Jane Yolen and Bettye Stroud Two of Raab Associates Great Writer's for Children - Page 2
© Sue Reichard
4.SR: Each page of "The Perfect Wizard" is accompanied by a quote from one of Andersen's many works. Whose idea was this? It was a super idea. See above--my idea.
5.SR: Can you describe or discuss to some extent your current or upcoming projects?
Jane: I am working on a new novel with my son Adam. We have begun a series of fantasy novels for YA's called Rock 'n Roll Fairy Tales.I am finishing a Scottish novel with a Scottish friend, called ROUGUE['s APPRENTICE. When it is done, I will go back to a 20+ year project, the fourth book of the Pit Dragon Chronicles. And I am working on a picture book about women pirates (I am nothing if not a great recycler!) because my first book about them has been out of print for nearly 40 years.
6.SR: What has been the best writing advice you have ever received?
Jane: "Trust your audience to follow you" was one great bit of advice.
7.SR: What are you reading right now? Adult and childrens?
Jane: Adult: "Becoming Coyote" by Wayne Ude. Children's: "Kira-Kira" which won the Newbery this year.
8.SR: Your author bio and picture from the flap of "The Perfect Wizard" just begs an explaination. Will you please indulge me regarding this? What were the events surrounding the photo?
Jane:The picture was taken in the 1960s by my new husband David Stemple. (He's now my old husband!) We lived in New York City where he worked for IBM and I worked as a children's book editor for Knopf. The statue of Hans Christian Andersen was fairly new. I sat on its lap and he snapped a picture. (He was also working as a photographer at night and weekends.)
9.SR: Your charming picture book, ":Grandma's Hurrying Child" was inspired by your family. Do your grandchildren and your children for that matter know what a "celebrity" you are? Do you expect to write more of these nostalgic books?
This "nostalgic" book was begun when my first grandchild was born. Maddison will be 10 years old March 25. So sometimes it takes a while for books to come out! Since Maddison's mother is Heidi Stemple, also a children's book writer, and Maddison had part of one of ehr poems published in a book of mine (COLOR ME A RHYME) she certainly knows that we are well known writers. But I think she is more enamored of Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black's SPIDERWEICK
