Last night I attended our final monthly SCBWI WWA for the season. Kirby Larson, the main session speaker, always brings down the house. Her topic of Voice Lessons was pitch perfect. Kirby, a wit and a wonder, provided no easy answers for finding your character's voice but DID provide a great handout of strategies as well as mention some great picture books, MG readers and YA novels to look to for voice inspiration.

Having read Hattie Big Sky it was thrilling to see Kirby's early writing and pre-writing exercises. Hattie Big Sky is a FANTASTIC debut young adult novel. It won't be out until October 10th but put it on hold at your library or pre-order it from Amazon NOW.

And to give us all hope--Kirby worked on Hattie for four years! Research and development included, yes, but the final product reads as effortless and true as if Hattie had left the manuscript waiting for Kirby in that 1917 Montana claim shack.

Just read it. Inspired by Hattie's grit and gumption you, too, will accomplish things you never thought you had the power or wherewithal to do!

Some of the books Kirby mentioned last night in relation to strong character voice are:

The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp by Rick Yancey
Zelda and Ivey written and illustrated by Laura McGee Kvasnosky
Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
Chicken Boy by Frances O'Roark Dowell
Lowji Discovers America series by Candace Fleming (Kirby calls series readers the SOAP OPERAS of the children's book world)
Angel Coming by Heather Henson, illustrated by Susan Gaber
Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko
Are You Going To Be Good? by Cari Best, illustrated by G Brian Karas
and OF COURSE
Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson

Finally, to combat all your writer jealousy of the above hot titles she recommends reading page 122 in Anne Lamott's Bird By Bird

Keep being inspired! Check out Kirby's gorgeous website complete with writing tips and her blog.