Animals are a big part of your life. What animal is your favorite?
My beagle is at the center of my life, as he reminded me right now, nudging me with his prodigious nose while I’m trying to write.
I love most animals, and my favorite keeps changing. Cats make me feel like I’m not spending enough time napping. Whales make me feel that life is mysterious. Turtles make me want to befriend turtles.
But my current favorite might be the sloth…with their odd, adorable smiles. They are reminding us all to slow down!
Why write for children?
Partly because I’ve held onto my child-like wonder at the world. And largely because I love kids, how they are completely okay with the idea of a fork and a spoon arguing about who is best equipped to feed the baby. Or a cat who longs to be a movie star. And when I visit classrooms, the kids always Meow and Woof and Quack along with me – with glee!
The inspiration for Tiny Spoon vs Little Fork came when I was first feeding my now-20-year-old son solids. He was such a cute baby! And feeding him mashed peas was such a messy ordeal! How could I not write a story about it – from the POV of a beleaguered spoon?
And now, every January, I participate in Tara Lazar’s wonderful Storystorm, a month of daily prompts and inspirations from various writers, with the goal of writing one picture book idea every day! Sometimes all I come up with is a title or a few lines, but I find at least a few of those seeds will grow into fully realized stories. (Thank you, Tara Lazar! Info on her website!)
What’s the funniest thing said or drawing sent that you’ve received from a fan?
I’ll go with a poignant/funny moment that happened during a visit to a 1st grade class, while doing a drawing demo. I like to let kids know that imperfection is part of the process, so I said something like,
“I usually draw cats much smaller,
so when I draw this size,
it might not be perfect.”
Every step of that drawing demo, every few minutes, one particularly dear kid would yell, “It’s perfect!” I could tell he was concerned that I needed a confidence boost and wanted to help. Best. Kid. Ever.
If you weren’t a writer, what would you be?
I like the idea of teaching kids how to read and write and can see myself in an elementary school, working with individual students. (I worked as a teacher’s assistant back in San Francisco and loved it – especially the kindergarten – daily hugs!!) Frozen yogurt purveyor also has its appeal.
Do you have a mentor in the present or past? Anyone help you along the way?
So many people! The world of kidlit is so encouraging and welcoming (but not easy!!) I’ve learned from all the wonderful creators I’ve met.
Also, there was SO much I didn’t know when I first connected with my awesome editor, Jill Davis, (now head of Hippo Park Books/Astra Publishing.) She has helped me more than I can say in understanding… just everything about how to make a story work and shine!
Are there tools that you use that might help new writers write better, revise stronger, or get an agent?
Joining SCBWI has been key for me – it’s an incredible resource! Attending conferences, meeting other writers and illustrators, and real editors and agents in person, all of these experiences are invaluable!
The other best thing I’ve done for myself is start a writers critique group here in Asheville, the Secret Gardeners. We are each other’s support system, encouragement, and cheerleaders. I am now in three different writer's groups, and I get so much from each of them.
It's vitally important to have your work critiqued by peers (and to listen and be open to change.) I believe anyone who wants to write professionally should either join a group or find beta readers.
Lastly, everybody says this, but persistence is key. And I would add, so is being flexible, trying new things, and finding your true voice. It’s a difficult but very rewarding journey – keep at it! And be patient – success generally does not happen overnight.
How did you become published? Do you have an agent? Did you query?
I submitted to publishers on my own for years and then started subbing to agents. It took years to find the right one- who thought I was the right one – the wonderful Lori Nowicki at Painted Words. She really believed in Mr. Puffball, and I’m so happy she did!
How many times did you get a rejection or hear the word NO before you got a YES?
Literally a million.
Or half a million.
I’m not a math guy. It’s a LOT of rejection, even after you get published. The need to keep striving never ends!
Where do you write? Are you at home in a quiet space or out in public at a coffee shop?
Sometimes in my studio. Sometimes in bed. But I do love going to one of Asheville’s wonderfully funky cafes and sipping a matcha latte (ok, and nibbling a lemon poppy seed muffin) while writing.
Sometimes I need to be out
among the other humans!
Who is your biggest cheerleader?
My writing groups are filled with cheerleaders, and I love them all! But my biggest cheerleading squad is probably my family. My sister Rita has been especially supportive, buying books for schools where she’s worked and just celebrating my success.
STOP BANNING BOOKS and START BANNING GUNS!
Additional sentences: You are harming children by cutting them off from a free flow of information about important topics while not protecting them from guns. You’re not fooling anyone with your pretend outrage.
Let the teachers and librarians do their jobs – they’re very good at it!
What’s the best part of being a writer?
Working in my PJs is at the top of the list, as is making my own schedule which sometimes includes waking up in the middle of the night to write.
Making things up for a living is just plain fabulous.
Being creative is my favorite way to use my (enormous, did you say?) brain powers.
Gladly! Story Quilts: Appalachian Women Speak, written by Shannon Hitchcock and illustrated by Sophie Page. I love it because it’s a richly written, poetic picture book biography of all the women who made story quilts, and it makes you consider the question – Who is an artist? And Who gets to make art? The 3-D illustrations, created from scraps of various materials, are amazingly beautiful!
Wow! Thanks, Constance, for your interview! I'm looking forward to seeing you around town and hopefully in a writer's group soon. Keep writing about those fun and crazy animals & utensils. Great books!
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