My Creative Process

I am participating in a blog tour that is sort of like a relay race among bloggers who are also writers or illustrators.  My friend, writer illustrator Cheryl Pilgrim, featured me on her blog (cepilgrim.blogspot.com) and asked me to answer the questions below.  I, in turn, will feature another writer friend, and the chain will go on…

Now on to my creative process:

What am I working on now?

If you click on the “Work in progress” tab of my website, you can see a list of the stories I have written and/or which are in the process of being rewritten or revised.  I have a few additional projects that are sort of in pre-production such as a non-fiction book about phytoplankton, another story about Santa Claus that has a little twist to it, and a story about a mouse who lives in a very unexpected place in London.

How does my work differ from others of its genre?

I love quirky characters.   I am a huge fan of Mac Barnett’s books.  I love to write characters who aren’t afraid to be themselves even if that means they are different.

Why do I write what I do?

I love children’s literature because even if the content gets a little real (which is admittedly rare in picture books, but common in middle grade and young adult novels)  the story always ends on a hopeful note.  There is so much despair and violence in the world already, I don’t really want to write more of it into existence.  I like stories that focus on the positive ideas and values that unite us as human beings.

How does my writing process work?

I find a quiet place and start writing.  The words don’t always come quickly.  Sometimes I stare at the computer screen.  Other times I make coffee, do laundry, take a walk, or browse the internet.  Eventually, if I keep writing, the words begin to flow and a story takes shape.

Stay tuned next month for my blog post featuring the next stop on the tour.