“I have known I wanted to be a writer since I was seven-years-old. Seriously. In the second grade I wrote a 21-page story and handed it in to my teacher. She told my mother I was going to be a writer. Since then, I always kept a journal and wrote poetry, plays, stories.” YearsPlayStoriesWantedMotherKnownTeacherPagesSevenGradesJournalSeven Years Author:Renee Watson
“Once I became an adult and started to pursue writing as a professional career, I realized my main characters were always young people. My stories naturally center around children and teenagers. I think it's because I have worked with youth for about twelve years. The pains and joys of adolescents are moments I witness on a daily basis, so their stories are always with me as I write.” PeopleThinkingWritingYearsChildrenMomentsCharacterStoriesPainYoungJoyCareersYouthAdultsBasesI RealizedPursueWitnessTeenagerTwelveMain CharactersProfessional Career Author:Renee Watson
“Picture books are more difficult for me because it is telling a huge story in the least amount of words.” BookStoriesDifficultHugeAmountPicture Books Author:Renee Watson
“I have a writing space in my apartment, but I prefer to write at coffee shops. When I'm stuck, I take a walk and spend time outside to clear my mind. I get inspired on these walks, often getting new ideas for stories and finding solutions to the problems that need to be fixed in the draft I am working on.” NeedsWritingMindIdeasStoriesProblemSpaceWalksClearFindingsSolutionsInspiredCoffeeStuckFixedShopsApartmentNew IdeasEnd TimesSpend TimeCoffee Shop Author:Renee Watson
“These days, most of my interactions with young people are centered on the poetry or theater classes I teach, so the students I know are reading contemporary poets (they love Willie Perdomo) and scripts (No Child, by Nilaja Sun and Twilight by Anna Deavere Smith). I don't know their reading habits outside of our class, but I believe that they enjoy stories that they can relate to, learn from, be challenged by - you know, the usual good writing that every reader craves.” PeopleKnowsWritingBelieveChildrenStoriesYoungReadingI BelieveEnjoyClassTeachSunStudentsPoetReaderHabitTheaterScriptsContemporaryRelateThese DaysUsualInteractionTwilightCraveGood WritingAnnaReading Habits Author:Renee Watson
