What made you want to become a children's author?
-I love books, always have. And I love kids. Growing up, I dreamed of being a teacher, which I was out of college. When I had kids of my own, though, I quit teaching and was a stay-at-home mom. I read and read and read to my kids (sorry dirty dishes!). The more I read really delightful children's books, the more they made me want to write books like that. So after I tucked my kids into bed at night—I wrote. +I love books. And I love kids. Growing up, I dreamed of being a teacher, which I was out of college. When I had kids of my own, though, I quit teaching and was a stay-at-home mom. I read and read and read to my kids (sorry dirty dishes!). The more I read really delightful children's books, the more they made me want to write books like that. So after I tucked my kids into bed at night—I wrote.
Was it hard to get published?
Very. These are my 220 rejections before I made my first sale. And I still get rejections. I think it takes a tremendous amount of the 3 P's to get published… Passion, Persistence, and Patience. -Where do you get ideas for your stories?
+Where do you get ideas for your stories?
For me, ideas come from anywhere and everywhere. They often pop! in my head when I least expect them. Sometimes when I'm actually trying to think up a new story idea, I can't think of a thing. I get most of my ideas when reading other children's books. My house is like a library—I own hundreds!Do you illustrate your stories?
-No. I'm not even good at drawing stick figures. But—maybe I have some hidden illustrator genes in me because my youngest son is a talented artist! He has a degree in illustration. +No. I'm not even good at drawing stick figures. But—maybe I have some hidden illustrator genes in me because my youngest son, Brad, is a talented artist! He has a degree in illustration.Do you pick who illustrates your books?
-I usually have no say in who illustrates my manuscripts. The editor chooses. There have been a few exceptions. I must say, it's really fun to finally see my written words come to life through pictures. The illustrations are usually even better than what I imagined when writing a story! +I usually have no say in who illustrates my manuscripts. The editor chooses. There have been a few exceptions. I must say, it's really fun to finally see my written words come to life through pictures. The illustrations are usually even better than what I imagined when writing the story!Are you represented by a literary agency?
-I've been represented by Curtis Brown Ltd. in NYC since 1996. +I've been with Curtis Brown Ltd. since 1996. Marilyn E. Marlow was my first agent. I was honored that she took me on. She was a legend in her field. Sadly, Marilyn passed away in 2003. I'm honored now to be represented by the very talented Elizabeth Harding.
dancing at our daughter's wedding
Are you married?
Yes, over 35 years to this handsome guy. @@ -63,14 +63,14 @@ Gary and I have been to many wonderful places in the world and some remote ones
Where do you live?
+Where do you live?
I live in the beautiful state of Michigan amidst quiet blue lakes and even quieter snowfalls.Where did you grow up?
-I grew up in southern Illinois (Salem, Mt. Vernon, and Cahokia). The summer before my senior year in high school, my family moved to northern Kentucky. I did not want to move! Within a year though, there was a happy ending—I met my husband-to-be. A few years later, we packed up and moved to Michigan and it's been our 'home sweet home' ever since. +Southern Illinois (Salem, Mt. Vernon, and Cahokia). The summer before my senior year in high school, my family moved to northern Kentucky. I did not want to move! Within a year though, there was a happy ending—I met Gary. A few years later, we packed up and moved to Michigan and it's been 'home sweet home' ever since.Where did you go to college?
-Northern KY University for undergrad (B.A. in elementary and special education) +Northern KY University for undergrad (B.A. in elementary and special education)How do you pronounce Gowler?
@@ -100,11 +100,11 @@ Four terrific kids. Though they're grown now, they are still a huge part of my lWhat are your hobbies?
I love to read. And I love to travel. I've gotten to visit Europe several times. How lucky is that! -Too, I collect reading figurines. 174 at last count! (*shhh*… don't tell anyone, but sometimes when I'm having writer's block, you might find me shopping for more!) +Too, I collect reading figurines. 179 at last count. And I play the piano. I minored in music/piano in college and often think my music background influences the way I love to write with rhythm and rhyme. -For more about me see… +For more, see…@@ -112,8 +112,12 @@ For more about me see…
+
All that breathe, the seasons round,
diff --git a/_posts/forthcoming/0001-01-01-kitten.md b/_posts/forthcoming/0001-01-01-kitten.md index a67d73f..193e752 100644 --- a/_posts/forthcoming/0001-01-01-kitten.md +++ b/_posts/forthcoming/0001-01-01-kitten.md @@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ layout: forthcoming category: forthcoming title: Only God Can Make a Kitten short: kitten -illustrator: Laura J. Bryant +illustrator: Laura J. Bryant (illustrator of the international best-selling God Gave Us You and sequels) publisher: "ZonderKidz" isbn: buy: false diff --git a/_posts/forthcoming/0001-01-01-walker.md b/_posts/forthcoming/0001-01-01-walker.md index a27fccf..cbdd301 100644 --- a/_posts/forthcoming/0001-01-01-walker.md +++ b/_posts/forthcoming/0001-01-01-walker.md @@ -9,6 +9,6 @@ isbn: buy: false --- -In March/April 2012, a book auction with 4 major publishers took place regarding a new manuscript of mine. Exciting! I chose to go with Walker, who offered a 3-book contract. These are the flowers the Walker editors sent after my decision. +__Titles, illustrator, release dates TBA__ -__Titles, illustrator, release dates TBA__ \ No newline at end of file +In March/April 2012, a book auction with 4 major publishers took place regarding a new manuscript of mine. Exciting! I chose to go with Walker, who offered a 3-book contract. These are the flowers the Walker editors sent after my decision. \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/_posts/visits/0001-01-01-school.md b/_posts/visits/0001-01-01-school.md index da42a3a..0ad0681 100644 --- a/_posts/visits/0001-01-01-school.md +++ b/_posts/visits/0001-01-01-school.md @@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ category: visitsPromotional Material (pdf) -I love visiting schools! I've been doing author visits across the country for the past 15+ years. My goal? +__ I love visiting schools! I've been doing author visits across the country for the past 15+ years. My goal?
__ @@ -48,6 +48,8 @@ I have a question/answer time Get students excited about reading and writing!
*During the last part of each session, I give lots(!) of concrete tips to students about…
For the youngest ones (PreK-K)…
_ PUPPETS AND MUSIC AND SHAPES, OH MY! (30 minute presentation) Students participate with puppets as I read _Barnyard Song_. Ten large shapes and a guessing game are used with _When a Line Bends…A Shape Begins_. African instruments are used with _Jamboree Day_. Get ready for fun, oh my! @@ -71,19 +75,19 @@ _The basics:
_Write
As with anything, "practice makes perfect." +Make a dummy (if you are writing a picture book)
+ +Most picture books are 32 pages long. Cut your story apart and make a "dummy" of your story to see if it fits a picture book format. The 32 pages include the end pages, title, and copyright pages, so your story should fill up about 28-29 pages of the dummy. This is just to help you. Don't send the dummy to editors unless you are a professional illustrator and have done sketches for your story. +Join SCBWI
