I’ve mentioned in previous posts that sometimes you just run out of steam as a blogger, and when that happens, “tag” posts can be your saving grace. Sometimes all your creative soul can handle is answering a preset list of questions! I discovered this tag on the blog Inkblots and Icebergs.
What type of writing do you do?
I sporadically write poetry (check out my Poetry Friday posts if you’re interested in discovering some of poetic efforts), picture books, and blog posts.
What genres and/or topics do you write about?
My picture books tend to focus on exploring and experiencing the world around us, my blog posts focus on children’s librarianship, early literacy and writing for children, and as for my poetry….well, I write about whatever I feel like!
How long have you been writing?
My entire life! I’ve been telling stories since I was able to babble, and I’ve been writing them down since I was able to hold a crayon. I published my first story in a youth anthology when I was 16, won a trip to Ottawa with an essay on citizenship that same year, started blogging here on Raincity Librarian in 2014, and started writing children’s books in 2016.
Are you published?
Yes! I’ve published three picture books with Pajama Press – Wild One (2017), A Good Day for Ducks (2018) and Queenie Quail Can’t Keep Up 2019).
What was the first story you ever wrote?
There’s really no way to answer this one, as I probably wrote my first story when I was about 5 or 6 years old. Knowing me, it probably involved dinosaurs, ponies and kittens. Man, I wish I still had that story….
Why do you write?
Sometimes I feel like a bit of a fraud when it comes to being a writer, and questions like this really highlight that. Other writers, when asked this question, respond with deep sentiments like “I write to keep myself sane; I write because I know no other way to live; I write to explore the depths of my soul”, etc., etc., etc. Honestly, I write because I enjoy it. It’s fun to write. It’s fun to share stories. And it’s awesome to be published. And that’s enough for me.
How do you find time to write?
I don’t set writing schedules or word count goals, I really just write when I feel like it. That’s the joy of being a hobby writer, as opposed to a full-time, professional author! I like to write in spurts – 30 minutes here, an hour there, in between my other responsibilities and activities. I have a really short attention span and can struggle with maintaining focus, so the idea of sitting for hours at my desk working on a story makes me shudder, I need to be flexible with my writing schedule.
When and where are the best times to write?
Whenever, wherever! Thanks to Google Drive, I can even write on my phone while standing in line at the grocery store!
Favorite food/drinks while writing?
Tea. So. Much. Tea.
Your writing playlist?
I always have to have something playing while I write – silence just encourages the hyperactive hamster in my brain to hop on his exercise wheel and start training for the Tour de France. I typically have a J-Pop playlist going on in the background while I write – I like listening to anime theme songs, Bump of Chicken, Ikimono Gakari, and other J-Pop lite bands. The lyrics don’t distract me but the upbeat music tempo keeps me energised.
What do family/friends/loved ones think of you writing?
My mother thinks everything I write is a work of art (thanks, Mum!), while my other half is always encouraging me to keep submitting my work for publication, no matter how bummed I’m feeling about my 100th rejection letter. My friends have always been happy to help promote my work. I’m very lucky to have a supportive group of family and friends around me!
Parts of writing you enjoy the most?
The first draft – there’s something so exhilarating about filling up a fresh blank page with fresh new ideas!
Parts of writing you find challenging?
The submission process. Oh LORD do I despise the submission process.
What do you write with and on?
Google Drive – I like being able to access my writing from any device, anywhere, and not have to worry about my computer crashing. I also tend to scribble ideas on random scraps of paper, which really isn’t the best strategy, I realise.
How do you overcome writer’s block?
I do tag posts like this one and give my creative juices a break.
How do you motivate yourself to write?
I don’t, not really. Honestly, I just write when I feel like it. Writing is my hobby, not my profession, and I keep it enjoyable by not forcing myself to write when I really don’t feel like it. I’m certainly no role model for aspiring authors!
Authors who inspire you as a writer?
Oh my goodness, where do I even start? Jane Cabrera, Eric Litwin, Jules Feiffer, Anna Dewdney, Karma Wilson, Chris Haughton, Karen Beaumont, Jane Yolen, and so, so many more. The children’s literature world is just bursting with inspiring writers!
Books that inspire you as a writer?
Anything written by the above authors!
Best advice you’ve gotten as a writer?
Less is more! When you’re writing picture books which typically have to tell their stories using less than 1,000 words, every word is precious – don’t waste a single word.
Writing goals this year
Keep submitting!
Thanks for reading, folks, and if you decide to try your hand at this tag post, I’d love to read your thoughts!