HOW
LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WRITING? I’ve done scholarly writing my whole
professional life. I began writing for children about seven years ago.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BEGIN WRITING?
As
a university professor teaching Children and Young Adult Literature, I
always loved kids’ books! About seven years ago, I became inspired to
write a series of conservation books about two little girls called Bella
and Britt. As we have a condo right on the gulf, I found my ideas from
long early morning walks along one of the most beautiful bodies of
water in the world. The rest is author’s history!
WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND YOUR AWARD WINNING TITLES?
The inspiration behind One Pelican at a Time was
the horrible gulf oil spill of 2010. In seeing so many of the noble
pelicans fishing in the mornings, it was natural to write a book about
helping keep them safe, so it was Bella and Britt to the rescue. I have
to say that my publisher, Lynda Burch, of Guardian Angel Publishing, saw
the absolute importance of such a book and threw herself into it with
such vigor and dedication, that Pelican was the first U.S. children’s book about the spill to be published. Sea Turtle Summer
concerned the girls’ finding a mother Leatherback sea turtle on the
beach and setting about to save her nest. But what a journey they
undertake to do it! More inspiration from living along such a
magnificent but fragile body of water.
HAVE YOU PUBLISHED ANY OTHER BOOKS?
DO YOU HAVE ANY NEW BOOKS IN THE WORKS?
The next two Bella and Britt books will be published soon. Bella Saves the Beach will be launched within the next several months. Mystery of Manatee Key, a real mystery where Britt alone has to solve the crime of missing manatees, as Bella and the ranger have been kidnapped!
Bella Saves the Beach will be launched within the next several months. Mystery of Manatee Key, a real mystery where Britt alone has to solve the crime of missing manatees, as Bella and the ranger have been kidnapped!
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF:
One
of the most important aspects of my life are my three sons, two of whom
are twins. It’s remarkable how children shape who you are as well as
you them. Having lived in London for ten years, I was a consultant to
the University of Cambridge. I’ve been so fortunate to have literally
traveled around the world and back again and strive for those
experiences to flow through my books. I have been a teacher of children
and a university professor of education. Besides writing every day, I
speak at and attend writing conferences across the US.
TELL US SOMETHING THAT OUR READERS MIGHT FIND INTERESTING ABOUT YOU:
I
adore orchids and cannot get enough of the sumptuous plants! Luckily,
Florida is a wonderful place for them, so they can easily be tucked into
a shady spot outside.
WHAT DO YOU MOST ENJOY DOING IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
I
thoroughly enjoy lunch and/or dinner with good friends. Having taken a
Cordon Bleu course in London, cooking is important to me. My husband
and I love to entertain and do so frequently. Travel is crucial in my
life. Not only is it an expansive thing to do, it helps store away
vignettes for books in a way, for me at least, nothing else can do.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW/MOVIE?
In terms of an hysterically funny film, I have to say The Producers is still my favorite.
HAS YOUR BOOK RECEIVED ANY OTHER AWARDS? (IF SO PLEASE LIST, IF NOT, LEAVE BLANK)
One Pelican at a Time received a Readers Favorite 5 Star Award.
WHAT CHALLENGES DO YOU FACE AS AN AUTHOR?
For
me the largest challenge is to stay fresh and timely no matter what
genre I am happening to write. By that I mean, the research has to be
impeccable, the characters believable and authentic and the story
tight.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR OTHER ASPIRING AUTHORS?
Don’t
work in a vacuum. Join a critique group and attend! Write every day,
and listen to your inner self as you do. Be aware of how you write.
I’m convinced that awareness is the major way one develops and
understands his/her “voice.” Don’t fall in love with your own words.
What do I mean by that? If a particular passage or paragraph is
precious to you, and you cannot let it go, chances are it needs to go!
It may be too expository or grown-up for the story. Not always, of
course, but keep an open mind…And last: Do not give up! Those writers
who have staying power are the ones who get published. As simple and
complex as that.
CAN YOU OFFER ANY TIPS ON GETTING PUBLISHED?
Know
the genre that’s right for you. Don’t follow market trends. Remember,
the trends that are out there now may not be in vogue by the time your
book is finished, agented, edited and published, all of which can be two
to three years…Write from your heart. Be authentic. Above all, that’s
what it takes to be published.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH OUR READERS?
Just
a big thank you to all the readers out there. It is you folks who not
only keep us in business but keep ideas and ideals alive in the hearts
and minds of the most important people on earth-children.
And a big thanks to Literary Classics International Book Awards for allowing me the opportunity to be in such august company!
For autographed copies of Nancy Stewart's Books visit:
http://www.nancystewartbooks.com http://www.nancystewartbooks.blogspot.com
LITERARY CLASSICS
Book Reviews & Awards
http://literaryclassicsreviews.com
