Will Write for Cookies – Children’s Author and Advocate Susanne Gervay

Posted on December 20, 2013 by viviankirkfield

WILL WRITE FOR COOKIES

INSIGHT – INFORMATION – INSPIRATION

TODAY’S GUEST

I first met Susanne Gervay in the lobby of the Hotel Grand Pacific in Singapore. I attended several of her presentations at the 2013 AFCC/SCBWI conference and sat next to her for many of the functions.

Susanne is kind and generous and funny and smart…I was thrilled when she agreed to step into the spotlight today. I know you will find her answers enlightening. I’m going to be printing out her writing tips to keep posted on my wall – I need to remember them – especially #4. And she is sharing a really special recipe that I am sure you will want to try!

Susanne…I know you are extremely busy with your own writing, your speaking engagements all over the world, your hotel in Sydney, your family and the many children’s causes you advocate for. It was kind of you to agree to be interviewed and I know everyone is anxious to hear from you.

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

Johanna Spyri – Heidi.

Elizabeth George Speare – The Witch of Blackbird Pond

Lucy Maud Montgomery – Anne of Green Gables .

Eleanor H. Porter – Pollyanna

May Gibbs illustrator of the gumnut babies

Beatrix Potter illustrator of Peter Rabbit

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

I wish I knew I should have worked on my manuscripts, edited them, let them sit for a while, until I looked at them again, before I sent them to publishers. It would have reduced the heart aches of rejection.

I also wish Continue reading →

Monday Writing Magic: 4 Timely Tips

Posted on July 29, 2013 by viviankirkfield

The leap from being a lover of books to becoming a lover of writing was not a very big one for me. I’ve always loved to write . In elementary school, I carried around a small spiral notebook and would jot down little poems. As a kindergarten teacher, I developed a program that utilized children’s picture books, not only for entertainment and enjoyment, but also to help young children deal with the challenges they encounter in those early years. But it wasn’t until my own children were born that I began to write my own picture book stories. And perhaps I have my husband to thank for that.

You see, my husband is an avid fly-fisherman and years ago he also refinished bamboo fly rods – he actually wrote a book on Continue reading →