As library and information science scholars, we know that context matters in research because we study how various populations look for information. The information-seeking behaviors of creative people, however, are something of a blank spot in our scholarly literature. Studies of creative writers are especially rare. This study used writers'…

Creative writing is often thought of as an individual and solitary pursuit. This is partly owing to Romantic (and still popular) notions of "creativity" as residing in highly gifted individuals, but also to the widely held belief that "writing" is a lonely rather than a social activity. The research presented in this paper…

Many educators in adult, community and higher education contexts are concerned with fostering reflective learning amongst their students. This paper explores the concept of critical reflection and considers how engaging with fiction may be an innovative pedagogical approach to support critical learning opportunities. Drawing upon interviews with…

Presents an interview with Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, a prolific author of books for children, young adults, and adults. Her writing process, how reading influences her writing, and ideas for settings and characters are some of the topics covered. A selected list of 32 of her books is included. (EAM)

Presents an interview with Suzanne Fisher Staples, author of the children's novel, "Shabanu, Daughter of the Wind." Discusses Staples' creative writing process, background, and the writer's role as cultural observer. (HB)

This book is a selection of profiles of children's authors featured in the journal "Language Arts" over the years. The book's 12 individual profiles highlight some of the real people who contribute to children's book publishing, provide a sample of a few of the many genres of books available for children, and give an insight into the…

Describes the success of a workshop during which authors discussed their work and their craft with teachers and students. (RL)

Award-winning short-story writer talks about her own reading and writing, censorship, young adult novels, and ways teachers can increase students' interest in reading. (ARH)

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)

Introduces novelist and art history professor Donald Harington. Rather than a detailed examination of his novels, this interview concentrates on broader questions about Harington's life; his inspirations; his region--the Ozarks of Arkansas--which he sees as an outpost of the Appalachians; and its influence on his art in general and his fictional…

Katherine Pierpont tells of the creation and development of the popular children's book, "Olivia Forms a Band," by author/illustrator Ian Falconer. In this story, Olivia, a pig, and her mother, father , and brothers are off to have a picnic and see fireworks. Olivia insists that if there are fireworks, there must be a band, even if she must…

Reveals the work habits of a graphic designer/illustrator/author: where she finds her ideas for books, how she chooses colors, and what she feels is most important in her work. (NKA)

Presents an interview with Peter Catalanotto, writer and illustrator of children's books. Discusses Catalanotto's process in writing and illustrating books, and Richard Jackson's influence on his work. Reflects on the role that libraries and books have played in his life and how those experiences have influenced his thinking in creating the cover…

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)

Novelist Mary Lee Settle reminiscences about growing up in an Appalachian coal mining town and how she uses her life experiences as a back drop for developing stories and characters for her novels. She discusses family history, coal mine violence, and the proud heritage and culture of Appalachians. (LP)