Author Interview - Dianne Ochiltree

Welcome, Dianne. Thank you for joining me for an interview.
What inspired you to be a writer?

DO - My first inspiration had to be all those great books and the writers who created them. Each book opened a door to another world; another way of looking at the world, too. I was one of those sneaky readers---sunk in our old hammock under a maple tree for hours in the summer when I was supposed to be doing chores, or reading under the covers with a flashlight after official bedtime 'lights out'. I devoured books and thought no life's work so noble, or exciting, as that of author. Frankly, I still do!

AF - Can you tell us about your latest book release?

DO - My latest release is titled LULL-A-BYE, LITTLE ONE, a bedtime picture book for the very young, published in June 2006 by G.P. Putnam's Sons.In rhythm and rhyme, it tells a simple story of the family routines, and love, a mother, father and toddler share with each other each bedtime. The illustrations by Hideko Takahashi are warm and fuzzy, but not overly sentimental---she did an amazing job of showing the toddler's world from a toddler's point of view.

AF - What prompted you to write your books? Are they based on true life or are they completely fiction?

DO - Every story I have written contains a unique combination of fact and imagination. Take, for example, a picture book manuscript: I may start off with a memory of a childhood event, or from the childhood of my own kids, or even just a situation common to most people's childhoods. Then I will mix in realistic emotions, things that a child the age of my target readership would think, feel, dream, wish, fear. I may even throw in an educational concept, like a math skill, that's appropriate for the level of reader for whom this story is being written. I will decide on a setting for the plot, and may go on a few field trips to make sure that my narrative details are accurate and up-to-date. This might mean taking notes, doing sketches, or snapping photos. So although my stories may not have actually happened as they do in the final draft, I like to think that they 'ring true' in their details, and ultimately work to reveal a universal, larger truth about growing up.

AF - Would you take us through your typical writing day?

DO -How I would LOVE to do this---but am embarrassed to say that after all these years, I really don't have typical writing routine to tell you about! I do start each day with three pages of journal-writing, freestyle. It's a good way to get warmed up for the writing that will be ahead, in the same way that athletes stretch their muscles before going onto the sports field. Some days, this might be the only writing that I accomplish. Other days, I may do nothing but write. It all depends on what else is happening in my life that day, and how close the deadline is looming on my calendar. If I only have ten minutes of creative time available, though, I grab it.

AF- Do you think about your readers when you write a book?

DO- I do. I keep asking myself as I write, whether for a toddler, or a teen, questions like: does this dialogue sound realistic? Would someone this age care about this detail? Etc. I try to write from the viewpoint of my intended reader. This is the craft-oriented answer to your question. I think also of my reader as a person I'm having a conversation (of sorts) with… therefore I write with respect and love.

AF - What sort of things do you do when you're not writing?

DO- Right now, I'm not doing the things I love because I'm recovering from a broken wrist! But when I'm through physical therapy, I intend to return to my yoga practice, hiking in the woods with the dog, and stir-fry cooking. At least I'm able again to swim, which is also a favorite fitness sport.

AF- What are some of your favorite things?

DO- Fresh strawberries in season. Great music. A bunch of flowers from the garden. The ocean.

AF - Many writers speak about writer's block. Do you ever have that, and if so what are some things you do to get over it?

DO- Do I ever…it happens on a daily basis, every time I sit down at the keyboard and see that big blank screen in front of me. I wonder why I ever thought I was qualified to do this job and what could I possibly think to say that would be of interest to anyone. Then I take a deep breath and plunge into the void. I give myself permission to take chances, to write really rotten stuff. That's the key for me: remembering that it doesn't have to be golden prose the first time around, it just has to be a draft that I can edit into shape eventually.

AF - If you could say one thing to a new writer what would it be?

DO - Remember that over 10,000 books for children and young adults are published each year---what can you do to make your manuscript stand out, and stand up to the competition? (Hint: tell a story only you could tell.)

AF - If you could say one thing to the children reading your books what would that be?

DO - No matter what you want to do with your life and career when you grow up, you will never regret becoming a good reader. It's a skill that will help throughout your school years and beyond.

AF - When it comes to writing what's next for you?

DO - My next picture book will be coming out in 2008 from NorthWord Books for Young Readers. We're still working on a final title so I can't give out that information yet. But I can tell you that it's a rhyming story for ages 4 to 8, and it's about a child, and a father, who count fireflies on a starry summer night.

AF - Are you available for signings, school visits and writing workshops?

DO - I do all of the above. My schedule is limited because I live half the year in Florida and half the year in the Pennsylvania Poconos. For schools, I do small-group presentations and workshops rather than full-school assemblies. For more information, please go to my author website, http://www.ochiltreebooks.com/.