From: Ginny Moore Kruse <gmkruse>
Date: Wed, 09 Apr 2003 15:09:03 -0500

It's never easy. The best fiction writers accomplish this miracle. They actually turn us readers into believers. We think we're reading what certain characters would or did say, or think.

When writers further challenge themselves to write as someone young and/or less experienced with writing - or with life - might write, they've raised the bar even higher. Writing someone else's poetry must be one of the more difficult accomplishments.

As much as I want to agree with Ann about the skill of the teenage poets in Bronx Masquerade, I keep remembering what Tom, a high school teacher, said last week. I had asked Tom if, in his experience, it's true that in recent years more high school teens are reading and/or writing poetry than ever before. He replied, "We have more
'closet poets' than you can imagine. A lot of their stuff is of 'bleeding heart' or
'god, I'm depressed' variety, but I think this is developmentally to be expected. What's encouraging is that they write, write, write. Now, if we can get them to read, read, read, we're in business."

Regardless of whether or not we agree with Tom or with Ann, I'm confident we can all agree that there so many fine books for them to read. And as Dean observed, there are outstanding books written in a variety of narrative styles and genres.

Peace, Ginny





Ginny Moore Kruse gmkruse at education.wisc.edu
Received on Wed 09 Apr 2003 03:09:03 PM CDT