Ann M. Martin: I think the complaint that I hear most often from kids,...

I've discovered that in order to make big changes in the world, we have to begin at home -- within ourselves

Ann M. Martin

home order world

Some people say that success equals money, but frankly, I don't think success is money at all ... Success is being the best at whatever you want to do well at.

Ann M. Martin

want people thinking

I think reading is a gift. It was a gift that was given to me as a child by many people, and now as an adult and a writer, I'm trying to give a little of it back to others. It's one of the greatest pleasures I know.

Ann M. Martin

reading children thinking

Every time I finish a book, it's my favorite. I have a lot of favorites. I did just finish Jane Eyre and it was fabulous. I didn't want it to end.

Ann M. Martin

fabulous my-favorite book

I believe you are one of the people that can lift the corners of the universe.

Ann M. Martin

greatness believe people

A couple of pieces of advice for the kids who are serious about writing are: first of all, to read everything you can get your hands on so you can become familiar with different forms of writing: fiction, non-fiction, poetry, journalism. That's very important. And also keep a journal. Not so much, because it's good writing practice. Although it is, but more because it's a wonderful source of story starters.

Ann M. Martin

couple writing kids

I wonder how you say goodbye to someone forever?

Ann M. Martin

saying-goodbye forever goodbye

I love to read, and I don't believe that you have to finish one book before you start another. --Mallory Pike

Ann M. Martin

love-to-read believe book

You got to accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative, and latch on to the affirmative. Don't mess with Mr. In Between.

Ann M. Martin

education inspirational negative

There's so many different kinds of rights to consider these days: computer, e-book, all sorts of things. Forget foreign rights and entertainment rights. There are so many things to consider and an agent is going to know how to wade through all that much better than you are.

Ann M. Martin

different rights book

Maybe one thing is that you have to find the best way to write whatever works better for you.

Ann M. Martin

writing

It's great that there are so many different kinds of books for kids and adults to choose from. I think an eclectic reader is the best kind of reader to be, which would be why I was always so satisfied to hear that kids read the Baby-Sitters Club books and then went on and discovered other authors and other genres.

Ann M. Martin

baby kids book

Fight your battles with words, not fists

Ann M. Martin

battle fighting fists

Because, you see, you only need one friend for a party. One is enough. Two is enough. Anything is enough.' ~pg 107; Adam on friendship

Ann M. Martin

party two needs

Some days,' I say, 'I feel like I don't belong anywhere in that world. That world out there. 'I point to Grant. 'People walk down our street and people drive down it and people ride their bicycles down it and all of them, even the ones I know, could be from another planet. And I'm a visiting alien.' And aliens don't belong anywhere,' Adam finishes for me, 'except in their own little corners of the universe.' Right,' I say. ~pgs 57-58 Hattie and Adam on alienation

Ann M. Martin

littles people world

If you're very serious about writing it's helpful to find an agent. It's becoming more and more competitive to have your manuscript even looked at by an editor. Many companies don't accept unsolicited manuscripts anymore, so they'll pay more attention to something that comes in through an agent.

Ann M. Martin

editors writing attention

Cats definitely have their own opinions.

Ann M. Martin

cat opinion

I am fairly certain that my independent, high-spirited grandmother must have had a childhood similar to Betsy Ray'sAs I read about the School Entertainment and ice cream socials, about ladies leaving calling cards and the milkman with his horse-drawn wagon, I felt that I was having an unexpected and welcome peek into Granny's childhood-a gift to me from Maud Hart Lovelace

Ann M. Martin

horse independent school

For now, I just want things all safe and familiar. My life may not be perfect, but it is what I have known.

Ann M. Martin

may-not-be-perfect safe want

I want her back" I said "I want HIM back"~Charlie

Ann M. Martin

want-him want said

I think the complaint that I hear most often from kids, even kids who like to write is that don't know what to write about. A journal is a great source of story starters.