How did you get started writing for kids?
I’ve always loved to read and when I was in 8th grade, I had the most fabulous teacher, Mrs. Tarner. In that class she showed me what my potential and what my dream was, and that was to become an author. When I had my boys, I realized I wanted to write a book for them; a book that they could relate to in an unrelated world that they live in. It was then that I rediscovered the wonderful world of children’s literature. I had been writing for blogs and newspapers, so putting pen to paper, I was able to rekindle my dream of becoming an author of my own books, but knew that children’s books would be the best choice for me at that time. I got so excited that my creativity had a feeling of being alive for the first time in years. I woke up one night, grabbed a pad of paper, and started writing the first story. It took thirty-five minutes to do the first draft. As I began to explore the craft of writing for children, my creativity became galvanizing. Suddenly I found that story ideas were all around me, that extended to ideas for this picture book. I also love getting to work side-by-side with award-winning artists like Bobooks who did the art of the book. I hope to publish a novel someday, but for now, my Children’s books are keeping me plenty busy.
Where do you get your story ideas from?
Story ideas are everywhere, but for me I find my story in the world I get to be part of with my twin nine year old boys. In fact, this series is based on things I have experienced with both my boys in their daily lives; things I did as a kid. Did you know that Albert is actually my imaginary friend from my childhood? I find ideas everywhere and in many memories of my own childhood and the things my boys and their friends go through right now. Once you start thinking like a writer, you’ll find it hard to turn off the story ideas.
What is your favorite thing about writing for kids?
The very best thing to me for writing for kids is to put myself in the shoes of the children that are in the books; what the children that will read the book think when they do read it? I always love the excitement on the kid’s faces that read it or that I read it to. I love when my characters come alive in the imagination of the ones that read about them.
Why do you write?
I write because it frees something in me. It’s the greatest job in the world to live out your dream every single day. It allows me to be the best mother/friend/daughter that I can be, with plenty of time for the people I care about, while still giving me something that’s mine; something that defines me as an individual.
What gave you the courage to take the leap to write your first book?
Well, honestly, I decided to just jump. The boys and I were living in a one-bedroom apartment. They were sleeping on the floor and I was so sick of the feeling of drowning to make life work for them and I. When I wrote that first story, I decided that I had nothing to lose; that this is what I wanted to do and had a calling to do. Over the past year from that first night, I worked on the book daily. I then found a publisher and worked with them and my agent. There are still things I am working on for the book. I figured that I have one chance to make this work and truly had nothing else to lose.
What does it take to become a writer?
Inspiration is a great thing, and it is an amazing feeling when the moment rises, but lets be honest, that isn’t what happens every time you sit down and write. The truth of the matter is, that even when you do not feel any inspiration or creativity, you still have to write. You still have work on writing every day. Just like any job, there are days you love it and there are days that you do not want to sit and write ever again.
What do you love most about the writing life?
I cannot really separate the two lives that I live every day. There is no separation for me in my ‘writing life’ from ‘real life.’ It’s more of a need like breathing or eating. It is a way that I have to have to survive. I am a happy person with a family I completely adore, friends that are like family. Being a writer, this is able to make my life so much richer. My top two things I love the most? For one, I get to travel where the books go; seeing new places, exploring book stores, and second, that I get to work around my boys when I am writing. Not to mention that I also love to escape to the many worlds in my head that I get to explore when I am writing. I hope that I don’t ever know how it would feel to live any other way.
