The Queen of Imagination: An Interview with Children’s Book Author Ann Whitford Paul
Gather round, boys and girls, and prepared to be transported to a magical world of…publishing success. That’s right. Ann Whitford Paul is the proud author of 19 children’s books and a brand-new, uber-helpful tome: “Writing Picture Books: A Hands-On Guide from Story Creation to Publication.”
WordHustler was lucky enough to be able to sit down with Ann to ask about her writing experiences, being represented, and getting published…many, many times. Stay tuned at the end of the interview for a special trivia question about children’s books- the winner receives a free copy of Ann’s “Writing Picture Books” (and will be that much closer to children’s book success themselves!).
So here we go! Once upon a time…
WordHustler: How did you get into writing? I know you studied Sociology, then decided to pursue children’s book writing after having your own children. How did you actually go about doing it (getting represented, getting published, etc)?
Ann Whitford Paul: Reading books to my children inspired me to try writing books that other grown-ups and children could share. I thought since the books were short, they would be easy too. Ha! Their briefness is exactly what makes them so difficult. I wrote for five years before I sold my first book (published in 1986 and long out of print). I did not work with an agent until after I’d sold my second book. Since then I’ve had several different agents and am now representing myself.
WH: What were some of your favorite books as a child? What were some of your children’s favorite books?
AWP: My favorite books as a child were THE STORY OF FERDINAND and THE SECRET GARDEN, both of which I still enjoy and my children did too. Their favorite books were CURIOUS GEORGE and they loved Russell Hoban’s FRANCES books, too.
WH: Do you feel like there is a big difference between children’s books today and the books you read to your children?
AWP: There’s a huge difference between the books today and the books my kids loved. First of all, books are much bigger in size and brighter. Publishers understand that glitzy covers entice customers in bookstores to pick up a book. Also I think books are much louder and filled with lots and lots of action. This is a shame. Children in this noisy and fast-paced world need slower quieter books more than ever.
WH: Besides yourself, of course, who are some of your favorite children’s book writers out there?
AWP: Helen Ketteman writes fantastic retellings of familiar tales. My favorite is Bubba, the Cowboy Prince. I also love Deborah Hopkinson’s poetic historical picture books and Candace Flemming’s books. She’s a very lyrical writer.
WH: Your helpful book, WRITING PICTURE BOOKS, is coming out soon. What inspired you to write this book?
AWP: I’ve been teaching writing through UCLA Extension for over ten years and a student, Molli Nickell, kept pestering me to do a book. I was scared to death to tackle such a long project. It wasn’t until I could fool myself by saying that each chapter was equal to one picture book that I was able to proceed.
WH: What are the three most common mistakes you see children’s authors making?
AWP: Writers often spend too much time setting up the background instead of plunging into the story immediately. In my WRITING PICTURE BOOKS I suggest an exercise that can help you see if you are guilty of that.
Another thing writers do, and this is completely understandable, is telling the story from the point of view of an adult or allowing the adults to take over the story. In our books we’re trying to empower children so we need to allow the children to be the stars and solve their problems without help from a well-meaning parent or grandparent.
Another mistake is not spending enough time polishing one’s language. Picture books are like poems and every word must count. Each one must move the story forward and not conflict with the mood of the story . . . i.e. too many noisy words in a quiet bedtime book. It behooves writers to go over and over a manuscript until every word feels right.
WH: What are three things children’s book writers/illustrators can do to really make their work shine?
AWP: The most important thing is to write what matters to you. Trying to copy someone else is a recipe for failure. There will only be one Dr. Seuss and one Jane Yolen and one Jon Scieszka. The writers who stand out are those that are unique and break away from the pack. Trust the stories that only you can write.
Second, learn your craft. Everything in the world is built on knowledge that came before. Study picture books. Type up their manuscripts so you feel their length and language in your fingers. Make dummies of published books. Place your typed words down exactly as they appear in the book. Then study how long it takes to plunge into the story and where the ending comes. Study how the language changes from an action time to a leisurely time. Learn from the best.
Third, don’t be afraid of sharing your work with others. It’s the only way you can move ahead in your career. It’s critical to see if the words you wrote are being received in the manner you intended and the only way to do that is to allow your manuscripts to be critiqued by other professionals. Don’t let an editor be your first outside reader.
WH: Do you think aspiring children’s book writers should go after literary agents first or should they go straight to publishers?
AWP: I didn’t get an agent until after I had sold two books. My thought was to get a track record first and then find representation. Unfortunately representation may not be all one imagines. An agent can’t sell a weak manuscript. An agent represents many writers and may perhaps be too overwhelmed to send out material in a timely manner. And some agents are better negotiators than others. Think carefully and research fully before committing to an agent.
WH: Should writers illustrate their books or have illustrations in them when they send them to agents/publishers?
AWP: If a writer is not an illustrator she/he should not send in illustrations or pair up with an illustrator to submit in a story. Think about it. If you send in a story with illustrations and the editor doesn’t like one of the other, she may turn down both. Make it clear to the editor that you are willing to sell one without the other. Also editors take into consideration many issues when selecting an illustrator . . . such as looking for an established illustrator for a first-time writer.
Perhaps they have an illustrator they’re afraid might go work for another house if they don’t find him a project soon. Maybe if the book takes place in a certain locale, the editor might want to hire a local illustrator.
It all comes down I think to trust. Trust the editor to make a good match for your story. They almost always do.
WH: One last question: Do you think WordHustler is a helpful resource for writers looking to get their work in the hands of agents/publishers?
AWP: If you’re feeling overwhelmed with submitting your manuscripts, consider using WordHustler. They’ll mail out your submissions, keep a record of those submissions and let you focus on your important work . . . writing better stories.
The Queen has spoken! Now that you’ve filled up on all of Ann’s useful advice, you’re probably chomping at the bit to read her fantastic book, WRITING PICTURE BOOKS. Well here’s your chance! Everyone who answers this trivia question correctly will have their names put into a drawing and the lucky winner will score a free copy of Ann’s book!
The question: What is the favorite food of Frances in the children’s book Ann mentioned above?
Put your answer in the comment section below, then go to WordHustler and start sending your fantastic work out to the world! Good luck!
34 comments
Just wanted to add for all of you mid-westerners, I’ll be doing a one day workshop in Madison Wisconsin on Thursday, July 23rd about the unique structure of picture books. If anyone is interested I’d be happy to share further details. Contact me at ann@annwhitfordpaul.net
I’m going with Birthday Cake.
It’s been a long time since childhood, but I’ll take a guess: Peanut Butter and Jelly?
i think frances’ favorite food is cake. it’s mine.
I was so busy reading the article, very informative. I am a children’s author as well, and I can certainly use additional help and advice. I have not read the book, and I do not recall the answer appearing in the article. I would have to say, I have no idea, what foods are Frances favorite.
I believe that would be bread and jam!
Frances reminds me of my daughters :-p
Thanks so much for the interview! And if I don’t win the book, I’ll definitely be buying it!
France’s favorite food is cake. It is also mine.
Frances loves Bread and Jam. This is a great article.
I think Frances likes bread and jam.
I think Frances loves Chompo Bars! Enjoyed the article!
My first instinct was birthday cake but I think it was bread and jam. Was there a song?
Frances loves Bread and Jam!
Are you coming to the Los Angeles or Southern Calif. area?
I was very successful teaching reading to 1st graders - and up. Especially with beginning readers I noticed that one word on a page was not much information. If they didn’t memorize that word or the picture didn’t help, they were lost. I used books that were beyond their grade level, but I read them to them, discussed them, tape recorded them, and they learned much faster than those who were stuck in what was the common belief. Each year about one third of them could decode a 6th grade literature book.
Bread and Jam
Bread and Jam!
Jam!
Very helpful and timely interview. I am writing my first Children’s illustrated book and the question “Should writers illustrate their books or have illustrations in them when they send them to agents/publishers?” is one of the bigger ones I was grappling with. Ann’s advice is very encouraging. Thanks Ann. Thanks Wordhustler.
Jean, in answer to your question, I live in Los Angeles and have two events this summer . . . one at SKYLIGHT BOOKS in Los Feliz on July 11th at 5 p.m. where I’ll celebrate the publication of WRITING PICTURE BOOKS and also discuss 10 tips to writing a winning picture book. Good food too! Here’s the link http://www.skylightbooks.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp?s=storeevents&eventId=421709.
Then I’ll be doing two workshops at SCBWI National Conference August 7th through the 10th.
For details check this out http://www.scbwi.org/Conference.aspx?Con=2
I hope we can meet. . .
Bread and Jam!!
Bread and Jam is the answer ma’am…
Bread and Jam-yum
The interview is timely and informative for my purposes. I don’t write picture books, but apply her experience in my 10-12 age group genre. I love what she saidabout books written in an adult’s voice and point of view rather than the child’s. Thank you.
Thank you for your encouraging and informative article. Among the several writing projects on my easel, I have a story about a hamster. When informed by several children’s publishers that anthropomorphic pets were out, I shelved “Henry Hamster”. Perhaps, with a different perspective, he could be revived. Children do have hamsters and hamsters can have adventures that affect their owners.
Cheers, Ben.
Ben, I don’t think anthropomorphic pets are out, but perhaps you might think about renaming. Henry Hamster is an alliterative name that immediately makes editors think “cute.” A big no-no in children’s books. What about just naming him Henry or Hamster. Of course the story may need to be reworked also, but it’s something worth considering.
Bread and Jam!
For all those who are aspiring picture book writers, we thank you. Its great to hear from someone who has gone through the hoops of publishing.
No food mentioned that I can find, but the book cover says cake, and it’s a birthday cake.
Also, thanks for a hopeful and helpful interview.
Ann, will you be doing any workshops around Atlanta, Ga?
Bread & Jam
I think Frances loved Bread and Jam most of all.
Thank you so much for your wonderful participation and trivia guesses.
The correct answer is: BREAD AND JAM.
Twelve of you guessed correctly, but after we drew a name from the winning dozen, the lucky winner of Ann’s new book is ASHLEY McDONALD!
Congrats Ashley! We will be contacting you so you can receive your prize!
Thanks so much to everyone who participated and we will be bringing you another insightful interview soon! Good luck Hustlin!
Best,
Anne
Ann Marie–No plans as yet to do anything in Atlanta, but I’m always willing to go anywhere. Contact me at ann@annwhitfordpaul.net and we can discuss further.
Congratulations, Ashley!
bread and jam
I’m looking forward to reading your book. I have a yen to write for children, so I will be studying it carefully. Winnie
Bread and jam!
bread and jam! I loved these books as a kid and am glad to have been reminded of that!
Bread and jam
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