HOW DID YOU GET THE IDEA FOR YOUR AWARD WINNING BOOK?
I always loved the name Corinne and saved it in my mind as a name if I ever had a 4th daughter….
Erin, Shannon, Meghan, and Corinne?
WHICH OF YOUR CHARACTERS FROM YOUR AWARD WINNING TITLE DO YOU BELIEVE IS MOST LIKE YOU AND WHY?
I identify with Corinne in several ways in that I have had challenges to face and adapt accordingly.
I hope that readers will adapt to whatever they may view as a loss and rise above it, change their thinking, and move forward!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LINE FROM YOUR AWARD WINNING BOOK?
My favorite sentence of the book is the final one. “Corinne was FREE, free to be her new self from fin to fin!”
TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A WRITER:
I was a teacher of young children for 50 years. The children in my class loved stories and I learned to create stories of my own in various ways just by being with them day by day.
As a child, I always loved books with a profound message like The Little Engine that Could. I also admired stories full of creativity like the Bee Tree by Patricia Polacco.
Little by little, Corinne has become very alive to me as we have traveled from one book event to another. I feel as if a true friend, Corinne, is with me in the car and at the book table.
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR WRITING PROCESS:
As a writer, I often write the first draft in a busy place, like a café or library. I am able to block out all the surrounding noise or activity and focus on the story at hand. Revisions are usually done at home on my computer during a quiet setting.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST CHALLENGE AS A WRITER?
My challenge as a writer is to leave room for the illustrator for I often SEE all the illustrations in my mind and will specify the details in indirect ways.
WHO HAS HAD THE GREATEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR WRITING STYLE?
Watty Piper inspired me as a child with The Little Engine That Could and still does, for he inspires children to continue to believe even though it may be hard to do so. My stories are intended to leave a lasting message for children long after the book is closed.
HOW DID YOU GET PUBLISHED?
I was connected to Cathy Teets of Headline Books for many years as members of the red clay tennis courts in Mountain Lake Maryland and a local real estate company. Years later I contacted her with my story called, Corinne’s Fin, and fortunately at that time she had an experienced illustrator, Ashley Teets. The beautiful illustrations in Corinne’s Fin speak for themselves in vivid color.
CAN YOU OFFER ANY ADVICE FOR WRITERS ON HOW BEST TO PROMOTE THEIR BOOK?
My advice would be to connect with your characters at various levels. Your character then becomes part of you which enables you to be passionate during book events; for you are speaking from the heart.
Awards are important in that they tend to bring recognition to your characters and your story. I was thrilled to win various awards: Literary Classics, Mom’s Choice, President’s Award, London Book Festival and others for Corinne’s Fin. Hopefully, the sequel, Coach Corinne, will continue to carry forth an inspiring message to young children.
DO YOU HAVE ANY NEW BOOKS IN THE WORKS?
I have several picture books with an inspiring message for young children that I hope will be visible in print with accompanying illustrations in the near future.
I love calendars and planning for future fun and adventure. I can hardly contain my interest in many areas: grandchildren, writing, tennis, golf, gospel choir, nature, book clubs, learning, dinner clubs, birds, and the list goes on and on. Corinne’s Fin is also available on my website in addition to Headline Books. I have several picture books ready for submission. The future looks exciting!
Coach Corinne may be on the market by the summer of 2019!
LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org
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