order Hart & Souls
- Ruby's Books
- ALA Conference
Visit the Website
Writers with Wrinkles Link Tree for socials and more!
This episode features co-host Lisa Schmid discussing her upcoming middle-grade novel "Hart & Souls." The focus is on the challenges of writing a second novel, known as the sophomore slump, and the unique pressures and expectations that come with it.
Key Discussion Points:
1. Introduction to "Hart & Souls"
- Lisa introduces her novel about Stix Hart, a sixth-grader dealing with anxiety from past bullying. He meets three ghosts with unresolved issues and helps them move on.
2. The Sophomore Slump
- Beth and Lisa discuss the difficulties of writing a second novel and the pressures that come with following up a debut success.
3. Inspiration Behind the Story
- Lisa shares a personal story about her son’s middle school experience and how an encounter with a troubled bully inspired "Hart & Souls."
4. Middle-Grade Writing
- The importance of making books accessible, fun, and educational without being preachy. Lisa balances serious issues with an engaging narrative.
5. Lessons from the First Novel
- Lisa reflects on the lessons learned from her debut, "Olly Oxley and the Ghost," and how they influenced her approach to her second novel.
6. Real-Life Issues in Fiction
- Addressing topics like bullying, anxiety, LGBTQ+ issues, parental abuse, and racism in middle-grade fiction. Lisa highlights the importance of reflecting real-life struggles in a relatable way.
7. Writing Process and Craft
- The challenges of creating multiple story arcs and weaving them together. Lisa emphasizes the importance of reading across genres to improve writing craft.
8. Advice for Aspiring Authors
- Tips for those starting their second novel, including changing the point of view to ensure distinct characters and stories.
This episode provides a deep dive into the creative process behind "Hart & Souls," highlighting the challenges and triumphs of writing a second novel. Lisa Schmid's insights offer valuable lessons for aspiring authors and middle-grade enthusiasts.
Listeners are encouraged to pre-order 'Hart & Souls' and attend Lisa's book launch on July 27th at Ruby's Books in Folsom, where she will be in conversation with Beth McMullen. Additionally, Lisa will be at the ALA conference in San Diego on June 29th and 30th, signing books and participating in a panel discussion.
Links Mentioned:
- Pre Order Hart & Souls
- Ruby's Books
- ALA Conference
Visit the Website
Writers with Wrinkles Link Tree for socials and more!
Previous Episode
Voices in the Dark: Elevating Women in Horror with author Lindy Ryan
Lindy Ryan, anthologist and horror author, discusses her debut horror novel Bless Your Heart, which explores themes of family, loss, and confronting monsters. She also discusses the intricacies of bringing an anthology to market.
Key Discussion Points:
Writing as Therapy: Ryan shares the personal beginnings of her writing journey, using her narratives as a means to cope with the loss of her grandmothers and to celebrate the women in her family.
Anthology Curating: The process of assembling an anthology is detailed, highlighting the logistical challenges and creative fulfillment it brings, alongside tips on managing contributions from multiple authors.
Women in Horror: A discussion on the historical underrepresentation of women in the horror genre and the positive shifts towards inclusivity and diversity, as well as horro sub-genres like f 'cozy horror'.
Transition to Screen: Insights into the adaptation of literary works into films and TV, underscoring the need for flexibility and openness to reinterpretation in the screenwriting and production processes.
Empowering Women Writers: The importance of community and mentorship among women in horror is emphasized, encouraging female authors to engage and support each other in the genre.
The episode concludes with a message of solidarity and encouragement for women navigating the horror genre, advocating for community engagement and mentorship. Listeners are encouraged to explore Ryan's work, Mother Knows Best, a newly released anthology perfect for Mother's Day.
Mentioned Links:
- Lindy Ryan's website
- Bless Your Heart on Amazon
- Mother Knows Best anthology on Amazon
Visit the Website
Writers with Wrinkles Link Tree for socials and more!
Next Episode
Must Listen Advice from TV Writer and Bestselling Middle Grade author Joshua Pruett
In this episode, we welcome Joshua Pruett, a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author, and Emmy Award winner. Pruett has written for both Mystery Science Theater 3000 and Doctor Who. He is currently a writer for the upcoming return of Phineas and Ferb and co-author of the Last Comics on Earth graphic novel series. His first solo middle-grade series, Gyro and the Argonauts, will be released by Andrews McMeel Kids in the summer of 2025.
Key Discussion Points
1. Journey to Success:
- Joshua Pruett shares his excitement about his upcoming middle-grade series, Gyro and the Argonauts. Inspired by a passion for Greek mythology, Pruett has crafted a story that reimagines monsters as heroes.
- He discusses the creative process behind this book, emphasizing the importance of taking control of one's narrative and the theme of breaking free from societal expectations.
2. Writing Collaboratively:
- Pruett discusses his collaborative writing process with Max Brailler on the Last Comics on Earth series. He highlights the dynamic nature of their partnership and the creative synergy that fuels their work.
- He explains the concept of Last Comics on Earth, where the protagonists create their own comic book series within the post-apocalyptic world they inhabit, blending humor and adventure.
3. Transition to Television:
- Reflecting on his transition from feature animation to television, Pruett discusses his experience writing for several popular shows. He appreciates the frequent opportunities for storytelling that TV offers compared to the slower pace of feature animation.
- He shares anecdotes about the collaborative environment in TV writers' rooms and the joy of contributing to beloved series like Doctor Who.
4. Balancing Solo and Collaborative Projects:
- Pruett talks about the contrast between collaborative projects and solo endeavors. He finds value in both approaches, appreciating the solitude of writing novels while also enjoying the team dynamics in TV writing.
- He mentions the strategic aspects of his career, where he balances personal creative control with collaborative opportunities.
5. Advice for Aspiring Writers:
- Joshua Pruett encourages aspiring writers to create and produce their work, especially during challenging times in the industry. He advises against waiting for permission and emphasizes the importance of being proactive.
- He stresses the significance of writing what one loves and strategically planning one’s career to leverage small opportunities into larger successes.
Mentioned Links
Joshua Pruett's Linktree
Visit the Website
Writers with Wrinkles Link Tree for socials and more!
Writers With Wrinkles - Middle Grade Magic! Co Host Lisa Schmid Goes Deep with new novel Hart & Souls
Transcript
Hi friends , I'm Beth McMullen and I'm Lisa Schmid , and we're the co-hosts of Writers with Wrinkles . Welcome back . This is season three , episode 21 . And today we are doing something extra special in that one of us and Tint , not me is in the hot seat , and that is Lisa . She has a new middle grade novel , heart and Souls , coming out in July , which we are super excited ab
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