Chloe's Blog

Christopher Herz, author of The Last Block in Harlem, took the time today to talk with some year 7, 8, 11 and 12 students via Skype. We all gathered in the library after recess and listened to him talk about his book and what inspired him to write it. He also explained about how he had written this book, his first, and sold it to people on the street. This attracted attention and Publishers Weekly mentioned him in an article of theirs in 2009. As a result of this he gained a publishing contract with Amazon and his second book is to be released early December this year.

It was very interesting listening to the story and menaing behind his books and the obstacles that stood in his way to getting it published. As part of the link-up some of the students were able to ask him questions and gain valuable advice about possibly pursuing a career in writing later in life. Herz suggested that we also set up an online page where we can write stories and create characters. From there he can read them and give feedback about them as well as other students getting ideas or leaving comments.

One of the questions that he was asked was whether he wrote his manuscripts on a computer or in a book. His reply was that he writes on everything from notebooks to his hand, serviettes in restaurants and his much loved typewriter. He explained that you don’t know where you get an idea and that you should always write it down.

I really enjoyed this link-up and I am looking forward to talking with him again. Please feel free to visit his blog or website for more info or head to goodreads.com to read reviews and but your own copy.