What books have you written?
So far I have 8 books out.
In 2021, I'll have a book out about dogs and another about spiders!
Were you always good at writing?
Nope! In school I was just average. My writing never stood out. No one ever suggested I write a book-not even me! I never enjoyed creative writing as a kid; however, I did enjoy writing notes and letters to friends and family members. In school I was a fairly good student, but I had to work harder than my classmates for (mostly) good grades.
It wasn't until I was an adult that I realized I enjoyed writing. After a few years of blogging, I took several writing classes to improve my skills. I also read a lot of books about writing and the publishing industry. (Of course I was reading a lot of nonfiction children's books, too.) I met my first editor at a writing conference!
How do I sign up for your newsletter?
Thanks for your interest? You can sign up here, but be sure to check your email and confirm you want to get the newsletter from me! For those interested, you can also follow me on Facebook and Twitter. Kids should use a grown-up's email with permission to sign up.
It wasn't until I was an adult that I realized I enjoyed writing. After a few years of blogging, I took several writing classes to improve my skills. I also read a lot of books about writing and the publishing industry. (Of course I was reading a lot of nonfiction children's books, too.) I met my first editor at a writing conference!
How do I sign up for your newsletter?
Thanks for your interest? You can sign up here, but be sure to check your email and confirm you want to get the newsletter from me! For those interested, you can also follow me on Facebook and Twitter. Kids should use a grown-up's email with permission to sign up.
How do you find the photos for your books?
Great question! This is such a popular question I created an interactive slideshow to answer how I get and legally use images in my books.
What's the writing process like?
Actually, my writing process is a lot like the writing process your teachers have you use! The biggest difference is that I have to proofread TONS of times! I have an interactive slideshow telling all about the writing process for Whooo Knew? The Truth About Owls! Check it out.
Yes, but I haven't always liked them. I have learned so much about insects in the past couple of years. I now find them fascinating! There are so many of them, and they have such cool features (armor, camouflage, lights...) and some are egg-laying machines! There is one insect I don't want to come near: the louse!
I don't particularly like insects or spiders in my home, so when I find them I try to just pick them up (sometimes with a tissue for safety) and toss them out the door. If I'm outdoors, I remind myself I'm in their territory-even if ants are invading my picnic.
Did you really hold an owl? And a SPIDER?
I sure did as part of my research! You can read about how I met Quincy and Alexandria who are both owls here!
Will you write another book?
I now have eight books out and two more on the way. Want the updated list? Check this out. I'm not done writing yet. I'm always researching, writing, or revising.
Can you come to my school?
I would love to visit! Tell your teachers, PTO, or librarian about me. Visiting schools and libraries thrill me! You can read about my workshops and presentations here. I also visit virtually.
Can you come to my school?
I would love to visit! Tell your teachers, PTO, or librarian about me. Visiting schools and libraries thrill me! You can read about my workshops and presentations here. I also visit virtually.
What's the hardest part about getting a book published?
You have to be patient. Not only do you have to be a good writer, but you also need to understand the publishing industry. It takes time.
As a writer, you also need to be able to accept criticism and feedback about your manuscript. It truly makes it better. (Though it's your story, the professional editors really know what they're doing!) You can't take criticism personally. Oh, along with this, you also need to be able to accept rejection. Your first (or third) manuscript may never be published, but don't stop writing and learning if you have a story in you.
Do I really need to revise my writing?
In this post, I talked about how revisions are similar to home renovations. Because yes, good writers revise.
What's your favorite writing tool?
Sticky notes! I use multiple sticky notes daily. I also use them to highlight cool facts in books (especially when borrowed from the library, but my own, too). When I'm brainstorming a topic to write about, I add a single topic to a sticky note. Then, I group similar topics together. I move the groups around to determine the rough outline for my book (or article). Even nonfiction authors need to have the right structure for their book.
My second favorite tool is the Children's Writer's Word Book. It's great for children's writers.
My second favorite tool is the Children's Writer's Word Book. It's great for children's writers.
What time of day do you find most productive for writing?
Any time I don't allow myself to be distracted by other tasks (or even emails and Facebook). I do tend to write the most in the late morning and early afternoon. (Many authors wake up early to write. My children tend to come find me if they know I'm awake-even at 5 o'clock in the morning-so that doesn't work for me. On school days my children are up at 5:45, and that's early enough for me.)
Actually, I can't write when my family is around, so I try to make the most of it when my children are at school and my husband is at work. I try to get chores around the house and errands completed early, so I can have several hours to just work and not be bothered by the fourteen piles of laundry that need to be folded. (I'm exaggerating. Usually it's only three or four laundry piles.)
Can you give me a free book?
I'm sorry, but I can't. I have to buy them from my publishers, too. My book is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and your local book store. (Amazon is an affiliate link.)
Do you have any pets?
Yes! Our family includes three children, my husband, and me, plus two cats. One is named Soka and the other is Kiwi. They were both fostered before we adopted them.
Actually, I can't write when my family is around, so I try to make the most of it when my children are at school and my husband is at work. I try to get chores around the house and errands completed early, so I can have several hours to just work and not be bothered by the fourteen piles of laundry that need to be folded. (I'm exaggerating. Usually it's only three or four laundry piles.)
What are your favorite books for kids?
Great question! I have a lot of books I enjoy. For young children, I can't get enough of Mo Willems's Piggie and Gerald books. I also have a sweet spot in my for Salina Yoon's books, like Found and her Penguin series.
Some of my favorites that older children will also enjoy are The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs, The Mysterious Benedict Society (series), The Penderwicks (series), Narnia (series) and anything by Richard Peck, Debbi Michiko Florence, Gary D. Schmidt, and Mo Willems for some fun. Those are some fiction titles. I also read lots (and lots) of nonfiction including by authors like Candace Fleming, Kirsten W. Larson, Steve Sheinkin, Sarah Albee, Jennifer Swanson, Heather Montgomery, and Steve Jenkins.
Though some may think they're old-fashioned and a wee bit girly, I love the Betsy-Tacy series (and other books by Maud Hart Lovelace), Anne of Green Gables (and other books by L. M. Montgomery), and books by Louisa May Alcott (not just Little Women). I appreciate the history we can read about in Laura Ingalls Wilder's books. In fact, I started a blog called Wilder Companion and provide workshops and presentations about pioneer living and Laura Ingalls Wilder. Now I've written The Laura Ingalls Wilder Companion: A Chapter-by-Chapter Guide (affiliate), too.
I do read a lot of nonfiction, too. I keep an eye out for several authors. Sarah Albee's Bugged book about history cracked me up. Jennifer Swanson makes hard science easy to understand. Jason Chin's books are just beautiful.
Can you give me a free book?
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| Kiwi Kitty |
Do you have any pets?
Yes! Our family includes three children, my husband, and me, plus two cats. One is named Soka and the other is Kiwi. They were both fostered before we adopted them.
Click the links to learn the answers to these questions.
What inspires you to write?
How did you land your first book contract?
How can kids and teens get published or enter writing contests?
Thanks for all of the questions!
If you have another question for me, use an adult's email account to contact me. (Student emails from schools will not allow me to respond to you.)
If you have another question for me, use an adult's email account to contact me. (Student emails from schools will not allow me to respond to you.)
