Tamra Wight

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Whenever I mention being a writer for children, people are always very interested in the writing process and how a "book is born".
Here are a few questions that are asked of me most often. If you're curious about something, and you don't find it here, feel free to contact me
and ask away!

Was The Three Grumpies the first book you'd written?

No, I'd written at least 10 other stories first. But, they were very, very different in style in that they were mostly fictional, semi-serious stories about animals and the environment. The Three Grumpies is my first humorous picture book. So I took the hint and I'm working on several more of this type of story.

How long have you been writing?

I began "thinking" about it when I started reading books to my newborn daughter in 1989. But "thinking" and "doing" are two different things! I didn't actually research "how to write a book" until we moved to Maine and my daughter began kindergarten. I realized then it would be a lot harder than I thought.

I took a couple of correspondence courses through the Institute of Children's Literature which helped me immensely. You see, writing is only one part of the process. How to market your story, or in other words 'sell it', is another. You don't just march into Scholastic and say, "you have to read this!" (although all writers dream of it!) Writers must seek out a publisher who is looking for the same type and style of story. Then they mail it to the proper person within that company. After 3 to 8 months (a very loooooong 3 to 8 months), the writer will receive an answer on whether or not the editor wants to make it a book.

From the time I started writing my stories until the time I received that magical phone call from Bloomsbury, 6 years had gone by! And from what I've heard, that's an average length of time before a writer gets their first big break into the children's book industry.

Did you get to choose your illustrator for The Three Grumpies?

No . . . my editor, Victoria Wells-Arms, had already chosen Ross Collins as the illustrator when she called to tell me she wanted to purchase The Three Grumpies . I hopped on the internet right away and after looking at Mr. Collin's books, I just knew he'd be perfect. I love his work.

Ms. Arms has sent copies of the illustrations through out the whole process, though. From the very first black and white sketches to the latest color proofs. Every time I get a package from Bloomsbury in the mail, it's like Christmas!

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

I've always liked writing. On and off throughout my life I've kept diaries. I like writing poetry too, but don't think I'm very good at it. While all the other kids were moaning and groaning about the latest report assigned by the teacher, I'd secretly be doing a dance.

One of my favorite childhood Christmas presents was a little metal desk and chair. It had a pull-out tray for a small typewriter and it had two drawers. I loved writing and playing "teacher" at that desk! Today, my desk is still my favorite spot in the house, but it's just a little bit bigger now. And messier.

But did I "know" I wanted to be a writer while growing up? Alas, no. The signs were all there, and I wish I'd figured it out sooner. But better late than never!

Who or what was your biggest influence in deciding to become a writer?

There wasn't one specific thing. Just a love of books and writing. As a young girl I kept a diary, spent hours reading in the branches of a big, old maple tree in my front yard and had parents who never said no when I asked for book club books through school. Although, they would tell me 10 in one order was too many!

I still keep a journal, but I’d rather curl up on the couch to read a book these days. And my husband will totally agree when I tell you, I still try to buy 10 books at a time.

What inspired you to write your latest book?

My son Ben! (I love to tell this story) My then three-year-old had been having a really rotten day. He’d yelled at me, disobeyed, and bounced off the furniture for hours. We were both pretty frustrated come bedtime. So, I tried to tease him a little, hoping he’d go to bed with happy thoughts.

As I tickled him on the neck, I said, "You poor thing! You had those grumpies all day, didn't you?"

"Yeah," Ben said sadly. "Do you think they'll come back again tomorrow?

There’s nothing like the imagination of a three-year-old. I wish I could bottle it up for those days when I need a new and unusual idea.

What’s the best thing you’ve ever written?

I’ve written lots of stories, some serious and some silly. But I like The Grumpies best. And not just because it’s the only one I’ve had published so far! Everything just seemed to fall into place, so it was fun to write.

Is there any particular ritual involved in your writing process?

No real ritual, but I love writing at my desk with a cup of steaming coffee nearby. Mostly I write on my computer, but sometimes it helps if I switch to notebook and pencil when I’m stuck or brainstorming.

If you hadn’t been an author, what would you have been?

At this point, I’m not a full time author. My husband and I own and operate a 132 site campground in Poland Spring, Maine. This is how the bills get paid! It’s open from May 1^st to Columbus Day for campers to come and stay. (You can see more about it at www.polandspringcamp.com) We are very, very busy then, working 6 days, 60 to 70 hours a week.

The winter months are much quieter, just paperwork and phone calls. So the bulk of my writing is done then.

I love writing, but owning a campground has been a lot of fun too. Even when we’re busiest, I’m home with my children. And I enjoy working side by side with my husband. My family has had an opportunity to meet people from all over the country and the kids have friends who return year after year. And now with the internet and instant messaging, my oldest, Alex, can keep in touch with her camping friends during the winter months too. As long as all her homework is done first!

How long does it take you to write a book?

The Three Grumpies took 5 months to write. It was the easiest so far. I’ve been working on some others longer than that.

The key to writing, and writing well, is re-writing. I read my stories aloud to my daughter Alex. She’s a great help when I start brainstorming. I also belong to a group of authors who read each other’s work and give advice. They are all invaluable to me. It never fails . . . I’ll write a story and think, "Ha! This is perfect. They won’t find anything wrong with it this time!"

You know what? They always do!

Where do you get your ideas from?

Life.

Whenever something or someone unusual catches my eye, I wonder, "How can I use this in a story?" Then I jot it down and put it in my Idea Box for another day. I keep a journal, not so much to write about my feelings but to chronicle the things my family and I do. Especially, the unusual and amazing things my kids do.

I also love talking with people of all ages. I hear some pretty amazing stories over our campfire during camping season! And I have 13 nieces and nephews . . . if I can’t find an idea among that bunch, no one can!!!