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Re: Poverty as a social issue...
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From: Kerry Madden <kiffnkerry_at_sbcglobal.net>
Date: Mon, 09 May 2011 11:21:02 -0700 (PDT)
Thank you for this illuminating discussion. When I set out to write my Maggie Valley books set in the Smoky Mountains of Appalachia, I wasn't thinking so much about poverty. I was thinking more about my husband who grew up one of 13. Then an editor, who rejected an early (saggy-baggy bad) draft of GENTLE'S HOLLER said, "You know, the Weems family is broke but there always seems to be plenty of food on the table." She was absolutely right, and even though she didn't take the book, I took her note and made Livy Two, my narrator, greedy and hungry...and I had Mama stick a yardstick in the cornmeal to measure it so no one would take any extra...and then there was the fight to keep the dog too.
I've heard from many kids who write to me about to me about the poverty the Weems children face and the blindness of Gentle Weems too. But I had great fun writing the books...I loved writing grumpy Grandma Horace too, who tells the children not to ask for nickel or handout because she is not the bank of Enka, North Carolina.
My sister-in-law wrote the music...and here are some of the songs about money that Livy Two sings on my website.
GENTLE'S HOLLER - "Floating Checks" LOUISIANA'S SONG - "Enka Stinka Savings & Loan," "Strike it Rich," and "We'll be Blue" (if you take us to the poor house...) JESSIE'S MOUNTAIN..."Easy Pie Lies"
Thanks again for this discussion and this wonderful list-serve. I'm working on a new book about a boy's whose house is foreclosed in Los Angeles. I guess money is a theme with me...and how kids deal with it.
All best Kerry Madden
UP CLOSE: HARPER LEE THE MAGGIE VALLEY BOOKS GENTLE'S HOLLER, LOUISIANA'S SONG & JESSIE'S MOUNTAIN WRITING SMARTS, A Girl's Guide to Writing Great Stories, Poems, Books Reports and More! www.kerrymadden.com Knoxville Girl Stories: http://mountainmist.livejournal.com/ Assistant Professor of Creative Writing at UAB Birmingham,AL Editor of PoemMemoirStory
Received on Mon 09 May 2011 11:21:02 AM CDT
Date: Mon, 09 May 2011 11:21:02 -0700 (PDT)
Thank you for this illuminating discussion. When I set out to write my Maggie Valley books set in the Smoky Mountains of Appalachia, I wasn't thinking so much about poverty. I was thinking more about my husband who grew up one of 13. Then an editor, who rejected an early (saggy-baggy bad) draft of GENTLE'S HOLLER said, "You know, the Weems family is broke but there always seems to be plenty of food on the table." She was absolutely right, and even though she didn't take the book, I took her note and made Livy Two, my narrator, greedy and hungry...and I had Mama stick a yardstick in the cornmeal to measure it so no one would take any extra...and then there was the fight to keep the dog too.
I've heard from many kids who write to me about to me about the poverty the Weems children face and the blindness of Gentle Weems too. But I had great fun writing the books...I loved writing grumpy Grandma Horace too, who tells the children not to ask for nickel or handout because she is not the bank of Enka, North Carolina.
My sister-in-law wrote the music...and here are some of the songs about money that Livy Two sings on my website.
GENTLE'S HOLLER - "Floating Checks" LOUISIANA'S SONG - "Enka Stinka Savings & Loan," "Strike it Rich," and "We'll be Blue" (if you take us to the poor house...) JESSIE'S MOUNTAIN..."Easy Pie Lies"
Thanks again for this discussion and this wonderful list-serve. I'm working on a new book about a boy's whose house is foreclosed in Los Angeles. I guess money is a theme with me...and how kids deal with it.
All best Kerry Madden
UP CLOSE: HARPER LEE THE MAGGIE VALLEY BOOKS GENTLE'S HOLLER, LOUISIANA'S SONG & JESSIE'S MOUNTAIN WRITING SMARTS, A Girl's Guide to Writing Great Stories, Poems, Books Reports and More! www.kerrymadden.com Knoxville Girl Stories: http://mountainmist.livejournal.com/ Assistant Professor of Creative Writing at UAB Birmingham,AL Editor of PoemMemoirStory
Received on Mon 09 May 2011 11:21:02 AM CDT
