The last time I checked in with you, I promised a few bookish updates and more creative team-building tasks. The last couple of weeks have been more of a whirlwind than I expected though so those posts aren’t ready yet. In the meantime, I thought I’d share an interview I recently did for the Rochester Area Children’s Writers and Illustrators group newsletter. Each month they highlight a member and the spotlight was on me for the October issue. Hopefully you’ll find something useful in it or even inspiring!
Are you an author or illustrator?
I’m a middle grade author. It’s a fantastic age group to write for!
Are you published? What genre? What are some of your books?
I am published! My middle grade series, The Crimson Five, is light science fiction and includes three books: Spin the Golden Light Bulb, Flip the Silver Switch, and Pop the Bronze Balloon.
What do you like to do for fun?
I love hanging out with my family. Now that my kids are in their 20’s, time together is rare but always fun. I like taking short trips with my husband and meeting my friends for coffee or dinner. I love updating our house. I’m always reorganizing or redecorating something. And I love blogging and creating content for my team-building website. It’s my other creative outlet.
Favorite writing spot/conditions?
For years, I wrote whenever I could find a pocket of time, usually in an old recliner while my kids were at gymnastics or hockey practice. But now I have an actual office filled with candles, books, and motivational pictures. It’s quiet and cozy and I love writing in it—day or night!
What started you writing?
About fifteen years ago, I was working as a reading teacher, where I taught students one-on-one. We read a lot of children’s books! Being exposed to so many great stories made me want to try writing one myself. And so, I did.
Do you have a favorite author or book that inspires you?
There are too many to list! One of my favorites, though, is Stephanie Garber, author of the CARAVEL (YA) trilogy. Her writing is beautiful, filled with colorful and playful descriptions. It has a fairy-tale quality that I adore. Her plots are intricate too. I’m inspired by her books every time I read them.
How long have you been working on your craft?
For a long time! I began writing seriously in January 2007. I wrote a middle grade novel in three months and queried it immediately. After several rejections, I quickly realized that getting published wasn’t going to be as easy as I thought. I needed to learn how to write and I needed to learn how to structure a story. So, I devoured every blog post on the topic that I could find and read both writing craft books and as many recently published middle grade books as I could get my hands on. I still do all of that to this day.
Are you agented? Who is your agent?
I’m not agented right now but I was until my agent left the publishing industry. It was nice to have someone in my corner who could open doors for my manuscripts. She was a positive advocate and responsible for my original two-book deal and my option book after that. Now that I have a new manuscript ready, I’m back in the query trenches again!
How long have you been a member of RACWI?
I wish I knew the exact month and year, but I’m pretty certain I joined in either 2009 or 2010. I met the membership coordinator at a SCWBI regional conference and she told me all about RACWI. I didn’t know any other writers and was thrilled to find this group!
One of your favorite RACWI memories or guest presenters?
Linda Sue Park, author of A long Walk to Water and A Single Shard (Newbery Medal winner), presented to our group many years ago. She was a fabulous speaker and I was struck by how confident and knowledgeable she was. She talked about the important role that a critique partner or critique group plays in helping a writer hone their craft. I was inspired listening to her, and maybe a little awe-struck too! Her talk motivated me to work hard and become the best writer I possibly could.
What challenges you?
The art of storytelling itself. We’re all connected through stories and I’m forever challenging myself to improve the way I share mine. Whether it’s through my books, my presentations, or my blog posts, I’m always working on ways to use my stories to connect with people.
What keeps you motivated to create?
The countless ideas I have swirling in my head! I have a vivid imagination and I’m never at a loss for story premises or characters. When I have a spark of inspiration, it motivates me to create something for readers that will spark their imaginations too.
What are you working on right now?
I’m working on a new middle grade novel. It’s unrelated to the Crimson Five series and it has been so fun to write. The worldbuilding is vast and the plot is complex. I realized early on that I can’t tell the whole story in one book. So, the first manuscript is complete but I’m working slowly on the sequel too. Hopefully the first will find a publishing home soon so I can justify working on the second.
Words of wisdom for our members?
Yes, definitely! Keep your eyes on your own page! You may feel the urge to compare your journey to someone else’s. But that will only lead to self-doubt. There will always be someone who writes faster, or finds an agent before you do, lands a better book deal, or wins more awards. None of that matters at all. Do your best to remember that no one writes or illustrates like you do or can tell a story with words or pictures like you can. Children are waiting for your books. So, stay focused on that and create something special for them.
