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Q & A with Avi
2003 Newberry Medal Winning Author of Crispn: The Cross of Leadby Vicki Arkoff
Prolific children's author Avi is the latest Newbery medalist, winning for his 2002 novel Crispin: The Cross of Lead (Hyperion Books for Children), his 50th book. Set in 14th-century England, it’s an action-packed coming-of-age story about a 13-year-old orphan who's stripped of home and possessions, and is accused of murder.
"Avi masterfully creates a plot that sustains tension and suspense from beginning to end, while seamlessly weaving in details of daily medieval life," said Starr LaTronica, chairperson of the 2003 Newbery Award Selection Committee. "Readers experience Crispin's surroundings through Avi's sensory descriptions: they see, hear, smell, taste and feel his world."
A superb craftsman, Avi has also received two Newbery Honor Awards for his historical fiction accounts The Confessions of Charlotte Doyle and Nothing But the Truth. His work has covered many genres, including mystery, historical fiction, fantasy, humor and adventure.
Born in Brooklyn, New York in 1937, Avi received his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from the University of Wisconsin. After earning a Master of Science in Library Science from Columbia University, he became a librarian. His first book, Things That Sometimes Happen, was a collection of short stories first published in 1970. Forty-nine books later he began Crispin: The Cross of Lead after hearing a taped lecture about Europe's 14th century. Avi lives with his wife and children in Denver, Colorado.
"Where did you get that name?"
AVI: "My twin sister gave it to me when we were both about a year old. And it stuck. The fact is, Avi is the only name I use."
"Why did you become a writer?"
AVI: "Since writing was important to my family, friends, and school, it was important to me. I wanted to prove that I could write. But it took years before I had a book published. Nothing compelled me to become a writer. As a kid and teenager I loved to read and was immersed in the culture of the book. All that still holds true."
"What are your fundamental rules for writing for children and young adults?"
AVI: "Other than having a good story I have no rules. Whatever works. One person's rules are another's straitjacket."
"What was your first professional big break? What do you consider your personal artistic breakthrough? "
AVI: "Publishing my first book. I simply don't think in terms of ‘artistic breakthrough.’ Not even sure what it means."
"Where do your characters and story ideas generally come from, and how do you chose which ideas to tackle?"
AVI: "Story ideas are everywhere. If anything, I have too many of them. I choose the ideas that have an emotional connection to me."
"Do you create plot outlines and character biographies prior to writing and do you recommend them for other writers?"
AVI:" (I) never do character biographies. Sometimes do outlines to work out particular plot knots, but don't pay much attention to them."
"What's your personal cure for writers block?"
AVI: "Writers block means different things to different people. Being stuck, or not sure how to move forward is not writers block. That's just writing. Real writers block is a form of clinical depression. It's not something from which I've suffered. As I understand writers block it is a profound conflict between emotion and intellect—the intellect censoring the emotional—the intellect frightened of emotional truth. To deal with it you must confront the emotional truth and then always go with the emotional—no matter how painful."
"Do you ever struggle with procrastination? "
AVI: "Since I make my living as a writer—supporting myself and family—procrastination would be counterproductive. There's no room for it in my writing life."
"You've written in nearly every children's book category and genre. Which area have you found is the most difficult? Rewarding? Surprising? Misunderstood?"
AVI: "All writing is difficult. A well-written story is its own reward. Sometimes my work is not liked, but to be not liked is not the same as being misunderstood. I'm not aware that I've ever been misunderstood."
"What attracts you again and again to historical fiction subjects? What particular challenges does the genre present?"
AVI: "History is a story. (Its) special challenge is to successfully reveal the past in such a way that a contemporary child can grasp a different life without turning the story into a textbook. Historical language is the most difficult aspect to capture."
"When is it acceptable for a historical fiction author to depart from the facts of a particular era?"
AVI: "I can't think of when. But to begin with, there is no such thing as truly objective history. It's always subjective right from the start. It's only historians who think they are objective. The writer of fiction knows he or she isn't."
"You've said that one becomes a true writer "when you stop writing for yourself or your teachers and start thinking about readers." What methods do you employ to keep the reader in mind?
AVI: "Writers don't write writing, they write reading. Therefore, in my view, the most vital means of becoming a writer is by reading. To be a fiction writer is to think in terms of literary narrative."
"After writing so many books, how do you remain inspired?"
AVI: "The notion that inspiration is the spark of writing is destructive and self-indulgent. Writing is work. Most people don't require inspiration to go to work in the morning. Why should a writer? You do it because it's your work, your profession. Hopefully you'll love it. But writing is not a romance: It is an occupation. Those interested in writing should focus on being a writer, not on becoming an author."
"What advice do you have for people who want to write?
AVI: "I believe reading is the key to writing. The more you read, the better your writing can be. Listen and watch the world around you. Try to understand why things happen. Don't be satisfied with answers others give you. Don't assume that because everyone believes a thing it is right or wrong. Reason things out for yourself. Work to get answers on your own. Understand why you believe things. Finally, write what you honestly feel then learn from the criticism that will always come your way."
Vicki Arkoff is the editor of an extensive biography of Frank Sinatra f(DK Publishing / Penguin Books, 2004), and reviews children's books each month for Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Book Review Index, The Midwest Book Review, and School Library Journal, among others.
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