If you could have a dinner party and invite anyone dead or alive, who would you ask?
I would invite Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and I would ask him how he came up with all these Sherlock Holmes stories. I would also ask him if he likes the recent movies that came out and the way his characters have been portrayed. I would also ask for some writing tips :)
When you are not writing, how do you like to relax?
I like to watch a movie in bed on my laptop, go to the gym, laugh and play with my daughter. I love it when my husband can join me in doing all the above. When I get tired from the activities I just listed - I go get a good massage - and I come back new :)
Do you have any tips on how writers can relax?
Meditate. Meditation is a quick and effective way to center yourself, to realize what the really important stuff in life is and not to stress the small things. Take it easy. Say to yourself “things always work out for me.” I always repeat this to myself whenever I feel down and it always works - things do always work out for me. They will work out for you too, if you believe.
How often do you write? And when do you write?
I write every day but it’s not always books! I write my diary and I write for my blog, and I reply to interview questions bloggers send me and I do guest posts, and I write promotional material for my books, and then you know, emails, Facebook messages and grocery lists ;)
I usually do all the above when my daughter is asleep or when somebody takes her for a walk!
Do you have an organized process or tips for writing well? Do you have a writing schedule?
I always have a schedule - for everything. I plan way in advance. I started doing this at university when I would calculate the days to the coming exam and divide the material I had to study into easily digestible chunks I could internalize every day. This stuck. When I have a big piece I am working on - I always schedule it the same way I learnt during my student days.
As for process - I suggest writing the first draft in an inspired state, getting everything out on paper. Don’t read it, just get it out. You’ll do the editing afterwards. That’s what the edit was invented for. When your edited draft is ready, send it to a critique partner - a friend or a fellow writer and get their feedback. Adjust as you see fit. Then get the thing professionally edited. Then try to get a review or award before you publish your book so that you can print your title with a seal of approval on the cover.
Sometimes it’s so hard to keep at it - What keeps you going?
It’s an internal thing. I can’t not write. I love writing. It’s this internal drive that keeps me going. I think that’s how you know that you found your passion - you just keep doing it.
Have you met any people in the industry who have really helped you?
Julie Hedlund at www.juliehedlund.com has this 12x12 membership group. She launches a new group every year and there are hundreds of writers who participate. I met several exceptional people through this site, some have become my critique buddies and I am always updated about what’s hot in the children’s writing and publishing biz.
What do you hope people will take away from your writing? How will your words make them feel?
Empowered. Children and adults who read my books to their children will know that they decide how they feel because they are the ones thinking the thoughts in their heads. Everything else is a consequence of this. If you think positive thoughts, positive things are coming to your life. If you’re a sloppy thinker, you are inviting all kinds of things into your experience. Realizing this gives you power.
What’s your favorite meal?
Seafood. I really like lobster, crabs, shrimp, oysters, mussels, anything that lives in sea water and has a shell.
What color represents your personality the most?
The colors of the rainbow: positive, happy, appreciating.
What movie do you love to watch?
The Love Boat series. I especially love watching it when I’m on board the cruise ship :) There’s something really special about this series: it’s the only one that takes place on a ship but other than that it shows you that anything is possible, that you can find love and turn your life around in a matter of days, that there are plenty of friendly people in this world, that there are so many beautiful places for us to visit. It’s just so warm and positive. It gets me in a really good mood.
Alinka Rutkowska has created a tale that will appeal to children, which teaches about choices, and encourages communication and sharing. Rating: 5.0 stars from Readers’ Favorite Reviews.
Embark on a one-of-a-kind, unprecedented, breathtaking adventure with Maya and Filippo as they travel around the globe on board the “Fun Princess” — a cruise ship full of surprises. Discover their fascinating ports of call, find out what the local customs and traditions are, join the kids in activities at sea, and explore the remarkable world they create through the power of their positive outlook.
This time the kids spend a day on board the Fun Princess. They become junior chefs at sea and learn how to bake a cake. Maya and Filippo discover how trying out different recipes gets them closer to creating the perfect dessert. They also discover the power of sharing.
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Genre - Children's Picture Book
Rating – G
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