Buzzing On
Seven Answers to Seven Questions: Ransom Noble Blogtour 2
The genres I prefer to write are speculative fiction and young adult, separately or together. I am currently working on a novel that combines them, where dreams are not what they seem. Also, I have a short story, “Burning Bright,” pending for another anthology from the same publisher as Ruins Metropolis called Footprints.
2. How long have you been writing for children?
I write where my inspiration leads. The Art of Science is the first project I did specifically geared for a younger audience, and I completed the rough draft about six years ago.
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?
Oh, that is a good question. I ought to keep better tabs on it, but time often gets away from me. I am currently at home focusing on writing, and my husband finds it quite difficult to drag me away from the computer sometimes. I’m spending less time writing, and more on revising, promotion, and research lately.
4. How much time do you spend reading children’s books? And what are you reading right now?
Right now I’m reading Hooked, which is about writing. Specifically it focuses on the best way to open a story or novel, but it also covers a big picture concept of projects.
5. What advice would you give other would-be children’s writers, or share with other professional children’s writers?
When I was about a year old but still under two, my mother and a friend of hers were walking in the mall with me. I asked, “Mom, is that a statue or a mannequin?” Mom tells me her friend was flabbergasted that I knew those words at such a young age. It might have been the writer in me showing from an early age or my mother’s own talent for writing and passing on her love of words, but she always taught me the proper words when she could. My advice to other writers is to always consider word choice. I don’t mean writing at the same level for adults as for children, but don’t be afraid to use a word here or there to expand the vocabulary for your readers. Often they learn words from use in context, and the more they run into words the more they’ll understand them.
6. What is your favourite online resource for children’s writers? Why?
I have heard that SCBWI is the best online resource for children’s writers. I plan to join soon! http://www.scbwi.org/
7. Do you have a website or blog? What else do you do to promote your published works and/or your writing skills?
http://ransomnoble.wordpress.com/
I also have a facebook page as an author. I have 20 fans! We all start somewhere, right?
I have done author readings and plan to do more with my upcoming novel. I will be visiting schools and bookstores as well as promoting online with a blog tour and trying to get reviews.
Thanks for sharing your answers Ransom. Good luck with the forthcoming book.
If YOU would like to be featured here with your seven answers to my questions, drop me a line.
Off On Tour
Sunday, February 8, at Dee Scribe Writing Blog http://www.deescribewriting.wordpress.com/
Monday, February 9, at Let’s Have Words – http://www.letshavewords.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, February 10, at Robyn Opie’s Writing Children’s Books – http://www.robynopie.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, February 11 at Spinning Pearls http://www.spinningpearls.blogspot.com/
Thursday, 12 February at The Book Chook, http://thebookchook.blogspot.com/
These five ladies have really been keeping me on my toes with the tricky questions they are posing. I’ll be talking about the book, how it came to be written, my life as an author, promotion, big blowflies, a real life encounter with a huntsman spider and much, much more!
See you there.
Seven Answers to Seven Questions: The Fairy Lady
2. How long have you been writing for children?
My first children’s book was released in 2007. Before that, I authored seven cookbooks. I do love children’s books more because no one ever asked me to read one of my cookbooks to them.
About once each week I visit my local bookstore or library, purchase a very large cup of coffee and read the new books on the shelf. In addition, I read upper elementary chapter books with my grandchildren. I just finished reading the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer at the urging of one granddaughters. I am now reading The Secret of Bailey’s Chase by Marlis Day with another of my grandchildren. In addition, I still manage to find time to read “grown up” books. I just finished a wonderful book – The Little Giant of Aberdeen County by Tiffany Baker.
First, be sure you know the reading level of your target audience and know the age of the children you are writing for. This may sound too obvious, however I have met several authors who, when asked what the age level is for their book, don’t have an answer. Second, find a group of children in your targeted age group and create your own focus group. Third, read the book to them and listen to what they have to say. This may be painful, however it is crucial. Finally, make the book the very best you can and don’t let it go out into the world until it is ready.
My favorite resource is other writers. I am finding that following their blogs is a great way for me to keep up with other writers’ thoughts and insights. These blogs offer a wonderful resource for information and advice. I have been contacted by other children’s writers through my blog, as well as through Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter. This has given me the opportunity to interact with them and share ideas. I am always eager and willing to share my thoughts and resources.
I do have a blog – http://bobbiehinman.blogspot.com – and a website – http://bestfairybooks.com. In addition, I exhibit my books at major book fairs and have been a guest presenter at many of these events. I also attend fairy festivals, art fairs and toy fairs. I host fairy events at bookstores and have even hosted a Fairy Ball for children. In each city that I visit, I try to schedule several school and library visits. At these events I give away postcards, bookmarks and information about my presentations. I use my colorful postcards as business cards and hand them out freely wherever I go.
If YOU would like to be featured here and answer my seven questions, drop me a line.
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