Suzanne Selfors with Wendy Hinman
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1.) When did you first feel the passion to write?
I've been creating stories my whole life. But it wasn't until the ripe old
age of 40 dawned and I began to feel my mortality. That's when I said, Hey,
I'd better start that novel, or this is never going to happen.
2.) What was the turning point at which you decided to devote your
career to writing?
The turning point was getting that first contract. It was for my children's
book, To Catch a Mermaid. The book went to auction, with multiple houses
bidding on it. That gave me a huge boost of confidence and I knew I didn't
want to do anything else.
3.) What do you consider your greatest success?
I could measure success by sales #s, awards, royalty checks, that sort of
thing. But my greatest success, I think, is the influence I've had on my
kids. They've watched me struggle, seen my rejections, celebrated my hard
work. If I've taught them anything, it's that being an artist is a most
worthy profession. And that if they feel passionate about something, pursue
it!
4.) Your first attempts at writing were historical fiction. Please tell us about why and how you changed your focus to Children's and YA. Do you ever feel tempted to return to those historical novels you wrote or to that genre?
I wrote three novels, two set in Ancient Greece, the 3rd partially set in Ancient
Greece, and I couldn't sell them. I got a real topnotch agent, but
no one bought my books. It was a dark, dark time. I almost gave up. But my
kids were little, and I was reading all these amazing books for kids. And I
realized that whenever I went into the bookstore, I had trouble finding the
kind of stories I wanted to read in the adult section. But I found all this
great stuff for kids. This was in the early 90s and there was an incredible
Renaissance going on in children's lit. I wanted to be a part of it. So I
jumped ship, left the adult world behind, and wrote for my children instead.
5.) Has it been difficult switching genres? Why or why not?
I'm surprised at my ability to jump, not just between genres, but between
stories. All last year I was working on three series at the same time. It
was crazy, but I did it. So, I guess I have the kind of brain that can juggle
multiple universes. So short answer: no.
6.) How did you learn the craft of writing?
I'm not quite sure. I think a great deal of it is inherent. Voice, for
example. I think that comes naturally. But, like most people, I took a
variety of English classes in high school and college. When I began that
first novel, I enrolled in the extension program at the University of WA,
where I took two writing classes. The benefit of that program was it gave me
the opportunity to share my work with others, to be critiqued. I think you
learn more from workshopping with other writers than you do from a textbook.
I advise everyone to join a writer's group.
7.) How do you market to a younger audience? It seems your creative
approach could inspire those of us who are writing for adults. What do
you do to interject a little fun into your events?
The best way to market to children is to visit schools and libraries. For a
children's writer, librarians are a key ingredient to a book's success. I do
many school and Skype visits every year. I bring costumes and turn the kids
into characters from my books. I never had an author come to my school. If I
had, I might not have waited until I was 40 to write a book!
8.) Is there something you wish you'd learned along the way that would
have made your process easier? What was it?
Be prepared to wait. I have no patience so this is tough for me. And this
business is all about waiting. It doesn't matter what part of the process,
whether you are waiting for feedback from an agent, a revision letter from
an editor, or for the book to come out, you have to take a deep breath. The
best thing to do while waiting--start on something new!
10.) What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
Write something that you'd love to read. I'm serious. I get so many
questions about trends. If you don't like reading vampire stories, then
don't write one. How can you expect an editor to love your book if you don't
love it? Write from the heart. And be kind to yourself. This is a difficult
business, and people can be cruel online. Take care of yourself during the
process.
Thanks so much, Suzanne.
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Watch the book trailer for The Order of the Unicorn
http://youtu.be/1atfr_K9lTcb