Guest Post: Why I Write for Children by Darlene Foster

I began my love affair with books as a child. Some of my fondest memories are being read to by a family member, visiting the library for the first time, and discovering the ability to read by myself. I keep worn copies of favourite childhood books and revisit my old friends from time to time for comfort. Books and children go together like strawberries and ice cream.

Writing for children is important to me because I want children to develop the same love of books I had as a child. That love doesn’t go away. Children’s books create lifelong readers; readers who eventually buy adult books. Without children’s books there would be no market for adult books.

One grandmother recently purchased my Amanda travel/adventure books and sent me this email:

My 12 year old granddaughter just finished your books. She loved them. We were camping and we kept telling her to put the books down and come and play. This is the first time I have seen her get so excited about a book. Your books have given her a love of reading. Thanks for the good reads.

While writing for children can be fun, it is not easy. You have to remove yourself from the adult world and think like a kid. I like to hang around kids, listen to the words they use, observe the gestures, the looks, the trends.  I also read current, middle reader books to see what today’s kids enjoy.  I revisit some of my old favourites like The Bobbsey Twins, Little Women and Anne of Green Gables, to remind myself what I liked about those books. Children notice things adults wouldn’t and could care less about things adults think are important. It’s important to get into their head space. And guess what? While I’m writing, I get to be a kid again - and I love it!

The main character in my first book, Amanda in Arabia-The Perfume Flask, is a Canadian girl who wishes for travel and adventure on her twelfth birthday. The next day she gets a ticket to fly to the United Arab Emirates to visit her aunt and uncle. There she has an adventure of a lifetime.  One young reader said, “I want to know where Amanda will travel to next.”  That motivated me to write Amanda in Spain-The Girl in The Painting.  I had so much fun writing about Amanda, her travels, and escapades that I continued by writing Amanda in England-The Missing Novel. Where will it end? I don’t know but I have many more ideas and am currently working on book number four.  I have to, my fans are expecting it. These very same fans will grow up and buy adult books soon.

When I hear someone say, “She or he only writes children’s books,” I remind them that writers of children’s books are creating readers for life. It’s an important job and one I am happy to take on.

Author links...

Darlene Foster's website

Darlene Foster's blogsite

Guest Post Author Darlene Foster

How/why did you start to write?

I have always written.  When I was a child growing up on a prairie farm, I would make up stories in my head.  In grade three, my teacher encouraged me to write my stories down.  She also encouraged me to travel and see the world.  This special woman made a huge difference in my life.  Through the wonders of social media, I was able to locate her a couple of years ago and thank her.

How did you become an author?

I became an author by writing short stories and sending them out to contests and anthologies.  Writing short stories gave me good practice.  Once I started to win prizes and had a couple of stories published in anthologies, I gained confidence.

What was your first published piece?

I had my first article, called Stretch Your Food Dollar, published in a prairie newspaper when I was twelve years old.

Where was it published?

It was published in The Winnipeg Free Press

How long ago?

Now that would be telling.  I can only say it was quite some time ago.

However, my first short story chosen for an anthology, Country Roads, Memoirs from Rural Canada, called The Day Dief Came to Town, was published three years ago.  Sometimes it takes a long time to become a published author.

What did you do before embarking on your writing career? Was it an asset to your writing? How?

I have worked in retail sales and human resources. I still work full-time as an Employment Counsellor and part-time as an English as a Second Language Teacher, and I write whenever I get a spare moment.  Working with the public is a huge asset to me as a writer, as people provide me with ideas everyday.  I often tutor children in ESL. It’s great to meet children from other cultures and learn from them.

What inspires you?

I am inspired by my travels and by the interesting people I meet everyday.

What made you decide to write children’s books?

After returning from an amazing trip to the United Arab Emirates, I decided to write about my experiences.  The result was a bit boring and lacked the enthusiasm I felt while there.  So I started writing about my experiences from the point of view of a twelve year old, tossing in an adventure and some interesting characters which resulted in my first book, Amanda in Arabia – The Perfume Flask, published in 2010.  I was happy with the result and realized Amanda wanted to continue to travel so I wrote Amanda in Spain – The Girl in the Painting (2011) and Amanda in England – The Missing Novel (2012) I love writing for children, perhaps I have never grown up myself.

Please share one of your successful author platform building technique

Once I had my first book published I became very active on social media sites such as Face Book, Twitter and LinkedIn.  I made sure I had a professional profile and made great connections.  I also started a blog which I believe has been the most successful platform builder of all.  I have met the most amazing individuals through my blog who have provided much encouragement. It keeps me writing and has connected me to the  world of writers and readers.

Parting words

When I was a child I dreamt of travelling to interesting places.  I also dreamt of becoming a published author.  Many times these dreams seemed out of reach but I persevered.  It took awhile but my dreams came true. So my parting word to people of all ages is, never give up on your dreams!

Book blurb:

Amanda Ross is an average twelve year old Canadian girl. So what is she doing thousands of kilometres from home in the United Arab Emirates? It's her own fault really, she wished for adventure and travel when she blew out those candles on her last birthday cake. Little did she know that a whole different world awaited her on the other side of the globe, one full of intrigue, mystery and folklore. A world with a beautiful princess, a dangerous desert and wonderful friends. Join Amanda on her first adventure as she discovers the secrets behind The Perfume Flask.

Links:

http://www.amazon.com/Amanda-Arabia-Perfume-Darlene-Foster/dp/1926760360

www.darlenefoster.ca

http://darlenefoster.wordpress.com/

Thank you so  much for the interview and opportunity to promote my books.  If there is anything else you need, let me know.

Author Links

Darlene Foster
dreamer of dreams, teller of tales

www.darlenefoster.ca
Blog: http://darlenefoster.wordpress.com/
Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/supermegawoman
facebook.com/DarleneFosterWriter

Wishes for 2013

I'm blown away by how supportive you've been throughout 2012. You were there as I meet new authors and traveled to writing events. Together our needles clicked through skein after skein. You read my short stories and viewed the photos of my island home. 

I'm looking forward to continuing our friendship in 2013. 

Here are my wishes for the coming year...

Writing...

That A Long Way From Her and The Sweater Curse:  a novel will find a home with a publishing house that will love them as much as I do.

Blogging...

When I started this blog, in October 2010, I wasn't sure. I didn't know who would read it. I didn't know what a great opportunity it would provide. 
Over these last two years you've taught me a bunch of things.(Like what works and what doesn't) And this blog has grown strong thanks to your gentle guidance. We now receive over 100 page views per day. Do you believe it? 100.
What are my plans for 2013? More of the same... Why fix it? It ain't broke...
-more free hand knitting patterns
-more scenes of Mayne Island and reporting about island events
-more on my author journey
-more visits with talented authors such as...


Joanne Wadsworth, Meg Wolfe, Theresa K. Anthony and Robert Hough in January.

Donna Shepherd, Johnny Ray, Andrew Demcak and Darlene Foster  in February. 

Then...maybe...


Crystal Favel aka Digital Storyteller

www.urbandindianproductions.com

CBC radio described her as one of the 'Top five Aboriginal electronic acts to watch for in 2012' 


Oh, yes, we are going to have tons of fun in 2013. 
***
Next post:  Have a chuckle
I need to find a photo to accompany this post. I wonder if... Oh, yeah, of course...

Also on Thursday I'll be visiting Melodie Campbell's blog
I hope you can join me there.