At our most recent #HFGather, host Sarah Aronson chatted with author Jasmine Warga (jasminewarga.com) about her writing craft and practice:
- One thing Jasmine took away from living in the pandemic time: “How to write in the crevices of the rest of my life.”
- Working on multiple projects: Jasmine compared it to cooking on a 4-top stove–she is watching all 4 tops while they are simmering, but paying closest attention to the main one she’s working on.
- Although her newest book The Shape of Thunder is about the aftermath of a horrible event, it’s also about friendship, family and forgiveness.
- Jasmine: “I believe so much in the power of books as conversation starters, as a way to break the ice and be able to have discussions about things that make all of us uncomfortable. I think that’s one of the most powerful things about books, is their ability to connect us in that way.”
- A Public Service Announcement from Sarah: Please write 3-dimensional parents!
- Writing about adults, because they are the biggest influencers in kids’ lives. Jasmine thinks it’s important to show positive adults who are not parents, like teachers and librarians.
- Process is not just about writing, but also about thinking. Jasmine’s process is “messy and organic.”
- Side Writing: being emotionally curious. For example, writing extra scenes that aren’t in the novel to strengthen secondary characters.
- Mid-Gather, Sarah paused to remember the very recent passing of Eric Carle and Lois Ehlert. Jasmine shared that Brown Bear Brown Bear was the first book she read independently.
If you missed it, you can watch the full Gather here:
