The Write Marbles

Brenda, thank you for joining us at The Write Marbles, and taking the time to answer some questions. To start, I’d like you to tell us a little bit about your writing process for developing a rhyming picture book?

I would love to tell you about my writing process.

I know some writers write everyday. I THINK about writing everyday, but many times I am in the gathering mode. I get a lot of my ideas from my nine -year- old, when we are out and about doing fun stuff, like floating in the lake. An idea pokes around in my head, smoldering, where it eventually wakes me up sometimes in the middle of the night. I often wonder if I will ever get another original idea but alas, they always seem to show up in my thoughts someplace. The pictures unfold in my head and then I start typing, almost like my fingers have a life of their own I start to write and can complete a story in an hour or two.

Then I tweak, I use my thesaurus and rhyme zone, and I am always on search for the perfect word choice. After my initial rough draft, I run the story through my critique groups, I am in two groups at the moment, Sunflowers, and Shine 2. I have trusted friends who give me HONEST opinions and then I tweak some more.

After I'm finished, I hit send, and off it goes to my amazing agent Josh Adams of Adams Literary.

Can you share the writing journey that brought you to where you are today?

My ability to write in rhyme is totally a God-given talent. A few short years ago I didn’t even know what meter was. (Honest Truth) I didn’t know what alliteration was; it was just something I did naturally. This is a journey, taken one small step at a time. I have traveled A LONG way throughout the last 3 years and I claim this verse and believe it. Proverbs 20:24 a man’s steps are directed by the Lord, how then can anyone understand his own way?

As much as I try to do it myself, I know it is NOT by anything that I do that opens the doors, and so I keep on believing, I keep on writing, I keep on waiting, and I am excited to see what will unfold next!

When I say it is a journey, I truly mean that. I have embraced each and every moment, first starting with becoming a SCBWI member. Then attending a few conferences. Meeting people, writing some more. Subbing. Getting lots of rejections and some acceptances in magazines. Learning how to critique, learning about story arc. Meeting some of the finest writers around that taught me the craft of storytelling.

Then the first place win at SmartWriters where I was honored to learn that The Football Game was selected out of 400 manuscripts, and then to receive an honorable mention in the same category for a second story was incredible. Verla Kay judged the contest blind, and she is one of the very best writers and rhymers around. I have had to pinch myself time and time again, and have an armful of bruises to show for it.

From there I gained the attention of Adams Literary, and was accepted into RUCCL (Rutgers University Council of Children’s Literature) and received an acceptance for a poem due out in 2009 with Blooming Tree Press’ Sweet Dream anthology picture book.

All of that in the span of about two weeks last July and August of 2007. My head is still spinning! WHEW!

It is a FASCINATING journey, each thing leading to something else. I have enjoyed each moment and have been so very thankful for each door that has been flung open for me. . I didn’t go to college, but served in the United States Air Force and was stationed at Aviano Air Base in Italy, my point being, that if you didn’t go to college, don’t let that stop you.

Do you have a personal commitment to write a certain amount or for a length of time per day/week?

My personal commitment is to read and write and NOT GIVE UP. Sometimes I write two or three stories back to back in the course of a week. I wrote my first cumulative story this week, which was quite exciting for me, I am very happy with it and hope my agent will be also.

But… Sometimes I go a few months without a new idea. I am always reading something, or updating my blog. I love to search new blogs and learn about people, places and things. I just finished Hugo Cabret and The Unauthorized biography of Tom Cruise. I love Andrew Morton's books, and I am always on the search for a rhyming masterpiece. John Lithgow is one of my favorite authors, along with Kelly DiPucchio and Lisa Wheeler.
I know you didn't ask that question, but see what happens when I start talking about writing!

Can you tell us about Project Dreamer, which grew out of you W.I.N. Winnings?

Thank you very much for asking me about Project Dreamer. Project Dreamer is a way to get books to children’s hospitals across the country. When I won first place in SmartWriters for my story The Football Game, now titled TOUCHDOWN! I wanted to do something significant with the prize money, something that would make a difference for children. I approached my friends on Verla’s Blueboard and asked them if they wanted one of my W.I.N. dollars in exchange for one of their books. I have had a lot of wonderful people send me their books. I in turn send them one dollar, with a little sentiment written on it. I then go alphabetically through the states and research children's hospitals to send their books to.

I have had amazing responses from the hospitals that I have sent to. Project Dreamer gets books into the hands of sick children, it give them a chance to dream and escape the reason why they are in the hospital in the first place. I am presently up to Florida. I had the very wonderful editor Shari Dash Greenspan from Flashlight Press donate their entire line of books to Project Dreamer. Editor, Jenne Abramowitz from Scholastic Book Club also donated a handful of books which were sent to Washington D.C.

I update where the books are sent and the responses that I get on Verla’s BlueBoard.

I still have lots more money to give away, so if your readers would like one of my dollars, please have them e-mail me and I would love to send one of their books out.

Do you have a favorite motto or quote that motivates you?

I don’t have just one favorite motto, but I will give you everything that I try hard to live by.

My Dozen Do's

1. Children believe what we tell them and they become what they believe.

2. To whom much is given much is expected.

3. Always give everything that you have and a little bit more.

4. When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.

5. The only way you'll ALWAYS strike out is if you don't swing in the first place.

6. Every rejection means you are ONE STEP CLOSER to the person who is going to say yes.

7. Never accept a no from somebody who doesn't have the authority to give you a yes in the first place.

8. You never get a second chance to make a first impression.

9. Reach for the stars, and you just might hit the moon.

10. Never give up! Never Give In!

11. If you can believe it, you can achieve it.

12. Sprint with gusto through every door that is opened for you and don't forget to say THANK-YOU on your way through.

Debbie, I want to Thank You for this interview. For this door that you opened. I love your website and am honored to be a part of it.