Author Interview - Dori Chaconas

Author InterviewDori Chaconas
Welcome, Dori. Thanks for joining me for an interview.
AF - What inspired you to be a writer?

DC - As a child, I was an avid reader. It was a form of escapism for me. I had a happy, normal childhood, but so normal that at times I felt I lived the most boring life possible. Books, movies, and stories of any kind took me to more interesting places. Along with reading, I created stories in my head, in which I could introduce more excitement into my humdrum life. If I wanted a horse, I'd create one and have one heck of a time riding him to school. So it seems natural that I'd someday start to write my stories down. Since then my biggest inspiration comes from the fact that other people like reading what I write.

AF - Can you tell us a little about your road to publication?

DC - It was a long road with a few detours. I began to write seriously in the 1960s. I started to sell to children's magazines, then had a few picture books published. But writing at that time was a lonely business, before SCBWI, before the Internet, before you had any opportunity to meet other writers for support and critiquing. It was too lonely, and so in the 70s I left writing and turned to creating yarn stitchery designs and sold them to women's magazines and yarn companies.
I came back to writing in 1997 when my daughter Stacy DeKeyser drew me back to it because of her own interest in writing for children. I learned about the Internet, and writers' listservs, and conferences, and liked it all.
Now, ten years later, I've been fortunate enough to have sold 19 books, which astonishes me, as I would have been perfectly happy selling one.

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

DC - Most of my books come from a grain of true life with a lot of fiction to color it up and fill it out. I'm a strong believer of family values and this theme often finds its way into my books. I also like to make people laugh, and those stories that are meant to be humorous take a bit more planning and nudging of characters and events to make them funny. I'm pretty reserved in real life, but humorous books allow my whacky side to come out.

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

DC -I have three books coming out this Spring of 2007.
Coriander the Contrary Hen, illustrated by Marsha Gray Carrington, (Carolrhoda) is about a chicken who's actually somewhat of a bully. I like to think her quirky personality makes up for her contrary ways.
Virginnie's Hat, illustrated by Holly Meade, (Candlewick) is about a small girl who gets her new hat stuck in a tree. While she's throwing her boots into the air to dislodge the hat, creepy swamp creatures sneak up behind her with the intention of lunching on her toes. It's a story told in rhyme.
Cork and Fuzz: Good Sports, Illustrated by Lisa McCue, (Viking) is the third book in an EZ reader series. The conflict in this story comes about because while both characters like to play games, both like to win.

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

DC - You'd be pretty bored. There are many days when I don't write at all. The beauty of being a picture book writer with so few words to be written is that most of the work is done in your head before you ever put a word on paper. But once the idea is there and I've given it the mental workout it needs to know where it's going, I'm obsessed with writing and revising it. That's when my normally organized day goes to pot. Most of everything gets shoved aside so I can write, and rewrite, and rewrite.

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

DC - Not really. I mostly think about 'story,' and what will make it work. I write for me. I guess I have enough kid in me to know what I like, and I trust that feeling.

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

DC - I've always loved doing things with my hands, and really like what I call 'domestic arts.' I like needlework of any kind and usually have an afghan or quilt in the works. I like amateur photography. I like family gatherings and we often have Sunday dinners here. I enjoy baking and cooking (if I don't have to do it too often.) I enjoy daily walks.

AF - What are some of your favorite things?

DC - Family - friends - babies - kittens - quilts - books - snow - ponds, lakes, streams, and oceans - forests - farms - the smell of freshly cut grass, or baking bread.

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?

DC - I often have writer's block. The most recent one lasted more than a year. I try to ignore it and do other things, since I know through experience that I can't force the block no matter what I try. After awhile I do miss the excitement of writing a new story. But the only thing I can do is wait it out and not get stressed over it. It'll pass. It always has. And if it doesn't… well, I've had a good run and I'm grateful for that.

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

DC - It's impossible to list just one. Do your homework. Learn everything you can about the craft of writing so you can approach it as a professional. Read and study books in the genre in which you want to write.
Having a talent for storytelling is a good beginning, but you have to help that talent grow strong enough to compete with all the good writers out there.

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

DC - Enjoy reading this book. I wrote it to entertain you.

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

DC - I have no lofty goals. I enjoy writing, and as long as I'm blessed with new story ideas, I'll continue to write.

AF - Do you have a website?

DC -I sure do. http://www.dorichaconas.com/