January 1, 2000
Web posted at: 4:00 p.m. EDT

(CNN) -- National Book Award Winner Kimberly Willis Holt joined the CNN.com chat room on December 13, 1999, to discuss her book for young readers "When Zachary Beaver Came to Town."

Willis Holt joined the chat by telephone from Texas and CNN.com provided a typist. The following is an edited transcript of the chat.

Chat Moderator: Welcome, Kimberly Willis Holt!

Kimberly Willis Holt: Hi, it's great to be here!

Chat Moderator: Kimberly Willis Holt is joining us via telephone from Texas. CNN.com is providing a typist for Kimberly Willis Holt.

Chat Moderator: Please tell us a little bit about your background.

Kimberly Willis Holt: I was born in a hurricane in Pensacola, Florida... my dad was in the military, so we moved all over the place. But I consider myself a southerner from Louisiana. I've lived in Texas for most of my adult life.

Chat Moderator: What prompted you to write this book?

Kimberly Willis Holt: When I was 13 years old, I saw the fattest boy in the world, at the Louisiana State Fair. Zachary Beaver is the fattest boy in the world. I only spent a few moments in a trailer with him, but that moment made a huge impression on me. I wish I was kinder, but I asked him a lot of questions, like Cal in the book. Many years later, I met a friend who also had met this young man. He was in a parking lot near her work, and every day, she went to see him. She would spend two dollars, and take her lunch along, and visit him. Those two events sort of merged together, and became the story of Zachary Beaver. Really, the story belongs to Toby Wilson, and Zachary Beaver is a vehicle in the plot.

Question from skippy: Do most of your stories come from personal experience?

Kimberly Willis Holt: Most of them do. My first book, My Louisiana Sky, was from a moment in my life when I was 9 years old, and I was with my mother in a car, going down a country road. We passed a woman with grocery sacks in her hand. She looked scary to me, because she looked different. I mentioned that to my mother, and she said, "That lady is mentally retarded, and her husband is mentally retarded, and they have a lot of kids." It haunted me, the rest of my life. That is the premise of my first book. It's about a girl who has parents who are mentally slow.

My second book, "Mr. and Me," is about a girl who lives in a sawmill town in Louisiana, and two of my great grandfathers worked in that sawmill town. So, I heard about the way their lives were, all my life from my dad. So, I'd have to say that everything that I write about either stems from my life, or from things that other people have told me. Even though they're not true stories, there are many truths in them.

Question from MrMango: As a writer, did you find it challenging to write from the perspective of the opposite gender?

Kimberly Willis Holt: No, oddly enough. I don't have brothers, and I don't have a son, but the voice came to me, and whenever I write, that's what I wait for. I wait for the voice to come. I get premises right and left, but not the voice. I tried to be true to a boy's character, and what he would do in situations that Toby was in. I've had a husband, of course, and a father, and both have told me about their childhood, so maybe I pulled from that. I wish I could explain it, but I can't. It's just there.

Question from skippy: When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?

Kimberly Willis Holt: Since I was 12 years old, and I read a book by Carson McCullers, "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter." I always enjoyed writing before reading that, but never thought about being a writer until then. The characters in that book seemed like real people to me. Two teachers I had that year, my creative writing teacher and my English teacher, were both important in encouraging me to keep writing.

Question from Sunny1: How long was it before you actually had something published?

Kimberly Willis Holt: I had something published shortly after I started writing. Now, I didn't continue writing at age 12. I started about six years ago, and was published about six months later. I was paid in copies, and felt great about it! Then I went on to publish articles, and more essays, and some short stories.

Chat Moderator: What was your childhood like?

Kimberly Willis Holt: When I was young, I was very shy and quiet, because we moved all the time. My dad was in the Navy, so we moved every two years. More than anything, I wanted to live in one home. Now, I'm glad I had those experiences, because I got to live in Paris, and Guam, and all over the US. I feel like I have a tolerance for people of other skin types, because of that. I always went to school with people of other races.

Question from MrMango: Who are your heroes (fictional or real)?

Kimberly Willis Holt: Of course, I love Carson McCullers, and Harper Lee. If I can be a little self-indulgent, I like my character Leroy in "Mr. and Me." I think he encompasses so many qualities that should be in heroes. He has a gentle spirit. Yet he's strong.

Question from skippy: Are there any obstacles that come with being a female writer, a southern female writer at that.

Kimberly Willis Holt: No, I think of it as an advantage. I like the fact that I'm from the south, and that I have this rich history behind me. I come from a family of storytellers. They can't just tell you how someone went to the store. They have to tell you who they saw, what they were wearing, what they said, what they had in their grocery cart. I think it's an advantage to be from the South if you're a writer. The stories from the South are rich and full of interesting characters.

Chat Moderator: What went through your mind when you won the National Book Award?

Kimberly Willis Holt: I was in shock! I really did not believe that they were calling my name. I felt like I floated to the stage. I had to read my speech, because one day before, I wrote it, but didn't think I would win. I had the speech prepared, because they made me, just in case. I hate when people read speeches, but that's exactly what I had to do!

Question from Sunny1: What others authors were nominated? Who was your competition?

Kimberly Willis Holt: Laurie Anderson, with "Speak." Walter Dean Myers, with "Monster." Louise Burdrick, with "The Birchbark House." I'm having trouble with the last name of the other one. They were all wonderful books, and wonderful people behind the books.

Question from happy: What adult or young adult books are you currently reading? Do other writers influence your writing?

Kimberly Willis Holt: Other writers definitely influence my writing. What encourages me and inspires me, is when I read a good book. It makes me want to be a better writer. Right now, I'm reading Han Nolan's "A Face in Every Window." I just started that. In fact, she's one of the writers I really admire a lot. You know, you asked about heroes a minute ago... I get poet and writer's magazines, and they always have a section about writers who are arrested because of things they had written. I'd have to say that those are my heroes. I hope that if I lived in a country that didn't have free speech, that I'd be brave enough to write, even if I'd be arrested.

Question from hello: I knew Zachary Beaver was an award-winning book the minute I finished it!

Kimberly Willis Holt: Thank you! That means a lot to me, to any writer, when someone embraces your story. Unfortunately, I can't think about the readers when I'm writing... I have to think about the characters and their story, and not worry if I'm going to offend someone with a scene, or remark. I don't want to be gratuitous, though. But when the book is finished, is really satisfying, but even moreso when you know that you've reached a reader, and that they really do like it.

Question from hello: It's Karen from Irving! You know how much I loved all your books! Congrats on "Mister and Me" making the 2000-2001 Bluebonnet list!

Kimberly Willis Holt: Thanks, Karen... I'll always remember how well you treated me at your school. Like a celebrity! P.S. I liked your spa story.

Question from Sunny1: What is the Bluebonnet list?

Kimberly Willis Holt: The Bluebonnet list is a Texas state list for young readers, 3rd through 5th grade, and the list is narrowed down by a group of committee members. Then children all over Texas vote on their favorite book. They have to read five or so books from the list, then can vote. It's a special list, because children are involved in it.

Question from happy: Han Nolan is one of my favorites, too. She was on a panel at last year's Booklist Panel discussion at ALA Annual Conference. The discussion was on "Bleak books, as a trend." Do you see that as a trend? Your books seem very hopeful.

Kimberly Willis Holt: I guess I don't like to think about trends. I just like to think about what's a good story. It probably sounds like I'm dodging the question, but I'm being as honest as I can. Sometimes writers ask, "What's selling?" and my honest answer is "good stories." Sometimes a good story means a bleak ending, other times it's a hopeful one.

Chat Moderator: Why do you write for young adults?

Kimberly Willis Holt: I didn't choose to write for young adults. It just seems like all the stories inside me are about young people. They're coming of age stories. I joke that I never got over being 12 years old. When I first started "My Louisiana Sky," I had to reacquaint myself with young adult literature, because my daughter was in picture books. I was amazed at the quality of literature out there for kids. Another thing that impressed me was that you can write about anything. You don't have to limit yourself, just because your audience is twelve.

Chat Moderator: Are you working on a book right now?

Kimberly Willis Holt: My next book is "Dancing in Cadillac Light." It's in the revision process right now. It's set in east Texas, in the 1960's. It's about a girl whose grandfather comes to live with them, and everybody thinks he's going crazy. He buys a Cadillac with some of the last money he has, and she takes rides with him in it, and they start to learn about each other. Mainly, she learns about him.

Question from SisterSledge: Does your family support your writing?

Kimberly Willis Holt: Absolutely. I always think that's half the battle, because I meet writers all the time who don't have this kind of support. I have a very supportive husband and daughter, even before I sold a book. They considered me a writer from day one.

Question from happy: Can you see yourself doing a sequel? All three of your protagonists are so young I'd like to know what became of them. I know one little boy asked you, here in Irving, "Where is Zachary NOW!" You said he was traveling around, I believe.

Kimberly Willis Holt: Right now, I don't foresee a sequel to any of my books. Until I'm really on fire, with a story burning inside me, I won't write a sequel, even if I could sell it. If I did that, before it was ready, it wouldn't be a good story. So, if you ever see a sequel out there to one of my books, you'll know it was because it was burning inside me, to get out on the page.

Question from SisterSledge: How old is your daughter now?

Kimberly Willis Holt: My daughter is twelve now, and in seventh grade.

Question from skippy: Does she want to write?

Kimberly Willis Holt: She is a very good writer, but she loves to act, and right now, that's where her heart is. She's in a theatre group here in Amarillo. That's what she wants to pursue when she's out of school. It's funny, because I enjoyed theatre when I was younger, but recently told her, "I wouldn't want to work as hard at that as you do." She told me just the opposite... "I wouldn't want to work as hard at writing as you do." So, I guess we're both pursuing our love.

Question from MrMango: How do stories come to you?

Kimberly Willis Holt: The stories come in different ways... As a premise, many times. But I always wait for the voice. Sometimes the voice of the character come to me, and I follow it. The voice and the premise came to me together in Zachary Beaver.

Question from Sunny1: She is the age of your readers. Do you go over story lines with her? Let her read parts as you're writing?

Kimberly Willis Holt: She has heard all of my books, more than anybody. In fact, last summer, I saw her on the porch swing, reading "My Louisiana Sky," and I asked her, "Aren't you sick of that?" She said, "I've never read it like a real book." She'd only read it in manuscript form. She always tells me when something isn't clear, or when she doesn't understand something. That's been very helpful to me.

Question from happy: What was the best preparation for becoming a writer?

Kimberly Willis Holt: I think education--formal education, as well as informal. By informal education, I mean just living life, experiencing life. Everything you do can feed into your writing. Last weekend, I was stuck in the snow, trying to cross over and turn around, coming home from a book signing. I got stuck, without a shovel, and was trying to dig out with my hands until the tow truck arrived. I remember thinking, even though I was cold and miserable, I remember thinking, "I can use this." Also, read. Reading is so important. Read all different types of writing. I read all genres. I read adult literature and poetry. Really, that's such good training. There have been times when I've been revising, but couldn't figure out how to handle a time transition, and I've learned from other writers how they handled it.

Question from SisterSledge: What is your daily writing schedule?

Kimberly Willis Holt: When I'm at home, I try to start writing by 7:30 a.m. I will break for a late lunch, say 1:00. Sometimes I'll come back to it. If I'm writing a first draft, I usually don't, because I get tired quickly. If I'm re-writing, I can write all day, with breaks for lunch, dinner, picking my daughter up. Unless it's the second draft... that's the worst. I have to figure out what the heck I did on my first draft. :)

Question from Sunny1: Do you ever think about writing for adults?

Kimberly Willis Holt: I have written for adults, in short story form. But most of my ideas are "coming of age" ideas.

Question from wb: Your stories have been set in Texas and Louisiana -- do you foresee writing about any of the foreign locations where you grew up?

Kimberly Willis Holt: I do. That's something that I’m thinking a lot about. I'd like to maybe do a short story collection, about some of the places I've lived, from the military brat's perspective. But, I need to get enough distance from it, so it's not autobiographical. Whenever I start to write about something that's really happy, I feel miserable. always surprised when I look back, and realize, "Well, that's where that came from." It's done in an innocent way, and I have more success at it. But yes, I'd like to write about some of the places I've visited or lived.

Question from SisterSledge: as your daughter grows, will you want to write for older teens?

Kimberly Willis Holt: My writing really doesn't have much to do with my daughter, and I don't mean that in a selfish way. It's just that the stories that are there aren't there because of the age she is. When I sold "My Louisiana Sky," Shannon was 10, and someone said, "Oh, you can write for that age because your daughter is that age." But Shannon was only 7 while I was writing about a 12 year old. Someone said that the best writers are people who are still in touch with their own childhood. But I'll probably write about older teenagers, too, because I've been an older teenager.

Question from MrMango: How long does it take you to finish a book?

Kimberly Willis Holt: My Louisiana Sky, I wrote on and off for 3 years. Mister and Me probably took four months. Zachary Beaver took a little over a year. So, as you can tell, it just depends. :)

Question from skippy: Do you do any work with the ALA to promote reading in young adults?

Kimberly Willis Holt: I've been to ALA once, and I did not speak. I just did a signing. This year, I'll be going to the International Reading Association, actually next year. I will be speaking there. I'll also be attending Texas Library Association this spring. And I haven't thought of any of my topics yet! But I'm sure they'll touch on reading.

Question from skippy: What is the best way to encourage your children to read?

Kimberly Willis Holt: Read yourself. Be a good role model. I'm convinced that's why my daughter is a reader, and why I smile when I see her turn off the TV to read a book. It doesn't matter what age they are... read to your children. We still crawl into bed with a good book, and she'll read to me, or I'll read to her. If you have a reluctant reader, convince them that they just haven't found the right book yet. Let them read a few pages, and put it down, if they wish. I'm an impatient reader, and if I don't like a book in the first couple of pages, I put it down.

Question from skippy: What did you read beside Carson McCullars as a child?

Kimberly Willis Holt: I read, as a young child, the Laura Ingalls Wilder books, Beverly Cleary, and Little Women.

Kimberly Willis Holt: In fact, my dad would get mad at me, because he'd see me reading Little Women over and over, and he'd say, "Don't you want to read a new book?" As a young adult, I remember reading adult books, but also, "Lisa, Bright and Dark," and "Go Ask Alice."

Question from wb: How much fun was the National Book Award Ceremony?

Kimberly Willis Holt: Well, it was like a dream. It was like being plucked out of normal life, and plopped down into a fairy tale. It was very surreal. I was so nervous that I didn't eat my dinner. It looked wonderful, and I wanted to ask for a doggie bag! I don't even remember what it was. I always wanted to eat a hot dog on the streets of NY, and that's what I had afterwards! We were going back to our hotel, and I asked my husband for one. We were in the elevator of the four star hotel, and a lady in an evening gown was looking at us, and I told her about my husband in his tux, "He's such a cheap date, isn't he?"

Question from Haley: How do you feel about the seemingly increasing number of "children's" books that people are asking be banned?

Kimberly Willis Holt: I'm afraid of anyone who wants to tell me what my child can read. I can't even say it more clearly than that. It just scares me. Everyone's interpretation of what is "allowed" in literature is so different. I can't say it more plainly.

Chat Moderator: Any final thoughts?

Kimberly Willis Holt: To the people that have been supportive of me at the beginning, you'll always be dear to me, and I appreciate that. And for the young writers and readers out there, keep reading and writing, and invite me to your first book signing! Because dreams do come true.

Chat Moderator: Thank you Kimberly Willis Holt for chatting with us today!

Kimberly Willis Holt: I've enjoyed this hour... it flew! I hope to meet some of you in the future, in person. And hi to all my friends who tuned in today. Bye!