Is it true that when you were growing up, your heroes were astronauts?
Yes. I remember watching our little black- and-white television set and saw Neil Armstrong land on the moon. One of my prized possessions is the cover of my first Martin Bridge book, Ready for Takeoff, signed by John Glenn, the first astronaut to circle around the earth.
Why do you write? Ever since I watched the first astronauts in space, I have longed to be able blast off this planet and explore the unknown. Writing is the next best thing. Writing is the only place that I can say what I really want to say. I get to revisit my childhood and fix things. I get to see things from someone else’s point of view. And finally, I get to dedicate my work to all the important people in my life.
Who have been the inspiration for your stories? Staff of the Museum of Natural History in Halifax, Nova Scotia, were the inspiration for my new trilogy, The Lobster Chronicles. I admire their passion for studying and preserving our natural world. My husband and son were the inspiration for Martin Bridge, to whom that series is dedicated.
Do you include autobiographical elements in your stories? Yes. The Junior Badgers are based on my Girl Guide experiences. I once met an artist who made sculpture entirely out of scotch tape; a character named Clark is based on him. Martin Bridge loves art class at school; I completed a degree at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. I once had neighbours whose parrot escaped from their home in the dead of winter; I based Polly on that parrot. I worked with a dancer who had a props shed, just like Stuart’s mom. The planet Astro was named in honour of our dog (who is no longer with us). I often use real place names, like Carter’s Beach or Tupper Grove Park. And then there are my son’s experiences to turn to, like the science fairs he’s participated in, his fascination with making slime recipes, his love of flashlights, and the Halloween costumes I made for him when he was little.
When do story ideas come to you? Usually right in the middle of when someone is talking to me. As soon as they leave, I write myself a note, then record it in my ideas journal when I get home.
What is your favourite literary board game? Balderdash, where everyone makes up definitions. My least favorite is Scrabble. I don’t like spelling.
Who is your favourite book illustrator? Joseph Kelly. He’s the best.
When and where do you like to write? I get up at 5:30 every morning to write. It is not as fun as it sounds. However, my desk is located by a window overlooking a small pond with goldfish, and is conveniently located near the laundry room. I live in a 140 year-old house with sloping floors and trapezoid doors, which has survived two hurricanes. There are no leaks at the moment.
What is the difference between writers and those who want to write? I believe that successful writers can count on three things: one, they have family and friends who support and encourage them; two, they are not afraid to fail because they are able to learn from their mistakes; and three, they stick to their writing schedule.
Illustration used by permission of Kids Can Press. Illustration © 2005 Joseph Kelly.
