10 Things I’ve Learned as a Children’s Author

10 Things I’ve Learned as a Children’s Author

1.)  Children have the best imaginations.

2.)  Daydreaming is highly underrated.

3.)  It is better to write from the child in you, rather than for children.

4.)  It is better to start with a big idea and write it simple, rather than the other way around.

5.)  Style is not how you write.  It is how you do not write like anyone else.

6.)  People think you own all the books, not just the ten free author copies you receive from the publisher upon publication; after that you have to buy them like everyone else.

7.) When you climb out of a three-day writing frenzy to make a late night run to Piggly Wiggly, check to see if you are still in your pajamas.

8.)  It's not easy to cash a check wearing a three-day old beard and pajama bottoms.

9.)  5% royalties from the sale of each book does not go far when buying groceries.

10.)  Staring out the window and making things up is a fun way to make a living.


reprinted with permission from PORTICO Magazine ©Charles Ghigna

for the rest of the story, here's an interview with
Father Goose and Matt Forrest