Frequently Asked Questions

My kids are a prime source. Their personalities, the events in their lives, the things they or their friends say or do have all been wonderful fodder for our books. But we also get ideas from other sources: a quote we come across, an old legend ripe for developing, events from our own childhoods.

Because we are often on opposite coasts, Mom and I do a lot of our work via Skype or iChat. I have a lovely home office, overlooking the garden, with a big desk, an ergonomic chair and a trusty iMac. I also have a treadmill desk, which I don’t use often enough. Where do I work the most? On my laptop, at the kitchen table, in the middle of family chaos!

I was fortunate to take a workshop with the great poet Billy Collins.  He spoke about poetry as being an ongoing “conversation” between poets across the centuries. He said every aspiring poet or writer should first listen to the conversation (i.e. read as much as possible), and then figure out what they might contribute to it.  The idea of written work as a thoughtful contribution to an ongoing dialogue across history (as opposed to idle chatter or shouting one’s immediate ideas from a mountaintop) really stuck with me, and I think it applies to any kind of creative endeavor.

1) Read. Read the best of everything in your genre, and stay current.  People often make the mistake of thinking “I was a kid once, and I know what I liked” or referencing books from their childhood, but children’s publishing has changed dramatically in the last 20 to 30 years.  You have to know what the market is like today, and stay plugged in as it evolves – no matter what genre you write for.

2) Hone your craft.  Take classes and workshops, attend conferences. Keep stretching, learning, sharpening your skills – even (or maybe especially) after you’ve sold your first manuscript.

3) Find community. Writing can be a solitary business. I’m lucky – I write with a partner and work for a graduate writing program, but it’s really important to find your tribe and connect with them regularly. Find a supportive critique group, join forums, take classes, attend conferences, whatever it takes to connect with other writers. It will keep you sane, and honest. (Start by joining the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.)

4) Diversify your strengths. It’s the rare writer that makes a living solely from writing. Even the most successful writers in the world have to augment their income with things like teaching, editing, or speaking engagements. Find ways to support your writing habit.  Be willing to have a day job, to do whatever it takes… but whenever possible, try to make those other sources of income writing-related, such as freelance writing, editing, teaching, etc. It really helps.

I think my editing skills were initially honed through my experiences in the theatre, which shaped my understanding of character, dramatic structure, conflict, theme and action.  These are universal principles of dramatic storytelling, no matter the genre.  Over the years, I’ve been further informed by my own experiences as a writer, and most of all by the excellent editors I’ve been fortunate to work with.

I lean heavily on the basic rules of dramatic structure. I start asking essential questions about character journey, and that usually reveals the way. But I am careful about screening a manuscript before I agree to take it on, to determine whether it’s something I can truly be helpful with. Different editors are better suited to different projects, and I do know my strengths – and my limitations.

It helps that my husband and kids are incredibly loving and supportive. (Steve is also a great cook!) And the nice part about being a writer is that I mostly work from home, so even though I may be busy, I’m a presence. I tend to structure my day around key family events, like taking the kids to school, picking them up, and dinner time. I also devote certain days of the week to certain aspects of my work, so some days I’m at the college, other days I’m working from home. It’s not easy, but I enjoy the patchwork quilt nature of it – it keeps things interesting, if a bit stressful at times!

I’m doing it! Besides writing, the main item on my bucket list for years was to learn to play piano.  I’ve always regretted quitting lessons when I was a kid, and long said that one day I would finally come back to it.  I realized that if I waited for some “right” moment in my life when I could better afford the time and money, I would never do it.  It’s now a total pleasure – and the lessons and practice time have become an oasis, during which I recharge my creative batteries. That’s been an unexpected bonus.

There are so many!  My go-to book on childhood rainy days was The Phantom Tollbooth, by Norton Juster. I think it was responsible for teaching me to love words.

A book I wish I’d written? The Dot, by Peter H. Reynolds. It has everything a picture book needs – character, plot, obstacles, humor, and an inspiring take-away.

One all-time favorite? Philip Pullman’s The Golden Compass.  For originality, richness of imagery and language, and general can’t-stop-turning-the-pages-to-find-out-what-happens-next-iveness.