I sent the manuscript for “The Wonderful World that God Made,” to The Writer’s Edge, a screening service for Christian publishers. For a fee, Writer’s Edge will read your manuscript, and if they think it is publishable, print a blurb about it in their newsletter.  The manuscript was rejected because, although the reader liked it, she thought it was too repetitious and would only be a seven page book. I wrote back to her, explaining it was based on the-house-that-Jack-model and providing her with a pagination guide for a 32-page picture book.  The piece was then accepted, and Kregel contacted me shortly after my blurb appeared in The Writer’s Edge newsletter.


Do you work on one project at a time, or are you a multi-task writer?

I always have several picture book stories in process, but only one novel at a time.


Hmmm. I rarely use them. I’ve free written twice. Both times a character has come to me and asked me to write their story. I’ve got their stories circling around in my head like planes over O’Hare, waiting for me to finish my current novel, so I’m afriad to try any more excersises!

Who is one of your favorite writers and why?

I like everything Katherine Paterson has ever written. Her characters are well developed and I never feel that she, as the author, intrudes on the story.


Good Dog Carl, by Alexandra Day. I think it has about 10 words, but I love reading the pictures and finding new and fun details.

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.

If you expect rejection, you won’t be disappointed, but “never, never, never give up.”

What keeps you motivated, and rejuvenated?

Writing and illustrating picture books is my “calling.” It is what I believe God wants me to do. That knowledge keeps me motivated. But even so, the constant rejection can get me down. When that happens, my marbly friends cheer me up. As for rejunvenation, SCBWI conferences are a terrific shot in the arm. And when that’s not an option, I’ll spend some time with a book I think is well done.
 
How do you organize your writing day? Do you write everyday? 

I try to reserve mornings for writing and am usually successful at doing so about four days a week. Somedays I work on new ideas, other days I revise exisiting picture book manuscripts or work on my novel. And when my muse can’t be roused, I work on sending out manuscripts.


I’m not just an illustrator, I’m a book designer, too. I tend to think in terms of layouts, spreads, page turns, left pages/right pages. After I get the basic story line roughed out, I usually break the text into numbered spreads. That allows me to check the pacing and see if there is enough action.


I do all my writing on my laptop—rarely do I write anything by hand, because I close my eyes and visualize the scene as I write. So when I get an idea, if I’m not at my computer, I’ll scribble something down on a scrap of paper and try to remember to put it with my computer. Then, once I’m at my computer working, I’ll start a Word document with a couple of sentences describing the idea. I’ll either create a folder for the story or file it in my “Ideas” folder. And I should add that I back up my computer to an external hard drive once a week.


It depends on how good the idea is. Some stories just pop out of my head almost complete. Those tend to be the really good ones. But that’s rare. Most of the time it takes a lot of cajoling and carving to craft a decent story.
Because picture books are short, I can usually get the first draft done in one or two sittings. After I’ve done several drafts, when I can’t think of anyway to strengthen or improve it, I submit it to my critique group. I make several more revisions based on the comments I receive and resubmit it. My marblicious friends give great crits, so usually after two or three rounds with them, the story is ready to send out.

What part of the writing process is the most difficult for you, how do you work through that?
Getting started. I usually have to prime my writing pump by reading something someone else has written that helps me see how I can approach a new idea or improve an exisiting piece. Often critiquing someone else’s work helps me see the flaws in my own.


I’ve written several easy readers and am working on an MG novel.


I’ve always had stories going on in my head, but I didn’t start trying to write stories until about 15 years ago.


My first job out of college was grading diamonds.


Nope, never played marbles. Didn’t even own any. But I was pretty good at Tiddly Winks.

How would you describe your writing?

Most of my picture books are humorous with a heart: a laugh and a hug. They celebrate love and family and quirkiness and looking at life through purple colored sparkly glasses.