1. Q: What encouragement helped you along the way?
A: It can be pretty
tough being a writer. There's a lot of rejection, and most rejection is
for subjective reasons, so it can be fairly difficult to discern who you are as
a writer, where you fit in, and what you are willing to change, or not change,
in order to fit into the marketplace. I have to admit, if it weren't for three
things in my life, I would not have made it even this far in my career. The
first thing was the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (called
the SCBWI). They hold conferences, seminars, and social events for
writers and illustrators in the children's book industry, and often invite
literary agents and editors as speakers. The information and the friends
I have made at those events has been invaluable! The second thing that
encouraged me, happened at one of those events. I submitted a manuscript
into the writing contest, and won second place. This was a very big
moment for me, personally, as it affirmed in my mind that I wasn't just some
delusional wanna-be, but I had real talent that just needed polishing.
The third thing that happened, is from the SCBWI, I made friends with some very
talented (and local) writers who I am able to meet with, commiserate with, and
trade manuscripts with - and they gave me incredible notes that I was able to
use to rewrite and grow my work, and encouraged me to submit my work to
literary agents, which is how I came to sign with Bree Ogden at D4EO Literary
Agency. So, to sum up, I'd say those little successes are what keeps me going.
Plus, I must admit, even if I wasn't succeeding at all, I'd still write, just
simply because I'm addicted to it. And as far as addictions go, writing
is the least destructive in my life.
2. Q: What are your favorite titles today and why?
A: My favorite books
as of now are: "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak, "The Thirteenth
Tale" by Diane Settlefield, and "The Distant Hours" by Kate
Morton. I go through phases where I read a lot of one particular genre,
and I'm just starting a Sci-Fi binge, so these titles might change and adjust
in the next few months. But, these three will always be on my list of
"great reads" just because the writing is so superb, the characters
are so vivid, and the structure of the story is so complex, they made me green
with writer envy.
3. Q: What would you say to beginner writers?
A: I'd say they need
to read, read, read, read, and practice, practice, practice. Write.
Rewrite. Rewrite it again. Take classes. Quite a few of them from
different teachers so you get different perspectives. And join a writers
group and/or association. And don't stop writing. Keep writing, no matter
what. Slow and steady wins the race.
4. Q: How long does it take for you to finish writing a book?
A: Depends on the
book, and book length. "The Beast Call" took me only six months
(total) to write and then revise, simply because it's a linear story structure,
and it's only 110 pages long. "Shut Up" took me three years
even though it's only 118 pages long - but that story was so emotionally
taxing, I would work for three weeks, and take another few weeks off from
writing just so I could come out of the black hole I had to live in, in order
to tell Mary's story. It was depressing. I wrote a 300 page
Social-Sci-Fi in about a year. I wish there was a pattern here, but there
isn't. I'm all over the place. It'll be interesting to see how this
changes if and when I'm actually given a deadline, all my titles have been
written prior to publication, so I was able to write in my own timeline, without
an editor anxiously awaiting a draft.
5. Q: Since when did you realize that writing books was your
thing?
A: I started writing
very young, as young as elementary school. I even won a few writing
awards in High School and had a couple short stories published in the High
School literary magazine. However, for some reason when I went to college
I thought I was an actress. Turns out, I'm not a very good one - which
took me about a year and a half to figure out - so on the advice of my then
boyfriend, now husband, and my college guidance counselor, we determined my
strength was writing, and I changed my major to playwriting. After
college I worked odd jobs in Hollywood until I was able to sell a few scripts,
mostly to children's television. Then, after having children of my own, I
became interested in writing children's literature. Looking back now, I
probably would have done things differently, but I also believe all things
happen for a reason, so I can't second guess it.
6. Q: What makes you angry?
A: Ignorance.
Bigotry. Irrational one-sided political views. Liars.
Haters. All those things combined and you'll get me so furious I won't be
able to think straight. I am a true believer in equality for ALL people,
regardless of religion, sexual orientation, or race. If I hear arguments
to the contrary, I get so frustrated I literally lose the capacity to
speak. I wish I were far more articulate when angry, but sadly, I haven't
mastered that life-skill quite yet. I hope to someday, because I'd love
to get up on a soap box and tell a few people just what I think.
7. Q: What are your favorite children's books?
A: "The Book
Thief," as I mentioned before, is technically published as a Young Adult
novel, though I'd argue it shouldn't have been. I have a soft spot in my
heart for "Dicey's Song," by Cynthia Voight, since it was the first
book that made me cry, and I love, love, love, love the Harry Potter
series. I'm a bit of a fan-geek. For vacation, I dragged my family
to Harry Potter World in Florida. It was awesome!
8. Q: Would you send review copies to bloggers?
A: Absolutely!
All they have to do is ask!
9. Q: What is your greatest weakness?
A: This is a loaded
question. I could easily say: sweets are my greatest weakness, which is
true - but only really scratches the surface of my many weaknesses. I'm
terrible at small talk, I hate parties (HATE them!), I have little to no
patience for my children (the poor dears), and I can be pretty moody at
times. I tend to self-doubt very easily, I don't believe compliments,
ever - and I can be a slob. But, mostly? Marshmallows. My greatest
weakness is marshmallows. Especially roasted ones. There are some
days I'd sell my left pinkie toe for a roasted marshmallow. *sigh*
10. Q: On rate 1-10, rate me as an interviewer (haha).
A: A 10! Of course!
Teehee!
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