4 legendary young adult authors on Twitter

At the premiere of Ramona and Beezus, the Twitter generation is introduced to Cleary's work. (Vallery Jean/Get …

After digging up five young adult books that changed my life, I got to wonder what some of my favorite authors are doing now and how they've adapted to the digital age. With Beverly Cleary's Ramona and Beezus in theaters now, there's still hope for Twitter generation to be exposed to the classics. But it sure does help when the authors have Twitter accounts. Some do, and adapting quite well to the 140 character format. It makes sense: they were good at first person, memorable sentences and biting humor. What's more interesting, though, is the personal information they're willing to share.

Author: Lois Duncan
Books: Killing Mr. Griffin, I Know What You Did Last Summer
Twitter: @duncanauthor
Bio: Author of 50 bks mostly for young people
Twitter Savvy: Excellent. She's incredibly funny and astute. She also updates pretty regularly.

Sample tweets:
Have been meticulously shaving my legs before going for my annual physical in order to weigh a little less when I get on the scale.

Googled myself and read the date that I died. No wonder young readers doing author reports e-mail to ask, "Are you dead? "

My son just posted on Facebook, "Life is sexually transmitted." I'm so glad he's figured that out after 42 yrs.

Revealing Tweet: Today is the 21 yr. anniversary of the unsolved murder of our daughter Kaitlyn Arquette. Read details at http://kaitarquette.arquettes.com.

_________

Author: Beverly Cleary
Books: Ramona Quimby, age 8, Superfudge
Twitter: @BeverlyCleary
Bio: Author, and an avid reader as well!!!!!!!
Twitter Savvy: Low. She doesn't update much and her tweets seem to often be about being confused about twitter. But she does provide her email and address and tries to respond to her fans--which is pretty incredible considering she's a legend.

Sample tweets:
I just received a strange email declaring that I have won a UK E-Lottery. What do you guys think? Spam? Or is it for real?

Hi you guys! Feel free to email me anytime at cleary.beverly@gmail.com!!!!! I just LOVE to hear from you guys!

If I don't follow you immediately, for those of you who are newer followers, I'll try to do it soon, but I have 124 people to follow...

Revealing Tweet:
RT @RickWarren Like gum, never swallow flattery. It's a lie used to control you. "They lie & deceive each other with FLATTERY" Ps.12:2

Author: R.L. Stine
Books: Goosebumps, The Babysitter
Twitter: @RL_Stine
Bio: My job to terrify kids
Twitter savvy: Very High. He updates often, responds to followers and shares macabre news. Also he's obsessed with sharks.
Sample tweets:

A sad day: Morrie Yohai, inventor of Cheez Doodles, has died. Family says his body will be baked, not fried.

Didn't get the memo: A barracuda attacked a 9-yr-old girl off the coast of Miami EVEN THOUGH THIS IS SHARK WEEK.

Today I need to dream up a new Halloween story. Since I've already written 4,000 H'ween stories, think it might be a challenge?

Revealing Tweet: Listening to Jimmy Buffet's Radio Margaritaville on SiriusXM. Pretending I'm in the islands. Is it too early for a Pina Colada?
__________


Author: Judy Blume
Books: Forever, Are You There God, It's Me Margeret
Twitter: @judyblume
Bio: Are You There, Twitter? It's Me, Judy
Twitter savvy: Fairly high. Updates regularly but falls into the meal, daily schedule pitfall.

Sample Tweets:
Me (to waiter): I'll have the peach cobbler with the ice cream on the side. Waiter: I don't think the chef will go for that.

Re MadMen: Sophisticated city friend introduced me to Jimmy's La Grange in the 60s. Ate Chicken Kiev. Today I'd be sick for a week.

Chelsea Handler lookalike sits opposite, waiting for same plane.

Revealing tweet: Took my last tap class of the season. What's so great about tap--besides everything? For 1hr there's nothing else.

[Can't get enough old school auhtors? check out these rooms inspired by their pages]