Anne Broyles

Over the years that I have been involved with the SCBWI I have attended countless novel retreats, promotion retreats, workshops, smoozes and so on.  I met Anne Broyles at one of the novel retreats years ago.  She was talented, kind and funny.  I am so happy that Anne Broyles agreed to be interviewed.

When and why did you start writing for children?

I still have the first “book” I wrote (second grade) and I’ve always thought of myself as a writer even when I had another career. I published many nonfiction books in the religious/devotional field before I thought about writing for children.

I began writing a young adult novel about twenty years ago because I wanted to tell the story of the Cherokee Trail of Tears from a young person’s point of view. At the Cherokee tribal archives, I found a letter from a young woman who was the perfect protagonist. Then came years of research, traveling to most of the locations along the 800-mile Trail, discovering details and making connections I believe no one else has made about this story.
    Unfortunately, in those early years I was better at the research end than the writing component. I didn’t immediately get involved in SCBWI and even when I did, I was initially reluctant to hear what I needed to hear from other writers. Translation: I read some pretty dry, clinically-correct and historically accurate, but dull drafts to writing groups. My Trail of Tears book has had an in-and-out-of-the-drawer life since then. I was not ready to write the book until I learned more about craft, pacing, story arc. SCBWI workshops, writing retreats, and some great critique groups are shaping me into a better writer.


What is the most valuable advice you can give to a newly published writer?

Pour your heart into promotion, seeking out connections with bookstores, newspaper reporters, other writers. Expect to spend a couple of days a week in promotion at first, which may include bookstore events, online connections, school visits, television and radio interviews. Make yourself available in any way that feels comfortable and is true to you and your book.
   Don’t let the promotion overwhelm your writing, though. Make sure you protect writing time because if you’re like me, the writing energizes me, and promotion is simply what must be done in order to sell books and make money to support my writing habit!


What is one of your favorite children’s books that you'd like to recommend?

As a child, I snuck off to read Mary Norton’s BORROWERS series so I could be transported to that tiny world under the floorboards. I loved the Borrowers’ ingenuity and resourcefulness at finding things to “borrow” and use appropriately. These books made me look at my everyday life with new eyes. What else could a thimble be used for? One earring? And of course, Arrietty was just one of many spunky females who reinforced my belief that I could do anything I put my mind to. This was about the time I was also reading Mary Calhoun’s KATIE JOHN books, DEDE O’SHEA by Peggy Goodin, ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS, and A WRINKLE IN TIME. Thanks to literature, there was never a shortage of dynamic girls. These books encouraged my strong spirit, as did my mother, in a time when teachers and others sought to squelch it.


What are you working on now?
My agent has four picture books out (I’d cross my fingers AND toes if I could!) Because my current release, PRISCILLA AND THE HOLLYHOCKS deals partially with the Trail of Tears, I have returned (again!) to my Trail of Tears YA historical novel in hopes that this may be the right time to make the last revisions. Next up will be a contemporary road trip YA novel for which I’ve outlined plot, done character sketches, and need only to take off for a few weeks to focus on that project (impossible for me to do until I’ve completed most of the promotional events with PRISCILLA).



What is your favorite dessert and why?

I’d have to agree with Carolyn Yoder that crème brûlée is my favorite. I enjoy preparing it because I love to watch the sugar bubble up under the torch. In eating crème brûlée, I like the contrast of the crisp top layer and the smooth custard underneath. Unfortunately, no one else in my family likes it, so I splurge at a restaurant once or twice a year and order this treat.

Anne Broyles is the author of SHY MAMA’S HALLOWEEN (Tilbury House, 2000), which was named a Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People for 2001 and received a Teachers' Choice 2002 Award from Learning Magazine. Her newest release is PRISCILLA AND THE HOLLYHOCKS (Charlesbridge, 2008). Poet Nikki Giovanni said, "Priscilla and the Hollyhocks tells a story too often ignored or overlooked - a story of how the west was not won but captured. Reading about Priscilla's remarkable life makes all our hearts a bit warmer while filling our heads with a much-needed piece of American history."

Anne’s a desert rat from Tucson who spent twenty-five years in southern California before moving to New England. She’s traded boogie-boarding for kayaking, and coyotes and dolphins for foxes and White-tailed Deer. She’s working towards being a locovore, but so far hasn’t given up New Zealand kiwis and California avocados.

www.annebroyles.com
http://annebroyles.livejournal.com/

Comments

[Patty Palmer]

Anne was one of the very first people to critique my first novel. I'll always remember her kindness and encouragement. Thanks, Anne! and congratulations on your published works.

[Anne Broyles]

That's what's so great about SCBWI and connections between children's writers. We try to encourage each other and realize that as we all improve, children's lit in general benefits.