Imagine the havoc a pig would wreak in New York City. How would people deal with it? Author Linda Stanek decided she would write about it in a delightful picture book for young readers entitled The Pig and Miss Prudence. In an email interview this early and middle childhood educator based in Ohio talks about her own journey to becoming a beloved writer and speaker in schools.
Becoming a Writer
Suite 101: What made you realize you are interested in writing stories for children?
LS: When I was in college and studying Education, my favorite course was Children's Literature. But it wasn't until I had children of my own that I thought about writing. Initially, I wrote a novel for my kids, which took a long time, and during that time, I discovered how much I loved writing, and how much I wanted to pursue it as a profession.
Suite 101: What's the story behind The Pig and Miss Prudence? Where did you get the idea for the book?
LS: My mother sent me a reprint of an letter to the editor that ran in the New York Times in the 1850s about all the trouble people were having with pigs running loose through the streets of New York. There were no laws regulating keeping livestock penned at the time, so people just let their pigs roam and collected them when they wanted them. They were digging in the city, eating newly planted trees and flowers, and startling the carriage horses. I thought that was so amazing, I wrote a story based on that.
Suite 101: How did your writing career evolve from writing about history to writing about animals?
LS: I love to write about anything that interests me. I always tell kids that if something makes me think, "That's interesting," (and lots of things do) I begin thinking about how it might work for a book or a magazine article.
The Writing Process
Suite 101: What's your favorite part of the writing process?
LS: Boy, that's a hard one, because I love so many aspects of writing. I love researching–learning interesting facts, and speaking to fascinating people. And I love the excitement of putting those first words on the paper. But I guess my favorite part of it all is the rewriting part–going back and choosing the perfect words, and cutting the parts that don't really help the story, whether it's fiction or nonfiction. I always say that rewriting is where the magic happens.
Suite 101: What's one of the greatest obstacles you have had to face in your writing, and how did you overcome it?
LS: One of the greatest obstacles is balancing making the time work. When you work at home, it's easy for family and friends to think you are always available. I work hard at scheduling work time, then letting people know that I have to do work during those hours.
Growing as a Writer
Suite 101: How have you grown as a person and as a writer through your different book publications and school visits?
LS: Every book-publishing is a unique experience. Since I have published both fiction and nonfiction, there was plenty to learn with each. Doing school visits has helped me stay in touch with the people I write for, and it gives me the opportunity to energize kids about their own writing. I always tell kids that while they may or may not choose to be writers professionally, as long as they are in school, they will be writers. So I try to leave them with some tips and hints to help them with their work. Being with them does a lot to energize me for my own work as well, so we all benefit from school visits.
Suite 101: What are your plans for the future in regards to writing?
LS: In addition to fiction and nonfiction books, I have published magazine articles, crafts, book reviews, and teacher's guides. Right now I would like to do more creative nonfiction. I am interested in both history-related stories and animal-related stories. I have quite a number of ideas in queue for writing, and being circulated at publishing houses.
Linda Stanek’s latest book, Beco’s Big Year: A Baby Elephant Turns One tells the tale of the Columbus Zoo’s elephant celebrity as he journeys through his first year of life. It is now available in stores. Go to Stanek's website for more information on her books as well as activities for children.
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