The document discusses young adult author Laurie Halse Anderson and her writing process and themes. It notes that her novel Wintergirls was inspired by fan mail about eating disorders and explores themes of being lost and in pain. Anderson aims to help teens see their world more clearly through realistic depictions of hard topics in both realistic fiction and historical fiction genres. Her writing process is described as thrilling but nerve-wracking, and she finds motivation through fan mail. Her books have fast-paced plots, dialogue, and teen characters dealing with issues like eating disorders, rape, and depression.

1. Laurie Halse Anderson L. Weaver: SLM 504 Mad Woman in the Forest

2. Wintergirls “ Wintergirls is about being haunted by an angry ghost, about being lost, about feeling frozen and not having an ice pick, about being trapped between alive and dead, about pain that leads to self-destruction, about the possibility of happiness.” ~Laurie Halse Anderson

3. Wintergirls Wasn’t going to write book Flood of fan mail about issue Characters began to come to life Tons of research

4. Laurie’s YA Novels

5. Genres Realistic Fiction Writes about hard things because life is hard Large project: To help teens see their world more clearly. Historical Fiction American History = Laurie’s life long passion Philadelphia Yellow Fever Epidemic, Revolutionary War

6. Laurie’s Writing “ Writing a novel always feels like riding a roller coaster, the kind that makes you hyperventilate, say your prayers, and regret the cheese dog you ate half an hour ago. Once they lock you in your seat, you’re sure you will plunge to a fiery, painful death. When it’s over, you sprint to get back in line, because it was the coolest thing you ever did.” ~Laurie Halse Anderson

7. Laurie’s Writing Fan Mail feeds her, fills her with life

8. Laurie’s Writing Style and Characteristics Fast moving plot Lots of dialog Teenaged characters Consequences Theme Real life/controversial issues: eating disorders, rape, suicide, loneliness, depression, sense of identity Explores masked pain and confusion

9. Appeal to Young Adults Cool covers Unique Formats: Wintergirls = Weight Speak = Marking Periods Catalyst = Elements (Solid, Liquid, Gas) Prom =Very Short Historical Fiction = Date Birthday Cake: Fourth and Fifth level Finding oneself/friends/enemies Realistic Questions about society

10. If you like Laurie’s books, then you might like… Self-mutilation; Family Trauma; Correctional Facility; Eating Disorder; Drug Addiction Drug Addiction; Dysfunctional Relationships; Rape; Pregnancy; Verse Format Drug Addiction; Identity; Sexual Assault; Hippie Counterculture; Diary Format Suicide; Rape; Rumors; Confusion; Desperation; Tape Recordings Format

11. Work Cited Anderson, Laurie Halse. Mad Woman in the Forest. Laurie Halse Anderson. 14 March 2011. Web. 28 March 2011. Anderson, Laurie Halse. Wintergirls . Perf. Jeannie Smith. Brillance Audio, 2009. Audiobook Interview. “ Bare Bones: Honest Fiction about Weight and Eating Disorders.” ReadingRant.org. 25 Jan. 2009. Web. 29 March 2011. Bucher, Katherine and Kaavonia Hinton. Young Adult Literature: Exploration, Evaluation and Appreciation . Boston: Pearson Education, 2010. Buehler, Jennifer, Ph.D. “Episode 12—A Conversation with Laurie Halse Anderson.” Text Messages: Recommendations for Adolescent Readers . Readwritething.org. 1 March 2009. Web. 29 March 2011.