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How Does David A Adler Write? 

When Adler sits down to write - - - 

It hangs like this, crooked!  But Adler gets the message!

This sign is in Adler's office opposite his desk.  He sees it whenever he sits down to write.  He gets the message.  Don't worry about every word.  You'll rewite this all anyway.  Adler thinks rewriting is simply playing with what he's written and Adler doesn't really want to work. He prefers to play.

Adler begins.

Adler begins his fiction with ideas for interesting characters.  His inspiration for Cam came from a classmate in elementary school who was said to have a photographic memory.  Do you know any interesting people who can be inspirations for characters in your stories? 

The Setting!

The setting for this Cam mystery is a museum.  Before writing this book Adler visited the New York City Museum of Natural History where dinosaur skeletons are on display. 

Adler picks settings he knows, places he's been.  Beyond that he considers the setting "almost" as a character in each of his stories.  If, for example, the setting is a department store the setting intrudes on the story.  Perhaps there will be an announcement that the store will be closing in 10 minutes.  There may be an announcement of a sale in men's shirts.  There may be someone searching for a lost child.  These intrusions help with the pacing of the story.  They keep the story from moving too fast.

    Here's something Adler used in one of his Cam mysteries.  At an amusement park a parent went to security and reported that his 3 children were lost.  "Are they together?" the security agent asks.  "Yes," the parent answers.  "And you're alone?" the security agent says.  "Then your children aren't lost.  You are."

    Often the setting gives Adler ideas for the mystery.  He makes a list of various things that happen in that setting and usually that list gives him an idea for his mystery.  

Problem and Solution

What problem are the characters in your story facing.  In a mystery, maybe something is missing.  In other stories there may be a social problem.  NEXT, how will the problem be solved? 

This is next - - -

Next comes the story.  Inspirations for many of Adler's stories come from things that happened to him, to members of his family and to his friends.  Take a look at The Many Troubles of Andy Russell.  The Andy character is based on one of Adler's sons.  The story mostly happened and it's very funny!

Adler gathers information.

Adler often gathers information before he begins to write.  He certainly does that for his nonfiction, but he also does it for his fiction.  Cam Jansen and the Mystery of Flight Fifty-Four takes place at an airport.  Before Adler wrote that story he went to the airport nearest his house to look for things he could use.

Adler writes and rewrites.

When Adler can no longer find ways to improve his story he sets it aside for a few days.  Then he looks at it again.  If he still cannot find a way to improve it he sends it to his editor.  He hopes she'll find ways to help him make what he thinks is a good story even better.

Adler writes and rewrites and rewrites!
This is Adler's rewrite #6 of the beginning of what became Danny's Doodles, the Jelly Bean Experiment, a very funny book that is the first in the Danny's Doodles series. 

Adler thinks about the story.  He does not worry how well his first draft, his sloppy copy, is written.  He knows it doesn't have to be well written.  It just has to be on paper.  He will rewrite ii probably many times before he shows it to anyone.

NEXT ---

When Adler can no longer find a way to improve his story, he sets it aside for a few days.  Then he looks at it again.  If he still cannot find a way to improve it, he sends it to his editor.  He hopes she'll find ways to make what he thinks is a good story even better.

The editing of the very first Cam Jansen Mystery 
(WOW!  Adler made major changes in his central character!)

This is page 10 from the manuscript of the first Cam Jansen mystery as it was first sent to Viking Press.  Please note, the original title was "Kodak Barris and the Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds."  Kodak was a boy with a photographic memory.  His real name was Steven and he was nicknamed Kodak after the camera company. The Kodak company refused permission for Adler to use the name Kodak as the character's nickname.  Also, at Viking's request, the central character of the story was changed from a boy to a girl.  

   The many markings you see on this page were made by the editor.  Adler welcomed the editor's suggestions.

After many rewrites mostly at Adler's editor's suggestion the manuscript goes to the copy editor and then to the designer.  Their marks are on this page.

CAM JANSEN and the SECRET SERVICE MYSTERY--Governor Zellner visits Cam's school.
He's running for president so Secret Service agents are with him
when a valuable necklace disappears. --
Can Cam solve this mystery?
Can you? HAPPY READING!

The Jeffrey Bones Mysteries:
BONES AND THE BIG YELLOW MYSTERY, Viking, 2004.
BONES AND THE DOG GONE MYSTERY, Viking, 2004.
BONES AND THE CUPCAKE MYSTERY, Viking, 2005.
BONES AND THE DINOSAUR MYSTERY, Viking 2005.
BONES AND THE BIRTHDAY MYSTERY, Viking, 2006.
BONES AND THE MATH TEST MYSTERY, Viking, 2007.
BONES/ROLLER COASTER MYSTERY, Viking, 2008.

The Andy Russell Series:
THE MANY TROUBLES OF ANDY RUSSELL, Harcourt, 1998.
ANDY AND TAMIKA, Harcourt Brace, 1999.
SCHOOL TROUBLE FOR ANDY RUSSELL, Harcourt Brace, 1999.
PARACHUTING HAMSTERS AND ANDY RUSSELL, Harcourt, 2000.
ANDY RUSSELL, NOT WANTED BY THE POLICE, Harcourt, 2001.
IT’S A BABY, ANDY RUSSELL, Harcourt, 2005.

OTHER GRADES 2-5 FICTION:
BROTHERS IN EGYPT, Dreamworks-Puffin, 1998.
ONION SUNDAES: A HOUDINI CLUB MYSTERY, Random House, 1994.
WACKY JACKS: A HOUDINI CLUB MYSTERY, Random House, 1994.
LUCKY STARS: A HOUDINI CLUB MYSTERY, Random House, 1996.
MAGIC MONEY: A HOUDINI CLUB MYSTERY, Random House 1997.
EATON STANLEY AND THE MIND CONTROL EXPERIMENT, Dutton, 1985.
JEFFREY'S GHOST AND THE LEFT-OVER BASEBALL TEAM, Holt, 1984.
JEFFREY'S GHOST AND THE FIFTH GRADE DRAGON, Holt, 1985.
JEFFREY'S GHOST/ZIFFEL FAIR MYSTERY, Holt, 1987.
THE FOURTH FLOOR TWINS/FORTUNE COOKIE ADVENTURE,Viking,1985.
THE FOURTH FLOOR TWINS/FISH SNITCH MYSTERY, Viking, 1985.
THE 4th FLOOR TWINS/DISAPPEARING PARROT TRICK, Viking, 1986.
THE FOURTH FLOOR TWINS/SILVER GHOST EXPRESS, Viking, 1986.
THE FOURTH FLOOR TWINS/SKYSCRAPER PARADE, Viking,1987.
THE FOURTH FLOOR TWINS/SAND CASTLE CONTEST, Viking, 1988.
BENNY, BENNY, BASEBALL NUT, Scholastic, 1987.
RABBIT TROUBLE/GREEN MAGICIAN, Weekly Reader Books,1987.
T.F. BENSON AND THE FUNNY MONEY MYSTERY, Bantam, 1992.
T.F. BENSON AND THE DINOSAUR MADNESS MYSTERY, Bantam, 1992.
T.F. BENSON AND THE EYE SPY MYSTERY, Bantam, 1992.
T.F. BENSON AND THE DETECTIVE DOG MYSTERY, Bantam, 1993.

Picture Books:
A LITTLE AT A TIME, Random House, l976.
MY DOG AND THE BIRTHDAY MYSTERY, Holiday House, 1987.
MY DOG AND THE KEY MYSTERY, Watts, 1982.
MY DOG AND THE KNOCK KNOCK MYSTERY, Holiday House, l985.
MY DOG AND THE GREEN SOCK MYSTERY, Holiday House, 1986
THE HOUSE ON THE ROOF, Bonim, 1976; Kar-Ben, 1984.
THE CHILDREN OF CHELM, Bonim, 1979.
HAPPY HANUKKAH REBUS, Viking, 1989.
CHANUKKAH IN CHELM, Lothrop, 1997.
THE BABE AND I, Harcourt Brace, 1999.
MAMA PLAYED BASEBALL, Harcourt Brace, 2003.
YOU THINK IT'S FUN TO BE A CLOWN, Doubleday, 1980.
BUNNY RABBIT REBUS, Thomas Y. Crowell/Harper & Row, l983.
I KNOW I'M A WITCH, Holt, 1988.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING REBUS, Viking, 1991.
MALKE'S SECRET RECIPE: A HANUKKAH STORY, Kar-Ben, 1989.
IT’S TIME TO SLEEP, IT’S TIME TO DREAM, Holiday House, 2008.

Holocaust Books
HILDE AND ELI, CHILDREN OF THE HOLOCAUST, Holiday, 1994.
CHILD OF THE WARSAW GHETTO, Holiday, 1995.
HIDING FROM THE NAZIS, Holiday House, 1997.
A HERO AND THE HOLOCAUST: JANUSZ KORCZAK AND HIS CHILDREN, Holiday, 2003.
THE NUMBER ON MY GRANDFATHER'S ARM, UAHC,1987.
WE REMEMBER THE HOLOCAUST, Holt, 1989.
ONE YELLOW DAFFODIL, Harcourt Brace, 1995.
A PICTURE BOOK OF ANNE FRANK, Holiday, 1993.

Biographies:
GEORGE WASHINGTON: AN ILLUSTRATED BIOGRAPHY, Holiday House, 2004.
B. FRANKLIN, PRINTER, Holiday House, 2001.
GEORGE WASHINGTON: AN ILLUSTRATED BIOGRAPHY, Holiday House, 2004.
LOU GEHRIG: THE LUCKIEST MAN, Harcourt Brace, 1997.
AMERICA'S CHAMPION SWIMMER: GERTRUDE EDERLE, Harcourt,2000.
WORLD CHAMPION: JOE LOUIS, Harcourt, 2005.
CAMPY, THE STORY OF ROY CAMPANELLA, Viking Press, 2006.
SATCHEL PAIGE, Harcourt, 2006.
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.: FREE AT LAST, Holiday House, 1986.
THOMAS JEFFERSON: FATHER OF OUR DEMOCRACY, Holiday, 1987.
GEORGE WASHINGTON: FATHER OF OUR COUNTRY, Holiday, 1988.
JACKIE ROBINSON: HE WAS THE FIRST, Holiday House, 1989.
THOMAS ALVA EDISON: GREAT INVENTOR, Holiday House, 1990.
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS: GREAT EXPLORER, Holiday, 1991.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN:INVENTOR,STATESMAN,PRINTER,Holiday,1992.
OUR GOLDA: THE STORY OF GOLDA MEIR, Viking Press, 1984.
A PICTURE BOOK OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN, Holiday House, 1989
A PICTURE BOOK OF GEORGE WASHINGTON, Holiday House, 1989.
A PICTURE BOOK OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., Holiday, 1989.
A PICTURE BOOK OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Holiday, 1990.
A PICTURE BOOK OF THOMAS JEFFERSON, Holiday, 1990.
A PICTURE BOOK OF HELEN KELLER, Holiday, 1990.
A PICTURE BOOK OF ELEANOR ROOSEVELT, Holiday, 1991.
A PICTURE BOOK OF CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS, Holiday, 1991.
A PICTURE BOOK OF JOHN F. KENNEDY, Holiday, 1991.
A PICTURE BOOK OF HARRIET TUBMAN, Holiday, 1992.
A PICTURE BOOK OF SIMON BOLIVAR, Holiday, 1992.
A PICTURE BOOK OF FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE, Holiday, 1992.
A PICTURE BOOK OF JESSE OWENS, Holiday, 1992.
A PICTURE BOOK OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS, Holiday, 1993.
A PICTURE BOOK OF ROSA PARKS, Holiday, 1993.
A PICTURE BOOK OF SITTING BULL, Holiday, 1993.
A PICTURE BOOK OF ROBERT E. LEE., Holiday, 1994.
A PICTURE BOOK OF SOJOURNER TRUTH, Holiday, 1994.
A PICTURE BOOK OF JACKIE ROBINSON, Holiday, 1994.
A PICTURE BOOK OF PAUL REVERE, Holiday, 1995.
A PICTURE BOOK OF PATRICK HENRY, Holiday, 1995.
A PICTURE BOOK OF DAVY CROCKETT, Holiday, 1996.
A PICTURE BOOK OF THOMAS EDISON, Holiday, 1996.
A PICTURE BOOK OF LOUIS BRAILLE, Holiday, 1997.
A PICTURE BOOK OF THURGOOD MARSHALL, Holiday, 1997.
A PICTURE BOOK OF AMELIA EARHART, Holiday House, 1998.
A PICTURE BOOK OF GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER, Holiday, 1999.
A PICTURE BOOK OF SACAGAWEA, Holiday House, 1999.
A PICTURE BOOK OF DWIGHT DAVID EISENHOWER, Holiday House, 2002.
A PICTURE BOOK OF LEWIS AND CLARK, Holiday House, 2003.
A PICTURE BOOK OF HARRIET BEECHER STOWE, Holiday House, 2003.
A PICTURE BOOK OF SAM ADAMS, (with Michael S. Adler) Holiday House, 2006.
A PICTURE BOOK OF JOHN HANCOCK (with Michael S. Adler) Holiday Hs, 2007.
A PICTURE BOOK OF JAMES AND DOLLY MADISON (with M. S. Adler). Hol. Hs. 2008.
A PICTURE BOOK OF CESAR CHAVEZ (with M.S. Adler), Holiday House, 2008.
A PICTURE BOOK OF HARRY HOUDINI (with M.S. Adler) Holiday House 2009.
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. (Holiday House Reader), 2001.
HELEN KELLER (Holiday House Reader), 2003.
PRESIDENT GEORGE WASHINGTON (Holiday House Reader), 2005.
MY WRITING DAY, Richard C. Owen, 1999.
HEROES OF THE REVOLUTION, Holiday House, 2004.
ENEMIES OF SLAVERY, Holiday House, 2004.
HEROES FOR CIVIL RIGHTS, Holiday House, 2007.
Other Non-Fiction:
THE CHILDREN'S BOOK/JEWISH HOLIDAYS, Art Scroll, 1987.
CALCULATOR RIDDLES, Holiday House, 1995.
FRACTIONS FUN, Holiday House, 1996.
KIDS' CATALOG OF JEWISH HOLIDAYS, JPS, 1996.
EASY NUMBER PUZZLES, Holiday House, 1997.
SHAPE UP: ALL ABOUT TRIANGLES/OTHER POLYGONS, Holiday, 1998.
HOW TALL, HOW SHORT, HOW FAR AWAY, Holiday, 1999.
BASE FIVE, Thomas. Y. Crowell/Harper, 1975.
3D, 2D, 1D, Thomas Y. Crowell/Harper, l975.
ROMAN NUMERALS, Thomas Y. Crowell/Harper, l977.
OUR AMAZING OCEAN, Troll, I983.
YOU CAN, TOUCAN MATH, Holiday House, 2006.
WORKING WITH FRACTIONS, Holiday House, 2007.

Book #2 in the new Jeffrey Bones series (Viking Press)
The first Cam Jansen