I am invited to many school and libraries to perform my stories and talk about writing. Here are answers to common questions that I am asked.
Is writing hard?
Anything can be hard. Sometimes it's hard to get up in the morning.
However, it's not so hard to get up when I have something I really want
to do. I really like to write, so it doesn't feel too hard even when I
sometimes write for many hours every day.
Did you ever get a book rejected?
I can't count how often my books have been turned down, even my best
ones. Some will never get published. I decided that if I wanted to succeed,
I had to get used to failing. That sounds strange but it's true.
Babe Ruth was a great success in baseball. He hit 714 homeruns during
his professional career. Wow! But do you know how often he struck out,
how often he failed? 1330 times! That's almost twice as often as he succeeded.
Yet all those failures didn't stop him from being a great success. Babe
Ruth kept on trying.
I get rejected at times. I get dejected at times. But I keep trying.
If you want to succeed, get used to failing.
Where do you get your ideas?
As a writer, I use my mind a lot. So I've needed to learn how my mind
works. That way I can use it effectively to get the ideas I need.
How old are they and what do they do?
Adam is 25. He is studying for a PhD in Math in Chicago
Mira is 22. She is studying for a degree in Political Science
in Toronto.
Jesse is 7. He is studying for a pass in grade 2 reading and writing
and arithmetic at the Brock Corydon Elementary School just down the street.
When did you become a writer?
If you can write, you are a writer. The first thing I published was
a poem in my grade three yearbook - something pretty sappy about my budgie
bird that died in a bubble bath. I felt both embarrassed but also excited
and proud. It encouraged me to keep writing.
I didn't write much during junior high because my mind turned to other
things, (actually my mind turned to mush - all I thought about was getting
lots of of friends and getting into and out of lots of trouble.) But I
began keeping a journal of my thoughts and experiences and I still keep
it.
I started writing seriously when I was 27. By then I was married, had
children and a job as a teacher. I took a year away from my job to try
new things. I found myself creating stories, poems and songs as well as
tales for my children. I also wrote feature articles for a newspaper.
That was many years ago. Now I am .... well I was born in 1949 so I
will let you figure out my age.
I teach most mornings and I write most afternoons. I also visit schools
and conferences to perform my stories, to speak about writing and to give
workshops. When teachers want me, they contact me through my publishers.
How much do you make as an author?
An author is paid a royalty which is shared with the illustrator. We
each get about 5% of the selling price of the book. That means if the book
sells for $10 the author and illustrator each get 50 cents. The rest goes
to the publisher, the printer and the book. seller. Authors and illustrators
do not get their books free. We have to buy them just like the book stores.
What is the worst and the best thing about writing?
The best thing is being alone without anyone telling me what to do.
I can read or write what I want and as long as I want, I can day dream
and even take naps. The worst thing is also being alone without anyone
telling me what to do. A writer has to be self-motivated to get things
accomplished.
What is the favourite book you've written?
I have no favourite books just as I have no favourite children. I wrote
each book as well as I could. One may be serious, another funny.
One may be for adults, another may be more for kids. One may sell more
copies or get more praise. However, to me they are equally special.
Do you write many drafts of your stories?
When I write for adults in a magazine I rewrite my story three or four
times over a few days. When I write a children's book I may work on it
30 or 40 times over a few years. Since my writing will become -a book and
be read by children, it has to be perfectly clear.
I don't expect young students to write many drafts because it is important
to stay excited about writing and to keep creating new stories. However,
it is necessary to read over what you write and correct mistakes. It is
also good to learn how to improve your stories. That's where a teacher
can be very helpful.
Did you write a lot before you got published?
Sure! The more I wrote, the better I got.
Don't wait to be a writer. "Write away, write now"
Imagine refusing to get into the water until you know how to swim.
Impossible! It's the same with writing. Talking about it or thinking about
it isn't enough. Jump in and write.
When did you publish your first book?
In 1983 I wrote a book called The Folk Festival Book with Steve
Johnson. I used my skills as a reporter to interview hundreds of people
about the Winnipeg Folk Festival. We gathered hundreds of photos and wrote
the book in 7 weeks.
Do you write mysteries?
No, but sometimes I think it's a mystery that I can write at all.
How many books have you written?
See my list of books in another file.
How long does it take you to write a book?
One book took 7 weeks. Another book took 7 years.
My alphabet book took 8 years, 40 hours and 5 seconds. Let me explain.
It took 5 seconds to get the idea - a bilingual alphabet book in both English
and French. The Lion in the Lake - Le lion dans le lac. It took
me 40 hours to search a French/English dictionary to find the best words
for each letter. Then it took me 6 years to find a publisher who wanted
the book. The publisher needed two more years to hire an illustrator, get
the book designed, printed, publicized and sent to book stores. Eight years,
40 hours and 5 seconds! And the first 5 seconds were most important of
all.
How long do you actually work on your books?
I may work on the same story fifty times over a few years. I test it
during my school visits. I also ask my friends how to improve it. I work
on many different stories at the same time so I don't mind that each one
takes so long to write.
Do you make the pictures for your books?
I wish I had that talent. Most writers know more about words than pictures.
Generally a writer sends in a story. Then the publisher chooses the best
illustrator for it. (with the writer's approval).
Do you travel a lot as a writer?
I travel through Canada and the States. I get invited to perform my
stories at schools and book festivals. I also get to speak and give workshops
to teachers. I love to see new places and new people. Traveling gives me
ideas for new stories.
Do you have pets?
We have a dog, a cat, seven fish and some mice but the mice all left.
Who else works on your book?
Lots of people - a designer, an editor, a printer, a publicist, sales
people and shippers. Reviewers write their opinions. Then the book stores,
librarians and teachers decide what books will be put on the shelf.
Have all your books been published?
I have many books still in my desk drawer. Some were experiments. I
learned from writing them but they aren't good enough to publish. Some
others are great but I haven't found the right publisher for them.
My stories sound the same as the ones I read. How can I write something
original?
Imitation is great for practise but try this; write a sequel to a story
that you've read. Take one of my books, as an example.
TV Sal and the Game Show from Outer Space ends when Sal returns
from Outer Space with a universal channel changer. What happens if she
takes her family back with her to Outer Space TV?
The White Stone in the Castle Wall ends when John gets a job
at Casa Loma. What adventure might he have at the castle?
Here's another method. Use the same idea for a story but change the
characters, the main object, the place and the time period.
The Always Prayer Shawl is about a boy getting a special gift
from his grandfather as he immigrates here from Russia. Fifty years later
he passes it on. Have you or anyone you know ever been given a special
present? How and why was it given? Now imagine what might happen to it
and to that person over fifty years. Who gets it next and why?
How can a young person get published?
Try your school paper or yearbook. Your teacher might gather stories
to print into a book. Your local newspaper may have a section for young
writers. Public libraries have reference books of publishers. Some take
writing by children.
There is a magazine for young writers on the Internet called Stone
Soup.
Has anyone ever asked you a question you couldn't answer?
Once a grade three student stood up in front of two hundred children
and asked me what I was going to eat for lunch. I couldn't answer that
one.
Where do writers get ideas?
Take a look at this article.