Blog Hop Interview

I've been tagged by Diana at DJ's Thoughts for a Children's Author Blog Hop Interview.  I'm supposed to answer a few questions about my writing and then tag another author.

Here are the questions:

1. What are you working on right now?  I'm working on a chapter book series in which the protagonists, two kids named Bubba and Squirt, travel through a hole and end up in different countries.  They have adventures while learning about the history, culture, and language of the places.  My agent has been submitting the first book, Big Hole to China, to publishing houses in the UK.  I'll let you know if it gets picked up.  I've also been working on a few picture books.

2. How does it differ from other works in its genre? The chapter books are similar to the Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne, in that the kids travel to different places.  The difference is that Bubba and Squirt arrive in the present-day country (not in the past as is the case with Magic Tree House books), and learn a lot more about the language and culture of the places they visit. 

3. What experiences have influenced you?  I have done a lot of traveling and visited many of the countries I write about.  Learning about different cultures has always fascinated me.  I thought that writing books about these places would be a great way for kids to get a snapshot of the world in which they live. 

4. Why do you write what you do?   I really enjoy writing for children.  I love using my imagination and building worlds.  I also like to learn.  Writing these chapter books is a way for me to do that, and to share my knowledge with kids.

5. How does your writing process work? I begin by deciding which country I would like Bubba and Squirt to visit.  Then I come up with a basic plot.  After I've figured out that, I do a lot of research and write an outline.  Finally, I begin writing, chapter by chapter until it's done.  Of course the first draft inevitably needs revision.  I let it sit a while to clear my head, and then the revision process begins.  As far as picture books go, the process is a little different.  I come up with an idea, then a title, and then I just write.  It's more spontaneous. 

6. What is the hardest part about writing? Revising.  It takes forever to get things just right.  And when I think I have it all figured out, somebody like a critique group person or editor will point something out that could use even more revision.  It's almost like a never-ending process! 

7. What would you like to try as a writer that you haven't yet? I think someday I'd like to try writing a novel.  That's a huge undertaking.  But I think it would be cool to write something that could possibly be turned into a movie.

8. Who are the authors you most admire? I like Mary Pope Osborne, Rick Riordan, Jane Yolan, and Kate DiCamillo.

9. What scares you? Working so hard on my manuscripts and never seeing them published.  That would be a major bummer!

 

 

Deanie Humphrys-Dunne is the next author who will be participating in this tag.  Her post will be up on July 21st.  Be sure to stop by and read about her experiences as a children's author. (If you are a children's author and would like to participate in this blog hop, please let me know.)