CONVERSATION WITH CHRISTOPHER PAUL CURTIS
Comments Received May 20, 1998 |
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If you submitted a comment to the Christopher Curtis discussion by 5:00 p.m. EST on May 20, it should appear below. To view comments for another day, use these links:
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MAY 20, 1998 |
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FROM: Jean Samples (Teacher) Grade 4 Herod Elementary Houston, TX |
MESSAGE:
Mr. Curtis: Just wanted to tell you how much a TEACHER enjoyed your book! I try to keep up with children's books by listening to them on the cassette player in my car on trips. That's the way I was introduced to The Watsons, and I was delighted! I'm planning to use the book next year with my class (I already have 25 copies on my shelf). I'm looking forward to the on-line discussion between you and the students next year. (From the questions and comments submitted so far, it looks like it will be a pretty lively discussion!) Again, thanks for sharing a little of yourself in your book! Sincerely,
(Christopher Curtis has responded to this message.) |
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FROM: Christopher Curtis Ontario, Canada |
MESSAGE:
Hello Miriam, No, I've never lived in Birmingham. I visited several schools there for the first time just this last April. The idea for the book came to me while on a long, long driving trip to Florida. One of the really fun things about writing is that you can take events that happen to you or your friends and change them a little bit and make them a part of your own story. The only part of the book that was exactly like something that happened to me was Nazi Parachutes! Never been in a whirl pool, just used my imagination. Thanks for your questions! |
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FROM: Christopher Curtis Ontario, Canada |
MESSAGE:
Hi Natasha, Yes, I did have to do research for the novel, mostly on Birmingham. I used many, many old newspapers and magazines from the library. Yes, there were bullies like Larry Dunn and Buphead at my school, why do they always have such a good sense of humor? I think I used that name because the neighbors felt the Watsons were different, and so many times different is seen as weird. Yes, The Watsons was rejected by Little, Brown publishing company, ouch! Thanks for your questions and comments. |
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FROM: Christopher Curtis Ontario, Canada |
MESSAGE:
Hello Anh, The only part of the book that was cut was the length of the drowning scene. My editor, Wendy Lamb, thought it was too intense for children. I started writing books in 1993. I just finished a book called Bud, Not Buddy. It is the story of a 10 year old orphan from Flint that takes place during the Great Depression. It won't be out until next year. Thanks! |
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FROM: Christopher Curtis Ontario, Canada |
MESSAGE:
Hi Bridney, I have two children, 20 year old Steven, and 6 and 1/2 year old Cydney. I got the title from the name of Mrs. Watson's notebook on the trip the family took. My editor didn't like it but it kind of stuck on all of us after while. No, I have never been criticized. (Just kidding, all writers are criticized, you learn to roll with the punches and not take the criticism personally.) Thanks. |
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FROM: Christopher Curtis Ontario, Canada |
MESSAGE:
Hello Laura, You would not believe how much fun I had writing this book! Writing is a blast for me. My favorite part, and this is a trick all writers should try to use because you want to keep reader's attention, is the first chapter. Try to put your strongest, most interesting material early in your work. Thanks! |
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FROM: Christopher Curtis Ontario, Canada |
MESSAGE:
Hi Brittany, All books have some type of relationship to the author's life. One of the oldest sayings about writing is that you should write what you know, and when you put little bits of your own life in a story it makes the story more interesting. I think that's because nobody in the world knows your life better than you do. Thanks! |
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FROM: Christopher Curtis Ontario, Canada |
MESSAGE:
Hi Desirae, The Watsons is my very first book. At the same time I was writing it I wrote another book called Mr. Chickee's Funny Money. I'm afraid it didn't turn out as well as I'd hoped, I have to do a lot of work on it. Maybe someday you'll see it and let me know what you think. Thank you very much for your comments! |
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FROM: Christopher Curtis Ontario, Canada |
MESSAGE:
Hey Christopher, Your question is a very good one, the main thing that you have to do as a writer is keep the reader reading. Writers try to always keep the reader turning pages. I used the bombing more for its historical importance, though. I think Byron's antics are the things that make people wonder what he'll do next and keep reading. Thanks. p.s. I love your name! |
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FROM: Christopher Curtis Ontario, Canada |
MESSAGE:
Mr. Ponder's students, I included cursing because Byron would be the kind of tough-guy who would use that language. I'm sure there are no words in the book that all of you don't hear everyday from other kids on the bus or in the playground or, gasp, even from your own mouths! It adds to the realism of Byron's characterization. The story is mostly fiction. The "Brown Bomber" was named after a very famous African American boxer from the 1930s and 1940s named Joe Louis. Ask Mr. Ponder about him or hit the books. I feel, and remember what I said in my greeting, that it was not actually Kenny that pulled Joey away from the church, but was instead the spirit of love of the family. Some people think it was a guardian angel, you have to make up your own minds. Thanks, good questions! |
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FROM: Christopher Curtis Ontario, Canada |
MESSAGE:
Hello Justin, I'm glad you liked Kenny, how are things going up in Ilion? |
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FROM: Christopher Curtis Ontario, Canada |
MESSAGE:
Hi Chrissie, I wrote about the bombing because I think the whole situation of those times (the Civil Rights movement) is a very important part of American history. I hope the book makes you want to find out what really went on back then, and how in many ways is still happening. Thanks for your question. |
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FROM: Christopher Curtis Ontario, Canada |
MESSAGE:
Hi Amanda, Check out my earlier answers. A lot of the scenes grew from seeds of things that happened to me or to people I know. It's one of the things that makes writing so much fun! Thanks. |
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FROM: Christopher Curtis Ontario, Canada |
MESSAGE:
Hello Laura, You are the first person to ever tell me that their favorite part of the book was "Tangled Up In God's Beard." This is another wonderfully fun thing about writing, everybody reacts differently to what you've written, everybody has different experiences and relates to the story in a different way. Thanks for your comments. |
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FROM: Christopher Curtis Ontario, Canada |
MESSAGE:
Hello Keesha, Last year my wife and I got a call to come to New York City because someone wanted to make a movie out of the book. When we got there we met Whoopi Goldberg! She bought the rights to make a movie and we are waiting to see when it will come out. It's very exciting to think that the book will be on the screen. But I'm also nervous about how they will change things. Thanks. |
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FROM: Christopher Curtis Ontario, Canada |
MESSAGE:
Hi Tambra, I am so glad that you couldn't put the book down, thank you very much, that makes a writer feel great. One thing though, try, try, try, to learn to love reading. A lot of times it's not your fault that you don't enjoy reading, it's the fault of the books that your looking at. Try different books by people you might find interesting. Reading is so important, don't hurt yourself by saying that you don't like it. Keep working and looking, Tambra, there are good books out there. The book took a year to write. Thanks for your great comments and questions. |
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FROM: Christopher Curtis Ontario, Canada |
MESSAGE:
Hello Vernatta, Right now I'm not planning on writing a sequel to The Watsons. Maybe in the future Kenny will start talking to me again and have enough ideas for a book. I am very grateful for your comments, thank you very much. |
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FROM: Christopher Curtis Ontario, Canada |
MESSAGE:
Hello Allysha, I'm still going through re-writes of Bud, Not Buddy. What happens is I send the manuscript to my editor and she and a lot of other people read it over and come up with suggestions that they think would make the book better. They send these suggestions back to me and I have the final say as to whether or not I agree with them. It's a long process, and I have a lot of respect for my editor and the people who help her so I listen very carefully to what they have to say. I'm thrilled that you'll remember the book until you die, let's hope that isn't until the year 2324!!! Thanks, Allysha! |
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FROM: By Grade 5 Heflin Elementary Houston, TX |
MESSAGE:
Why did Byron barf when he ate those Swedish Cremes? (Christopher Curtis has responded to this message.) |
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FROM: Miss Jenny Haig Grade 5 Klentzman Intermediate Houston, TX |
MESSAGE:
Mr. Curtis, I need to tell you just how much I loved your book. I am orginally from Wisconsin, and related so well to Byron getting stuck on the mirror. It made me remember Winter at home. I also need to thank you for writing a novel that is so full of real issues to discuss in the classroom. I think that it is so important to provide quality literature for children, and this is a perfect example. This novel provided my class several opportunities to talk and share ideas and thoughts regarding the civil rights movement, segregation, and the violence that was experienced in the South. We also came to the conclusion that you can never take your family for granted, because you never know when it may be taken away. Thank you soo much!!! I hope the next book is just as much fun to read!!! Sincerely, Jenny Haig {teacher-5th grade LA/SS} (Christopher Curtis has responded to this message.) |
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FROM: Breanne R. Grade 5 Barringer Road Elementary Ilion, NY |
MESSAGE:
How did you think to name Byron "The Lipless Wonder"? I really enjoyed your book (Christopher Curtis has responded to this message.) |
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FROM: Randy C. Grade 5 Barringer Road Elementary Ilion, NY |
MESSAGE:
I thought it was funny when Byron's lips were stuck on the mirror. P.S. The whole book was funny! (Christopher Curtis has responded to this message.) |
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FROM: Bryan T. Grade 5 Barringer Road Elementary Ilion, NY |
MESSAGE:
What encouraged you to write this book? I liked the part when Byron got his lips stuck on the mirror. (Christopher Curtis has responded to this message.) |
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FROM: Adam F. Grade 5 Barringer Road Elementary Ilion, NY |
MESSAGE:
Mr. Curtis, I liked the part in your book when Byron got his lips stuck on the car mirror, but I wasn't the only person who liked that. My whole class liked your book. Please respond. (Christopher Curtis has responded to this message.) |
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FROM: Darryll C. Grade 5 Barringer Road Elementary Ilion, NY |
MESSAGE:
Mr. Curtis, I really liked The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963. Can you write a sequel? (Christopher Curtis has responded to this message.) |
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FROM: Robbie R. Grade 5 Barringer Road Elementary Ilion, NY |
MESSAGE:
Mr. Curtis, I liked the first chapter of your book the best. I like when Byron kisses his reflection and gets his lips stuck to the mirror. Your book was really, really funny. Do you have a sequel? If you don't, I encourage you to write one, because I think you're a great writer!!! (Christopher Curtis has responded to this message.) |
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FROM: Kristi M. Grade 5 Barringer Road Elementary Ilion, NY |
MESSAGE:
Mr. Curtis. The book The Watsons go to Birmingham was the best in the world, and the funniest!! It was a really good book! How do you think of such great ideas? Is there a sequel? (Christopher Curtis has responded to this message.) |
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FROM: Hollie F. Grade 5 Barringer Road Elementary Ilion, NY |
MESSAGE:
Dear Mr. Curtis, I liked reading about Byron getting stuck on the mirror. It was scary when the bomb got dropped on Joey's church. I really enjoyed your book. (Christopher Curtis has responded to this message.) |
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FROM: Tonie L. Grade 5 Barringer Road Elementary Ilion, NY |
MESSAGE:
Are you working on a new book? (Christopher Curtis has responded to this message.) |
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FROM: Amanda H. Grade 5 Barringer Road Elementary Ilion, NY |
MESSAGE:
Are you interested in writing anymore books. (Christopher Curtis has responded to this message.) |
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