What I Do

I always had people commenting on my writing ability telling me how I should be a writer and I should be writing books for children (my mother was one of these people), I’d be famous! I didn’t think I’d ever be famous, but I went ahead and took a chance and I changed my college major to English with a concentration in Creative Writing and I am so glad I did!

The first time I was published, it was a short poem consisting of five lines that I had submitted to the campus literary magazine called “The Fig”. It was a total surprise when I was notified that they accepted it! I thought it was pretty cool seeing my name in black and white actually, I still think it’s pretty cool to see my name on the byline. It gives me a sense of accomplishment.

What did I grow up to become? I became, instead of a Marine Biologist, a Children’s Fiction Author and I have written four picture books ready for publication. No one told me how to go about becoming a “Writer”, for me it has always been something that has given me great pleasure. Ever since I can remember I have written something, whether it’s something as simple as a quick note or more involved and lengthy such as a children’s book.

I can’t just sit at the computer and write a book, it’s not that simple.

This is the method I use that has been most useful for me when writing a book. First, I sit down and make up names. Usually I type the character list on a manual typewriter. Perhaps I like the name because of the way it feels on my tongue when I say it, or I like the sound when it’s spoken. After coming up with about four or five character names I decide what their characteristics should be. Then I think up a situation to place them in, a town, a specific room, etc. Following that I get the individual characters to interact. And finally I give them something to accomplish, be it together or apart. I always make sure the characters are appealing in a different sort of way.

Once finished with whatever type of project I came up with, I turn to “The Writer”s Market’ or “Children”s Writers and Illustrator’s Market’ and thumb through the listings. The most important reason for using these listings is to make sure what I have written is what the publisher needs and not something more for their slush pile.

The words come easily to my fingers as I sit cross legged on the floor with my manual typewriter and a make believe world appears as if by magic from my fingertips and I delight in this feeling. It’s the “Aha!” moment that is the best. It’s when everything makes sense, it flows smoothly and it just fits and you utter a hushed, “Aha!” to yourself.

As for me and my job, I’m a Children’s Fiction author and I am happy with that.