Today I have an interview with fabulous author, Jessica Day George, at Deliciously Clean Reads. You can see the interview here. You won't regret it. She's hilarious. I am also giving away a signed copy of her new book, Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow.
The story begins with this great opening: “It was my aunt who decided to give me to the dragon. Not that she was evil, or didn’t care for me. It’s just that we were very poor, and she was, as we said in those parts, dumber than two turnips in a rain barrel.”
Creel’s aunt hopes Creel will come away from the dragon with a rich husband. Creel hopes to come away with gold from the dragon’s hoard. What she actually comes away with is something nobody expected…a pair of enchanted slippers.
When she escapes from the dragon’s lair, she can’t return home, so she makes the long journey to the King’s Seat in search of a job as a dressmaker. Of course, things don’t often turn out the way we expect. Many obstacles arise, but in the midst of her struggles, she finds love, courage, friendship, and the strength to pursue her dreams.
As you can probably tell, I highly recommend this novel. It is an original fairy tale full of dragons, princes, adventures, and laughs. Nothing pleases me more than a good fairy tale.
And...I came across this absolutely wonderful quote and wanted to share it with you...
Benjamin Franklin said, "If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write something worth reading or do things worth the writing."
1. How did you get involved in writing and illustrating?
It was an off-shoot of my 'regular art', but once I got the kid's book bug, I couldn't shake it. It's what I was meant to do all along.
2. What advice do you have for those of us who are trying to break into the world of writing for children?
1. Hone your skills. There's no shortcut.
2. Do your homework when ready to submit to publishers. Get Children's Book Writers and Illustrators' Market.
3. Don't get discouraged. It can take awhile.
3. What artists/writers have influenced your work?
Ernest Shepard, Beatrix Potter, Jane Dyer, Lisbeth Zwerger
4. What are some of your favorite picture books now and from your childhood?
All the A.A. Milne books (Christopher Robin, Pooh, et.al.), Wind in the Willows, Peter Rabbit. Current favs: All of David Wiesner's books.
5. Do you have a favorite book among the ones you have worked on?
hmm... A favorite is hard. Hush Little Baby and Sylvia Long's Mother Goose.
6. Was there a particular book that was difficult for you to make work? How did you overcome the difficulties?
My first two non-fiction books were a challenge. [An Egg is Quiet and A Seed is Sleepy] I worked with an excellent editor and book designer to solve the difficulties.
7. Do you have any personal experiences with cancer?
Everyone does, I'm guessing. Three of my four grandparents died of cancer and 4 friends. My dad currently has cancer. On the more optimistic side, I also have 3 girl friends who are breast cancer survivors!
8. Please tell us a little bit about your snowflake.
I re-painted an image similar to one in Deck the Hall, publ. in 2000, but now out-of-print. Growing up in Iowa, I loved coming home from ice-skating on the flooded tennis courts, to hot cocoa and cookies. It's a fond memory and I like bringing those into my books when I can.
9. Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Just that you folks organizing and accomplishing this huge effort in fund-raising are amazing, generous people. My hat is off to you all. Everyone could take a lesson from "Robert's Snow" in how to make a difference in the world.
Thanks, Sylvia! And let me just say, I am a HUGE fan of An Egg is Quiet and A Seed is Sleepy. What beautiful, educational books they are!
Please take time out to visit all of these blogs, and read about these fabulous illustrators. And, if you're so inclined, think about bidding for a snowflake in the Robert's Snow auction. Each snowflake makes a unique gift (for yourself or for someone else), and supports an important cause.
- Location:the usual office chair
- Mood:
impressed - Music:power in purity
I'm giddy with excitement. Shannon Hale has agreed to a blog interview, which I will post both here and at cleanreads.blogspot.com. Only problem? I'm not very confident about my interviewing skills. I have no doubt, however, that Shannon Hale will be entertaining whether I am or not.
Anyway, any questions from the peanut gallery?
What would you ask Mrs. Hale?
And, speaking of interviews. I'll have one up tomorrow with none other than the Queen of Board Books, Karen Katz. I'm not even pulling your leg. It's all part of the Robert's Snow: Blogging for a Cure deal. So, make sure to stop by!
- Mood:
giddy
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