The Next Big Thing–A Global Blog Tour

Funny that these days, authors can do international book tours…without leaving home. To be honest, I’d rather go with my words to other countries. But “The Next Big Thing” tour is pretty cool. It started in Australia as a creative way to spread the word to readers about authors and illustrators and their current works. I’ve just been “tagged” by Jane Dippold, a talented illustrator and all-around great artist. I’ve been fortunate to team with her on several books, and it’s always a delight to see how she interprets my text and brings life to the characters.

The deal is, I “have to” answer the following questions, before “tagging” five more unsuspecting authors. So, here goes!

1) What is the working title of your next (current) book?
Already, I’m not exactly following the rules because I have several new and upcoming titles (not that I’m complaining). THE SILENCE OF MURDER is out in paper and as an audio book and CD. My next novel with Knopf/Random House is set in sixties:THE SECRETS OF TREE TAYLOR. I have a new animal-fact, Bible story book for toddlers/preschoolers with Tyndale House. And four books of poetry about the seasons, for young kiddos, will be released by Broadman. I LOVE YOU, DADDY (pictured above) and I LOVE YOU, MOMMY have just released from Standard Publishing.

2) Where did the idea come from for the book?
Since I’m already breaking the rules, I’ll talk about THERE’S A BABY IN THERE. On my way to a school visit, I saw a very pregnant lady walking uphill. Alone in the car, I said, “There’s a baby in there!” And by the end of the day, I had a good part of that book coming together in my head. (A little boy chimp considers his mama’s big belly and confides: “There’s a baby in there. At least, that’s what Mama and Papa tell me. I don’t think so. I was in there four years ago, and I didn’t see anybody else….”
The I LOVE YOU books are different from the usual love board books. They’re big, for one thing. But more importantly, they show unconditional love, scenes where Mom and Child don’t always agree…but they love each other just the same.
THE SECRETS OF TREE TAYLOR has been such fun to write–lots of my own memories in there. It’s a book I’ve wanted to write for a long, long time.

3) What genre does your book fall under?
I do write for every age and in every genre. THERE’S A BABY IN THERE is a picture book. SECRETS is middle-grade fiction, or maybe historical fiction (although it makes me feel too old to call it that). THE SILENCE OF MURDER is, of course, a mystery. The I LOVE YOU books are “chunky board books.”

4) What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?
I have no idea, but I’d lobby to cast myself in a bit part.

5) What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Here’s the first sentence of THE SECRETS OF TREE TAYLOR: The morning the gun went off, I was thinking about Tolstoy and the Beatles, and maybe, if I’m being honest here, a little about Ray Miller and how his eyes were perfect little pieces of sky.

6) Who is publishing your book?
THE SECRETS OF TREE TAYLOR and THE SILENCE OF MURDER, Knopf/Random House
MY FIRST BIBLE STORYBOOK, Tyndale House
4 books SEASONS, Broadman
I LOVE YOU, MOMMY and I LOVE YOU, DADDY

7) How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?
TREE took about six months for a first draft. THE SILENCE OF MURDER took about ten years, though I wrote a lot of other books in the meantime. And I LOVE YOU, DADDY took months, believe it or not. Every word had to count–with no cliches, and with fun language. It’s hard to write short~

8) What other books would you compare this story to within your genre
Again, no idea…But one editor and one author in my writers’ critique group said Tree reminded them of Scout in my all-time favorite book: TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. I’m humbled by that comparison!

9) Who or what inspired you to write this book?
I had such a great childhood, growing up in Hamilton, Missouri. I’m sure I took a lot of things for granted then. Maybe SECRETS is my attempt at making up for that.

10) What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest?
There is a certain kind of friendship that transcends differences in age, gender, race, background. Those friendships generally happen in childhood and stay with us forever, even the friend does not.

Missouri Memories…

I grew up in a small town, Hamilton, Missouri. I love that town–and all small towns–in my home state. Not only did I get a great writing foundation (We had to diagram sentences!), but there were stories around every corner. I was in Hamilton Elementary School when I entered my first contest, to write in 50 words or less why you want to be batboy for the Kansas City A’s (now the Royals). I won, but when they found out a girl had won their bat BOY contest, they wouldn’t let me be batboy. A few years ago, I wrote about that victory and defeat in a book called A GIRL NAMED DAN. When the Royals saw that book, they wanted to make it up to me. They flew me to K.C. to be batboy. It was an amazing night.

I’m setting my new middle grade novel in Hamilton. And I’ve used that town, or fictional versions of it, in countless books.

So now a very cool thing is happening. I get to be the keynote luncheon speaker March 17th at the Missouri Children’s Literature Festival in Warrensburg, MO. Students from all across Missouri are bussed in for the event, where they’ll get to attend writing workshops from well-known children’s authors. I can’t wait–my topic: Missouri Memories/Missouri Moments

Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays!

I pray that Christmas will be a time of joy and reflection and thanksgiving at your house.

“What’s New” Interview

This is a GoodReads interview I was asked to do on a blog tour.

Ten Interview Questions for The Next Big Thing:



What is the working title of your book?

THE SECRETS OF TREE TAYLOR

Where did the idea come from for the book?

Deep in my memories is a shotgun blast that ripped through a quiet Missouri morning when I was about 14 years old. For no reason I can put my finger on, the events of that day came rushing back at me—the way the shot silenced the birds, my dad racing out of our house in his slippers and robe, the belt untied; and the taste of fear. Even though I had 2 other books I “should” have been working on, I knew I had to write this one.



What genre does your book fall under?
 Y
oung adult/middle grade mainstream “historical” fiction—set in 1963, the year America grew up.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?


I’d try to steal the entire cast of To Kill a Mockingbird.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?


In the summer of 1963, fourteen-year-old Tree Taylor is forced to discover the secret nature of truth, when she secretly witnesses her dad, Doc Taylor, take the shotgun out of the hands of a woman who has just shot her husband…and then declare the shooting an accident.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
Knopf/Random House is publishing the novel, and I’m represented by Curtis Brown, Ltd.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
About 6 months



What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?


I’d be ecstatic if anyone saw a spark of resemblance to To Kill a Mockingbird.

Who or What inspired you to write this book?
My dad was an amazing character—small town doctor, who accepted canned peaches and strawberry preserves as payment from patients, who delivered the vet’s babies in trade for the vet caring for our horses and dogs, who was constantly learning new languages, new memory tricks and mathematic techniques. How could I not write about him in some way? 



What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?


First sentence: “The morning the gun went off, I was thinking about Tolstoy and the Beatles, and maybe, if I’m being honest here, a little about Ray Miller and how his eyes were perfect little pieces of sky.”
In 1963, no one locked the door; people left the keys in the car (so we’d know where they were); every grown up parented every child in the town; President Kennedy hadn’t yet been assassinated; and few knew that Vietnam would soon take over all conversations. Kids hung out at the pool and danced rock ‘n’ roll until the world disappeared.

Words

I’ve been collecting words I love–like clattering, whispering, galloping, trotting, buzzing.
Does anyone else have favorite words? I’d love to hear more….

New Picture Book

     There’s a baby in there. At least, that’s what they’re trying to tell me. But I don’t believe them. I was in there, about four years ago, and I didn’t see anybody else. I think I would have seen someone if there’d been a baby in there.

          That’s the beginning of my new picture book coming out soon. I’m thrilled–it’s a tough world for picture books, the single hardest type of book to get published these days. I’ve piled up many rejections, so I figure it’s okay to share this piece of good news. I got the idea for this book when I was traveling to Cleveland to do an author visit. I glanced out the window and saw a very pregnant lady walking uphill. Alone in my car, I exclaimed, “There’s a baby in there!” And by the end of the day, I’d pictured all the misunderstandings a little boy might have about getting a sibling. I admit that I pictured real people. But my fantastic illustrator, Carlynn Whitt, brought her own creativity to the book.

Joe and Dandi at the Edgars

Me After the Edgars

The Edgars

Well, now we all know I’m a better writer than I am a blogger. Not sure where the rest of that last blog went–sorry.

Joe and I got to travel to NYC, which we always love. On Wednesday, I attended the Mystery Writers of America annual symposium. It was amazing to meet so many writers I’ve read my whole life. I was on a panel with Sandra Brown, Meg Gardiner, S.J. Rozan–called “Agatha’s Heirs: Smart Women, Smart Fiction.” Ha! I did say that the title looks great in neon on my front lawn. But everyone there was so kind and generous, including Mary Higgins Clark and Martha Grimes.

April 26th couldn’t have been a more perfect day. I had lunch with my delightful Knopf editor, and we reassured one another that just being nominated was an honor and would look nice on future books. That night Joe and I gussied up–floor-length, off-the-shoulder black gown for me, and we made our way through champaign receptions and cocktail parties and photos. Random House was amazing–we filled our own round table with the team of editors, art director, PR director, and my terrific agent. I couldn’t get over the fact that they were there for me. Honestly, it felt like the Academy Awards as our names were read, the covers shown on a screen. And then the envelope was opened…and they read my name. Joe and I just sat there and stared at each other. I think my editor had to elbow me to go up and get my Edgar. Not sure what I said. I hope I thanked the right people. In my heart, I was thanking God. And now, this lovely statue sits on my desk as I write.  Absolutely crazy that I won.  I’ll try to post a couple of pictures…  I have to say one more thing. I’ve been awed by the joy and congratulations I’ve gotten in person and via email. I’ve honestly felt like people are happy for me. So thank you.

Last week was one of those dream weeks you know you’ll never forget. I made no secret about how psyched I was to have THE SILENCE OF MURDER chosen as one of five finalists for The Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Young Adult Mystery of the Year.