Today we are joined by the delightful Dotti Enderle, who has dropped in to share her seven answers to my seven questions. Thanks for joing us, Dotti.
Right now I have nineteen books in print, but I have eight more books coming out next fall – two picture books and a six-book chapter book series. I’m currently revising a YA novel for a major publisher.
2. How long have you been writing for children?
Since 1995. Back then I wrote for children’s magazines. I’ve had over 100 stories, poems, and articles published. But once my books were published I sort of abandoned the magazine field.
3. How much time do you spend each week writing and/or revising? And how much time on other writing-related tasks such as promotion, researching markets and so on?
I spend about only about three or four hours a day on all of the above. Sadly, I do more promoting than writing. Not that I don’t write a lot. But I’m not one of those people who has a rigid schedule and writes a certain amount each day regardless. That’s just not me.
4. How much time do you spend reading children’s books? And what are you reading right now?
I spend far more time reading children’s books than actually writing them. I rarely read adult novels anymore. At present I’m reading the National Book Award winner, What I Saw and How I Lied.
5. What advice would you give other would-be children’s writers, or share with other professional children’s writers?
Read! Read! Read! Both how-to books and the genre in which you wish to write. I once heard that you have to read 1000 books before you can write just one. That’s so true. My biggest lesson came when I took one of my favorite books, When Zachary Beaver Came To Town by Kimberly Willis Holt, and dissected it. I made note of when she used description within dialogue. What strong verbs she used. How she painted a scene so we could visualize it. This was when I began to see my own writing weaknesses. I don’t think a million how-to books could have taught me that.
6. What is your favourite online resource for children’s writers? Why?
Nothing beats Verla Kay’s blue board for networking and learning about new publishing possibilities. I also love Cynthia Leitich Smith’s website as well as Anastasia Suen’s. They both have excellent resources for writers. The links are:
http://www.verlakay.com
http://www.cynthialeitichsmith.com/
http://www.asuen.com/
7. Do you have a website or blog? What else do you do to promote your published works and/or your writing skills?
Yes! You can find out more about me at www.dottienderle,com. Most of my promoting is done through appearances at schools, libraries, and book events.