Kathleen Duey has been an active member of the SCBWI for many years. I have heard her speak on synopsis, novel plotting and query letters. Kathleen is kind, generous and a prolific series writer. I am happy that she agreed to the interview.
When and why did you start writing for children?
I began by trying (and failing) to write SF and fantasy novels for YA/adult readers because I so loved reading the genre. I was amazed at how smart and varied speculative fiction work had become. I fell sideways into writing for children a couple years later, when a librarian complimented a comic poem I had written and suggested the premise would make a middle grade novel. The form was simpler and I loved kids' books, so it was fun to set about learning it. After many rejections and revisions, I finally sold my first book, then another...
After a decade of writing novels for younger readers, I seem to be getting back to my first ambitions. I am writing for adults--and I have finished the first volume of A Resurrection of Magic: SKIN HUNGER. It begins a dark YA fantasy trilogy for Atheneum, to be released June 2007. I am terrified. In that delicious, grating way writers both dread and love, I am wondering what reviewers and readers will think.
What is the most valuable advice you can give to a newly publish writer?
Consider where you want your career to go and consciously direct your energy in that direction with every book you write. The work. Work hard.
What is one of your favorite children’s books that you'd like to recommend?
Of my books? I love The Unicorn's Secret (an 8 book early-chapterbook fantasy saga). It is based on dreams I had when I was in 3rd/4th grade. Every night, I went back to the same place. It was like having two lives, so the books are dear to me. And Skin Hunger, of course, the dark YA fantasy I am so nervous about.
Someone else's books? I just finished Looking for Alaska by John Green--a great contemporary, perfect-pitch-true-voiced older-YA with the meaning of life sewn into the plot. Susan Taylor Brown's new, Hugging: The Rock, is a great verse-novel, deep and wide and riveting. I am writing horse books lately, too, so I have been reading other writers in that genre. Diane Lee Wilson's books are extraordinary, by any literary measure.
What is your favorite dessert and why?
Cheesecake. It whispers my name.
Bio
Kathleen Duey writes for early, middle grade, middle school, YA, and adult readers. She fits in speaking at as many writers' conferences and schools as she can every year and has just returned from week-long residencies in Abu Dhabi and Dubai schools. She lives in California and loves her job. www.kathleenduey.com <http://www.kathleenduey.com>
Love the interview.
Posted by: Laura | May 25, 2007 at 12:28 PM
Wonderful interview! Thanks, Tina
Posted by: Barbara Bietz | May 23, 2007 at 11:49 AM