A retired teacher, she’s enjoying travelling and writing — having published two books thus far: The Best Advice From Clowns (for children) and The Best Advice From Clowns, For Dating (for the more grown-up set).
Do you have a writing routine? Where and when do you write?
My ideas often come to me at random times (least favorite is probably when I’m trying to fall asleep, though they can pan out!) I was walking in the Arizona Desert when I got the first verses of Do Rattlesnake Mamas Love Their Rattlesnake Babies? After visiting my Grandkids, I came home and wrote a response to what if they misheard me when I said they had moles, like me, everywhere and thought I said “holes”!
Do you have any patterns or rituals associated with your writing time?
I prefer to write first thing after breakfast, in my tidy office, with a window open—or at least cracked! If I listen to anything, it would be instrumental music.
What do you do when you hit a wall with your writing?
I find lots of projects—related or unrelated– when I’m facing a blank page! I wish I were more disciplined, and just kept that appointment with myself, as the advice goes! I know that when I am writing—or creating faithfully—I feel the most fulfilled.
Do you plan your book in advance (plotting and outlining) or are you a “discovery writer” (AKA “writing into the dark”)? Or are you somewhere in between?
Speaking of these picture books—what I’ve done, so far—I suppose I’m somewhere in between. When I write in rhyme, as I do with some children’s book manuscripts, I know what I want the revelation to be at the end and the rhyme scheme may provide the exact verbiage!
What’s the last book you read that made you go “wow!”?
I recently read James Herriot’s All Creatures series. What a masterful story teller. Who knew a country vet’s life could be so compelling! What a satisfying romance is his with his eventual wife:
“I have never driven so slowly to a case. About ten miles an hour with Helen’s head on my shoulder and all the scents of spring drifting in through the open window. And it was like sailing from stormy seas into sweet, safe harbour, like coming home.”
So, that’s a bit of advice—when lost for something to read, pick a classic. It has endured for a reason!
What book or author do you find yourself recommending and why?
I can say that some favorite authors do not disappoint—Louise Erdrich, Kate Atkinson, Richard Russo, Alexander McCall Smith, Jan Karon, Fredrik Backman, Ivan Doig, and, for diversity Erik Larson and Kate Di Camillo. (Now a jillion more come to mind!)
Those authors listed above. In addition, a few books I’ve read more than once—which I will seldom do—To Kill A Mockingbird, True Grit, Far From the Madding Crowd, and Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand.
What’s on your To Be Read pile?
At an author event recently, the writer mentioned Westing Games, as a “perfect” book, so that’s on hold at the library, as is The Frozen River! (I’m number 50-something, so maybe you’ve heard of it!)
What advice do you have for readers? (I read this “writers”, so I’m sticking with it!)
I subscribe to the advice you have to read a lot—luckily for me it’s a favorite pastime! I think Book Clubs also help you grow as you end up reading selections you may have never otherwise chosen. I have enjoyed critique groups through the years—nevertheless they don’t get the final word!
A friend once said, “I love to have written!” I don’t always love to write! So since, like Alice, I give very good advice, I’ll say, “Write through the discomfort!”
What author, past or present, would you wish to have a long conversation with? Why?
Tolstoy! Why so many similar names and why so long! Cormac McCarthy! How did you get published without punctuating your dialogue! And, for kicks, Charles Schultz! I wish I’d kept better care of the book Erma Bombeck signed—she was brilliant and an early inspiration! I love to go to author events when it’s an opportunity to meet and hear from a beloved writer! Favorite events include Sandra Cisneros, Craig Johnson, and Richard Russo. I have my picture with Ray Bradbury! No kidding.
Do you have early memories of reading or writing you’d like to share?
My mom taught reading to elementary students. From her, I suppose, I learned the importance and enjoyment of reading. I also became an educator! I remember how much she loved Judith Viorst’s Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. She used to read verse to us like, “Come into my parlor said the spider to the fly…” Another story she loved was The Gift of the Magi. Otherwise, I feel like I wasn’t much of a reader until I found that I wanted to write! I had a lot of catching up to do!
My first creative writing class was influential, as was the resulting critique group. Having a poem win a contest was affirming, as was selling a greeting card sentiment!
What books and/or authors have most influenced you as an author?
Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird is probably my most marked up and dog-eared book. It was magical, transformational to me at the time. She’s the one who said, “If people didn’t want me writing about them, they should have behaved better!” My first creative writing teacher, Dana Brookins (winner of an Edgar Allen Poe Award and friend of RB mentioned above) was so encouraging and inspiring.
What do you most enjoy about being a writer? What do least enjoy about being a writer?
When someone stands at my signing table turning pages and laughing. When my grandkids get what I was going for. Like a lot of writers, I suppose, the rewriting is the nemesis. I really do get married to my lines! I think this is especially so since a manuscript written in meter and rhyme is so easily memorized and I live with it for days while in the process!
What would you tell a new writer?
Take a class or three! Share your writing, but maybe not with your parents as they see you differently! Get feedback and keep at it. I think Anne Lamott said, “Publishing is seldom worth it; but, writing is.” Do what you will with that. As for me, I plan to strive to balance the joy of creating with the business/marketing/gosh-dang technology component of this gig!
