Thanks for viewing my Blog -
I've created this site so that we can talk. Please feel free to ask me any questions or leave any comments. I hope you enjoyed reading "Respecting Mr. Ravi."
Looking forward to chatting with you,
Chris Francis
www.francisart.com
Prequel to Respecting Mr. Ravi is titled "Solving Damian Dermite"
I found it! So excited to see what my students will share and ask...We'll see how it goes!
ReplyDeleteThanks for starting the conversation Nicole. Can't wait to read some of their thoughts and questions!!
ReplyDeleteDear Chris Francis,
ReplyDeleteWe are a grade 4/5 class from Hamilton. We enjoyed reading your creative book, "Respecting Mr. Ravi" in the Hamilton Spectator. We loved all the mysteries and cliff-hangers. They made us feel anxious, aggravated, and excited to keep reading. Your story was so detailed that it made us feel like we were in it! Your pictures and your descriptive words made us picture the story in our heads.
We wish you would tell us all of the answers though, how did Alex identify the myserious woman as Mr. Ravi's wife? Your ending made us unsettled. Will this series become a triology? We would love for you to make another book like this!
We have some more questions for you....
- Have any of your books been made into movies?
- How many other books have you written?
- When did you start writing?
- Who inspired you to be a writer?
- Is this based on a true story or not? Where did you get your ideas from?
- What was the first book that you wrote that was published?
- How did you come up with these hysterical names?
- Why do you write books?
We would enjoy hearing from you....the famous Chris Francis!
Sincerely,
Grade 4/5s
Hi Sara,
DeleteThanks for the message. I was excited to hear that your class enjoyed the story.
Here are the answers to your questions:
1.) As you will read more about in the third installment of this series, Alex has an unusual connection with 'the dead'.
2.) The third book is titled "Remembering Kaylee Cooper"
3.) My stories haven't been made into movies, but "Remembering Kaylee Cooper" has been recognized by a NY literary agency and hopefully it will be published in the near future.
4.) I started writing about 10 years ago...my first story was the first half of "Solving Damian Dermite", titled "Meeting Henry Horkenminder". I decided to put the two stories together which is the first installment in the series.
5.) I'm not sure who inspired me to be a writer...i've always enjoyed 'creating' rather than 'viewing'...which is why I enjoy illustrating as well. As a kid, I would watch a cartoon and then go to my room and draw all the characters, and then create my own. If i saw a great movie or read a good book, I would always be inspired to then make up my own stories.
6.) The story has elements of 'real life', but the story itself is entirely fiction.
7.) I'm not sure where my ideas came from, they more or less just stemmed from the first book, and progressed from there. (There really was a custodian who i talked to a lot, the descriptions of the school and house is actually from my childhood. Alex is essentially 'me' as a kid.
8.) I suppose the first story that was published was "Solving Damian Dermite", but "Meeting Henry Horkenminder" was put into print first, but I have since cancelled that story and combined it as you know.
9.) Not sure where the names came from...just like to add a bit of humour here and there :)
10.) I write stories because I love the challenge, and I enjoy it more than reading :)
Feel free to send any more questions. I had fun responding to them all :)
Chris
Dear Chris Francis,
ReplyDeleteWe are a grade 2 and 3class in Hamilton and have really loved your story Respecting Mr. Ravi. The story kept us on the edge of our seats after each chapter! We waited anxiously to see what was going to happen next! We loved all of the adventure and getting to know the characters so well!! We laughed at the names of the teachers and how Alex was so shy to talk to Daisy because of his crush on her.
After reading the last chapter, we were still left with some questions.
- How is Alex sure that it was Mr. Ravi's wife who saved his life?
- Does Mr. Ravi ever get his family and old life back?
- Does Alex finally tell Daisy about his crush on her, will they go on a date together?
We also had some questions for you as the writer and illustrator of the story.
- Do you have a connection to any of the characters in the story? Which ones?
- How did you choose the title "Respecting Mr. Ravi"?
- Where did you get the idea to write the story?
- Why did you decide to write about some of your childhood?
- Will your next story be a continuation to this one....will we learn more about these characters?
- Was Damian a character from someone in your childhood that was a bully to you or your friends?
- Is there a message you are trying to send in your story?
Thank you for sharing your amazing story with us!! Can't wait to hear back from you!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Havers' grade 2 /3 class
Dear Mrs. Havers and your Grade 2/3 class,
DeleteThanks for the email. I'm glad you enjoyed the story and more excited about your questions. There were certainly some intentional questions that I wanted to leave with the reader at the end of the story. Hopefully I'll be able to clarify your queries along with your questions about me.
1.) You will find out more about Alex's unique abilities in the sequel. Alex isn't sure why he knew about Mr. Ravi's wife, but he develops an understanding of his unusual connections with 'the dead' in the next book.
2.) Mr. Ravi's cat is still lost and plays an integral part the sequel. As for the rest of his family, there is no more discussion of this in my later stories.
3.) With regards to Alex and Daisy, their relationship continuous to grow in the sequel, "Remembering Kaylee Cooper" and even more so in the following story "Alex was Here" - - - I don't want to reveal too much ;)
4.) I have a connection with several characters in the story
a.) Alex is like me when I was 11 (although I was never bullied)
b.) I used to talk to a custodian at my school for years and really enjoyed his kindness and humour
c.) My brother and parents represent Alex's parents and Daisy (although a different name) is the girl who I had a crush in public school
d.) The description of the school and the school house is the same as my public school as a kid, "Kilbride P.S"
5.) The story idea stemmed from the prequel, "Solving Damian Dermite" and also the big storm we had a few years back where a Tornado hit Orangeville, Milton etc. I also wanted to pull out the idea of "Respect" as I thought it would be a good follow up to the prequel which was focused around "Bullying".
6.) My childhood is where I have amazing and grand memories. I feel it's easier to use my own experiences as a tool for building stories.
7.) The next story will be an indirect continuation of "Respecting Mr. Ravi". The focus on the next book is of Alex encounter with a strange girl named Kaylee Cooper, who happens to have relations with ghosts. The books delves more into the paranormal, and unusal connections between the living and the dead.
8.) Damian Dermite is a fictional character...he is a combination of several kids I remember growing up, but really didn't have any close connections with,
9.) The underlying messages in my stories usually revolve around friendship, respect, loyaltiy and kindness...
Sorry if my responses are short, but I hope they help give you and your class a little more background to "Respecting Mr. Ravi."
If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.
Chris
Wheres Madelyn Mayfeather???!!!
DeleteDear Mr Chris Francis,
ReplyDeleteWe are a Fundamental Skills Program Grade 7 and 8 at Senator Gibson P.S. in Beamsville. We have been reading your stories through the Hamilton Spectator Serial story Program. We loved your stories. We read Damien Dermite and Respecting Mr Ravi. We thought the names of the characters were really funny. We learned many descriptive words through your stories. The pictures in the stories helped us understand the details in the story better and we were able to picture it better in our heads. We looked forward to reading the chapters every week. And we also learned some good messages from your story, like about bullying and respect.
After reading the last chapter, we now have some questions:
1) How did Alex know the lady that saved him was Mrs Ravi -Augusta?
2) Will Alex and Daisy go on a date in the next book?
3) Is the white cat real or is it a ghost like Mrs Ravi?
Here are some questions we have about you as an author.
1) Do you have pets?
2) Do you have a family?
3) How long does it take you to write a story?
4) Did you actually get food all over you when you were in a cafeteria when you were in school? Like Alex?
5) Have you played cricket before?
6) What tools do you use to draw your pictures? Pencil? Crayon?
7) Where were you born?
8) Do you make visits to schools? We would really like to meet you and hear you read the story in your author voice?
Thank you for writing these awesome stories. We cannot wait to hear from you and we are looking forward to the next book. Keep Writing! :)
Mrs Pitre's FSP 7/8 Class
Hi Mrs. Pitre,
DeleteThanks for the email and question. Glad you liked the story.
Here are the answers to your questions:
1.) It will be revealed in the next story that Alex is beginning to develop a 6th sense...
2.) Alex and Daisy's relationship continue to grow in the next two stories (Remembering Kaylee Cooper, and Alex Was Here)...I don't want to give too much away though.
3.) The white cat is not a ghost...but good question. It also appears in the sequel "Remembering Kaylee Cooper"
AUTHOR -
1.) I have a little dog named, Cara.
2.) I'm married, but with no kids yet
3.) It takes me about a year to write a story, (But in that time, I'm also writing and illustrating for other authors)
4.) I never got into any food fights...thank goodness
5.) I love cricket, but can't play to save my life
6.) I use all kinds of tools to make my illustrations, pencils, crayons, paint, adobe illustrator
7.) I was born in Brisbane, Australia
8.) I can't make visits to school, because i'm a teacher, but love responding to your emails!
Thanks so much for your kind words and fun questions,
Chris
Wheres Madelyn Mayfeather ??!!!
Deletewhat gave you the inspiration to wright respecting Mr.Ravi?
ReplyDeleteAfter writing "Solving Damian Dermite", I felt that there needed to be more development with the characters, so I thought I would create another story.
Deletecool, I'm a big fan I read both storys there so intresting
DeleteGlad you're liking the stories. :)
DeleteDear Mr. Francis,
DeleteWe are a grade 5 class who thoroughly enjoyed your story "Respecting Mr. Ravi". Many of the students had heard/ read more of your work when they were in grade 4. You are very popular. There were cheers when I announced we were going to read this story. We did have a few questions and comments for you however.
1. We were confused on the order of the stories. Please help clarify for the kids the difference between prequel and sequel and so the order of your stories. There was plenty of discussion around this and it would help if you explained this yourself please.
2. Many children wanted to know where you got your inspiration for this story from. I see from previous responses there is some of your own experiences. I wondered if you have any tips for young writers to take their own ideas and put them into a story. It sometimes seems to them as if they don't have enough "interesting things" to write about.
3. We loved how each chapter left the reader hanging. Was this your design or was this just part of how it was presented in the newspaper?
4. Are you planning another book with Mr. Ravi in it?
5. Do you have a favourite character and why are they your favourite?
6. Are you still drawing pictures for Scott Graham's books?
7. If you write another book, have you already planned the lesson you would like to learn from it?
8. We enjoyed your illustrations. Do you think they give more information than just the text?
9. Have you ever visited India?
Thanks for your great stories and answering our questions!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Heeney's Grade 5 class.
Hi Mrs. Heeney,
DeleteI'll certainly reply to your messages. Thanks so much. Before I do, I just wanted to let you know that the newspaper made an error and called Solving Damian Dermite the sequel, which isn't true. Solving Damian Dermite is the first story in the series, and Respecting Mr. Ravi is the second one.
Sorry there was an error.
Chris
Hi Mrs. Heeney - here are the answers to your questions :)
Delete1. We were confused on the order of the stories. Please help clarify for the kids the difference between prequel and sequel and so the order of your stories. There was plenty of discussion around this and it would help if you explained this yourself please. -
- - It was a mistake that the Newspaper made. The series titles in order go "Solving Damian Dermite", "Respecting Mr. Ravi", "Remembering Kaylee Cooper", "Alex Was Here"
2. Many children wanted to know where you got your inspiration for this story from. I see from previous responses there is some of your own experiences. I wondered if you have any tips for young writers to take their own ideas and put them into a story. It sometimes seems to them as if they don't have enough "interesting things" to write about.
- - -Great question. Hopefully this youtube video will help: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJMb86kGHZI
3. We loved how each chapter left the reader hanging. Was this your design or was this just part of how it was presented in the newspaper?
- - -For the most part, the cliff hangers were my design, but the newspaper loved the idea of pushing it to the extreme. It must meant that the chapters were edited a little bit so that each week there could be a 'cliff-hanger'.
4. Are you planning another book with Mr. Ravi in it?
- - I'd love to write another story with Mr. Ravi...thinking I might do a story that runs parallel, to the sequel "Remembering Kaylee Cooper".
5. Do you have a favourite character and why are they your favourite?
- - - My favourite character is Alex...simply because he is 'me' as a kid.
6. Are you still drawing pictures for Scott Graham's books?
- - I am...he' thinking about another book soon :)
7. If you write another book, have you already planned the lesson you would like to learn from it?
- - - The next book, "Remembering Kaylee Cooper" is more about friendship, character, bullying and the paranormal
8. We enjoyed your illustrations. Do you think they give more information than just the text?
- - Great question...love this question. Hopefully they do :)
9. Have you ever visited India?
- - - My wife has :)
Thanks for your great stories and answering our questions!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Heeney's Grade 5 class.
i have 2 questions
ReplyDelete1 what inspired you to write in the Go section
2 who is you're favourite character