Marcie Colleen: Will Write for Cookies PLUS Giveaway

Posted on March 18, 2017 by viviankirkfield

WILL WRITE FOR COOKIES

INSIGHT – INFORMATION – INSPIRATION

FOR WRITERS

TODAY’S GUEST

MARCIE COLLEEN

Our guest today is a beacon of light for all of kid lit land. I remember seeing her name the first year of the 12×12 Picture Book Challenge. And as time went on, I kept seeing her name. She’d signed with an agent. She’d gotten a book contract. And another. And then another! But what stands out most about this amazing writer is how she shares her passion with the rest of us. She’s the Dick Clark (I’m sure many of you have no clue who Dick Clark is…I am definitely dating myself) of the 12×12 Facebook group…and helps us all celebrate our successes with a rockin’ dance jam every week.

Marcie Colleen has been a teacher, an actress, and a nanny, but now she spends her days writing children’s books. She is the author of the Super Happy Party Bears chapter book series (Macmillan/Imprint). Her debut picture book, Love Triangle, illustrated by Bob Shea (Blazer+Bray/HarperCollins, Fall 2017) sold in a five-house auction. It is about best friends Circle and Square, and Triangle who comes between them. Other upcoming picture books include The Adventure of the Penguinaut (Scholastic, Fall 2018) which will be illustrated by Emma Yarlett. Marcie is a frequent presenter at conferences for SCBWI, as well as a faculty member for Kidlit Writing School offering courses with a focus on plotting and revising picture books. She lives in San Diego, California with her husband and their mischievous sock monkey.

Marcie, I’m thrilled to welcome you to Picture Books Help Kids Soar! Before we begin, I want to remind everyone that there will be a giveaway of Book Three and Book Four of the Super Happy Party Bears series, so please stick with us throughout the post and then leave a comment at the end.

ME: Who were your favorite authors/illustrators when you were a child?

MARCIE:

I have always loved the Curious George adventures by husband and wife team, Margret and H.A. Rey. And I could lose myself for hours in the illustrations of Richard Scarry. I loved his city scenes where there was so much going on. It is a life goal of mine to write a story that will lend itself to this kind of illustration.

ME: What do you know now that you wish you had known when you first started writing for children?

MARCIE:

I would often feel like I wasn’t a real writer because I didn’t write every day. And I had heard that real writers must do just that. But getting to know myself as a writer and to let my creativity lead the way helped me to trust my own rhythm and my own processes.

ME: Where do you like to write/draw – inside, outside, a special area in your home, on the computer, in a notebook?

MARCIE:

I write on a laptop and therefore am quite flexible as to where. Most often I can be found on my couch, sitting crisscross applesauce with my laptop propped up on a pillow. However, on Wednesdays I spend the whole day at the library in downtown San Diego writing. They have a beautiful reading room which has amazing views of the Coronado Bridge, the harbor, and the distant ocean.

ME: When do you write – early morning, late in the day, middle of the night, on schedule, as the muse strikes?

MARCIE:

I like sleep, so I am not one to rise super early. But once my husband leaves for work at 8 am, I get to work writing. Then, I usually write until about noon or one-ish. After that, I usually feel my creativity dwindling. Although I have been known to get into a groove and write all day and into the night.

ME: Why do you write for children?

MARCIE:

I’m really connected to my inner-child. Honestly, I think deep inside I’m still a six-year-old. Shhh! Don’t tell anyone. I have some people fooled that I am actually an adult.

Marcie, thank you so very much…it’s been an honor to have you here!

To find out more about Marcie and her books: http://www.thisismarciecolleen.com or on Twitter @MarcieColleen1.

Okay friends…you know what they say…it’s not over until the cookie recipe is shared!

But, since yesterday’s Perfect Picture Book Friday was a review that was not a picture book, our cookie recipe today is a recipe for something that is not a cookie!

Huge thanks to Marcie for a wonderful interview! She is an inspiration!

Dear friends, thank you for spending your time with Marcie and me…next week I’ll have another wonderful guest as I turn the spotlight on Catherine Bailey, author of LUCY LOVES SPENCER. Don’t miss it!

46 thoughts on “Marcie Colleen: Will Write for Cookies PLUS Giveaway”

heavenlyhashformoms on March 18, 2017 at 12:41 am said:

Triple layer jelly sandwiches with toothpicks! I love the way these bears party! Excited to read these books!
Liz

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- viviankirkfield on March 18, 2017 at 12:48 am said:
  
  WOW…first comment on this post! And thank you for putting your name, Liz…I love being able to connect with a name. 😉 You will enjoy the books…and the sandwiches also. 🙂
  
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- marciecolleen on March 18, 2017 at 10:50 pm said:
  
  Don’t forget the giggles! Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy the books.
  
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David McMullin on March 18, 2017 at 12:53 am said:

Marcie is the best! I know I can never have too much super happy party in my life.

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- marciecolleen on March 18, 2017 at 10:51 pm said:
  
  NEVER too much super happy! Truer words were never spoken.
  
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Linda Hofke on March 18, 2017 at 6:13 am said:

Great interview.

I met Marcie at the WOW retreat. And she had me fooled…I thought she was an adult!!!! 😉 A really friendly, fun-loving adult.

So glad to see she has some new books in the series. YAY, Marcie!

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- marciecolleen on March 18, 2017 at 10:51 pm said:
  
  LOL! Apparently there are others who are just as friendly and fun-loving as me, because i was never at the WOW retreat. Maybe it was another conference?
  
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rnewman504 on March 18, 2017 at 7:12 am said:

Congrats, Marcie! As a bread addict, those jelly sandwiches sound super yummy.

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- marciecolleen on March 18, 2017 at 10:52 pm said:
  
  Let me know if you try them!
  
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Sherri Jones Rivers on March 18, 2017 at 7:43 am said:

Thanks, Vivian, for a peek behind the scenes of the megawatt writer extraordinaire. Such fun and inviting Bear books– written by the Hair Author. Gotta check them out.

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- marciecolleen on March 18, 2017 at 10:52 pm said:
  
  Oooh “megawatt writer!” Can I put that on my business cards?
  
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ptnozell on March 18, 2017 at 7:43 am said:

Looking forward to reading the next two Bear books & Love Triangle soon! Congrats, Marcie!

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- marciecolleen on March 18, 2017 at 10:52 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Patricia! xoxo
  
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Jen Bagan on March 18, 2017 at 8:13 am said:

Great interview Vivian – and thank you Marcie! My kids and I love the first 2 Party Bears books and can’t wait for more!

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- marciecolleen on March 18, 2017 at 10:53 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Jen! Writing the Party Bears are fun and I hope to continue well after the original 8.
  
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Shirin Shamsi on March 18, 2017 at 9:07 am said:

This is so inspiring! Thank you for sharing your writing secrets.

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- marciecolleen on March 18, 2017 at 10:53 pm said:
  
  And thank you for stopping by!
  
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Donna on March 18, 2017 at 10:06 am said:

I am also from the Dick Clark era and still have my teddy bear…maybe some of us never do grow-up! Thanks for the interview, Marcie!

D

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- marciecolleen on March 18, 2017 at 10:54 pm said:
  
  Growing up is overrated. 🙂
  
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Heather Preusser on March 18, 2017 at 10:16 am said:

I love that new title: STAYING A HIVE. So clever!

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- marciecolleen on March 18, 2017 at 10:54 pm said:
  
  The team at Macmillan are SUPER clever! They take the credit for that.
  
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Claire Lordon (@ClaireLordon) on March 18, 2017 at 10:20 am said:

Wonderful interview and that recipe looks delicious!

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- marciecolleen on March 18, 2017 at 10:54 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Claire!
  
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Pia Garneau on March 18, 2017 at 11:06 am said:

I love Marcie Colleen’s dance parties. You’re right! She is the Dick Clark of 12×12. Great interview, Vivian!

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- marciecolleen on March 18, 2017 at 10:55 pm said:
  
  The Dick Clark of 12×12. That is a new one…and I love it!
  
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Nina Johnson on March 18, 2017 at 11:09 am said:

Wonderful! I love the idea that a writer is a writer even if they don’t write everyday. It’s hopeful to know that a rhythm can eventually emerge for me someday. Lol. Thanks Marcie.

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- marciecolleen on March 18, 2017 at 10:55 pm said:
  
  Absolutely! No reason to beat ourselves up over such a silly thing.
  
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Paula Mowery on March 18, 2017 at 12:12 pm said:

My daughter always says: “Mom, you’re so five. I mean that in a good way.” Obviously I’m an adult because I certainly know good ol’ Dick Clark – bandstand, bandstand – oops breaking into song. LOL Great interview. Thanks for sharing!

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- marciecolleen on March 18, 2017 at 10:56 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Paula. Being “so five” should be every adults life goals.
  
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EmmieRWerner on March 18, 2017 at 12:55 pm said:

Thank you Marcie. Your inspiration gives ME inspiration. ❤

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- marciecolleen on March 18, 2017 at 10:56 pm said:
  
  You are very welcome.
  
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Charlotte Dixon on March 18, 2017 at 1:12 pm said:

Thank you, Marcie and Vivian, for a great way to start my day. Marcie, this statement spoke volumes to me.’But getting to know myself as a writer and to let my creativity lead the way helped me to trust my own rhythm and my own processes.’ Congratulations on your success 🙂

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- marciecolleen on March 18, 2017 at 10:56 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Charlotte. Glad you found it inspiring.
  
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mariagianferrari on March 18, 2017 at 1:33 pm said:

These books look so fun! Thanks for sharing, Vivian & congrats, Marcie!!

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- marciecolleen on March 18, 2017 at 10:57 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Maria!
  
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setwiggs on March 18, 2017 at 4:08 pm said:

Marcie,
Your party bear books sound delicious!

Vivian, I ordered 2 of your books for my daughter in laws to use with our grandchildren. Thanks for writing and the Kindle edition from Amazon are so convenient.
Sue

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- marciecolleen on March 18, 2017 at 10:57 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Sue! Hope you’ll take a bite out of them soon.
  
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jenabenton on March 18, 2017 at 6:45 pm said:

I love Marcie’s comment about not needing to write EVERY day, but trusting in your own creative process. That’s exactly it! Thanks for sharing.

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- marciecolleen on March 18, 2017 at 10:57 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Jena! And thanks for the super happy meme!
  
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  - jenabenton on March 18, 2017 at 11:13 pm said:
    
    You’re welcome! =)
    
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Maureen Morrison on March 18, 2017 at 11:08 pm said:

So many reasons to smile……. 1. Your honesty- Thank you for validating one of my own worries. I am a high school English teacher, and getting up any earlier to write would make me a vampire. 2. Super Happy Party Bears. (A great book title.) 3. Your very contagious smile. 4. Sharing your wisdom and advice.

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