WILL WRITE FOR COOKIES
INSIGHT – INFORMATION – INSPIRATION
FOR WRITERS
TODAY’S GUEST
GAYLE C. KRAUSE
I run into today’s Will Write for Cookies guest at so many kidlit online forums, and I even got to meet her at a conference a couple of years ago. But I got to know her a bit better through our interactiion in the #PictureBookBuzz debut picture book author group this year with her beautiful book, DADDY, CAN YOU SEE THE MOON?
As a Master Educationalist, Gayle C. Krause has taught Children’s Literacreative writing, and storytelling techniques to prospective teachers and children’s authors. Her work has been nominated for the Boston Globe /Horn Book and The International Reading Association Award. She’s a PAL member of SCBWI, the 12 x 12 Picture Book Challenge, a past member of the Historical Novel Society, and The Poets’ Garage. She serves on Angie Karcher’s Rhyming Revolution Committee, selecting the best nationally acclaimed rhyming picture book award from 2015-2018. Ms. Krause writes Picture Books, Middle Grade, and Young Adult novels. Rebecca Angus of Golden Wheat Literary Agency represents her. You can find the latest news about her books at www.gayleckrause.com
ME: I’m thrilled to welcome you to Picture Books Help Kids Soar, Gayle. And I know everyone wants to get to know more about you and your writing journey.
Who were your favorite authors/illustrators when you were a child?
GAYLE: As a young child, which was a long time ago, I owned a slew of Little Golden Books. I read to my younger sister every Saturday morning. My two favorite books were THE LITTLE GRAY DONKEY (about a donkey who ate wild strawberries) and UNCLE MISTLETOE (about Santa’s friend and his wife, Aunt Holly) I still have my UNCLE MISTLETOE book.
ME: What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started writing?
GAYLE: That you cannot write in a vacuum. No matter how terrific your manuscript sounds to you, other eyes must read it and pass judgment on your work. In my case, my husband (who is a nonfiction guy) is my first and hardest critiquer. (and I write children’s fiction) Then I send my story to my critique group (three other kidlit writers). The best piece of advice I have is to let a critiquer’s advice sit and percolate, whether it’s your crit partner’s or an paid professional editor/agent.
And DO NOT to fall prey into thinking that an editor’s advice is ALWAYS right for your story. YOU MUST STAY TRUE TO YOUR VISION.
You can’t just fix the issue with changing a word or two. Sometimes, you even disagree with the advice given until weeks later, when suddenly you find a way to incorporate that advice into a stronger manuscript.
Bottom line…there is always room for improvement, but you must embrace the changes suggested.
ME: Where do you like to write – inside, outside, special room, laptop, pen and paper?
GAYLE: In the spring, summer, and fall I write in my writer’s loft. It’s really an inspiring area to work in.
In the winter, I find writing in front of the woodstove or fireplace is more satisfying, especially with a cup of tea.
Sometimes, when traveling on an airplane or in the car I use pen and paper to write a scene, but when I am home I go straight to my laptop.
ME: When do you write – early morning, late in the day, middle of the night, on schedule, as the muse strikes?
GAYLE: Since I’m a panster I write when the muse strikes, although I’m always thinking about my current WIP. Sometimes, when I sleep, a solution for a particular troubling problem comes to me and I wake in the morning to write it down immediately. I also keep a small tablet and pen at my bedside just in case a great idea strikes in the middle of the night (more often than not this scenario involves rhyme for my picture books).
ME: Why do you write for children?
GAYLE: My first career and love was teaching. I prepared prospective teachers at the secondary and post-secondary levels. I also directed a Pre-K Laboratory Nursery School in conjunction with my Education Academy program. It was there, spending countless hours on the nursery school floor either reading to the children or performing creative dramatics to bring the stories to life, that I was inspired to write picture books.
And the personalities and quirks, sometimes even exact quotes, of my juniors and seniors find their way into my YA manuscripts. So my past life as a teacher has segued into my present life as a children’s author.
ME: If you have any thoughts or advice for aspiring writers, please share.
GAYLE: My one piece of advice for aspiring children’s writers is never give up the dream Persistence Pays Off!
ME: WOW…thank you so much, Gayle. I totally agree with you…Persistence is probably the most important ingredient for success in this business!
And, speaking of ingredients, Gayle has a yummy cookie recipe for us. Take it away, Gayle!
GAYLE: When it comes to chocolate, more is better, right? So, here is a TRIPLE Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe!
And I want to wish you all a very happy FLAG DAY…even with all the things that aren’t the way we wish they could be, I believe this is still an amazing country where you can dream…and build that dream into reality. I hope you all have a safe and wonderful weekend.
The loft looks incredible. I bet it’s an inspirational spot. Congratulations on your book, Gayle.
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You are right, Kaye…what an awesome loft!
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Thank you, Kaye. It does inspire creativity. 🙂
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So many of the characters we write about exhibit persistence….maybe that how we learn it….and how kids do, too. 🙂
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Good point, Beth! And hurray for 2020VisionPBs! So thrilled to be 2020 picture book sisters.
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So true, Beth. And that’s why are characters too insist on following their dream or quest. 🙂
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Loved seeing your creative spaces. Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks for commenting, Rose. 🙂
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A lot of good information for writers, Gayle! Thanks, Vivian, for hosting!
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Thank you for stopping by, Jane. 🙂
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Thank you for posting and sharing advice for writers as well as your writing process. Congrats on a fun book kids of all ages will love.
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Thank you, Danielle.
You’re right. Once Upon A Twisted Tale has some little secret hidden away for everyone, especially if you are familiar with the original fairytales. 🙂
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Thanks for the advice Gayle. Letting things sit is a must!
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And when your current WIP rests, Mary, you start another or find some other creative endeavor….like baking triple chocolate chip cookies! 🙂
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Would love to write by a fire- Thanks, Gayle!
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It is very cozy and creative. Thanks for stopping by, Writer on the run. 🙂
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Thank you Vivian and Gayle. You are both inspirations! I appreciate the pep talk!
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You are certainly welcomed, Tiffany. 🙂
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I adore twisted tales! Looking forward to reading yours, Gayle.
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Thank you, Donna. 😉
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I love that you’re mining the time spent on the nursery school floor and teaching aspiring teachers for writing inspiration now. To your continued success!
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Thank you, ptnozell. They say ‘write what you know’ and I am truly doing that.
🙂
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Thank you for this inspiring post! And for giving a peek at your amazing loft!
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Thank you, Mia. Glad I could help inspire another children’s author. 🙂
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Thanks for the inspiring words and giving us a peek in to you world!
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You are welcome, Kim. And thanks for stopping by. 🙂
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Thank you, Vivian and Gayle. I would love to write by a fire, but alas, Las Vegas doesn’t have many cold nights. (Nor do I know anyone with a fireplace here.)
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Ha! Write by the Bar-B-Q fire. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, David.
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You two are both an inspiration! Congratulations on your persistence! The book looks so fun!
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Thank you heavenlyhashformoms. 🙂
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Lots of things to congratulate you on, Gayle, and what a varied background in different areas. All of these will certainly give you a good foundation for your upcoming works. The loft sounds magical and I imagine the muse visits you there on a regular basis! Thanks, Vivian for introducing Gayle and her work to us.
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Cute cookies my sons favorites m&m
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Loved getting to know you, your writing spaces, and motivation a little better. Thanks and wishing you continued success.
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OOOO LA LA your writing spaces are fabulous. No wonder you are so prolific. I am going to follow your advice and keep on going!! 🙂
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