Q: How long does it take for you to
write a book?
A: Nonfiction books can take from a
few weeks for the early readers to
several months for middle grade
titles like The Vikings or Keeping a
Journal. Middle grade chapter books
usually take about three months to
complete. However, the work doesn't
end there. While my editor and I
focus on revisions, copy editors are
proofreading the book, an illustrator
is doing the cover and any interior
art, and the marketing team is
planning how to promote the book.
So it can require more than a year for
the book to go from my head to final
product!
write a book?
A: Nonfiction books can take from a
few weeks for the early readers to
several months for middle grade
titles like The Vikings or Keeping a
Journal. Middle grade chapter books
usually take about three months to
complete. However, the work doesn't
end there. While my editor and I
focus on revisions, copy editors are
proofreading the book, an illustrator
is doing the cover and any interior
art, and the marketing team is
planning how to promote the book.
So it can require more than a year for
the book to go from my head to final
product!
Q: Where did you get the inspiration for Secrets of a Lab Rat?
A: Scab had been roaming around in my head for awhile and it
seemed like a good time to let him loose on the world. I also
wanted to write a boy character and explore the see-saw
brother-sister relationship. Although Scab tends to enjoy
ruffling his twin sister's feathers, I hope readers see he really
does need and love Isabelle (sometimes more than even he
realizes). I think girls will definitely be able to identify with
Isabelle! Scab is troublesome, for sure, but he has a
conscience. He's a good kid. Thanks also to the talented Jim
Paillot for his wonderful illustrations. He really brought Scab
to life on the page.
A: Scab had been roaming around in my head for awhile and it
seemed like a good time to let him loose on the world. I also
wanted to write a boy character and explore the see-saw
brother-sister relationship. Although Scab tends to enjoy
ruffling his twin sister's feathers, I hope readers see he really
does need and love Isabelle (sometimes more than even he
realizes). I think girls will definitely be able to identify with
Isabelle! Scab is troublesome, for sure, but he has a
conscience. He's a good kid. Thanks also to the talented Jim
Paillot for his wonderful illustrations. He really brought Scab
to life on the page.
Q: Where do you get your fiction ideas?
A: Everywhere! Things I see, hear, and read often provide
the inspiration I need for a situation, character, or a whole
book. When I'm out and about, I observe people and how
they interact with each other. It's just a matter of opening up
your mind & absorbing things that are going on all around
you. Once you start doing it, you'll get more ideas than you'll
know what to do with. Try it yourself!
A: Everywhere! Things I see, hear, and read often provide
the inspiration I need for a situation, character, or a whole
book. When I'm out and about, I observe people and how
they interact with each other. It's just a matter of opening up
your mind & absorbing things that are going on all around
you. Once you start doing it, you'll get more ideas than you'll
know what to do with. Try it yourself!
Q: I know Julep O'Toole is fiction but is any of
it taken from your real life?
A: Yep! I am a middle child like Julep, with an
older sister and a younger brother. Also, my
brother had severe allergies and asthma and
we did trade rooms so he could have a
hardwood floor. But that's where the
similarities end. Nobody ever read my journal
out loud over the PA system and I didn't toss
my cookies on the gym floor, although once I
really embarrassed myself by ... on second
thought I should probably save that one for
the next Julep book!
it taken from your real life?
A: Yep! I am a middle child like Julep, with an
older sister and a younger brother. Also, my
brother had severe allergies and asthma and
we did trade rooms so he could have a
hardwood floor. But that's where the
similarities end. Nobody ever read my journal
out loud over the PA system and I didn't toss
my cookies on the gym floor, although once I
really embarrassed myself by ... on second
thought I should probably save that one for
the next Julep book!
Q: How do you come up
with such great names
for your characters?
A: I often hear a name
(or noun) that strikes
me as interesting and
unforgettable. I like it
when a name reflects a
character's personality -
or not. Sometimes, it's
fun to give a character a
name that is the exact
opposite of who they
are, or claim to be. I
always have a running
list of names in the back
of my head, waiting for
the right story to match
to each one.
with such great names
for your characters?
A: I often hear a name
(or noun) that strikes
me as interesting and
unforgettable. I like it
when a name reflects a
character's personality -
or not. Sometimes, it's
fun to give a character a
name that is the exact
opposite of who they
are, or claim to be. I
always have a running
list of names in the back
of my head, waiting for
the right story to match
to each one.
Q: I want to be a published author. Do you have
any advice for me?
A: READ! The more you read, the more you will
learn what it takes to craft a good story. Secondly,
write as often as you can, whether it's fiction,
nonfiction, or making entries in your journal. BTW,
I wrote a book called Keeping a Journal, which
takes you through a whole month of journal
writing. It will also help to take classes in school to
strengthen your skills, such as creative writing,
newspaper, and yearbook. Be persistent. It can
take a while to get published but if you keep at it,
you're opportunity will come. Most important,
write what you love to write, not what you think
people want you to write. Your work should be in
your voice, in your style, and from your heart.
any advice for me?
A: READ! The more you read, the more you will
learn what it takes to craft a good story. Secondly,
write as often as you can, whether it's fiction,
nonfiction, or making entries in your journal. BTW,
I wrote a book called Keeping a Journal, which
takes you through a whole month of journal
writing. It will also help to take classes in school to
strengthen your skills, such as creative writing,
newspaper, and yearbook. Be persistent. It can
take a while to get published but if you keep at it,
you're opportunity will come. Most important,
write what you love to write, not what you think
people want you to write. Your work should be in
your voice, in your style, and from your heart.
Q: Do you like writing fiction or
non-fiction best?
A: It's impossible to choose!
Non-fiction gives me the chance to do
in-depth research on a topic, so I'm
constantly learning and discovering. I
love cool facts, fun charts, and trivia
(you'll find plenty of those in my
non-fiction books). Fiction, on the
other hand, feeds my creative side. I
get to let my imagination soar and see
where it takes me! Just when I get a
bit tired of non-fiction it's time to
switch over to fiction, and vice- versa.
Doing both fits my personality, and
keeps life fun and unpredictable.
non-fiction best?
A: It's impossible to choose!
Non-fiction gives me the chance to do
in-depth research on a topic, so I'm
constantly learning and discovering. I
love cool facts, fun charts, and trivia
(you'll find plenty of those in my
non-fiction books). Fiction, on the
other hand, feeds my creative side. I
get to let my imagination soar and see
where it takes me! Just when I get a
bit tired of non-fiction it's time to
switch over to fiction, and vice- versa.
Doing both fits my personality, and
keeps life fun and unpredictable.
Photo by Bill Trueit, copyright 2011.
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Q: Did you have to overcome any struggles to
become an author?
A: Absolutely! Besides getting tons of
rejection letters from publishers before,
finally, getting my first acceptance, I also
have vision challenges. I had eye surgery as
a kid, so my vision isn't great. Even so, I've
been able to make some adjustments to
accommodate my eyesight. My computer
screen is HUGE! Keep in mind, a handicap
may mean you have to do some things
differently, but it doesn't have to stop you
from pursuing your dreams!
become an author?
A: Absolutely! Besides getting tons of
rejection letters from publishers before,
finally, getting my first acceptance, I also
have vision challenges. I had eye surgery as
a kid, so my vision isn't great. Even so, I've
been able to make some adjustments to
accommodate my eyesight. My computer
screen is HUGE! Keep in mind, a handicap
may mean you have to do some things
differently, but it doesn't have to stop you
from pursuing your dreams!
Q: Do you ever do
school visits?
A: Yes! I enjoy talking
with students & leading
writing workshops,
though my heavy
writing schedule means
I can't visit schools as
often as I'd like.
Fortunately, I get to do
plenty of virtual visits
via Skype and Google. I
love answering
questions about writing
and talking about
books. For more
information on virtual
visits, head to my
contact page. Maybe I'll
see you in cyberspace!
school visits?
A: Yes! I enjoy talking
with students & leading
writing workshops,
though my heavy
writing schedule means
I can't visit schools as
often as I'd like.
Fortunately, I get to do
plenty of virtual visits
via Skype and Google. I
love answering
questions about writing
and talking about
books. For more
information on virtual
visits, head to my
contact page. Maybe I'll
see you in cyberspace!