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An interview with Marsha Diane Arnold
CAROL: Thank you, Marsha, for hanging out with the Marbles! “Prancing Dancing Lily” is one of my all-time favorite picture books. How did you get the inspiration for Lily?
MARSHA: “Prancing, Dancing Lily” was inspired by the cows I knew on my father’s Kansas dairy farm. The book is dedicated to “my father, his Ayrshire dream, and all the cows at Highland Ayr dairy farm”. Ayrshires, which originated in County Ayr, Scotland, aren’t a well-known breed, but they are beautiful, with a reddish-brown and white coat and horns that often reach over a foot in length.
Lily is a typical Ayrshire as she gets by under adverse conditions on her travels; she is hardy. Prince Charles of England understands the rugged hardiness of Ayrshires, as he has his very own herd of at his organic farm at Highgrove estate in the Cotswolds.
But what about all that dancing? Perhaps Lily loves dancing so much because my daughter is a professional dancer and choreographer and I saw lots of dance recitals when she was growing up!
CAROL: Kids must love Lily, too. What do they relate to most about her character?
MARSHA: Lily is definitely a favorite of my readers. They love her fun-loving, open spirit.
When I visit schools, children enjoy interacting with the story. The most fun is at the end, when we drum and ring the cow bell along with Lily and the herd.
Oh, the fabulous decorations children have made for my school visits! I’ve been welcomed by a life-size wooden Lily and her herd, painted rainbow colors by kindergarteners. I’ve entered an auditorium to see Lily’s name in lights! I’ve seen Lily dressed in hundreds of original costumes, from two pair of overalls to pink boas and diamonds to army fatigues. Kids are so creative!
CAROL: How do ideas come for your books? Do you think of a theme and develop a plot and characters around that or do you develop a character and then focus on giving him a problem?
MARSHA: An idea for a story may develop from something I hear or see or remember. I often begin with a title and the title is often the name of a character. My stories are usually character driven. I enjoy getting to know my character; his/her personality helps me develop the plot.
CAROL: Roar of a Snore, is fast and fun while Hugs on the Wind is soft and sweet. Now you’re working on a chapter book and a novel. What do you find most satisfying and challenging about writing in each genre?
MARSHA: I’ve always felt the best stories are for all ages. I simply try to tell a good story that everyone will appreciate.
I had such fun writing “Roar of a Snore”, though trying to get the rhyme right nearly drove me “batty” at times. I enjoyed the challenge of working on “Hugs on the Wind” with my friend Vernise Elaine Pelzel. Our goal was to write a quiet, classic story about separation. It’s most rewarding to receive appreciations from preschoolers missing parents while at school to children whose parents are in the military to adults who have lost someone dear.
The longer forms of story-telling are exciting as well as thought-provoking. There is so much more room to explore my characters. It’s also fun to develop subplots, but it’s sometimes difficult to keep lots of story lines in my mind.
CAROL: You do a lot of school and library visits. What is the best part of doing author visits?
MARSHA: I really can’t choose a favorite part. I enjoy so many elements of my author visits. I like traveling to different parts of the country and world and seeing how different schools and educators approach the learning process. Of course, it’s wonderful to meet my readers and have them respond enthusiastically to my stories. It’s particularly heart-warming to hear teachers share how one of my books positively affected a student.
CAROL: If you had one tip for writers who are contemplating author visits, what would you share?
As with all things, communication is key. I send an information packet to schools to help them prepare for my visit and to make sure we are all “on the same page”.
CAROL: How can kids and teachers learn more about your books or arrange for speaking engagements?
MARSHA: They can visit me at my website, www.marshadianearnold.com. Click “Book Gallery” to learn the story behind the story of each of my books.
It’s easy to contact me through my website also. Just click “Contact Marsha” on the home page and you will make the “storymagician connection”. My blog is entitled “Story Magician”. It shares thoughts about writing, writing tips, and photos of my school visit and travel adventures.
CAROL: Is there anything I haven’t asked that you’d like our audience to know?
MARSHA: I’d like all my readers to know what magical beings they are. I want them to have the courage and perseverance of Little Four in “Heart of a Tiger”, the courage and perseverance to reach their dreams. I want them to have the spirit and love of life that Lily has. I want them to know what Lily learned on her adventure - that each of us has our own special style, which is wondrous and unique. Believe in yourself. Each day is a new day to start again.
CAROL: Thank you so much for spending time with us, Marsha. We’re looking forward to getting our hands on your next book!
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