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Carrie Charley Brown, Children's Book Writer
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THINK QUICK with Author Monica Kulling

4/24/2015

4 Comments

 
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Hi Monica! Congrats on the upcoming May 1st release of your second Tweedles picture book, The Tweedles Go Online.  I love the family dynamic and subtle pieces of history that are weaved into this story. All of the THINK QUICK themes below appear in your book.  Let’s see which way you lean.  Remember, THINK QUICK!

On Communication:
Talk on the Phone or In Person?  


Definitely, in person. It’s more fun!


On Personalities:
Private like Papa or Open like a Book? 

I’m open like a book, especially with my friends.
 

On Honesty:
Frank like Frankie or Polite like Frances? 

With each passing year, I become more and more frank like Frankie. Sometimes I enjoy it, but other times, I long for my younger, more polite self.


On Talking:
Talk your Ear Off or Quiet Observer? 


Quiet observer. No doubt about that. I’m not a big talker.


On Phone Ringing:
Answer Now or Let the Machine Get it? 


Let the machine get it, since picking up that ringing phone may result in a lengthy conversation, which I may not want, especially if I’m working. 


On Problems:
Quick to Yell “Fire” or Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff?
 

I don’t sweat the really small stuff, but if the problem is huge, I yell fire! Absolutely.  


On Phones:
Can’t Live With It or Can’t Live Without It?
 

I don’t think I could live without a home phone, but I do walk around the city without a cell phone. There are one or two phone booths still available in Toronto.

On Technology:
The Newer the Better or Stick With Tried and True?
 

I stick with tried and true and find adjusting to new technologies and upgrades a trial.


On Friend Interaction:
Talk on the Phone or Get Together for Games? 


Get together for games, as in, crockinole!


On Books:
The Tweedles Go Online or The Tweedles Go Online?


The Tweedles Go Online!
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Of course! Thanks for thinking quick with us, Monica!

Click HERE for a review of THE TWEEDLES GO ONLINE
By Carrie Charley Brown

Click HERE for a review of THE TWEEDLES GO ELECTRIC
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Monica Kulling is the author of The Tweedles Go Online, which was illustrated by Marie Lafrance and releases on May 1. It is a companion book to The Tweedles Go Electric, which appeared in Fall 2014. Monica is the author of over fifty children’s books. Her picture book about the painter, Grant Wood and his cow, Tillie is entitled, Grant and Tillie Go Walking and will be released July 2015. Monica loves to walk her two big dogs and play with her four engaging cats. She lives with her family in Toronto, Canada.

You can visit Monica at www.monicakulling.com and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/monica.kulling

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4 Comments

April Mystery Author: Miranda Paul

4/14/2015

22 Comments

 
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I became acquainted with today’s Mystery Author, Miranda Paul, through participation in the 12 x 12 Picture Book Challenge.  I was impressed with her dedication as a picture book writer and her willingness to help other people.  She is the founder and administrator of Rate Your Story, and a team member for the We Need Diverse Books Campaign.  I was not surprised at all to be blown away by her new historical fiction picture book, One Plastic Bag.

Thanks for joining us today, Miranda. Congratulations on the release of One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay, and The Recycling Women of Gambia!


I understand that you spent time in the Gambia and visited with many different women to comprise your story.  With so much information, how did you ever decide to shape your story?


It wasn’t easy—at first I thought I’d help Isatou write a memoir, since there is so much more to her story than the recycling and women’s empowerment projects she kickstarted. Ultimately, I decided that a book for children was the right project for me to work on, and thus I needed to focus and narrow the scope to fit that audience. It wasn’t always easy choosing which details to keep in, which to leave out—but critique groups, my editor, and even Isatou helped me look at the story objectively.
Along with the gorgeous illustrations of Elizabeth Zunon, you do an amazing job of really drawing us into the Gambia environment and culture through sensory language.  What do you feel played the main role in bringing this to your writing?

I suppose it’s my passion for and knowledge of the Gambia. I believe this is the first traditionally-published picture book about a real Gambian woman, and I’m aware that it might be the only one some kids read about this place in the world.  (I do hope that’s going to change, though!)
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Illustration copyright 2015 Elizabeth Zunon
Have you ever tried to crochet a recycled plastic purse yourself?

Yes. It’s hard! The women use such tiny crochet needles. I’m a failure at the purses but proud to say that I’m really great at cutting a plastic bag into one long strip to make the “plarn”. And I’m not too bad at making recycled jump ropes for kids! (Teachers can download the instructions at oneplasticbag.com)

How have experiences, such as being a volunteer teacher in the Gambia, shaped you as a writer?


Writing is about finding new perspectives, building empathy, and exploring details to discover a bigger picture. My time in Gambia strengthened those skills. But it also taught me to be resourceful and make things work with little to start from—and as most people who are trying to make a living doing creative work…this is key!

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I am emotionally moved by the efforts of your main character, Isatou Ceesay, and The Recycling Women of Gambia.  With Earth Day approaching (April 22), it is great time to renew our commitment to this beautiful land.  What do you feel others writers can do to promote their dedication? 

On April 1, Isatou Ceesay and I participated in Authors for Earth Day, a grassroots effort through which tens of thousand dollars have been contributed to various conservation organizations.  Together, the school and I made a donation of more than $850 to the Plastic Pollution Coalition, and the kids spent days before and after my visit discussing and working on environment-related projects. Of course, there are many other ways writers can show their stewardship for the Earth!


We not only share a passion for writing, but teaching as well.  I relate to your passion for motivating kids, along with the desire to incorporate a love for children’s books and creativity into a full-time writing career.  When did you feel it was the right time to leave your teaching position and focus on writing and illustrating full time?


The high school I most recently worked at still calls me in to sub, and I go in if I’m available—plus I still help coordinate some of the international students. So technically, I haven’t given up  all of my teacher/school involvement even now!

I had signed my first two book contracts and was making a decent part-time income from freelancing work before stepping away from the daily classroom responsibilities.

Is there one common thread that holds your picture books together?  How does this affect the books you write?


I like to inspire, entertain, and broaden horizons. The common theme of my books? That each one is more than a book, I guess. One Plastic Bag is a living history, a conversation sparker, and a vehicle for change. Water is Water is a poem, a bedtime or library read-aloud, and a scientific exploration. Whose Hands Are These? (coming in 2016) is a guessing game and a story in one... See the pattern?

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Miranda Paul is a former teacher and children’s writer who is passionate about creating stories that inspire, entertain, and broaden horizons. In addition to her work for magazines and digital markets, Miranda is the author of two environmentally-themed picture books. Her debut, One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia, and her second book, Water is Water were both named Junior Library Guild selections and received starred reviews from School Library Journal. She is the Executive VP of Outreach for We Need Diverse Books and the administrator of RateYourStory.org, a site for aspiring writers. Miranda believes in working hard, having fun, and being kind. Learn more about her current and forthcoming books at www.mirandapaul.com.

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22 Comments
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    Click picture for a video greeting.

    Carrie Charley Brown

    As a children’s writer, and a teacher, my goal is to help you carry on.  Sometimes learning is challenging, so why go it alone?  Your journey will be more meaningful and comfortable with friends to share it with. Together, we'll get up close and personal with authors, illustrators, and the best of picture books.  If we work together, great things will follow! 

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