You included sample poems from your daughter, in your book, Children’s Poetry Party. What inspired you to do this?

I thought about how children might be intimidated by the examples an adult would use. They might think to themselves, Well yes, you can write this. You are an adult! What about me? I wanted the book to be educational, accessible and fun. The activities and instruction I provided made the book educational and fun, but it was Madison's examples that made the book accessible.

Can you tell us a little bit about the publisher of your eBooks?

I found my eBook publisher quite by accident. I was searching through sites targeting teachers hoping to find activities and lesson plans for my children. When I came across A to Z Kid's Stuff, I noticed that they did not have anything on poetry. I emailed the editor asking if she would be interested in publishing some of the poetry lesson plans that I had written. I included some samples. She replied within hours that she wanted to purchase three of the five. A month or so later she phoned and asked if I would be interested in writing a complete eBook of poetry lesson plans. That was three eBooks ago. They have been wonderful to work with.

What was it like getting that first “yes” email. How long was the process from email, to contract to published book, or article?

My first yes came in the form of a snail mail acceptance. It was an essay I wrote for Once Upon A Time Magazine, and it was called My Mailbox Moments with J.K. Rowling. In it, I shared my struggles through those early rejections and my dream of someday being the next J.K. Rowling. I've grown enough as a writer since then to realize that there is but one J.K. Rowling and one Kim Hutmacher. And although her bank account makes mine look like a pittance, we are both blessed to have found our passion in life.

How does your work as a poet influence your non rhyming books and stories?

Even in stories written in prose, there is a rhythm that makes the story sing. I think writing poetry helps me with that. It also helps me to be more concise. As with poetry, I try to tell the best possible story in as few well-chosen words as possible.

Tell us something about yourself that your readers (and your fellow Marbles) would be shocked to know.

I am an avid Nascar fan! In high school and college and into my early twenties I was addicted to All My Children, but my addiction turned to racing in 2001. If you were to stop by my house most Sunday afternoons between February and November, you would find me glued to a race and not very good company. Many of my friends complain about having football husbands, but my husband says he has a Nascar wife:).

What are you working on right now? More than one project at a time, or are you a multi tasking writer?

I usually don't work on more than one new story at a time, though I will work on revisions of other stories while working on a new one. As for what I'm working on right now, I just finished the first draft of a concept picture book. Because of my own supersticious nature, I can't share anything more about it. In my writing life, once I speak of it, it is dead.

What words of advice would you give to aspiring writers, especially in terms of coping with the rejection that comes with the field we work in?  What perspective has your work as an editor given you in this regard?

If you have written a story that you love and taken it to your critique group and revised and revised and revised and feel that it is the absolute best that it can be, submit, submit, submit. Keep in mind that by writing the very best story you can write and submitting it, you have done all that you can do. It is out of your hands. Books cost a great deal to publish, and the powers that be at publishing houses are not going to spend that kind of money unless they fall in love with it. In my experience as a poetry editor, if we would have had the money in the budget, I probably would have accepted another ten percent of the submissions I received each year. But, budgets are budgets, and I had to make tough decisions. The reason that I'm sharing this is because new writers need to understand the subjectivity. There are many talented writers that are not published. If you are writing for the sole purpose of publication, you may end up incredibly disappointed. The only reason you should be doing this is because you love to do it. Anything else that comes along is icing on the cake.

How do you start your writing day, what helps you settle in and get down to writing?

Since I only get one day a week to spend totally on my writing, I am usually chomping at the bit to get going. Throughout the week, I jot down new ideas and revision notes, and when Saturday morning rolls around, I am off and running. I never want to sleep in on Saturdays!

Do you have a picture book/s that is a particular favorite that you could read over, and over and over again? What gives it that re-readability.

My favorite picture book is Mrs. Bittlebox written by Linda Smith and illustrated by Marla Frazee. Mrs. Biddlebox is having a horrible day until she up and decides to bake that day! Linda Smith was battling cancer when she wrote this book. She eventually lost her battle. Whenever I read this book, it helps me find perspective. I have had very few truly bad days.

How do you take your picture books from idea to the first, then final draft?

I can't seem to dive willy nilly into a story and let it take me wherever like so many great writers do. Just as mapquest is my friend when driving, outlines are my friend when writing. I have to know the basic plot before I type one word. Then, once I have the bones, I share it with my critique groups. They help me add muscle, skin and designer couture to polish it off. Over months, and sometimes years, my story gets an Extreme Revision Makeover.

How did being an editor for Wee Ones magazine influence your writing? Is it difficult to switch between writer, and editor? Or is there even a switch required?

I can be objective about anyone's work except my own. Not even my editing experience has removed those blinders for me. My number one piece of advice for new writers is to find a good critique group ASAP. When I say critique group, I do not mean your spouse, parents, children, co-workers, etc. You need to find objective eyes and ears that will not only point out your strengths, but be bold enough to point out your weaknesses.

How long does it typically take you develop a picture book, from idea to submission to a publisher, what is the process for you.

Sometimes it is a matter of weeks, and with other stories it takes months or even years. I don't know how to describe the process except to say that I continue to weigh the feedback I get from my critique groups and how I personally feel about the story. At one point or another, it just feels done. It feels complete and right and beautiful, and I don't get sick of reading it over and over again.

How do you balance your writing day and managing a household, while raising a family, and home schooling?

Let's just start by saying that my house is not what most would consider spic and span. It is difficult to navigate through my house without tripping over a toy or a shoe, and school projects cover the dining room table. Since I homeschool my children and work part-time, the majority of my writing time comes on Saturdays. My dear husband packs up the kiddos and takes them out for the day, and I get down to business. My motto is that we find the time to do that which is important to us. Polished floors and beds made with hospital corners are not important to me. Writing is.

What is the very first book you ever attempted as writer? Possibly a childhood endeavor you’d like to share?

It is funny you should ask that after my commentary on household cleanliness above. I don't remember many of my writing attempts from childhood, but I vivdly remember the nightmare that was my first attempt at writing a rhyming picture book as an adult. Nightmare is really being kind. It wasn't even really a story, just a running laundry list of Piggy Pigsty's messes. It was about 5000 words of the worst rhythm and meter you can imagine. The thing is, I thought it was so cute and original at the time. See, no objectivity! I look back at that story now and shake my head. However, I advise writers not to toss those early attempts for two reasons. First of all, when you read them later, it becomes obvious to you how you have grown as a writer. Secondly, those stories can spark ideas for new and better stories.