The words of children's author Verla Kay will inspire you. Verla has published many books for children in her unusual style called "cryptic rhyme". Please read VerlaKay's terrific books and find wisdom in her words of advice. Her website:
has won many awards and is one trip through cyberspace any children's writer should take.
SR: How did your interest in writing develop?
VK: All my life, I hated to write and thought I was the "world's worst writer." It wasn't until we owned and managed a laundromat in Carson City, Nevada, that I discovered I had an aptitude for writing. One of my regular customers was a woman who was a successful free lance writer for magazines. She looked at some of my writing and was constantly encouraging me to become a writer. The seed had been sown. We later moved back to Santa Cruz, and for the next few years, I ran a licensed daycare from my home. Snaps 'N Snails Daycare catered to six children at a time - most of the children being between five months and three years old. While I read books to the children, I couldn't stop thinking about writing stories of my own. Finally in 1989, the call to write became too strong and I signed up for a correspondence course through the Institute of Children's Literature. That was the beginning of my journey into this wonderful world of writing for children.
SR: What is the appeal of history and non-fiction to you?
VK: Again, as a child I HATED history and I considered non-fiction to be a swear word. It wasn't until I was an adult that I realized how fascinating and interesting history and non-fiction could be. As a writer of children's stories, it's my "goal" to make history FUN for children to read. To get them excited about the subjects I write about so they will go on to read those "heavy" non-fiction books and learn more about history.
SR: Is there a common theme that runs through your books?
VK: Right now, if there is any theme at all, it's American History. I hope to someday expand and write about other interesting places and
