Michaela MacColl

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June 2011 Archive

Archives for June 2011

My Church Had Its 300th Birthday! Happy Birthday Greens Farms Church

June 21st, 2011, 3:20 am

My family goes to the Greens Farms Congregational Church. It’s a beautiful building on a hill overlooking the Long Island Sound.  Last week we celebrated the 300th year of continuous worship. I’ve spent a lot of time in Europe where 300 year old churches are thick on the ground — but not so much in the US. In fact, the history of our church is the history of our town.

A group of settlers (among them, John Green, who gave his name to the parish of Green’s Farms), were tired of schlepping 8 miles by foot, horseback or wagon to their home parish in Fairfield. They petitioned to have their own church. This meant more than just building a new more convenient church — it meant that they would administer justice, collect taxes, choose a minister, care for the poor and educate the children. It meant they were ruling themselves.

The church asked me to write a history and I’m in the middle of the project. I’m building my history on the all the various histories that were written before. In 1861, the Rev. Relyea presented a 40 page single spaced incredibly dense “Historical Discourse on the History of Green’s Farm Church.” But in the 20th century, things are more casual — remembrances more than discourse. For the 275th anniversary the church staged a play.

My history is thematic with lot of shoutout for remembrances, fun facts and “did you know?s”. I’m working with a team of volunteers who are enthusiastic, committed and work incredibly hard. I love being a part of something that has gone on so long. I may not be the most regular church goer but I’m making a lasting contribution to the church and even my town.

Categories: Blog

What could be nicer than talking books in a secret garden?

June 10th, 2011, 2:19 am

Last Saturday a lovely lady named Doe Boyle (you know she has to be writing kidlit!) invited me to be a speaker at her 13th annual garden workshop.  (In the order of appearance) Adam Gidwitz (A Tale Dark and Grimm), Rob Buyea (Because of Mr. Terupt), Ann Haywood Leal (The Finder Keepers Place), me!, and finally but definitely not least, Caragh O’Brien (Birthmarked) discussed the choices we make when we write for middle grade and young adult.

This is an issue I’ve thought a lot about. When I write my books, I’m borrowing stories from the past. When I wrote Prisoners in the Palace, I wanted to write about Victoria in the year before she became Queen. She was seventeen.  Since one of the easiest rules of thumbs about Middle Grade v. Young Adult is the age of the protagonist…. I guess I’m writing Young Adult.  This influenced teh story I told. A sixteen year old can be thinking about marriage (especially back then). Her interests are balls and gowns. And when Victoria is confronted with the unpalatable facts of life, it her naivete that keeps her from recognizing them, not her age.

My next book, Promise the Night is about an eleven year old named Beryl. She grows up in colonial Africa, seeing things that most American children her age would never ever see! But she only experiences adventures her young pre-teen self can handle. There’s not a lot of romance but there are some terrific friendships. Yup, middle grade.

Anyway, I spent a wonderful afternoon in the sun, under the shady trees, in Doe’s amazing colonial house. The attendees brought lawn chairs and a (delicious) pot-luck entree. Everyone was a writer — some well-published, others just starting. What we all had in common was a love of children’s literature and a respect for our readers.  I learned so much from my fellow speakers too. Adam made the terrific point (which I knew as a parent, but not necessarily as a writer) that kids understand what they are ready to, and the rest flies over their head! Rob, a wrestling coach, couched writing in wrestling terms — there is no room so large as the room for improvement. Oh yeah, there’s a lot of discipline required too.  Ann amazed us with her recollection of and tolerance for her 12 year old self. Caragh reminded us that writing is its own reward — publication, sales, awards are all gravy!

(From left to right) Rob Ruyea, Ann Haywood Leal, Doe Boyle, Adam Gidwitz, Caragh O'Brien and Michaela MacColl

A terrific day!

Categories: Appearances, Blog, PRISONERS IN THE PALACE

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