Presents portions of an interview with Paul Zindel. Includes his explanation of his writing processes. Reports Zindel's view that writing what the author knows best is the greatest secret to writing. (SG)

The Nancy Drew books are entertaining for the adolescent, but do not provide them the opportunity to gain insights into the way in which human beings experience life and, in the process, grow.

Presents an email interview with playwright and novelist Adam Rapp. Discusses his first three novels, which center on themes of isolation and alienation. Addresses his writing processes and how he develops the characters in his novels and plays. (RS)

Presents transcript of an interview with Robert Cormier, winner of the Margaret A. Edwards Award for authors of books for young adults. Various aspects of Cormier's works are discussed, including realism; characterization; the darker themes that he uses and their origins; the influence of Catholicism; and censorship. (LRW)

Robert Cormier, the author of "The Chocolate War" and other books for young adults discusses his plots and characters, input from editors, writers who influenced him, themes in his novels, and his two latest books. A bibliography of 10 young adult books by Cormier is included. (EAM)

Probes Lloyd Alexander's thoughts about his own writing habits and processes; his reflections on his various books and characters; the state of children's publishing today; and fan mail he receives. (RAE)

Presents an interview with science-fiction writer and 1999 winner of the Margaret A. Edwards Award, Anne McCaffrey. Discusses other awards and honors, how science fiction has changed in 30 years, inspiration for characters, writing for young adults, discovery of science fiction, research, writing habits and dealing with writer's block, and the…

Presents four short interviews with some of the most respected names in children's literature: Jane Yolen, Kyoko Mori, Rita Williams-Garcia, and Joseph Bruchac. Discusses particular book subjects, how the writers came to be writers for children, new books, and characters described in the stories. (SC)

Presents a telephone interview with author of the "Harry Potter" children's books, Jonanne Rowling. Highlights include: initial expectations for Harry; work before the "Harry" novels; an autobiographical character; her favorite books as a child; comparison with Ronald Dahl; earliest attempts at writing; writing about good and…

An award winning author discusses the making of his novel, "Raspberry One" and stresses the need for accuracy and honesty in historical fiction. (HOD)

Recommends the young adult fiction of Bruce Brooks, who writes in the first person about a protagonist who is an adolescent black named Jerome. Offers the author's own thoughts about his novels and his viewpoint. (NKA)

Presents an interview with Karen Cushman, discussing her career progress, her children's reaction to her writing, as well as her next book, "Matilda Bone." Talks about "what character she is most like" and discusses future projects. (SC)

This interview with Kimberly Willis Holt, an author of young adult fiction who recently won the National Book Award for Young People's Literature, discusses her background, how she began her writing career, childhood influences, small-town life, and how she develops her characters. (LRW)

Presents an interview with author of young adult literature, Michael Cadnum. Discusses his poetry, audience, characters, disturbing themes, "big openings," use of myth, jobs and life events that contributed to his development as a writer, time it takes to write a book, novels based on real-life events, and forthcoming books. Includes a…

Novelist Denise Giardina discusses growing up in a small West Virginia coal mining town, educational experiences, her career as writer, the manner in which she creates and develops characters in novels, the influence of other Appalachian writers on her career, and the political content of her writing. (LP)