Friday, April 15, 2011

2011 Conference Series- Faculty Q & A with Deborah Wiles

Happy Friday All! The pre-conference fun starts today! To add to the fun here's the last Faculty Q & A from our 20th Annual Writing and Illustrating for Children Conference Faculty! Enjoy these answers from Keynote Speaker Deborah Wiles. Deborah will be our first keynote speaker on Saturday, and you can read her Conference Bio here.

What is the best and worst advice you were given when you started in children's literature?
Best advice: "Ignore any prohibitive thing and just write."
Worst: "That won't sell." (whatever "that" is)

What advice would you give now to others?
Ignore any prohibitive thing and just write.

What was your favorite book as a child? And now?
MR. DOG by Margaret Wise Brown. I wanted to belong to myself, like Crispins Crispian did. I'm still working on it.

Which authors/illustrators do you feel are most influencing current trends in children's literature?
I am so not qualified to answer this! In addition to ignoring any prohibitive thing, I'm keeping my head down in my own work.

As you know, those who are in children's literature tend to have lengthy discussions on the important topic of snacks (usually a baked good). What's your favorite snack?
Ha! I love clementines.

Attendees are often nervous to meet you at a conference. What, if anything, makes you nervous about being part of the faculty?
I want to do a good job and offer something meaningful that others can take away with them and put to good use in their own work.

What do you like most about your job? What do you like least?
I like the freedom I have to create my life and work. That can also work against me, if I'm not careful.

What do you most want our attendees to know about you?
I'm shy by nature. Speaking scares me but I love it and do well, once I begin. Hugs help afterward when I'm standing there, dazed.

I can't wait to hear what Deborah has to share on Saturday! Hope to see you all tonight at the Pre-Conference Kid Lit Drink Night (you're invited whether you're attending the conference or not!).

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