WILL WRITE FOR COOKIES
INSIGHT – INSPIRATION – INFORMATION
FOR WRITERS
TODAY’S GUEST
PATRICIA TOHT
Today’s guest is yet another of the wonderful writers I met when I first dipped my toes into kidlitland. So when I heard that her second picture book was about to launch, I knew that I wanted to have her stop by to chat with us.
I grabbed part of the text from Patty’s website to give you a peek into who she is…what an inspiration to all of us who wonder…is this writerly path the right road for me…and will I ever get published:
When I was in third grade, I had my first brush with “writing fame” when I wrote a patriotic poem that won a contest. The prize was free summer writing camp.
Was that what propelled me to becoming a writer? Nope! Sports camp was much more fun. Archery! Trampolines! Dodgeball on scooters!
I didn’t think seriously about writing until I was an adult. When I was 28, I decided that I wanted to open a children’s bookstore. With the support of my family, I did just that. And, BOOM! I was completely and forever in love with children’s books.
When the store closed, I turned my attention from selling books to writing them.
And aren’t we all glad that she did!!!!
Welcome, Patty! Thank you so much for visiting Picture Books Help Kids Soar. I’ve got some questions for you, so let’s get started.
ME: Who were your favorite authors/illustrators when you were a child?
PATTY: I learned to read quite young and loved rhyming books, especially Dr. Seuss. I was also one of those kids who peppered my parents with non-stop questions, so they purchased a series of books called TELL ME WHY, and I devoured them.
When I started reading novels, I fell in love with specific books more than particular authors. My favorites included THE HUNDRED AND ONE DALMATIONS by Dodie Smith, CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY by Roald Dahl, and A WRINKLE IN TIME by Madeleine L’Engle.
ME: What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started writing?
PATTY: About ten years ago, I went through a spell of being frustrated with and discouraged by the “black hole” – that policy of publishers and agents not responding unless they’re interested in your work. It felt to me like turning my kids out into the world and not knowing what happened to them. I tried to quit writing, but my brain wouldn’t turn it off. I then made an important decision just write for writing’s sake. I focused on exploring the depths of my craft, learning how to make my work better. In the process I discovered that a well-written piece was more important to me than a sale. Surprisingly enough, that’s when the sales started to happen!
ME: Where do you like to write – inside, outside, special room, laptop, pen and paper?
PATTY: At the idea stage, I’m all pen and paper (or napkins, sales receipts, paper bags…). But after that, I’m a laptop girl. I once had little writing nook under the stairs, which I loved, mostly because I could throw the doors open to a gorgeous yard. But in our current townhouse, my family complains that I make the entire house my office! I’ll write in a chair, on the couch, at the kitchen table, even in bed. And everywhere I go, a pile of books follows.
ME: When do you write – early morning, late in the day, middle of the night, on schedule, as the muse strikes?
PATTY: With a busy day job in a middle school LRC, it’s a constant battle for me to write more consistently. When I’m hot on an idea, I’m pretty frenzied, working whenever and wherever I can. I’m a night owl, so my sweet spot tends to be after 8pm.
ME: Why do you write for children?
PATTY: I’ve had many jobs in my adult life. Looking back, I’ve discovered that nearly all of them focus on the intersection of children and books – I’ve worked in schools and libraries, and for a business that facilitated author and illustrator visits for schools. I also owned a children’s bookstore for seven years, which was magical. I feel like all of those paths have converged on the sweet spot of writing for children.
I love this quote from Zoltán Kodály, a Hungarian composer: “Let us take our children seriously! Everything else follows from this – only the best is good enough for a child.” I believe he was referring to music education, but I feel the same applies for writing, and I am happy to try my best to provide great reading material for children.
ME: WOW…Patty…I love all of your insights! Thank you so much for sharing. I know that many of the things you said will resonate for all the writers out there.
To learn more about Patty, please visit her fabulous website: http://www.patriciatoht.com
And in addition to everything else she does, Patty is also a contributing writer to the GROG blog: https://groggorg.blogspot.com
With the holidays coming, it’s always nice to have a new treat recipe…here is a NO-BAKE one that is perfect to make with the kiddos.
Photo courtesy: https://www.thereciperebel.com/bake-christmas-tree-cookies/
For ingredient list and instructions: https://www.thereciperebel.com/bake-christmas-tree-cookies/
And more awesome goodness…here’s one of Patty’s favorite holiday recipes:
Hooty Creek Cranberry Cookies
(from Mo at the Container Store)
2 ¼ cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup butter
2/3 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts
Combine dry ingredients. Cream butter and sugar, add eggs and vanilla and mix well.
Mix in flour mixture and oats, then stir in cranberries, chips and nuts.
Drop by spoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.
Thank you so much, dear friends, for spending your precious time here. Don’t forget to leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway of a copy of Patty’s wonderful book.
Wouldn’t it be lovely to have a copy of PICK A PINE TREE to read during the holidays?
Have a safe and happy weekend.
Just checked this out to read to the grandkiddos. They LOVE it! It’s sure to be a classic. Thank you for sharing your writing process–
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Hooray, Midge! Give those kiddos a big hug from me.
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Hi Vivian, I love the cover of Patricia’s book. It looks intriguing. I agree with Zoltán Kodály’s quote. It’s a good one. And the Christmas trees look irresistible! Thanks for sharing.
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One of my favorite quotes, Norah!
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Love the quote, and I like how Patty’s careers have revolved around children’s books! Congrats, Patty, on this beautiful book!
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Thank you, Tina! So happy you’re a fellow GROGger and author.
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Yes, Vivian, it would be lovely to have, Pick A Pine Tree, to read during the holiday season. Thanks Patricia and Vivian for the interview and for the chance to win.
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Thanks, Mona!
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Love the covers of both of Patty’s books. The London Bus reminds me of our time in London riding around on the London Bus. The Pick a Christmas Tree book looks gorgeous. Congrats Patty.
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Thank you, Diane. My publishers choices of Illustrators were a true gift to me. ❤️
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Thanks for sharing your insights, Patricia!
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Thanks for stopping by, Joana!
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I’ve seen Patty around on Facebook for a while and it feels like I know her but I really didn’t so I really enjoyed actually getting to know her better here! What a fun path leading to publication. Congratulations on the new book, Patty! I can’t wait to read it.
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Thanks, Teresa! I hope to meet you in person at a conference some day. Until then, it’s Facebook-to-Facebook! 😄
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Thank you both for a great interview! Patricia’s evolution from the black hole is very inspirational. I think it’s a familiar place for many of us!
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I hate that black hole, Mary. Grrr! But we writers must keep moving forward. Cheers!
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So glad I got to meet this fine author at WOW. What a fun and varied career she has had, and good to know children and books are at the center. I would love to be picked for Pick A Pine Tree! Thanks, Vivian, for all you do for us writers.
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I love our community of kidlit writers, Sherri. You and Vivian are among its blessings!
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The cover looks like wrapping paper…beautiful with a cozy feel. Thank you Patricia for sharing your path and your story with us. ~Vicki
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Ooh! Wouldn’t that be amazing? Jarvis wrapping paper! Great idea, Vicki!
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The cover is framable for the holidays, which gives me a great decorating idea for our house this year. I think this book will be one that endures as long as families want to spend quality time together at the holidays–so forever in print!
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I’d love to see your house decorations, Danielle! I’m happy to think that Pick a Pine Tree might be part of family togetherness – that’s an important part of our holidays.
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Interesting interview! Looks like the pure heart approach always wins! thanks for sharing!
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Love that, Beth – the “pure heart approach.” I hope I’ll always keep that in mind.
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You know all about Mining from the Heart, right Beth? 😉 Glad you enjoyed the interview!
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Great interview. I always love learning more about the people I see so often on the internet.
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Thank you, David! I love seeing the names of my Facebook and Twitter buddies pop up.
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Thanks for stopping by, David…the kidlit community is one of the reasons I love what I do so vrey much!!!!
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Those cookies look almost as yummy as those books! Yay!
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And you got TWO recipes, Angie! Hope you get to make them over the holidays. 😉
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Cookies are my weak spot, Angie!
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While at our public library this weekend, I came across Party’s book “Pick a Pine Tree,” and my two year old daughter was enchanted with clever rhymes and whimsical drawings. A great read.
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So glad you and your daughter got to read it, Liz! Aren’t libraries the best!!!
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Aww, I love to hear that your daughter enjoyed Pick a Pine Tree!
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What an interesting interview. I learn at little more about Patty in each interview. Like that her entire house is her writing studio. I’m delighted that her book is doing so well. Look forward to reading it.
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Thanks, Patricia. My work habits make my family a bit crazy sometimes, but I’m portable!
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How nice to learn more about Patty! And her insights are spot-on. Thanks for another wonderful interview, Vivian!
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Thanks for stopping by, Sandy!
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Love it! Great interview. The quote from the Hungarian composer is so perfect.
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Hello Ellen! So glad that there a lots of great kid lit quotes out there from folks far more eloquent than I.
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So fun to hear about your journey, Patricia. And congrats on your publications!
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Thanks, Jarm! So nice to meet kind writers like you on the journey.
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Great interview. thank you so much. Would love to have a copy of Pick a Pine Tree
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Thanks for stopping by!
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