1. When did you start writing and what inspired you to start?
I wrote a little bit when I was a child but I never really thought
of becoming a writer until I was an adult. What inspired me was really
strange. One day I was reading my brothers blog. He was just playing
around and making up a fantasy story. I thought he was really good and
thought ”
Hey, I could do that!” So I sat down, started writing a fantasy story about something we used to play as kids and I haven’t stopped writing since.
2. How do you choose the topics for your books? What’s your age range?
The age range that I find the most enjoyable to write for is 4-8 yrs.
old. They are still so imaginative at that age and in love with
learning new things. They also say some of the funniest things! As far
as how do I choose topics for my book, it’s all up to how I’m feeling on
any given day. If something inspires me, then I write about it.
3. What kinds of things inspire you to write?
All sorts of things inspire me. If I hear a child say something
funny, I’m inspired. If a co-worker tells me something hysterical or
unusual that their child did, I’m inspired. If I see a movie or TV show
where something amazing happens, that inspires me as well. Reading other
books also inspires me. The world is full of inspiration; you just have
to be open to it!
4. Have any of your stories been inspired by real people or events? What inspires you to write?
Yes, A lot of my stories do contain something about a person I knew
or an event that happened in my past. I once wrote a story about two
little old ladies who lived next door to us when I was growing up. They
were very sweet ladies but a little on the unusual side because they had
never been married, lived in a little white house, and had hundreds of
salt-n-pepper shakers all over the place. They left a great memory in my
mind so I just had to include them in my story writing.
I’ve also written quite a few stories about pets I’ve had or currently have.
5. Do you work on more than one book at a time?
Oh yes. I don’t know how smart or good that is, but I’m usually
working on at least four or five stories at a time. Sometimes it gets a
little overwhelming but I find that I am constantly coming up with new
ideas and just have to get them on paper. However, when you are working
on so many stories at one time, it tends to prevent you from completing
any one item, therefore it slows you down from getting things completed
and out the door. I need to work on focusing on one story at a time!
6. Are you signed exclusively with a publisher? Are you self -published and how does that work for you?
I am signed with FutureWord Publishing for my book The Pea In Peanut Butter.
7. Do you write every day and do you have set hours that you work? Where do you write?
Yes, I write or do something with my writing every single day.
There is so much involved with writing that it’s nearly impossible not
to be involved in it every day. However, sometimes I spend more time
marketing, blogging, and doing administrative things that my total time
in a week actually writing is probably only four hours. It just depends
on what I have going on and what deadlines I have.
I don’t have set hours to write because I also work a full-time job elsewhere. I have to fit my writing time in around that.
I do some of my writing at work in between busy times, and at
home on my laptop in the evenings and weekends. I have a designated room
to do that.
8 .Has anyone ever written you a fan letter that you’d like to share?
My book has only been published since June 2011 so the word is
still getting out about it. However, I once received an email from
someone whose children read my book. She said it’s their favorite book
at present and they keep trying to memorize the beginning of the book
which reads:
I love the super duper, gummy yummy, sticky lickin’, and belly
rubbin’ taste of peanut butter. If Mommy would let me, I’d spread it on
hot dogs, fish sticks, chips, and pancakes. I’d eat it on bananas,
grapes, apples, and frosted flakes.
And to me, that is what it’s all about for me. Knowing that a child smiled and enjoyed my story!
9. Who was the first character you ever created and why?
I don’t remember the first character I ever created because it
was back in grade school. However, I do remember the first PLACE I
created. It was a land of nothing but peanut butter. And surprisingly,
my first published picture book, is about peanut butter as well! Hmmm,
guess it’s a no-brainer that I love peanut butter!
10. Is there anything about yourself that you’d like to share –
hobbies,where you were born, special talents other than
writing/illustrating?
I was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan but was raised in Edgerton,
Ohio. When I turned 22 or so, I moved to St. Louis with my husband. From
there his job has transferred us to Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi and
back to Louisiana where we currently reside. I have many other hobbies. I
read a lot, dabble around with stained glass, do interior decorating,
and at work I do a lot of graphic design type things.
Find out more about
The Pea In Peanut Butter on Amazon.com! Or visit Allyn at
www.allynstotz.blogspot.com
Together authors can change the market and hope that libraries, book
stores and schools will join us and start promoting children’s events
for self –published and traditional authors. Let’s do it for the kids!
They are missing out on so many great books!
