Where is the next Hannah West book set?
The fourth book is set on Millionaire’s Row on Seattle’s Capitol Hill. The official street name is “14th Avenue East,” but the lumber barons from the early 1900s built mansions at the top of the hill and the street quickly earned the nickname “Millionaire’s Row.”
When does the next book come out?
October 2007! It’s called Hannah West on Millionaire’s Row.
Will you set a mystery in my neighborhood?
Maybe. The next location is under investigation. I’ve heard Ballard and Columbia City (neighborhoods in Seattle) might need Hannah’s expert sleuthing skills.
How do you decide where Hannah will live?
I like the settings to be a little bit urban and have stores and bus routes within easy walking distance of where Hannah and her mom are house-sitting.
Are the people who own the houses where Hannah house-sits real?
No, they aren’t real people. But the made-up people are named after real dogs.
What??? They’re dogs?
Yes. Each homeowner is named after a dog from one of my favorite families. Owen Henderson is named after my dog; Jake Heard is named after my sister Nancy’s dog; Piper Christenson is named after my friend Lee’s dog.
Are the dogs in the books real?
Sort of. At least they’re inspired by real dogs. Ruff (in Belltown Towers) is based on the real-life Ruff that my sister and I had when we were growing up. Mango (in Deep Water) is based on a real-life labradoodle named Mango who lives in Bend, Oregon. Elvis (in The Center of the Universe) has the same personality and mannerisms as my family’s basset hound.
Are the locations in the Hannah West books real?
Yes! Well, most of them, anyway. In Hannah West in the Center of the Universe, there are several well-known landmarks, like the Troll, the Lenin statue, Caper’s, Costa’s Opa Greek Restaurant, and Blue C Sushi. But the Perfect Pet and Joe’s Special are made up.
Where do you get your ideas?
My head.
That’s not very helpful. My teacher said this would be a good question to ask.
My apologies to teachers, but it seems to me that every time a student asks this question, it is either a teacher (or maybe a parent) who suggests this will be a great question. I don’t know what they hope to hear – maybe that there’s a book you can get from the library that has unlimited ideas. In my opinion, the best ways to jumpstart ideas (and it is a jumpstart, because the ideas are probably in your head, you just need to get to them):
- daydream
- stare out windows
- run
- walk
- daydream some more.
Are you working on a new book right now?
Yes.
Is it a Hannah West book?
No.
What is it?
I don’t want to talk about it.
Why don’t you talk about it?
I’ve found that the more I talk about writing, the less I actually write. Also, when I try to talk about what I’m writing, it sounds so clunky and dull that I begin to question whether it’s a good idea. Even talking about talking about writing is stealing time from writing.
Do you have any tips for writers?
If you’re an adult writing for children and teens, there is no better place to start than the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. There are regional chapters throughout the U.S. and you can probably find something in your state or area. The Washington SCBWI has been an invaluable resource for me in terms of improving craft, meeting new writing friends, hearing about publishing trends, and staying motivated.
Another great resource is the Children’s Writers and Illustrators Market. This annual book has information on how to prepare and submit manuscripts, as well as a listing of publishers and what they are acquiring.
A few of my favorite online resources are:
- Cynthia Leititch Smith’s site for readers and writers
- Smart Writers
- Harold Underdown’s site on writing, illustrating and publishing children’s books
Critique groups are a fabulous way to get constructive feedback on your writing. I’m in an online critique group with two wonderful writers who have become two of my dearest friends over the years. The trick is to find people who understand your genre and your intended audience. Don’t count on feedback from relatives or friends who aren’t writers.
Are these real questions?
No. But the answers are real.
