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RE: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Children's author needs expert advice

".....If the book is too technical, I'm guessing your target audience is likely to become bored......"

Absolutely, ...more adventure/magic,... less detail how to get there,...ala Hardy Boys! :)

Joe
From: jonw@psubs.org
To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org
Subject: RE: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Children's author needs expert advice
Date: Wed, 13 Aug 2008 22:34:51 -0400

Hi Barbara, and welcome to PSUBS.
 
I think the boys interest should be peaked when he finds PSUBS.ORG on the Internet, or sees an advertisement for a PSUBS.ORG convention coming to his home town.  Maybe he sees a PSUBS.ORG bumper sticker on a parked car.  Whoops, is my attempt at promotion obvious?  :)
 
I think the answer to most of your questions are "no" given the targeted age of 10-12 (elementary grade students).  However, you're writing a fictional story that will hopefully be inspiring, not a documentary.  I think your kit idea is the best starting point, and I think it's irrelevant that you can't purchase such a kit in real life.  If the book is too technical, I'm guessing your target audience is likely to become bored.
 
Jon
-----Original Message----- 
From: owner-personal_submersibles@psubs.org [mailto:owner-personal_submersibles@psubs.org]On Behalf Of Barbara O'Connor
Sent: Wednesday, August 13, 2008 11:19 AM
To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org
Subject: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Children's author needs expert advice

I write books for children aged 8 to 12.

I am currently beginning a book that centers around a 10 or 11 year old boy who finds a submarine kit (it was in a crate that fell off a train).

I need some advice from the experts:

Would it be believable that a young boy could build a small submarine from a kit?

Could the kit be very simple - something like the Silent Runner?

Would he have access to all the tools and parts needed?

Where would he have to build it - a barn? a garage?

Once built, could he maneuver it (on a wagon or cart?) to a nearby pond or lake?

Any ideas or suggestions welcome and appreciated.

Barbara O'Connor