Chantilly Regional Library’s conference room was filled with boys and girls, in that “tween” age of 10-14, waiting to welcome author Kristine Levine. Her readers were ready to hear her speak and to ask her some questions.

In a burst of energy, Levine entered the room and started sharing the story of her book, The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had. 

Levine, an enthusiastic speaker, shared with these children what she was like at their age: nerdy and kind of a geek.  Surprisingly, she hated writing. She never liked writing assignments, was a poor speller and could not imagine a career in writing.

Levine had an example of some writing she did as a child. In an actual book, on the inside of the back cover, she “added” an ending to the book. She explained to the giggling kids, that she didn’t like the ending, so she changed it.

It was one of the only times she liked writing and Levine realized that writing “allowed me to tell the story the way I wanted it to be.”

“Telling the story I want to tell is important to me.” said Levine.

With a high school summer course in writing, she began to see that bad spelling was not going to hold back her creative voice. 

Her book, The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had, is loosely based on the unpublished memoirs of her grandfather, Henry Otis Sims, who grew up in Moundville, Alabama in the early 1900s. She originally wrote his story as a screenplay, but quickly found that, despite its appeal, it was unlikely to be made into a movie. She reworked the screenplay into a novel, after some false starts and down time, the book was published in 2009.

While the book was inspired by her grandfather’s memories, Levine created the drama and characters that tell the story of growing up in the Deep South and the friendship between a white boy and a black girl in a small town. 

Levine wanted to write about the contact between black and white families because the truth (as described in her grandfather’s journals) seemed different than “our perceptions of Deep South.” Her other goal was to highlight the freedom her grandfather enjoyed to explore, swim, fish and hunt as a child.

A former teacher, Levine easily worked the room, asking questions, engaging her audience.  She gave an overview of the publishing process, even inviting everyone to laugh along with one of her “sappy” paragraphs, which was eventually revised.

Many of the children and parents in the audience had read the book. They asked very careful, thoughtful questions about Levine’s story and about her approach to writing. She gave equally honest answers. 

Levine encouraged the students in the group to write and to share their writing with others.

“Sharing your work is scary," she said. "If you are interested in writing, it is important to find people to give feedback and encouragement.”

Levine lives with her family in Alexandria. She is working on her next novel, tentatively titled Lions of Little Rock, set in  Arkansas in 1958.  She is available for readings and appearances in the local area.

Thirty-two copies of her book (and one audio version) are available through the Fairfax County Library.  A Bookcast (podcast) interview with Levine is also available through the library.