Tag Archive for James Preller’s first book

Fan Mail Wednesday #303: “How Did You Get Started Writing Books?”

November 28, 2020 / / No comments

 

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In this letter, I’m hearing from Joe, a friend of Vivaan, who had previously dressed as Jigsaw Jones for Halloween; together they enjoy my Jigsaw Jones books. It’s worth noting how helpful and supportive both parents have been in terms of encouraging reading and reaching out to an author. It began with a comment on my blog!

 

Dear James Preller,

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A tough moment between Jigsaw and Mila tests their friendship.

My name is Joe and I am 6 years old. Vivaan, whose mother Shivika recently contacted you, is a good friend of mine.  I am writing because I just read your book, The Case of the Hat Burglar, with my dad, who is helping compose this message. It was terrific, because of the drama — what a great story of betrayal and redemption.  Very soon, I want to read more Jigsaw Jones books. Finally, I have a question — how did you get started writing books when you were growing up?

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Thanks!
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Joe

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–I replied . . .

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Dear Joe,


        Thank you for your email. 

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Any friend of Vivaan Shah’s is a friend of mine!
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I’m so glad you enjoyed The Case of the Hat Burglar. It’s the most recent Jigsaw Jones book, and in many ways it is my favorite. It’s the first time that Jigsaw and Mila ever had a problem with their friendship. I’ve always wanted to write something about that — how two really good friends can get into a fight, experience hurt feelings, and sadness, and then get through it somehow.  
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It seems like all of us go through it with our friends and family. What a relief when we come out the other side, happy and together once again. 
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I wrote books when I was your age. In fact, I still have one and made a video about it. Here’s the link that will get you there. I even have a Youtube channel of other videos, too. You might like them!
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And, who knows, maybe I’ll be reading one of your books soon. If you do write one, please send me a copy or a manuscript or, at least, a picture of the cover.
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But what will you write about? 
Hmmmm.
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Thanks for your kindness, and thanks to your super dad, too, who knows all the big words!
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James Preller
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Category: Fan Mail, Jigsaw Jones / Tags: , , , , ,

Bad Decisions Make Good Stories

February 5, 2019 / / One comment

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Detail from self-published book, age 5-6, by yours truly, assisted by my brother Neal.

 

Bad decisions make good stories.

It’s something I know now, as a published author long in the tooth, but I understood it even when I was a kid, drawing my first books, telling the words to any sibling who’d transcribe them for me. I could draw, just didn’t yet have the ability to write the words.

The art is taken from a book I made as a young boy, miraculously stored safely away in the attic by my mother. You see, long before I got my current gig, I used to make books and sell them to my friends and neighbors.

Anyway, here’s another detail to that same page. We’ll call it, “Tarzan’s Bad Idea.”

If you can’t read my brother Neal’s handwriting: “I had better go down and fight the lion.”

When I show this story to kindergartners, I’ll sometimes mention that if I were Tarzan, I’d be like, “Okay, gee. I’m going to stay up in this tree until that lion goes away.”

We all agree that would make a crummy book!

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Category: School Visits, the writing process / Tags: ,
 
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