Wouldn't
you like to know, eh?
Frequently
Asked Questions
Here
are five fast answers to five frequent questions asked by a few fans
frequently. (Try saying that really fast!)If you'd like to ask me a question of your own, click on the button below. I love answering emails.
Q: Where
do you get your ideas?
A: I
wish I knew! Everywhere and nowhere. Mostly they arrive unexpectedly
and unannounced, almost by magic! Other times they are sparked from
things that people say or do, or things that have happened to me,
or my family. (Read the story
about the story to find out what inspired Battle of the Rats!
It's pretty embarrassing.) Blow a little imagination into almost
any everyday incident and a story idea is bound to emerge. Try it
sometime!
A:
Wow,
now that's a difficult question. Sometimes, when I write short stories
for beginning readers or picture books my first draft can be written
in a couple of hours. Other times it can take days or weeks. When I write
longer stories like novels, it can take me months, and in the case of
Battle of the Rats - five years! I wasn't writing Battle of the Rats
everyday for five years of course. I would write a couple of chapters
then think about it for a year or two then write another chapter and
so on. It was a very slow process! Britt Brady: In Search of Hairy Legs
was really quick - it only took me about fifteen months so far.
Maybe I've improved??
Q: How do you go about writing a novel?
A: I
tend to take notes when anything sparks my imagination. Then I work out
a few ideas on paper. Once I have a clear idea of where I'm heading and
how I want the story and characters to sound, I hit the computer and
get started with my first draft. I don't always know everything that
is going to happen - just the bare bones. I like my characters to take
charge and make some of the decisions for me. When that happens, the
writing process is VERY exciting. Once I've finished the first draft,
I print it off for editing. The editing process usually takes longer
than writing the first draft! I usually try to get some trusted readers
to read it and give me feedback. I also try to put it away and not look
at it for a while. It's easier to see problems and mistakes with fresh
eyes.
Q: When did you start writing?
A: I
started writing professionally in 1999. Before that I would write occasionally
for fun and family and dream frequently about being a published author.
Q: Are you rich, now that you're an
author?
A:NO!!!! Unfortunately,
most Children's authors don't earn a lot of money for their books. I
write because I love it, not because of money! Though you wouldn't hear
me moaning if one of my books did make me rich!!!!
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