On Tour: Meet Author Terry Pierce!

July is National Blackberry Month and what better way (besides a big old slice of fresh blackberry pie) to celebrate than getting a copy of Blackberry Banquet/Sylvan Dell Publishing by author Terry Pierce and beautifully illustrated by Lisa Downey. Terry is the author of many terrific and funny books for children including Tae Kwon Do/Random House and several joke books (what's not to love about that combination?). She is a former Montessori teacher and now conducts writing workshops when not writing or perfecting her recipes for all things blackberry.

Now, let's ask her some questions, shall we?

KL: You are passionate about so many things and have enviable boundless energy. What are the benefits that come from your many interests and what negatives (if any!)?

TP: Boundless energy? How nice to hear, however I must say that I’m basically solar-powered. When the sun sets, so do I ;-). I do have many interests though, and pulling from them gives me material to write about, whether it is a picture book, easy reader or novel. For example, a hiking trip I did in my twenties hung in my mind until it finally surfaced as a middle-grade novel I’m currently writing. A hike across the lava fields of Kilauea inspired my first picture book. The entire time I was hiking, I kept thinking, “I’ve GOT to write about this!” When an editor had invited me to send her more easy reader work, I had to brainstorm what kind of topic would make for a fresh, new easy reader with lots of action. That’s when I pulled from my taekwondo experience working with the Tiny Tigers. We all have so many experiences that we can draw from to create terrific stories.

The only negative aspect of this is that I honestly believe I’m an extrovert trapped in an introvert’s body, so after I do a trip (professional or personal), I’m wiped out for a day or two. It’s like I want to crawl in to a cave so I can re-energize!

KL: Blackberry Banquet was inspired by a blackberry-picking excursion you had with your son. What other aspects of your life have been the source of inspiration for your writing and work?

TP: I’m always drawing inspiration from the things around me (I have one story that was inspired by a ceiling fan!). I love nature so I’m always drawing from my outdoor experiences. I think because I still look at the natural world in complete awe, it’s easy for me to see something as a child would, whether it be a beautiful piece of quartz I notice on the ground, a lion’s mane jellyfish I paddle by while kayaking or an unusual sound of a bird while hiking.

KL: Tell us about a breakthrough moment for you in your early steps into children's publication.

TP: Two separate incidences come to mind, which both gave me a feeling of validation (I think all writers/illustrators need to feel validated no matter where they are in their careers). The first was when I received an email from an editor about a non-fiction alphabet manuscript I’d sent her. The first line of her message said, “I really like your writing.” I printed that out and still have it on my office bulletin board. It was the first time an editor complimented my work.

The second incident happened about a year later, when I won a regional writing contest at an SCBWI event. It was funny was because I didn’t think I stood a chance of winning, so I wasn’t paying much attention when they announced the contest winners. They had to say my name twice! That was the first time I received validation from other writers, so it was very meaningful. Both of these incidences helped me to believe in myself.

KL: Name five things you couldn't write without.

TP:

*My cerulean blue Hello Kitty mechanical pencil (its nine years old and the original logo has long since worn off so now it’s just blue).

*A yellow legal notepad.
*The Scholastic Rhyming Dictionary.
*A thesaurus.
*My two cats, Sylvester and CocoaPuff (Sylvester is my co-author).

KL: What is something that surprised you about your career after publication?

TP: To be frank, I’d say how little money a children’s writer makes. Like many people, I always thought that book royalties would be at least enough to provide my family with a decent second income. I soon discovered that most writers have to make ends meet by doing school visits, teaching, or having a second job. I think that’s why when I talk to groups about writing, I’m very honest about the money aspect of it. I tell people that you don’t write for children for the money, you write for the love of writing and the love of children.

KL: Are you a disciplined, regular office hours writer or do you write when the muse strikes? What is a typical work day like?

TP: I do write when the muse strikes, but the muse seems to enjoy tap dancing in my head for a few days before she really strikes hard. At that time, I’m able to schedule her for an appointment during my office hours.

My basic schedule is that I walk/exercise in the morning then begin my workday between 8:30-9:00. I write in the morning because that’s when I feel refreshed and most creative (gets back to the solar-powered thing). I stop for lunch around noon then finish the afternoon at my computer. The computer work involves many things; typing up my notepad-scribbled work from the morning, doing marketing research, promotional work, updating my website and/or blog, or email correspondence. I usually stop working around 3:30, when my husband gets home from work (he’s a teacher).

KL: What aspect of being a children's book writer has been the most joyful for you?

TP: There are many joyful aspects of writing for children. I love connecting with kids (something I miss from my former days as a teacher), and I love having the creative freedom to take an idea and just run with it. I’m also a bit of an introvert, so I like working at home and setting my own schedule and writing goals.

KL: And what has been the most like heavy labor?

TP: I’d say the hardest part of writing is the occasional “big” disappointment. I don’t mean receiving the standard rejection letter (I’d collected 160 of those before I got my first acceptance, so they don’t faze me). I’m talking about the one where I’m confident an editor will love my work and think it’s a perfect fit for his/her house. I’ve had quite a few of those “near misses” that for various reasons fell through at the end. These are the hardest to take.

However, I look at everything as a learning experience so I usually drown my sorrows in chocolate for a day or two, then get back on my feet and figure out how to ensure success with the next submission. I try to learn from it then move on. Recently I heard Hillary Clinton say, “Every moment wasted looking back keeps us from moving forward.” I thought that was very powerful as it applies to so many things in life, including the “big” disappointments that are inevitable in writing.

Best of luck Terry, on a fruitful life for Blackbery Banquet! To find out the latest on what's up with Terry or to get some fabulously delicious blackberry recipes visit her blog at http://terrypierce.blogspot.com/

And some places to go see Terry, buy the book, and maybe snatch a slice of blackberry pie:

Official Book Launch!
Sun., Aug. 10, 1:00-3:00
Adventures for Kids Bookstore
Ventura, CA

American Library Association Conference
Sat., June 28
12:00-2:00
Anaheim Convention Center
Anaheim, CA

Sat., July 5, 11:00 am
Hood River Library
Hood River, OR

Sat., July 5, 12:00 pm
Waucoma Bookstore
Hood River, OR

Friday, July 18,3:30 am
Kern County Library
Ridgecrest, CA

Saturday, Aug. 23, 1:00 PM
Russo's Bookstore at the Marketplace
Bakersfield, CA

Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008, 6:30 PM
High Desert Haven
Ridgecrest, CA

And some places to find out even more about Terry:

Tues. 6/10: Elizabeth Dulemba at http://dulemba.com/blogger.html
Thurs. 6/12: Anastasia Suen at http://asuen.wordpress.com/