Jane: I adore school visits where the teachers and librarian have banded together to really prepare well for my visit, and I arrive to discover that the students know my books inside and out. The presentations are so much more interesting when I can go beyond simply introducing my books to my readers...when I can see in their eyes and hear in their answers that I've made intriguing connections for them. I suppose if I'm truthful, I also love it when a librarian says something like this: "We've had many author visits, but the teachers are telling me that in a lot of ways yours was the best ever." Those highlight experiences can only happen with great school support, but knowing that I've made a difference for teachers and librarians and students makes all the hassle of travel feel worth it.
6.Sue: When you write how much consideration do you give to your "audience"?
Jane: I honestly think that I write first and foremost for the kind of reader I was and the kind of reader I still am. It would be hard to sustain the demanding work of a novel or, for that matter, a picture book if I weren't enraptured with the story I was telling, even if I know that in some cases I'm probably asking too much of a big chunk of my potential audience. Still, because I do a fair number of school vists, I've also become aware of some kinds of things that young readers particularly like, and it's rather fun to see if I can always be sure to work humor, as one example, into my books, albeit in my own subtle way.
7.Sue: What is the best writing advice you have ever received? Jane: Don't forget to constantly ask yourself "what does my main character WANT?"
8.Sue: What is the best advice you can offer to people hoping to break in to "the business"?
Jane: When I started out, I thought about the fact that if I were going to be a doctor or a lawyer, I would assume my education and training would take about 10 years and would involve a great investment of my time and money. Why would I think that writing books would be any easier? Why should I give any less respect to books and reading, things that shaped my entire life? At some point, I decided to give my all...for ten years...and not give up unless I still couldn't break into "the business" after that. I have to say it did take almost ten years to get that first two-book contract from a major publisher, but I learned so much along the way about the craft of writing and the intricacies of the business side of things. What a great way to spend ten years (now that I can look back with satisfaction and not despair :>).
