When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
It was in 5 grade, I think. I started a book but stopped when I realized my spelling problem, which was probably dyslexia, was a problem for a writer.
How long does it take you to write a book?
I’m no overnight author. I write more than one book at a time, and the book that moves ahead first gets to be finished first. It can take me years from start to the finish for a book.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?
I write or draw/paint for two to three hours a day, five days a week when I’m on a roll.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
It would have to be that I write more than one book at a time, and my books are in a race to see which one gets finished first!
How do your books get published?
I self-publish for the most part. I do the formatting and upload to the printer, B&N or Amazon myself.
Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
Mostly from my childhood and my own life experience.
When did you write your first book and how old were you?
My first finished book was in my thirties. I was asked to help someone else finish their book and did. I went on to write on my own after that.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Watch tv mysteries or read them.
What does your family think of your writing?
They seem to tolerate it.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
How hard it is to sell books.
How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
I have five books published, and I can’t really name one that is more important than the other.
Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?
Just do a lot of editing. Maybe 6 to 8 times you should go through it.
Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
I do hear from readers every so often. A few children have asked me how I think like them.
Do you like to create books for adults?
Yes. I do write for adult and even my kid’s books adults say they enjoyed.
What do you think makes a good story?
I think anything, any situation people are in can be made into a good story. It all would depend on the writing, and whether or not the author plots it well and the story moves at a good pace.
As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
The truth is, I never knew.
Any books in the works?
Yes, I have two up front in my mind now.
One, a Christmas story, a Christian middle-grade novel about the Cameron children worried that they will not get the toys they asked for for Christmas because their mother is a last minute shopper. The uncle that Trisha Frankel has lived with most of her life with has died. The only option she has is to find the father she does not know, even though her uncle said, “He was no good.” Trisha takes her dog, Mitch to search out her father and find out what he is like for herself. Along the way, her dog is stolen. The most likely suspect in the dog’s disappearance is a man connected to the Cameron children Phoebe, Tucker, and Kirby. Phoebe, Tucker, and Kirby are busy trying to figure out if their Christmas gifts will arrive. But helping Trisha makes them realize that sometimes the lives of others are more important than their own interests, especially at Christmas time.
Second is a picture book called, Geordie And The Beam Of Light. In it, a beam of light becomes a nuisance. The characters; Cordelia, Kit, Ruff, and Chirp do not know what to do. The thing races through their playing field spoiling ball games. Not only don’t they know what to do about it, they don’t know what it is. Is it a dinosaur? Or a monster? They only know that it is a bright light, fast and rude. For help, they go to their friend Geordie, who invents things. However, it is Geordie’s latest invention that changes everything.
What are your plans for the future?
To finish these two books and move on to about five other ideas I have and write and illustrate them.
Wilhemena Brooks,’ cousin, Bud Dunphry come to live with her family. Wil, as she likes to be called, finds her pink pencil sharpener is missing after Christmas. Wil knows Bud has it! Who else would have taken it?
Bud doesn’t like girls! In fact, Bud doesn’t like anybody. Wil tries to ignore him, but he pulls her friend’s hair, take over games, and when Bud is in trouble, he made his “you’re going to get it” face at her.
After a snowstorm closes school, Wil and her friends go sled riding. Bud shows up and starts a snowball fight which lands Wil in her room for the rest of the day for fighting.
When her pencil sharpener is found, Right where she left it, Wil decides she has to try harder to understand her cousin and stay out of trouble. Her mother told her to be nice to Bud and to treat him like she would like to be treated. But what does Will learn?
#ASMSG, #iartg, #bookboost, #bynr
Viv Drewa 