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I’m always eager to read your comments about my books and stories, so please feel free to pitch in. Here are a few things for you to know:
1) I answer the messages here personally.
2) No message shows up here until I actually answer it to prevent spam and other inappropriate postings. So there will sometimes be a delay before your message posts, especially if I am traveling.
3) Teachers, a gentle request: Please do not have multiple children send me variants of the same message. A group email is much easier to respond to and not such a drain on my time. My thanks in advance for being alert to this.
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Hi Mr. Coville,
I recently came back to the Unicorn Chronicles after reading the series growing up. I was always fascinated by unicorns, and I identified with Cara. I still do - she is wise beyond her years, but has the heart of a child. As a 24-year old theatre artist, I like to think of myself in that way.
I began taking myself through "The Artist's Way" to help me get over some creative blocks, and for my "artist date" (the time set aside to "let your inner artist child play"), I decided to revisit your series. It's amazing how the story can speak to me just as strongly after all these years, but in a differently nuanced way.
I am excited to order the final chapter of the series, and I am making a point of doing so through your site so that I can show my support directly. I saw this forum and hoped I might ask a question...
In your experience as an artist, did you find any "amulets" that were able to help take you back to that place of passion for writing/creating? You've talked previously about reading and writing a lot (or, as I like to say, "just keep swimming..."). Is there something else that inspires you to do both those things? While it may seem like I am selfishly seeking a new idea for my next "artist date", I am also curious because it seems to me that you have really told your truth as a writer by writing your passion, and by continuing to do so no matter how long it may take. I would deeply appreciate your advice!
Finally, I wanted to share some thoughts of gratitude. Thank you so much for sharing this story. And thank you for staying young at heart through your words and for allowing your readers to do the same.
Warm regards,
Sally
I recently came back to the Unicorn Chronicles after reading the series growing up. I was always fascinated by unicorns, and I identified with Cara. I still do - she is wise beyond her years, but has the heart of a child. As a 24-year old theatre artist, I like to think of myself in that way.
I began taking myself through "The Artist's Way" to help me get over some creative blocks, and for my "artist date" (the time set aside to "let your inner artist child play"), I decided to revisit your series. It's amazing how the story can speak to me just as strongly after all these years, but in a differently nuanced way.
I am excited to order the final chapter of the series, and I am making a point of doing so through your site so that I can show my support directly. I saw this forum and hoped I might ask a question...
In your experience as an artist, did you find any "amulets" that were able to help take you back to that place of passion for writing/creating? You've talked previously about reading and writing a lot (or, as I like to say, "just keep swimming..."). Is there something else that inspires you to do both those things? While it may seem like I am selfishly seeking a new idea for my next "artist date", I am also curious because it seems to me that you have really told your truth as a writer by writing your passion, and by continuing to do so no matter how long it may take. I would deeply appreciate your advice!
Finally, I wanted to share some thoughts of gratitude. Thank you so much for sharing this story. And thank you for staying young at heart through your words and for allowing your readers to do the same.
Warm regards,
Sally
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Sally -
My apologies for the long,long delayed response to this lovely message. Between technical problems with the guestbook and my own wonky schedule I got way, way behind on replying during this last year.
I'm especially regretful in this case because your message hit so close to home. First off, Cara is based on my own daughter. Secondly, next to writing, theatre is my great passion. It's why I started Full Cast Audio, which is the most theatrical of audiobook companies. I lost huge amounts of money, but we did some great art, and I will never regret taking the chance.
As to your question about "amulets" . . . Well, first off, I never lost the passion for writing/creating. It's what drives me. I don't take create for it. It's just something inside that won't let me stop.
But there are touchstones. I have a writing exercise that I do when teaching, and I like to do it along with my students. We divide up a sheet of paper into six boxes, one for each grade level from 1- 6, and then in each box try to write our most powerful memory of that grade. Once people stop thinking that they can't remember anything, stuff starts to rise from the muck of the subconscious. And in that stuff is powerful story material, at least if you are writing for kids.
In that regard, journal keeping is also a powerful source of idea.
Hope that's useful.
With all good wished (and sincere apologies for the long delay)
BC
My apologies for the long,long delayed response to this lovely message. Between technical problems with the guestbook and my own wonky schedule I got way, way behind on replying during this last year.
I'm especially regretful in this case because your message hit so close to home. First off, Cara is based on my own daughter. Secondly, next to writing, theatre is my great passion. It's why I started Full Cast Audio, which is the most theatrical of audiobook companies. I lost huge amounts of money, but we did some great art, and I will never regret taking the chance.
As to your question about "amulets" . . . Well, first off, I never lost the passion for writing/creating. It's what drives me. I don't take create for it. It's just something inside that won't let me stop.
But there are touchstones. I have a writing exercise that I do when teaching, and I like to do it along with my students. We divide up a sheet of paper into six boxes, one for each grade level from 1- 6, and then in each box try to write our most powerful memory of that grade. Once people stop thinking that they can't remember anything, stuff starts to rise from the muck of the subconscious. And in that stuff is powerful story material, at least if you are writing for kids.
In that regard, journal keeping is also a powerful source of idea.
Hope that's useful.
With all good wished (and sincere apologies for the long delay)
BC