Wednesday Worthies – By Word of Beth

Donna Martin and her HISTORY’S MYSTERIES — author interview

3 Comments / Interviews, Just Want to Say, Wednesday Worthies / By Beth

Today I’m delighted to feature my dear friend, Donna L. Martin. Donna and I have been online friends for years, and I’ve been following her progress as a writer with joy and admiration. Thank you, Donna, for agreeing to this interview. First of all, I want to congratulate you on your newest venture, HISTORY’S MYSTERIES. I’ve been intrigued ever since the first glimpse of the cover for the first book in the series, and I’m delighted with Amelia Earmouse! Beth: Could you tell us a bit about the series, the concept behind it, and your plans for it? Donna: HISTORY’S MYSTERIES is a historical fiction chapter book series for 8-12 year olds. I wanted to create a series somewhat similar to the MAGIC TREEHOUSE series, but with my own original twist. I blend “writing entries…i.e. journal, letters, etc”… with live action, along with fictional main characters interacting with historical figures, with a touch of mystery to keep my readers excited to turn the page. I released the first two books last Fall, have the next two books scheduled for this year and have the basic themes of books five through nine figured out. The number of titles for this series are endless because there will always be little known historical events to discover! Beth: This is very different from your previous book, LUNADAR, a YA fantasy. What was the impetus to go in such a different direction? Where did the idea come from? Donna: I was plotting out the next book in my LUNADAR trilogy when my sister happened to send me an article about a little-known train wreck which caused twenty tons of chocolate to fall on a small village in upstate New York years ago. She knew I loved history and when I read the article, bells went off in my head that this story HAD to be told and I was the person to tell it! I will get back to LUNADAR eventually, but the HISTORY’S MYSTERIES series is so fascinating to me, I’m going to run with this series for a while. Beth: I’m sure you know how I delight in characters like Amelia. Could you tell us more about Amelia Earmouse, and her role in the series? Donna: I can thank my tremendously talented illustrator, Estella Hickman (www.estellahickman.com) for the idea of a mouse as the series mascot. Her original sketch was an adult professor-like male mouse. While it was very cute, I suggested a much younger, girl mouse with pigtails to help young readers to identify more with her. One of my critique partners, Rinda Beach (www.rindabeach.com) , took one look at the new sketch and came up with the name, Amelia Earmouse. Some people think Amelia is either a character in each title, or even a narrator, but she’s actually neither. Amelia is a sassy, time-traveling adventuress who loves uncovering little known historical events and sharing those stories with the world. Mysteries seem to follow her, and she even shares some of her sketching skills with the illustrations found in each book. You can even find her on Story Catcher Publishing’s website (www.storycatcherpublishing.com) under the Amelia’s Kids Korner, where she shares free teacher/parent resources for the classroom or homeschool curriculum for each title in the series. Beth: Now let’s burrow into the first book of HISTORY’S MYSTERIES – SHIP OF DREAMS. Without giving away too much, what mystery is Amelia investigating? Donna: I spent months researching everything I could get my hands on concerning the Titanic. NOT about the ill-fated maiden voyage itself, but rather what was going on in Southampton while the people there eagerly awaited the ship’s arrival. While going through tons of research, I uncovered an onboard event which caused many questions. No one could exactly figure out the “mystery” at first, but it certainly set the tone of how some people reacted to the Titanic and their idea of her future. Beth: Could you share an excerpt, possibly an illustration, that will pique our interest even further? Donna: “Wednesday, April 3, 1912 Dear Journal, You will never guess what happened while I was sleeping. The Titanic’s here in Southampton! Papa says it docked sometime after midnight and she’s supposed to sail for America next week. He will be so busy loading everything on board these next few days. I can almost feel the excitement all the way over here! Papa said he’s never seen a grander ship in all his life, and he’s been a White Star tally man for quite a few years now. He brought home a leaflet about sailing on board the Titanic and I got to look at it after dinner last night. Oh, my goodness, the Titanic has a huge dome ceiling at the top of the ship and a statue of a baby angel at the bottom of a grand staircase. They even have a swimming pool and library in the middle of that thing. Who would have ever thought about being able to float IN water ON a ship while you float ON water IN a ship? First and second class will be able to use what they call an electric lift to carry them from floor to floor, and even third class will have real electric lights in their rooms. Oh, what a wonder that would be to have!” (Journal entry made by main character, Margaret) Beth: The cover illustration, and Amelia herself, are wonderful. Who is your illustrator? Donna: I met my fabulous illustrator, Estella Hickman, through a Facebook call out for an illustrator to help me with my book cover for the series. I knew what I wanted the key elements to be but was afraid I wouldn’t find someone who would understand what I wanted to convey with this series. Estella answered my call out and we chatted over the phone for more than an hour. What I didn’t realize at first was the fact I was talking to someone whose work I had been following and …

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Susanna Leonard Hill — Interview!

101 Comments / Interviews, Wednesday Worthies / By Beth

As I continue this week-long celebration of the first year of Perfect Picture Book Fridays (PPBF), I am happy to be able to share with you all an interview with the founder of PPBF, Susanna Leonard Hill. Besides having a blog in which she encourages writers and readers with features such as PPBF, Would You Read It Wednesdays, Short and Sweets, Oh Susanna!, etc., Susanna is also a prolific author who has written such delights as Not Yet, Rose, Can’t Sleep Without Sheep, Punxsutawney Phyllis and April Fool, Phyllis! among others. I came to know Susanna through PiBoIdMo (Picture Book Idea Month) 2011, and discovered her blog. When she suggested Perfect Picture Book Fridays, I eagerly became involved, and over the course of the past year, I have developed a treasured friendship with Susanna, as well as becoming part of a very special community in PPBF. Susanna has provided us with a brief biography: Once upon a time I grew up in New York City with my parents, two brothers, one sister, and an average of 3 cats. I went to some very good schools and eventually earned graduate degrees in a field I ended up not pursuing for very long because what I really wanted to do was be a mom and a writer. I am very fortunate to have 5 amazing kids and 11 books to show for myself. 🙂 May I say that we are very fortunate to have those books, as well, Susanna! And now, to learn more about the person behind the books and the blog:

Julie Hedlund — Spotlight Worthy INTERVIEW

80 Comments / In The Spotlight, Interviews, Wednesday Worthies / By Beth

It is the most delightful serendipity that a few months ago Julie Hedlund (founder of the picture book a month challenge known as 12 x 12 in 2012) and I agreed that she would do an interview for my blog on June 27th. At that time, we had no idea whatsoever that a celebration of the six-month half-way mark of 12 x 12 would be happening at the same time. Is this perfect timing, or what? Like many others in the 12 x 12 “family,” I got to know Julie through the online PiBoIdMo challenge in which participants came up with 30 picture book ideas in the 30 days of November 2011. Julie then extended a challenge to us to attempt to write twelve actual picture book draft manuscripts in the coming year — 12 manuscripts in 12 months in 2012 — and 12 x 12 in 2012 was born. As I said in my post on Monday, we’ve since become an amazingly supportive, encouraging group, cheering each other on in so many ways. It has been, and continues to be, wonderful. You can learn more about 12 x 12 at Julie’s website. Julie Hedlund is a picture book author, a member of SCBWI, a monthly contributor to author/illustrator Katie Davis’ Brain Burps About Books podcast, and the founder and host of the 12 x 12 in 2012 picture book writing challenge. Julie’s website is http://www.juliehedlund.com. I am so grateful to Julie for taking the time to participate in this interview as we celebrate the half-way point in our challenge. So, let’s get on with the interview!

Brian Sibley — Wednesday Worthy INTERVIEW

26 Comments / Interviews, Wednesday Worthies / By Beth

I am beyond delighted to welcome my friend Brian Sibley to the interview chair today. Brian is a British broadcaster, writer, Disney historian, Tolkien expert, C.S. Lewis expert, many other authors expert, fabulous raconteur, creative blogger, the list “goes ever on and on.” He has written numerous books and radio dramatizations, he has been a presenter for both BBC radio and television, he has interviewed many of the luminaries in the writing and acting world, he has become friends with the most amazing people (for instance, Ray Bradbury, to name but one). You will find Brian on the extras of several Disney DVDs/Blu-rays as well, including Pinocchio, 101 Dalmatians, and Snow White. (Note: those links are to the UK versions.) To read a full (and wonderfully written) autobiography on one of his blogs, go to “My Life and Welcome To It” at Brian Sibley: The Works. For the stories behind his books, see “Booked Up: Stories Behind Books.” Get an idea of the breadth of scope of his career at Wikipedia. I first encountered Brian in one of those deliciously serendipitous happenstances that occur on the internet. I was googling a quintessentially English phrase, and came upon an instance in which the phrase had been used by someone in an interview Brian blogged about. I read his blog post and was immediately entranced, and commented even though the post was a year or two old at the time. Brian followed the link to my blog and commented there, and from those simple beginnings, a friendship was formed. A few years, many blog comments and emails later, two friends and I met Brian and had a delightful lunch with him at the Dorchester Hotel in London last July. For three hours we talked as if we’d known each other all our lives. (A picture of that lunch gathering is past the “read more” line.) Join me now, as I interview Brian Sibley. I’m quite sure you’ll be as entranced as I was by this multi-talented, absolutely delightful man.

Imogen Ragone — Wednesday Worthy INTERVIEW

16 Comments / Interviews, Wednesday Worthies / By Beth

Imogen Ragone is a teacher of the Alexander Technique in Wilmington, Delaware. She completed the full-time, three-year training course (over 1600 hours) in Charlottesville, VA in 2006, and is certified to teach the Alexander Technique by the American Society for the Alexander Technique (AmSAT). After completing her certification she moved to Wilmington, where she enjoys bringing the benefits of the Alexander Technique to a wide variety of people. In addition to teaching the Alexander Technique Imogen designs websites, primarily for other Alexander teachers, and is also passionate about sharing information about the Alexander Technique through the web, in particular through blogging and social media. My connection with Imogen came about due to one of those serendipitous events that happen on blogs. You may recall that I posted about the Alexander Technique in April. In fact, it was thinking “Aha! A is for Alexander Technique!” that made me decide perhaps I could do the A to Z challenge. That post was one of the most popular I’ve had on my blog, and I was delighted that some people who have practiced and taught the Alexander Technique commented on the post. One person suggested I look at a blog written by an AT teacher who was at the time doing a series specifically for computer users. I clicked the link provided, read the incredibly helpful post, and immediately became a follower of the blog — Imogen Ragone’s Body Intelligence blog. I’ve subsequently come to know her through email and Facebook, and I’m delighted that she agreed to this interview. So — click the magic words! Imogen has interesting thoughts, concepts, and practical suggestions awaiting you!

Oops…

Just Want to Say, Wednesday Worthies / By Beth

Due to a scheduling error on my part, a book review post came up yesterday by mistake, and may have resulted in not everyone seeing the wonderful interview with Emma Walton Hamilton that was supposed to be the focus of the day. I apologize to Emma and to anyone who was inconvenienced by this error. If you missed the interview with Emma — author, editor, educator, my writing coach and mentor — please click here to read it.

Emma Walton Hamilton — Wednesday Worthy INTERVIEW

35 Comments / Emma Walton Hamilton, Interviews, Wednesday Worthies / By Beth

EMMA WALTON HAMILTON is a best-selling children’s book author, editor, educator and arts and literacy advocate. She has co-authored over twenty children’s books with her mother, Julie Andrews, six of which have been on the New York Times best-seller list, including The Very Fairy Princess series (#1 NY Times Bestseller), Julie Andrews’ Collection Of Poems, Songs And Lullabies (illustrated by James McMullan); the Dumpy The Dump Truck series; Simeon’s Gift; The Great American Mousical and THANKS TO YOU – Wisdom From Mother And Child (#1 New York Times Bestseller). Emma’s own book for parents and caregivers, Raising Bookworms: Getting Kids Reading for Pleasure and Empowerment, premiered as a #1 best-seller on Amazon.com in the literacy category and won a Parent’s Choice Gold Medal, silver medals from the Living Now and IPPY Book Awards, and an Honorable Mention from ForeWord Magazine’s Best Book of the Year. Emma is a faculty member for Stony Brook Southampton’s MFA in Creative Writing and Literature Program, where she teaches children’s literature courses and serves as Director of the annual Southampton Children’s Literature Conference. She is also Executive Director of their Young American Writers Project (YAWP), an inter-disciplinary writing program for middle and high school students on Long Island. As the creator and host of the “Children’s Book Hub” membership site, Emma provides resources, information and support for children’s book authors and illustrators world-wide. She is also the creator of “Just Write for Kids!“, an online course in writing picture books. (Biographical information and photos are from Emma’s website, used with permission. To read the full biography, and to see more of what Emma does, please visit her website. But do come back for the interview!) Beth: I first got to know Emma through the books she has co-authored with her mother, then through her blog which was a forerunner of her current blog. I participated in the posts and comments on her current blog that helped firm up the content of her Just Write for Kids! course, then took the course itself from September to November of 2010. Emma’s encouragement and enthusiasm about my writing, and her sensitivity and support through the final weeks of my mother’s life, which coincided with my participation in the course, cemented my admiration for and appreciation of Emma. I was a charter member of her Children’s Book Hub, I continue to work with her as my freelance editor on many of my writing projects, Emma and I co-administer the Children’s Book Hub Facebook Group, and I look forward to meeting her in person in July, at the Stony Brook Southampton Children’s Literature Conference mentioned in the bio. I am thrilled that she agreed to do this interview with me. I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I have! Click the magic words!

Imagination — Springboard into New Worlds

15 Comments / In The Spotlight, Starred Books, Wednesday Worthies / By Beth

Something that has been lost, I think, in this era of online dictionaries, is the browsing, glancing, serendipitous discovery of a word that takes a person off on a flight of imagination, that sends one into another world, a world of the imagination, of “what if,” of “suppose it was this way.” If an online dictionary had been available to the author of the book I’m highlighting today, she would likely have gone straight to the word she was actually looking for, and wouldn’t have stumbled upon the word that led to the writing of this book — and that would have been a loss to the world of the imagination and to the world of children’s books. Envision yourself picking up your dictionary some evening to look up a word. You turn to the W section, and begin scanning the list of words. Your attention is caught by something quite unusual. You mull it over in your mind. You read the definition, which is more of a non-definition. If you have a vivid imagination, one that’s willing to see things in new and intriguing ways, perhaps you say to yourself, “I wonder…” and those simple words reveal to you an entrancing new land filled with unusual characters and strange beings. That is just what happened when author Julie Andrews Edwards stumbled upon the word whangdoodle.