I admit it. I geek out over picture books, kidlit, and my writing heroes. And this week's guest made me fan girl to an embarrassing degree! (She put up with my gushing remarkably well.) If you ask the kidlit community, who is one the kindest, most inspiring authors around, Vivian Kirkfield would be one of the first names to pop up. Always one to offer incredible advice, she is also a prolific author and host to the writing contest 50 Precious Words! And lucky me! This wonderful weaver of words agreed to let me pick her brain. :) So without further ado, the lovely Vivian! My favorite question first! If you could be any donut, what would you be and why? I was going to say double chocolate dipped because I am a total fan of anything chocolate. But as I thought about donuts, I remembered the old-fashioned crullers I used to make with my grandmother when I was a little girl…fried to a golden brown, sprinkled with a bit of nutmeg, and eaten when still warm. I’ll go with the cruller because even thinking about it brings her memory closer to me. Oh the feels! I love it! You, my friend, are a very prolific writer! Can you share a little about your writing journey? I started writing picture book stories seriously at the end of 2011 and when Julie Hedlund announced she was creating the 12x12 Picture Book Writing Challenge, I couldn’t hop on board fast enough.
So far, I have three picture books that have launched and two in the pipeline for next year. Pippa’s Passover Plate (Holiday House, Feb 2019) illustrated by Jill Weber. Four Otters Toboggan: An Animal Counting Book (Pomegranate, April 2019) illustrated by Mirka Hokannen. Sweet Dreams, Sarah: From Slavery to Inventor (Creston Books, April 2019) illustrated by Chris Ewald. Making Their Voices Heard: The Inspiring Friendship of Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe (Little Bee Books, January 14, 2020) illustrated by Alleanna Harris. From Here to There: Inventions That Changed the Way the World Moves (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Fall 2020) illustrated by Gilbert Ford.
This happened when I started researching the Ella Fitzgerald/Marilyn Monroe story. Both of these women were celebrities, icons of the movie and music industry. But most of us only know the small slice of their lives that the media tell us. In digging deep, I discovered that Marilyn was an astute businesswoman and was one of the first female movie stars to own her own production company. She was also an early Civil Rights advocate, a very unusual stance to take for a young starlet under contract with a major studio in the 1950’s. And Ella, although painfully shy, spoke up against racial discrimination in 1970 and sued the PanAm airline when she was bumped from a scheduled connecting flight in Hawaii while on her way to a concert in Australia. And she won! I want kids to know about what these women did…and how they helped each other in their careers – women standing up for women! Wow, Vivian! How interesting and inspiring! What is your favorite thing about the kidlit community? THE PEOPLE!!! The fact that everyone is so GENEROUS, sharing what they know, eager to help others achieve success! Agreed!!!!! What inspired you to write Sweet Dreams, Sarah? I discovered that Sarah E. Goode had gone from slave to inventor, but there were no books about her…in fact, there were only a very few lines on a couple of websites, yet she was one of the first African American women to own a patent from the U.S. government. It didn’t seem fair to me that someone who had blazed this important trail had been forgotten by the history books. I knew it was a story that would inspire young kids, especially young girls, to build their dreams into reality. If you had to choose a favorite line or part from one of your books, what would it be? Hmmm…that’s difficult…because I have quite a few of them. But the last lines are definitely my favorite: Staring at her name in print, Sarah proudly traced each letter. Her idea, her invention, her name in history. She had built more than a piece of furniture. She had built a life far away from slavery, a life where her sweet dreams could come true. I'm not crying, people. You're crying.
What is your number one revision tip for writers? My number one revision tip is to record yourself reading the manuscript aloud…I use my computer. When I play it back, I’m able to hear when the words trip me up. I’m able to see when my mind stops paying attention. And I’m able to feel that wonderful chill that comes when I hear the last word…if I don’t, I know the story is missing something. But I have to add three more things writers can do to help the revision process: 1. READ, READ, READ as many current picture books as they can, 2. WRITE, WRITE, WRITE lots of stories,. 3. Surround yourself with a good bunch of critique buddies. I can’t thank mine enough…they have encouraged me, supported, me, and helped me trim and polish my manuscripts – and I love each and every one of them, whether we exchange manuscripts online or meet in person! Inquiring minds want to know, what are some of your favorite books?
20 Comments
Sara Fajardo
7/31/2019 01:05:23 pm
I so love reading interviews with Vivian, new nuggets of wisdom to be found in each and every one.
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Ciara
7/31/2019 06:17:55 pm
I loved the reminder that each manuscript is going to have its own journey from revision to publication.
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7/31/2019 11:01:24 pm
Hello Sara...thank you so much...your comments on blog posts and on all social media are always filled with words of praise and kindness...I love that!
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Beth Charles
7/31/2019 07:29:39 pm
Great interview. As always, Vivian, you give the best advice!
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7/31/2019 11:02:48 pm
I hope some of it will be helpful, Beth. So many people helped me all along this journey. :)
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Ciara
8/1/2019 03:49:19 pm
Thanks, Beth! I love her advice. Especially about about critique partners! I couldn’t do it without mine!
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7/31/2019 07:59:47 pm
Great interview, Ciara and Vivian! I loved reading about Vivian’s path, revision tips, and favorite books! Looking forward to being on your blog soon, Ciara! ❤️
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7/31/2019 11:05:23 pm
Thank you so much, Melissa...glad you enjoyed the interview. And I need to reach out to you...I will be in NYC Thanksgiving weekend...crazy time to be there, right? I wish I could set up some bookstore event...but I'm probably totally crazy to even think of doing that. ;)
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Ciara
8/1/2019 03:51:09 pm
Melissa! Another wise and generous woman that offers great advice! I am excited for your interview my friend!
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Beth Gallagher
7/31/2019 08:46:22 pm
What a wonderful post and interview with a wonderful author and friend! Vivian is such a kind and very talented author. I just love her stories and so do kids! 💕
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7/31/2019 11:06:31 pm
You are always in my corner, cheering, my friend. Thank you so much, Beth, for stopping by!
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Ciara
8/1/2019 03:54:26 pm
I can’t wait for her compilation to come out!!!!
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Joana Pastro
8/1/2019 04:15:13 am
I always love learning a little more about dear writer friends! Great interview! Thanks, Vivian and Ciara!
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Ciara
8/1/2019 03:53:21 pm
Reading about other authors’ journeys helps me feel a little more patient on my path to publication! And inspires me to keep going!
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8/1/2019 09:58:00 pm
Glad you stopped by, Joana...I learn from all of you also.
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8/1/2019 02:26:22 pm
You are an inspiration indeed, Vivian!! Congrats on all of your very well deserved success! Love the recording pointer!! I read aloud, but I've never tried that before !!
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8/1/2019 09:59:29 pm
I'm so glad you will try recording when you read your manuscripts aloud...and then listen back...it has helped me so much, Maria!
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Ciara
8/1/2019 03:54:14 pm
The recording is a great idea!
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8/2/2019 07:07:19 pm
Great interview, per usual, Ciara! Thanks for sharing. Vivian is a true kidlit trasure!
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5/10/2020 10:47:18 pm
Thank you so much, Nicole! I appreciate your kind words...glad you enjoyed the interview.
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