Tell us a little bit about your story coming out in Hopscotch for Girls. What was the inspiration for the story?
My first story that I wrote for this magazine was based on a young girl who was given a pair of figure skates by her dad before he passed away. The story opens with her first lesson in her “new” skates, which she wants nothing to do with. She only wants to skate in her old ones because of the connection to her father. The story is about letting go and finding the courage to move on.
The story has a lot of personal meaning to me. I grew up in the world of figure skating (my parents were coaches), so that’s the first connection. But more specifically, my father bought me a special pair of blades one year, shortly before he did pass away. Because they were one of the last things he had given me, I could really relate to the feelings of having to give them up and ultimately, feeling that a piece of “him” would be going with them. I think that a lot of kids can relate to the connection between a loved one and something material that was given to them by that person. And when that loved one is no longer here, that material thing becomes something of a shrine to their memory. I wanted to somehow impress upon children that their loved one is always with them, no matter what.
Tell us something about yourself that your readers (and your fellow Marbles) would be shocked to know.
I don’t know about “shocked”, but I have never told anyone that I write, outside of family and a couple of close friends (and of course, my critique groups 
However, I’ve considered myself to be a writer for as long as I can remember. I guess it’s a bit of insecurity, and the fact that I don’t make a living from it. I’m a full time mom and that’s my first priority.
Maybe more shocking, is the fact that I began taking myself more seriously as a writer after a dream I had following the death of my Grandma. In the dream, I was a published author of children’s books and when I woke up, I actually felt chills – it was that real. The next day I got online, became a member of SCBWI (which I had never heard of before), and joined my first critique group. About five months later, my first story was accepted. So I guess you could say that I’m “literally” following my dreams.
What is taking up most of your brain space, writing wise?
Wow! That’s a tough one. I spend a lot of time on revisions because I’m NEVER satisfied. I’m my own worst critic. A story can always be improved and I can literally spend an hour reworking a small section of a story. Even just one little word change can make such a big difference. And when you write for children, we all know that every word counts.
Another big one for me is coming up w/a unique story idea. Just about every topic has been done, but finding that little “something” that sets it apart is the key. There are a lot of stories on loss, but when I wrote “Something Old, Something New,” I was pretty confident that making my MC a figure skater, would add a unique twist because it not only was a story about inner confidence, which girls really need more of, but it centered around a sport, which is where a lot of us get our confidence.
How do you balance being a writer with being a stay-at-home mom, volunteering in the classroom, driving the kids to soccer practice, organizing your household?
HA! Well, if you’ve been to my house, you will see right away that organization is NOT on my list of priorities. I’d like it to be, but it’s just not always possible, nor am I good at it no matter how hard I try.
My kids are the most important and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that when they grow up, it won’t be the messy house they remember. It will be the fun and the laughter and the fact that I was there for them. If I’m remembered for nothing else other than being there for my kids, than that’s okay with me. After all, I brought them into this world. I owe them that much.
Although, a book contract would be a nice little perk
How do you find energy at the end of the day, to write and do critiques?
It’s hard some days! I would love to be able to commit to a certain amt of hours each day for writing, but it’s just not possible. At least not until my little girl starts Kindergarten. So many people think that when you’re a stay at home mom, you have all this time on your hands. But you don’t. My twin boys are six now and just started the first grade. I thought I’d have a lot more time, but my four year old almost needs me more than ever because her playmates are gone. I even feel guilty writing this because it’s taking time away from her. But that’s part of the choice I made in deciding not to put my kids in pre-school. I wanted those years for them to be at home with me because they will be in school long enough once they start.
My writing time is usually sporadic. I write whenever I get a few moments to myself, which isn’t often. But those days will come soon enough, and then I’ll be looking back wishing for something long past… like we all do.
Not all writers use them, but I love writing exercises. What about you? Do you have a favorite one you’d like to share?
Unfortunately, the only writing exercises I have time for these days, is getting a new story idea down on paper, even if it’s very rough and only a few sentences. Sometimes I’ll lie in bed and a catchy title will pop into my head. I’ll write it down, or even save it as a new document. Then I’ll see where the story takes me. Another thing I often do, is work backwards. I may know how I want my story to end, before I know where it will begin. I think both of these techniques would make fun writing exercises for writers, even though this is actually how I work all the time.
Who is one of your favorite writers and why?
I have a lot of favorites. To name just a few, I love Dr. Seuss because I love rhyme, but also because he was able to break the rules and still pull it off. Bill Martin Jr., because my kids loved Brown Bear, Brown Bear. Beverly Cleary and Barbara Park, because their characters remind all of us of those special times. And Jane Yolen, because her books are ones we read over and over in our house.
What is the very first book you ever attempted as writer? Possibly a childhood endeavor you’d like to share.
I wrote a lot of farm stories when I was a kid. My mom grew up on one and I suppose that’s why. I also wrote a lot of skating stories because my parents were in the profession. I’m sure my mom still has them all, but I’m not sure I’d want to read them. One of the first stories I can remember sending out to a publisher was about seven years ago. I was pregnant with my twins and at the time, we had two dogs who were like our children. It was a story written in rhyme about a dog speaking to the new baby in the family about how lucky they were. I think I can still recite the entire thing. But I won’t bore you with it here.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
Coming up with a unique story idea! This by far is the hardest for me. My brain is cluttered enough as it is these days. I get very little quiet time to think.
Another big one for me is the rejection. It’s tough to have something you believe in turned down, especially when you’ve put your heart and soul into it for months. We all want editors to fall in love with our words and our characters. But what I’m learning more and more every day, is how subjective this business is and not to take it personal. But it’s never easy to accept, no matter how long you’ve been doing it.
What words of advice would you give to aspiring writers, especially in terms of coping with the rejection that comes with the field we work in. How do you move beyond that and keep writing?
Well for one thing, I think you need to love doing it – otherwise, it’s not worth it. If you get into this business because you think it’s going to be an easy way to make money or acquire fame, you’re going to be very disappointed. If you asked most famous writers, they would tell you how many hundreds of rejections it took for that one editor to say yes. So while rejection is hard to take, it’s a given in this business.
If you write because you enjoy it, chances for success are much more likely. You may be ninety years old when it happens, but hey… better late than never!
Did you play Marbles when you were a kid? Were you very good? Did you have a favorite Marble? Did you ever have your marbles taken away by a teacher who just didn’t understand the importance of having your marbles with you at all times?
HA! Too funny. Yes, I did play marbles, but I never took them to school and I think I liked the way they sounded when they clicked against each other, more than the actual game. Oh, and I enjoyed stealing them from my brother too. And blue ones were always my favorite!
Do you have a picture book/s that is a particular favorite of yours and your children’s’? One that you could read over, and over and over again? Why?
I love the Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams. I get choked up every time I read this book. I love sentimental books that everyone can relate to on some level. I’m reading the shorter version to my children these days, and they all love it.
How do you take a picture book from concept to final draft? Although each book will be different, is their a basic pattern that you follow? I guess this kind of goes back to my answer in question number six.
When did you know that this was going to be your work. Being a writer, that is.
I knew I wanted to be a writer at a pretty young age. That and a veterinarian, and since I changed my mind on the second one, I knew that I had to make the first one come true
How do you gather and manage the ideas you get for books? I am thinking, given your work in the classroom, that at the end of some days, you must come home filled with idea?
Actually, my kids give me most of my ideas as well as memories from my own childhood. But when an idea pops into my head, I usually write it down as fast as I can before I forget it. To tell you the truth, my ideas don’t usually come to me in the midst of a busy day. They usually pop into my head when I’m driving the car, on my computer or laying in bed at the end of the day when everyone is asleep. And it might possibly come from something I saw or heard in the classroom, but the idea won’t start developing until I’m alone. I don’t think well with noise. And in my house, that’s only between the hours of 8pm and 6:30am.
What question did I miss that you wanted to answer?
How about… You haven’t had an acceptance in two years. How do you stay motivated to keep submitting your work?
If it happened once, it will happen again!
CAROL: Thank you, Tina, for hanging out with the Marbles! Your picture book, “Little Shrew Caboose” is coming out soon from Pleasant St. Press. Do you have a publication date we should know?
and I knew someone out there would think it was as funny as I did. I submitted it to five publishers, four of whom sent me form rejections. Abrams, the fifth one, bought it.
