Getting to The Heart of Why We Write
By Gina Soldano-Herrle
What is it that brings writers to the page? Is it contagious? Permanent? Listen along to find out as authors of all sorts from children's fiction to adult nonfiction share why they write.
Getting to The Heart of Why We WriteApr 04, 2024
Library Families, Chalk Painting, and Ballet with Author Steena Hernandez
Today I am so pleased to introduce you to author Steena Hernandez. Steena’s debut picture book, Lupita’s Brown Ballet Slippers, illustrated by Melissa Castillo is coming out with Beaming Books on October 22, 2024.
It was a joy to talk with Steena and I can’t thank her enough for being on the show. Here are some highlights:
The joy of being a library family and sharing that time together, picking whatever book your heart desires.
The overwhelming generosity found within the kidlit world.
The beauty of the two way street one can find in kidlit critique group relationships.
Chalk painting and walking in nature to refill a creative well running dry. Her home that is full of chalk painted furniture. How joyful it is to go back after the chalk paint dries with a bottle cap and scrape the paint away, creating something worn and new at the same time.
How powerful it can be to step away from our writing. Taking a real break from it and coming back after a week away.
Her background in professional dance and it’s inspiration to create her debut picture book. Writing for the little girl who wants to see someone who looks like her on the cover.
Links Mentioned:
Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)
Steena’s website, Twitter, Instagram, Newsletter, and Link.tree
PBSOAR24 on Instagram and Twitter
Vivian Kirkfield’s 50 precious words
Lupita’s Brown Ballet Slippers is available for preorder at Nowhere Books and the Twig in San Antonio, Target, Bookshop, Barnes and Noble, Amazon.
Lupita’s Brown Ballet Slippers Cover Reveal
Rachael Herron, Ink in Your Veins Podcast
Curses, Bookworms, and Screenwriting with Author Megan Woodward
Today, I have a fun interview for you with author Megan Woodward. Her upcoming debut picture book, This Book is Definitely Not Cursed, illustrated by Risa Rodil is available for pre-order now and hitting shelves near you on June 25, 2024.
We talked about all sorts of fun things like hugging trees, making fools of ourselves reading books, the compulsion to write, and what it’s like to juggle writing in several genres at a time.
She has an exciting new newsletter where you can find out fun stuff about curses, get writing advice, and hear some hilariously bad advice for parents. 😂You can find it on her site here.
Highlights:
Her background in screenwriting before discovering a passion for kidlit once she had her son.
The pros and cons of writing in bed. Avoiding back pain vs. extra sleepiness.
The joy of working in a children’s bookstore alongside her author journey.
The wonder and necessary support of being in a writing community: virtual, in-person, in any form.
How to manage an endless font of ideas.
What it feels like to write a Middle Grade at 35,000 words vs. a Picture Book at 500 words.
“[What I enjoy most about storytelling] I think is just creating something from nothing. Having a character and ideas and a story and world that didn’t exist, that were just in my brain. And now it’s out in the world and people are going to read it…And it all came from my weird brain.”
This Book is Definitely Not Cursed is an interactive, fun, silly read. Get ready to get goofy with kids in this book!
If you want to see her in person or get your book signed personally, check out her schedule for upcoming events in places like California, Colorado, Oregon, and more!
Final words of advice: learn more skills that complement writing. Keep at it but make time to learn other skills too.
Links mentioned:
Pre-order This Book is Definitely Not Cursed on Simon and Schuster or Green Bean Books in Portland, OR; Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Bookshop
Megan on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky
Rachael Herron’s podcast, Ink in Your Veins
The 12x12 Picture Book Challenge
Thank you, Megan, for taking the time to talk with me!! ♥️ ♥️ ♥️
Stay tuned for next week’s interview with author Steena Hernandez.
Telekinesis, Tree-hugging, and Collaboration with Author LD Green
Today I have the pleasure of talking with author LD Green. I met LD through Kids Comics Unite (a super fun community for comic and word nerds/creators, linked below). Immediately I felt like we could have talked for hours about all the things! We talk about all sorts of things in today’s episode from tree-hugging to word clouds, so please enjoy!
Some highlights:
The slam poetry world
Collaborating with other authors
Parallel writing/working with author friends
Telekinesis stories
Advocacy through writing–being an artivist (my new favorite word)
How to have an immersive reading experience with both a physical book and audiobook
The benefits of tree-hugging on your writing
The power of atmosphere in recharging your creative batteries
The joy of seeing your words turned into pictures when collaborating with an illustrator
A modified digital version of Julia Cameron’s morning pages. It has word clouds, archives, and all sorts of fun tools! (750words.com)
“I write to know myself. I write to comfort myself, to process what’s hurting me, to heal–make sense of my life. I put things together to keep myself company. I feel like I'm in dialogue with myself. I'm creating this other part of me to talk to.”
Final words of wisdom: Somebody always has a bigger dog. Don’t lose time over jealousy or competition because there’s room enough for everyone.
Links:
We've Been too Patient on Amazon
Journey to The Enchanted Inkwell trailer
Thank you again, LD! And thank all of you for listening; stay tuned for next week with author Megan Woodward!
Story Cravings, Wonder Walls, and A Little Bit of Everything with Meghana Narayan
Today we’re in for a treat with abstract artist and children’s book author Meghana Narayan, of the newly released A Little Bit of Everything illustrated by Michelle Carlos.
Meghana and I cover a lot of ground from what apps we use to catch random ideas to the magic of sharing parts of yourself through your writing.
Grab a cup of tea, settle in and enjoy the episode! 🙂
Highlights:
She’s spent a lifetime crafting stories, since she was a child.
The origin of her debut picture book as a love letter to her future children, embracing every part of themselves and their unique identity.
How she journaled her way through different ideas, turning them into stories.
Her experience with her unique identity as one spread between two worlds.
“I feel like I’m writing those stories that I so deeply craved as a child–that I didn’t really realize I needed. In a lot of ways, I’m writing for–the children out there who are also waiting to see themselves in a book.”
Teach for the Change–Meghana started this originally as a blog after her first daughter was born in 2020 and later turned it into an Instagram account and more. With all the heaviness in the world at the time, she felt incredibly disconnected from her passion (as a teacher), working alongside young children. Through this she found a way to stay connected to education and create a space that offers resources for “raising racially and socially conscious children who are compassionate and care about this world.”
The power of pause–pausing and acknowledging you don’t know the answer to a big question when a child asks it. Not knowing the answer is okay and important in making ourselves vulnerable with our children. You can even create a wonder wall like she talks about!
Links:
Meghana on Instagram
A Little Bit of Everything through Sleeping Bear Press (Cherry Lake Publishing), Amazon, Bookshop, Barnes and Noble
Unexpected Riches in Life and Literature with C.S. Boyll
Today I’d like to welcome C.S. Boyll to the show! This week on “Getting to the Heart of Why We Write,” Cindy and I talk about everything from kidnapped midwives to Cincinnati Ohio chili.
It was so much fun talking with Cindy who has been writing across genres for many years. I love meeting other multi-genre writers and hearing about their journeys and passion for different projects!
I was lucky enough to connect with Cindy through the Rocky Mountain SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) and was happy to find out our paths cross in many ways. 🙂
Here are some highlights and favorite quotes:
“We have to work it in, don’t we?”
I couldn’t believe how many places we’d been in parallel. We chatted about the chili culture of Cincinnati, Ohio and the lovely people in SCBWI Rocky Mountain region.
The benefits of making friends within all age groups–learning from each generation.
The beauty of unexpected connections through writing, unexpected riches in the real world.
“I just take a deep breath and try to go over the obstacle or through the obstacle in the best ways I can. And, of course, you try to get help from other people if you can, too.”
“Sometimes, don’t you see reality that is so off the wall you can’t put it into your fiction?”
Some final words of advice from C.S. Boyll:
Guard your writing. Even if it’s just a half hour a week. That’ll add up after a year. Don’t think you’ll have more time later to do your work. If you’re healthy…you’ll always be busy.
Be consistent. But if you miss a day, just start again.
Get past the voices. There will be a lot of voices wherever you are in your journey that will make it seem impossible. You can get past them, having community makes it easier.
Her latest two books are linked below. Read on for more info about each one.
Always Flying Bobby—a multigenerational story about flying to be enjoyed by the whole family (picture book).
Unexpected Riches–Puritans, kidnapping, midwifery, the open seas. If any of those things interest you, check out her YA historical fiction linked below!
One of the best ending quotes I could imagine:
“You are seen. You are loved. What you do is important.”
Links
Always Flying Bobby (picture book)--a multigenerational story about flying
Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
C.S. Boyll’s Unexpected Riches (YA historical)
If you missed it or just want to hear more about Always Flying Bobby, check out last week’s episode with the illustrator, Jessica Santiesteban!
Thank you for listening and being here with me! Next up we have Meghana Narayan, author of A Little Bit of Everything illustrated by Michelle Carlos.
Choosing Paths through Obstacles and Loving Planners with Jessica Santiesteban
Please welcome Jessica Santiesteban to “Getting to The Heart of Why We Write!” Today we are hosting an illustrator takeover edition.
Jessica and I talk about her background in art and story. After having her first art show at 21, she later had her daughters and from there grew the seed of inspiration that sparked her first story.
She published her first book, My Favorite Fairy, originally in Spanish before later translating it into English. Her recent book which she illustrated is Always Flying Bobby written by C.S. Boyll.
If you’re anything like me and enjoy using planners, bullet journals, or stickers, check out the link to Jessica’s site and Etsy below where she offers her custom stickers, journals, and more!
I so enjoyed talking with Jessica about creativity, rules, and breaking them when needed. We covered a lot in this episode, check out some highlights below and enjoy listening. 🙂
Highlights:
Starting from an image that wouldn’t let her go to the floodgates opening and the rush of creativity and story.
Continuing to create and build her career as an illustrator and author while moving with her children from Mexico to the United States.
The supportive and beautiful community of the Rocky Mountain SCBWI.
Doing the thing you want to do even when you’re afraid and not sure you can do it.
Reading entrepreneurial nonfiction to manage an author career and inspire creativity.
How obstacles can be a good thing.
“Obstacles may slow you down, but maybe they’re good because they show you different paths to take. They’re just a challenge. I’m very perserverant…And maybe it’s just me, but I think I’m often my greatest obstacle.”
Links mentioned:
Jessica’s website, Going Places Studios
Always Flying Bobby by C.S. Boyll and illustrated by Jessica Santiesteban on Amazon
Thanks for listening! In the meantime, catch up on last week’s episode in case you missed it with Acadia Editing’s Paulina S. Cossette Ph.D. for an editor’s takeover edition. Up next, C.S. Boyll, the author of Always Flying Bobby.
Acadia Editing Services' Paulina S. Cossette Ph.D. Fights Red Pen Phobia and, Embraces Editing Joy
Please join me in welcoming Paulina S. Cossette Ph.D. of Acadia Editing Services to the show! Paulina has 15+ years of experience and so much to share, I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did!
Here are some highlights of things we talked about:
The joy in exploring new subjects through copy editing, learning something new each time a manuscript comes across your desk.
Mohawk artist Shelley Niro and other inspiring subjects.
How even though it’s scary to start a new career, we can do scary things.
Her background in academia and the similarities and differences between editing and being a professor.
The importance of relationships and community even across fields.
The benefits of fresh air to maintaining balance, including how gardening can be an emotional outlet.
Here are a couple of my favorite quotes from our conversation:
“I get to meet people I never would have heard of or learned about or talked to and I get to read their work. When I dig into a manuscript I get to play around with it. I take very seriously that this is someone’s passion project that they’ve worked hours and hours on but I get to tweak it and help make it better–to help them get their message out. That’s really rewarding and I really enjoy those relationships I build with my clients.”
“You’re going to make mistakes. You won’t do everything well. But just keep trying. You’re going to have problems. There are things you’re going to do not well. You’ll make mistakes but keep coming back at it, keep trying, and be kind to people.”
Talking with Paulina was inspiring, fun, and a total joy. I particularly enjoyed hearing about the why of her editing work–to help. She works primarily with academics editing academic and nonfiction manuscripts. Most of her clients are professors who lead busy lives like she did in her own professorship before she started Acadia Editing Services.
So, she started editing to help lighten the load. With the whole contents of the book in one place (even if it’s not tidy), she can clean it up. That way she makes life a little bit easier for her clients one manuscript at a time.
Some parting advice from Paulina: don’t listen to that little voice in your head that says you can’t. You are worth more than you know. In editing (and writing) we often undercharge because we don’t believe in ourselves or our worth. Know your worth, believe in yourself, and remember that this is your business.
Also, editors aren’t here to tear everything down with their red pens, they’re here to help your writing shine a little brighter.
Links mentioned:
The 60+ books Acadia Editing has brightened
Paulina’s book–Politicians Behaving Badly: Men, Women, and the Politics of Sexual Harassment
Acadia Editing Services website
Paulina S. Cossette Ph.D. on LinkedIn
Acadia Editing Services Facebook
As always, thanks for listening and stay tuned for more interviews next week!! On deck we have illustrator Jessica Santiesteban.
Living Seasons and Loving Books with Author Jo Renfro
Please join me in welcoming Jo Renfro to “Getting to the Heart of Why We Write” in today’s episode! You may notice today’s show is out on a Friday instead of a Thursday–we’ve got the cold season blowing through my house so we’re moving a bit slower in general.
It’s giving me a chance to practice being patient through this season of life, just like Jo advises in the episode!
Jo is the author and illustrator of the picture book, Peg Gets Crackin’. Peg’s adventures will continue, just as Jo’s own adventures will (hiking the Appalachian trail and more!). So stay tuned for more books!
Some Highlights:
The joy of sharing your in-home library with extended family.
Starting small to build your community in a new place.
Sparking ideas with fresh air and fresh colors.
How texture can inspire writing.
Final words of wisdom:
Life is a journey, it’s happening now because that’s how it’s supposed to happen. Be patient with your journey, live it!
Links mentioned:
Jo’s website, Jo on Twitter, and on Instagram
Peg Gets Crackin’ on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Bookshop and Beaming Books–Also don’t forget to request it from your local library!
Prancing with Sleeping Beauty and Other Inspirational Tales with Stacy Juba
I couldn’t be more excited to introduce Stacy Juba to you today. She has written books about ice hockey, teen psychics, U.S. flag etiquette for kids, and determined women sleuths. Stacy is an author, editor, and teacher with 30 years of experience.
Here are some highlights from our chat:
- How she learned over many years to refill her creative well with meditation, yoga, reading, and jigsaw puzzles with a partner.
- Finding inspiration from all the different corners of daily life from flag etiquette to theme park princesses.
- The importance of ergonomics.
- How Oracle cards are different from tarot. Short answer: Oracle has more flexibility and freedom of interpretation.
- Using EFT tapping, vision boards, action steps, and concrete goals to move past obstacles.
- “Find those things that rejuvenate you and remember not to take it personally.”
- “[Writing] gives me a voice. When I write, I feel like I’m fully myself.”
- Words to past self: make sure each scene is as fleshed out as it can be with a balance of dialogue, setting, and story elements.
Links mentioned:
Book Editing Blueprint Course (to cut down on rounds of paid editing and send your best work)
Energize Your Writing Toolkit (more ways to use body language and cut down on crutch words)
Stacy’s recent book: Prancing Around with Sleeping Beauty
Stacy’s Shortcut for Writers website and Facebook Group
Stacy’s author website with all her series
Thank you for listening today and make sure you’re all caught up on author interviews with last week’s guest, Wendy C. Goldstein. Next up we have author illustrator Jo Renfro!
Better Than Fiction Characters and Crucial Community with Wendy C. Goldstein
Hello, story nerds! Today’s guest on Getting to The Heart of Why We Write is Wendy C. Goldstein. Wendy’s recent book, Oscar’s Blue Bandana, is the true story of her dog, Oscar, earning his blue bandana as a therapy dog.
I met Wendy through the kidlit world in 12x12 and along with a handful of other writers we’ve created the PictureBookPeeps debut group. Website and podcast for our group are forthcoming. So, in the meantime enjoy this episode and check out Oscar’s Blue Bandana at your nearest book retailer!
Highlights:
- The benefits of having a writing coach when battling imposter syndrome.
- Bringing a book to life with real characters at author visits.
- The better than fiction Oscar who inspired her book.
- How crucial community is to writing.
Links:
- The 12x12 Picture Book Challenge
- Oscar’s Blue Bandana on Bookshop, Amazon
- Wendy and Oscar’s website
- Wendy and Oscar on Instagram
Thank you again to Wendy for sharing your time to talk with me. I can’t wait to see what Oscar does next in this series!
If you’re craving more author interviews stay tuned for next week with author/editor Stacy Juba! In the interim, make sure you’re all caught up on Why We Write including last week’s interview with Laura Roettiger. Thanks for being here!
Building Community and Dancing onto The Page with Laura Roettiger
Today’s guest is Laura Roettiger, author of two picture books including the recently published An Accidental Hero: A Mostly True Wombat Story illustrated by Debbi Palen.
Laura is a reading specialist with a background in teaching and curriculum creation. Her superpower as a teacher is encouraging curiosity in children, which she has brought into the stories she now writes.
We covered a lot of topics in our short time together and I hope you enjoy listening!
Here are some things we cover in today’s interview:
The benefits dancing can offer your writing.
The generosity and friendliness in the kidlit world, especially in the Rocky Mountains.
The best of times hearing readers laugh with enjoyment over your words, when the words just click, and when a child tells you that your book is their favorite.
If things aren’t working, sometimes you just need to walk away.
When obstacles arise and writing is impossible, how can you stay connected?
Links mentioned:
Buy An Accidental Hero: A Mostly True Wombat Story from publisher, Bookshop, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and Second Star to The Right Books.
Aliana Reaches for the Moon from publisher, Barnes and Noble, Bookshop, Amazon, and Second Star to The Right Books.
Thank you, Laura, for sharing your time with me and what you’ve learned throughout your writing journey.
Disappearing through windows and the alchemy of writing with Jilanne Hoffmann
Today we have an interview with Jilanne Hoffmann, author of A River of Dust illustrated by Eugenia Mello.
Favorite Quotes:
“We went out with our first manuscript, A River of Dust, to auction. I don’t recommend that to anybody! Afterward there was a long dry spell.”
“I daydream and that can fill the [creative] well. I just look out the window and can disappear.’”
“I love the challenge [of writing]. It’s making something from nothing. It’s like alchemy.”
Our chat about the similarities between meditation and writing.
How writing is like boot camp.
- “Everyone has their own voice and the world needs their stories.”
- “After you have a finished draft, think about it critically. Read your own writing critically as you would others.”
Links:
A River of Dust: The Life-Giving Link Between North Africa and the Amazon illustrated by Eugenia Mello on Amazon, Bookshop, Barnes and Noble
Elementary School Queries and Being Bold with Michelle Lee
Today’s guest is Michelle Lee, author of Between The Lighthouse and You (Amazon, Bookshop, Barnes and Noble).
We talk about how ideal writing times vary for different people, querying as an elementary school student, writing across different genres to enrich your writing, and more.
With her lifelong involvement in the writing world and Ph.D. in English Literature, she is a real life doctor of words!
Links mentioned:
The 12x12 Picture Book Challenge
Some nuggets of wisdom:
Try things that take you out of your normal routine.
Find ways of playing as an adult!
Be bolder but also be patient with the process and yourself.
Thank you, Michelle!!!
Being Brave Enough to Improve and Finding Flow for Writing through Painting with Lisa Rogers
Sorry for my lateness with today’s podcast! It is Friday but I am here and with another sparkling author interview on “Getting to The Heart of Why We Write.” Today, we have Lisa Rogers whose recent book Beautiful Noise: The Music of John Cage illustrated by Il Sung Na has received starred reviews from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and more!
I cannot thank Lisa enough for sharing her time with me, or you for taking the time to listen along with us and share the journey we’re all on in this writing life.
Links mentioned:
Beautiful Noise: The Music of John Cage illustrated by Il Sung Na
12x12, which she joined when it first started in 2012
A member of Picture Book Gold along with me and 14 other fantastic authors and illustrators.
Thank you again, Lisa, for your time! And congratulations on your upcoming books and all you’ve done so far. 🙂
Finding Joy in The Writing Process and Community Success with Sharon Giltrow
Thank you, Sharon, for sharing your time with me! Today's episode was filled with so many great topics, the benefits of libraries, critique groups, and celebrating each other's success within the writing community. Here's a list of further resources to check out and links mentioned:
Bonus: Sharon's Post in Storystorm 2024
Samara Rubin and The Utility Belt
Sharon's other books: Bedtime, Daddy!; Get Ready, Mama!; Let's Go Shopping, Grandma!
Thank you again, Sharon! And thanks for listening!
Natasha Wing Shares about Encouragement, Community, and Opening Doors for Curiosity Through Books
Natasha was so much fun to have on the show and I couldn't have asked for better parting words, "Have fun on the journey" creating stories for children. Stay curious!
I encourage you to follow that curiosity straight to Natasha's website and many books.
- Night Before Series
- Biographies, Fiction, and More
- Learn about Author Visits (she is an expert!)
- Facebook Page
Her latest translation of The Night Before My Birthday (and by no coincidence this episode is releasing the week before her birthday on Feb. 7!). Happy Birthday, Natasha!
The 5 Ps of Writing with Vivian Kirkfield
In today's episode, I had the opportunity to interview a pillar in the kidlit community, Vivian Kirkfield!
I hope you enjoy hearing about her journey, the 5 essential Ps for any writer no matter where they are on their writing journey, and her latest book, Pedal, Balance Steer available for preorder (publication 02-20-2024).
Here are other links to Vivian's work and places to connect with her:
- Vivian's Website
- #50PreciousWords 2023 (keep an eye out for news on 2024!)
- Vivian's other books
- 12x12 Picture Book Writing Challenge (mentioned by us in the chat)
- Vivian on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and LinkedIn
As someone who's participated in #50preciouswords, attended Vivian's presentations on kidlit, and read her work, I can't thank her enough for what she is continuing to do for all of us in the writing community and those budding writers just starting to put pen to page. Thank you Vivian!!!!
The Magic of Perfect Meter with Rebecca Gardyn Levington
In this episode, Rebecca and I talk about community, rhyme, her writing mantras and so much more! Some of the resources she mentioned and places to find her and her books are below.
Afikoman, Where'd You Go? A Passover Hide-and-Seek Adventure illustrated by Noa Kelner (preorder live now, publishes 2/20/24)
Brainstorm!, Whatever Comes Tomorrow and other books
Renee LaTulippe Lyrical Language Lab
Getting to The Heart of Why We Write with Karen M Greenwald
Children's book author and co-founder of #SunWriteFun, Karen Greenwald, talks with me about genealogy research, why kidlit is more difficult than law school, and why she writes. For more info about Karen, check out her website: https://www.karengreenwald.com/