Today, we are proud to be hosting a round table with four middle grade writers, discussing their writing process, development of ideas, research, and more. The round table is composed by Stephanie Burgis (The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart), Sheela Chari (Finding Mighty), Uma Krishnaswami (Step Up to the Plate, Maria Singh) and Mark Siegel (The Sand Warrior). Mark: Thanks so much to the Book Smugglers, who have graciously welcomed us to their blog. Let’s get started. Aspiring authors sometimes have this idea that stories are born straight onto a blank page. Would each of you share the work you do before that opening sentence? Uma: Hi Mark. For me, each book is different. I’ve made maps, lists, timelines, collages, handmade books with pictures and artifacts representing the story–just about anything I can use to trick my mind into entering the zone. At the same time I try not to leap in too soon. I spend ages writing notes and questions {in a notebook} about any ideas that come tapping at my mental windows. It’s almost like a test. If they can endure the interrogation, there’s a story there. Steph: I always begin writing my stories with a single opening […]