032514 advocacy writing

8/12/2019 032514 Advocacy Writing

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Intro

Lkgg I'm LK Gardner-Griffie and I write Young Adult and Middle Grade fiction. (that felt like announcing

a vice) I'm here to chat. #CPHC

Gailzahtz You're modest today @MarkPitzele among other things ;-) Meet @lkgg a fabulous YA

author who's also coming out of chemo #CPHC

Lkgg .@GailZahtz @MarkPitzele Soon to be coming out of chemo... another cycle and

we'll see where we stand. #CPHC

Sandyhubbard I'm Sandy Hubbard - co-host of #CPHC chat and an advocate for making the world more

accessible for people of all abilities.

Markpitzele Mark Pitzele, book printing and fulfillment solutions, among other things #CPHC

Sandyhubbard @MarkPitzele Hi Mark - thanks as always for supporting discussions that keep

literacy, printing and publishing thriving! #CPHC

Gailzahtz It's great when literacy, advocacy and by the way health and design converge

at #CPHC @MarkPitzele @lkgg

raquel815 This is my first tweetchat with #CPHC Still trying to work the kinks out as I get started :-)

dcoopsd I have a couple moments and thought I'd jump in and say hi to the gang at #CPHCgailzahtz So glad you jumped in @dcoopsd we're doing an exciting two weeks with authors and

today are starting with YA author @lkgg #CPHC

dcoopsd @GailZahtz That's so funny considering we're doing a book launch on

#DesignLUX this week! Great minds @lkgg #CPHC

gailzahtz What do you mean a book launch at #designLUX @dcoopsd ?? Do tell.

This week with radio too we have @lkgg @authorjryan and others! #CPHC

gailzahtz Please do send me a reminder! I would love to join! @dcoopsd

@aphrochic @lkgg @authorjryan #CPHC #designLUX united ;-)

drkdhoffman Hello...trying to participate... #cphc

gailzahtz THRILLED to have you @drkdhoffman Are you having tech/multi-task difficulties?

Either way great to have you here with #CPHC @lkgg #literacy

drkdhoffman tech difficulties #cphc

jessicafastball Authors, if you have some time follow the #CPHC chat going on with @GailZahtz and

@lkgg #YA #Cancer

Sandyhubbard RT @walkersvillemom: Interested in writing with an advocacy purpose? Join #CPHC

twitter chat 1pm today! #AtoZchallenge

Sandyhubbard WRITERS: Today we're talking about writing on #CPHC and we have a guest writer with

us today. Please join us!!

Technical difficulties

Sandyhubbard @GailZahtz I'm not seeing your tweets in the #CPHC timeline.... When I goto your profile

I CAN see them, Very strange.

Lkgg .@sandyhubbard Sometimes that happens. I have no explanation except evil trolls live in

the basement of Twitter. @GailZahtz #CPHC


2/10

Gailzahtz So the #CPHC timeline isn't working @sandyhubbard Is this for all software? Not

during our hour with @lkgg !!!

Lkgg .@GailZahtz Perhaps I'm the Bermuda Triangle of Twitter chat @Raquel815

#CPHC

Gailzahtz Troubles all around @sandyhubbard can you also kick off the topics Sandy? We're

having all kinds of tech diff- what's going on? #CPHC @lkggSandyhubbard I'm not seeing Gail on tweetchat or @nurph either - and her tweets to me are

not showing up in my notifications! #CPHC

Sandyhubbard AHA! That makes snese - somehow I had blocked Gail - don't know how

THAT happened! #CPHC Now unblocked and we should be good.

Sandyhubbard @Nurph It turned out I had blocked her somehow. I realized it when I

couldn't even see her tweets to me. #CPHC

Gailzahtz We all seem to be having tech difficulties today @drkdhoffman I'm amazed that @lkgg is

holding her own on this chat! She's so great! #CPHC

Sandyhubbard I'm beginning to wonder if Twitter does its weekly tech updates at 1 pm Tues. We've had

our fair share of tech problems over past yr #CPHC

Gailzahtz Today really seems particularly bad.. wonder if 1 pm really is worse? UG #CPHC

@sandyhubbard

Writing for Young Adults

Lkgg .@GailZahtz Okay I'm LK Gardner-Griffie, I write Young Adult and Middle Grade books

encompassing the issues our kids face today. #CPHC

Gailzahtz What started you on writing for young adults versus other writing? @lkgg #CPHC

Lkgg What started me writing Young Adult is simply that those are the ideas that

present themselves to me. Those are the issues @GailZahtz #CPHC

Lkgg I tend to be drawn to. I think the emotional and developmental aspect of that age

group are key. @GailZahtz #CPHC

Lkgg To me YA is about tackling the issues the teens face. Head on. I don't sugarcoat.

@GailZahtz #CPHC

raquel815 @lkgg @GailZahtz #CPHC i agree! young adults know when they are

being talked down to and they can process complex issues well

gailzahtz What's interesting is that you don't sugarcoat tough issues and yet my

young children want to read them too not just teens @lkgg #CPHC

lkgg I believe the appeal in my writing is that is accessible to a broad range

of reader. Despite tough topics. @GailZahtz #CPHC

gailzahtz It's interesting that they really want more honesty than less- doyou find YA easier to be honest with? #CPHC @lkgg @Raquel815

gailzahtz It is incredibly accessible @lkgg yet you've also made yourself

accessible here and on other social media- do you find differences? #CPHC

lkgg Not sure what you mean by finding differences @GailZahtz #CPHC

gailzahtz Sorry, caught by 140 @lkgg I was wondering if you

find it different to be honest/accessible to readers/audience in

140 versus a book #CPHC


3/10

dcoopsd @GailZahtz @lkgg 140 characters forces you to

eliminate the unnecessary, making your point instead of

droning on. #CPHC

gailzahtz Great point @dcoopsd as everyone who knows me

knows my emails alone can go on forever! @lkgg I love this on

being on point honest #CPHClkgg I think the use of 140 characters forces us to keep the issue focused.

Maybe promotes honest discussion. @GailZahtz #CPHC

gailzahtz I agree! Sometimes I think I'm more honest in 140 @lkgg

because I'm thinking less and just getting it out- especially in chat.

#CPHC

lkgg It would be impossible not to be honest in YA. The moment you hide, they turn off.

this is not just with books @GailZahtz @Raquel815 #CPHC

sandyhubbard I agree that young adults are sophisticated readers and understand subtleties of

literature. #CPHC

sandyhubbard Middle schoolers recognize derivitive storylines, pandering, condescension, tricks to get

them to engage. Have to be authentic. #CPHC

lkgg #TRUTH MT @sandyhubbard: Middle schoolers recognize derivitive storylines, pandering,

condescension, tricks to get them to engage. #CPHC

markpitzele I think teens face things that we only dreamed about needing to deal with at that age, in

general they are very sophisticated #CPHC

lkgg True. Each generation of teens tends to face more complex issues than the last as the

world evolves, @MarkPitzele #CPHC @GailZahtz

lkgg But in a way, some of the issues they face, and the emotions they must work through are

time immemorial. @MarkPitzele #CPHC @GailZahtz

raquel815 .@MarkPitzele #CPHC i agree! I'm only 25 and couldn't even imagine having to do high school

with things like facebook and twitter bullying!Markpitzele @lkgg @GailZahtz Have found teens really respect seeing adults at their most vulnerable as

well, it allows them to take guard down. #CPHC

Gailzahtz Agree! mT @MarkPitzele: @lkgg teens really respect seeing adults at their most

vulnerable as well, it allows them to take guard down. #CPHC

Gailzahtz #CPHC RT @JessicaFastball: @MarkPitzele @lkgg Could not agree more. Idea adults

have all the answers or are always strong fosters unreality

Sandyhubbard Watching the news with middle schoolers is very enlightening - what stories capture

their emotions and their indignation. #CPHC

Lkgg YES! MT @sandyhubbard: Watching the news with middle schoolers is enlightening - what

stories capture their emotions & indignation. #CPHC

Lkgg Most teens appreciate when adults admit they were wrong. Not such a high bar to live up to.

@GailZahtz @JessicaFastball @MarkPitzele #CPHC

Markpitzele @lkgg @GailZahtz @JessicaFastball So true, especially because we are often

wrong.............. #CPHC

Gailzahtz I'm lol really. As a #mom I have a list a mile long daily of all I do wrong for my kids

#CPHC @lkgg @JessicaFastball @MarkPitzele


4/10

Gailzahtz Kids are better with honesty than being right. RT @MarkPitzele: @lkgg

@JessicaFastball So true, especially because we are often wrong. #CPHC

Jessicafastball @GailZahtz @lkgg @MarkPitzele Fine line between beating yourself up and

recognizing we all have challenges and are doing our best. #CPHC

Gailzahtz Yes! RT @JessicaFastball: Fine line between beating yourself up and

recognizing we all have challenges and are doing our best. #CPHCMarkpitzele Amen RT @JessicaFastball: Fine line between beating yourself up and

recognizing we all have challenges and are doing our best. #CPHC

Jessicafastball @GailZahtz @MarkPitzele @lkgg Making it a priority to apologize to my kids. I yell, I get

frustrated, and then I don't apologize. #CPHC

Lkgg Exactly Authenticity is the key. @Raquel815 @GailZahtz @JessicaFastball @MarkPitzele #CPHC

Jessicafastball @Raquel815 @lkgg @GailZahtz @MarkPitzele Not sure I agree. Anger is often

authentic. Parents being overbearing is authentic too. #CPHC

Gailzahtz Really great points- what do you see is the line between authenticity versus

anger? #CPHC @JessicaFastball @Raquel815 @lkgg @MarkPitzele

Markpitzele Line very narrow that we all cross RT @GailZahtz: Really great

points- what do you see is the line between authenticity versus anger? #CPHC

Jessicafastball @lkgg @Raquel815 @GailZahtz @MarkPitzele Kids are doing their best too. Often

without coping strategies that we as adults may have. #CPHC

Jessicafastball @lkgg @Raquel815 @GailZahtz @MarkPitzele Bringing out best in kids means

giving them responsibility before they've fully earned it. #CPHC

Jessicafastball @GailZahtz @Raquel815 @lkgg @MarkPitzele Authentic = I'm disappointed. I expected

dishes 2 B done. Anger = Why didn't you do dishes?! #CPHC

Gailzahtz Actually it is more authentic that I am disappointed or sad than really angry

@JessicaFastball @Raquel815 @lkgg @MarkPitzele #CPHC

Jessicafastball @GailZahtz @Raquel815 @lkgg @MarkPitzele As a parent I am really inconsistent so I

work on that. Means being on same page with spouse. #CPHCGailzahtz It's hard to be consistent as a parent for all of us! #CPHC @JessicaFastball

@Raquel815 @lkgg @MarkPitzele

Sandyhubbard I have to fight myself not to keep inserting "moral of ther story" for middle schoolers and

just let the storyline unfold. #CPHC

Lkgg Moral of the story is death to Middle Grade and above. Too many people want to

underscore the moral. @sandyhubbard #CPHC @GailZahtz

Sandyhubbard Middle school readers are often focused on existential ironies. they don't want moral of

story hammering them over the head. #CPHC

gailzahtz You've worked on different sides with a lot of authors @sandyhubbard @MarkPitzele what do

you find makes accessible to hard issues? #CPHC

Patient and Advocate

Lkgg .@GailZahtz I also have leukemia and lymphoma and am currently undergoing chemo to get rid of

the evil in my body. #CPHC


5/10

Gailzahtz I wasn't sure how much you wanted to talk about the leukemia- glad you came out of

the gate- it will help others #CPHC @lkgg

Lkgg On the cancer... I keep a website chronicling my journey. http://t.co/cavth3bXeR

@GailZahtz #CPHC

Gailzahtz How has it helped keeping this? RT @lkgg: On the cancer... I keep a

website chronicling my journey. http://t.co/KNR5KKhzFW #CPHCMarkpitzele @lkgg @GailZahtz Thanks for sharing that link. #CPHC

Lkgg Writing about the cancer is actually a time saver for me. I know so many people who want

updates, by writing it ... more @GailZahtz #CPHC

Lkgg I don't have to take the time to update each person individually. That would sap everything I have

so the blog is essential @GailZahtz #CPHC

Walkersvillemom Hello @lkgg ! Very interested in children's / YA literature & symbolism used to talk

about disability. #CPHC

Gailzahtz So glad you made it @walkersvillemom In addition to being YA author @lkgg on

disability/ she's also been going through her own cancer #CPHC

Lkgg Hello @walkersvillemom I don't tend to write much symbolism, but put the disability onthe page. My novels are realistic. #CPHC @GailZahtz

Walkersvillemom Just presented my evaluation tool for Ds in kids lit - lots of interest to adjust

for other conditions / diagnosis bit.ly/DsinKidsbooks

Gailzahtz She has a ton of links @MarkPitzele as @lkgg is incredibly prolific! Can @sandyhubbard

@walkersvillemom help by sharing more links? #CPHC

walkersvillemom Diary of a Misfit" - love the title! blog.griffieworld.com

Gailzahtz You write some hard issues in your different series- from #bullies to #trauma to #abuse @lkgg

How do you make the manageable for YA? #CPHCLkgg I find emotions are universal. And that is my strength is capturing those emotions

whatever the circumstance. #CPHC @GailZahtz

Lkgg I couldn't write without that relationship with my characters. They come to me, they tell the story.

I journal @GailZahtz @Raquel815 #CPHC

Gailzahtz What do you find is common and/or different journaling for your characters'

advocacy versus your own with your cancer? @lkgg #CPHC

raquel815 .@lkgg #CPHC how do you say in touch with the YA audience? how do you keep an

understanding of what teens face today?

Lkgg I don't necessarily have tools to keep in touch... other than some volunteer work and my

nieces and nephews @Raquel815 #CPHC @GailZahtz

Lkgg I guess if I have a "tool" that I use it is key words on Google to bring me news stories about

the topics I write @Raquel815 #CPHC


6/10

Sandyhubbard Do you have to be around your audience to write for them? #CPHC Asking all writers

out there....

Lkgg They come to me. They want their story told. I'm their journalist to send it out to the world.

@Raquel815 @sandyhubbard @GailZahtz #CPHC

Walkersvillemom Great to give people a voice! MT @lkgg: They come to me. They want their

story told. I'm their journalist to send it out to the world. #CPHCJessicafastball @lkgg @Raquel815 @sandyhubbard @GailZahtz Agree. Sometimes they won't

leave you alone. #CPHC

Sandyhubbard @lkgg Sorry so far behind here. I am very interested in your writing process. Accessing

inspiration. #CPHC

Gailzahtz I think that we're all having some technical difficulties @sandyhubbard so happy that

@lkgg understands! And she'll be on radio Wed #CPHC

Gailzahtz Really great for writers out there @sandyhubbard as @lkgg talks often to the #amwriting

#amreading aspiring #writer with inspiration! #CPHC

The Writing Process

Lkgg I think you will find my writing process is a little different than most. :-) Some people plan their

books. @sandyhubbard #CPHC @GailZahtz

raquel815 #CPHC how do you find time to write while holding down a full-time job?

Lkgg I hold down a full time job and it's a balancing act. Schedule time daily.

@Raquel815 #CPHC @GailZahtz

Lkgg I may not accomplish everything I want every night, but I do accomplish

SOMETHING every day. @Raquel815 #CPHC @GailZahtz

Gailzahtz How do you manage the balance + with #chemo too! RT @lkgg: I hold down afull time job and it's a balancing act. Schedule time daily. #CPHC

lkgg The chemo adds in a wrinkle. I'm not doing a lot of new words, but more

research, edits, etc I have several projects going. @GailZahtz #CPHC

gailzahtz You've been doing more writing by writing about the #cancer

during the #chemo on top of your new projects How? @lkgg #CPHC

Gailzahtz I have to say that of all the authors I know (which is many) that @lkgg is the most consistent

WORKING one I know- amazed w/discipline #CPHC

Sandyhubbard Discipline in writing is vital but how do you access that place where you can be creative,

inspired, transported? #CPHC

Markpitzele $100,000 Question RT @sandyhubbard: Discipline in writing is vital, how access

that place where to be creative, inspired, transported? #CPHC

Lkgg Meditation, and funnily enough research always sparks the creativity. The "ooh shiny

moments" come from that @sandyhubbard #CPHC @GailZahtz

Carenovatemag @lkgg @Raquel815 @GailZahtz that's awesome, just do mentally I bet, write as much

as you can #cphc

Markpitzele I usually think anything I write in my mind for days or more before I attempt to get it on

paper #CPHC


7/10

Gailzahtz I think my writing is better when I think more and write less @MarkPitzele I have to

remind myself to leave computer @lkgg #CPHC

Sandyhubbard @MarkPitzele Everything I write in my mind sounds so good and then once it's

on paper, it's stilted and overwritten. #CPHC

Gailzahtz I write best when I write like I'm talking- when I get caught in my head is when it gets

stilted @lkgg @sandyhubbard @MarkPitzele #CPHCSandyhubbard I'm so excited @lkgg will also be radio guest this week with host @gailzahtz #CPHC - I

want to hear more about writing process.

Gailzahtz Do you keep a schedule or word count or other process that enables you to be both prolific

and working and editing? #CPHC @lkgg

Lkgg Yes. Keep the words flowing when possible. But a lot of writing is rewriting.

@carenovatemag @Raquel815 @GailZahtz more... #CPHC

Markpitzele So true, many, many drafts RT @lkgg: Yes. Keep the words flowing when

possible. But a lot of writing is rewriting #CPHC

Lkgg Yes. I do a LOT of thinking, mulling, getting to know the characters before putting a

single word on the page @MarkPitzele #CPHC @GailZahtz

Lkgg And for me the rewriting take a different creative energy than the new to the page words.

@carenovatemag @Raquel815 @GailZahtz #CPHC

Gailzahtz You manage to write a lot and edit a lot. Do you spend time daily doing both? Or do you juggle

another way? @lkgg #CPHC

Lkgg 140 characters is not enough to express the therapeutic qualities of writing. I think of it as my

purge. @Raquel815 #CPHC @GailZahtz

raquel815 .@lkgg #CPHC haha! agreed! i find myself writing because it helps me make sense of

the world... i do it more for myself than others

Gailzahtz Please even though it's hard- lots of people asking about both the therapeutic value

and your work ethics/ process so tweet on! @lkgg #CPHC

Lkgg If I've missed a question... ping me again. I'm trying to keep up. ;-) #CPHC @GailZahtzGailzahtz You're doing a FAB job @lkgg but I do see a lot of people asking about your writing

process, so wanted to jump on that #CPHC

Sandyhubbard I do my rewrites on a different computer, with reference books, paper and pen, fresh

coffee and fresh air. #CPHC

Businessgp I 'write' in my head first, then on paper and then on computer. #CPHC

sandyhubbard I think, think and then write, write, write and then cut, cut, cut and then write

some more. #CPHC

markpitzele Good process, than I usually have mult computer drafts RT @businessgp: I

'write' in my head first, then on paper and then on computer. #CPHC

gailzahtz Adding #CPHC RT @businessgp: I have several in my head all the time. I then

form and reform them until I feel I can commit to paper.

lkgg For me each novel has been written in a different way... bar the thinking beforhand.

@sandyhubbard #CPHC @GailZahtz

lkgg I used to write on paper to start, but now I'm a direct into the computer gal. And many drafts.

@MarkPitzele @businessgp #CPHC @GailZahtz

gailzahtz I went out and bought more sketch pads to get me back to writing and thinking more

@MarkPitzele @businessgp @lkgg @sandyhubbard #CPHC


8/10

gailzahtz I have trouble when I do too much writing just on the computer- but it seems so much easier.

@lkgg @MarkPitzele @businessgp #CPHC

lkgg I feel as if the thoughts flow directly from my head through my fingers and onto the page.

@GailZahtz @MarkPitzele @businessgp #CPHC

gailzahtz I have a couple of novels and several non-fiction- I just don't manage my time for

writing as well as @lkgg does @businessgp #CPHCgailzahtz Isn't that the most honest writing? RT @lkgg I feel as if the thoughts flow directly from

my head through my fingers and onto the page #CPHC

lkgg Getting the thoughts to flow that way is the key. Nirvana for a writer. You're not trying to pull them

one by one. @GailZahtz #CPHC

gailzahtz How do you get there? RT @lkgg: Getting the thoughts to flow that way is the key.

Nirvana for a writer. You're not trying to pull... #CPHC

lkgg That is the tricky point. Environment free of distractions, whatever you need to get

into the zone whether it's music...@GailZahtz #CPHC

gailzahtz An environment free of distractions? Where do you find that when

you have your computer on?? @lkgg #CPHC

raquel815 TRUTH RT @GailZahtz: An environment free of distractions?

Where do you find that when you have your computer on?? @lkgg

#CPHC

lkgg If having the internet on is too much of a distraction, then there are apps

for that. They turn it off for a time @GailZahtz #CPHC

lkgg It boils down to discipline and whether you are giving your best to

the work. If I'm in the zone, the house could fall. @GailZahtz #CPHC

Sandyhubbard I( get very involved in my characters' back stories and then don't know how much to

include. #CPHCLkgg But @sandyhubbard YOU have to know ALL the backstory because you don't know how it

influences the words on the page ..more #CPHC @GailZahtz

Gailzahtz Think @lkgg can speak to this! mT @sandyhubbard: I get very involved in my

characters' back stories; don't know how much to include. #CPHC

Lkgg Even if the backstory parts never make it into the story, they do influence everything else.

@sandyhubbard #CPHC @GailZahtz

Sandyhubbard Back story distracts me, though, because then I have to go research

history, even if it is recent history. I want it to be correct. #CPHC

Gailzahtz Glad you made it! @businessgp As a "working" writer/ communicator- do you have the novel

waiting to be written? #CPHC Good to see you!

Drkdhoffman I'm going to have to catch your transcript. I have to go pick up my child at school. Thank

you @lkgg #cphc

Gailzahtz Glad you could join us @drkdhoffman we'll have @lkgg on the radio tomorrow at 9

pm ET and you can get that in download also! #CPHC


9/10

Markpitzele Author Cheryl Strayed made great point in one of her books, everyone has a story, how the

story transformed you is the key for readers #CPHC

Lkgg My stick figures wouldn't inspire anyone to do anything but run. LOL. @businessgp @MarkPitzele

@GailZahtz #CPHC #Notanartist

@lkgg @businessgp @GailZahtz I can't even draw a stick figure. #CPHCBusinessgp @MarkPitzele: @lkgg @businessgp @GailZahtzI can't even draw a stick

figure. #CPHC


10/10

Gailzahtz So I'm already getting feedback that a lot of people have a lot of questions for @lkgg and the

writing process- so feel free to use #CPHC

Gailzahtz We didn't get to- but @lkgg is now represented by @ItaliaGandolfo and other authors from

the agency will be joining us for 2 weeks #CPHC

Gailzahtz This week we'll be back on at 9PM ET on W, TH, Su, Mon with great authors starting with

@lkgg tomorrow #CPHC @sandyhubbard

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