Tiny Treasury

It’s the Friday Fifteen! Today’s guest is Suzanne Williams.

Onto the Friday Fifteen!

1. Where are you now?

On the couch in my living room, with my fox terrier beside me and my laptop in my lap.

2. What were your favorite books as a kid?

Mary Poppins, Winnie-the-Pooh, Pippi Longstocking, Nancy Drew

3. What are you reading now?

Short stories by Alice Munro.

4. Do you have kids?

Two grown children: Ward, age 23 and Emily, age 20.

5. What projects are you working on now?

A six-book series about flower fairies (for ages 7-10) that HarperCollins will publish in Winter 2009.

6. What is your biggest writing or illustrating luxury?

Writing in my journal every morning for a half hour or longer.

7. Coffee or tea?

Tea. Black. High quality leaves steeped in a French press.

8. Name five artists on your iPod (or mp3 player).

None, I’m embarrassed to admit. However, my daughter has turned me on to Latin music. On my mp3 player I have the audio to a yoga stretching routine and calming meditation music and chants.

9. What would I be surprised to know about you?

Nothing. My life is an open book.

10. What college did you attend (in what subject)?

University of Oregon B.S. Sociology; M.L.S. (Library Science)

11. If you weren’t working with kids’ books, what would your dream job be?

Writing for children IS my dream job. I can’t think of anything else I’d rather do.

12. What’s the best thing on TV right now?

Is there anything good on TV? I don’t even have cable (though I do indulge in Netflix movies).

13. How did you get your “big break” into the field?

Like most writers, I just sent stories out and racked up the rejection notices until one day…ta duh!…a publisher actually accepted something I’d written. A class I took from ICL was valuable for teaching me the basics of writing for children, but I’m sure that my ten plus years as an elementary school librarian was also a help; I was familiar with what was currently being published.

14. Which celeb would you want most to meet?

Jamie Curtis. She’s one of the few celebs writing children’s books these days who can actually write.

15. Who is the best book character EVER?

EVER? That’s a tough call. I guess I’ll have to go with Beverly Cleary’s Ramona. (But ask me this question a week from now and I might give you a different answer.)

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Suzanne’s new book, Ten Naughty Little Monkeys, is being released this week.

You can find a list of Suzanne’s other books here. Among her other books are those in the popular Princess Power series, published by HarperCollins and illustrated by Chuck Gonzales.

Since our theme for April will be princesses, it seemed appropriate to end March on this note. Thanks, Suzanne!