Ask the Author: Sally Valentine
Answered Questions (7)
Sally Valentine
I'm going to immerse myself in mid-grade literature this summer. This is my list so far in no particular order:
El Deafo by Cece Bell
River by Wendy Dunham
Wolf Boy by Susan Beckhorn
Code Talkers by Andrea Page
Soldier Boy by Keely Hutton
El Deafo by Cece Bell
River by Wendy Dunham
Wolf Boy by Susan Beckhorn
Code Talkers by Andrea Page
Soldier Boy by Keely Hutton
Sally Valentine
The mystery in my family dates back to 1903. My great-uncle Robert Earl McCaw was living in a boarding house in Jackson, Tennessee while attending law school at Southwestern Baptist University. One night shortly before midnight he opened the front door in response to a knock and was shot dead with a pistol. There were no witnesses, and the weapon was never found. Maybe it's time to unravel this mystery.
Sally Valentine
My most recent book, STORMED, was inspired by many trips, both as a kid and as an adult, to three places in Rochester that I love: the Rundel Library, the Seneca Park Zoo, and the Rochester Public Market.
Sally Valentine
I was inspired to write my kids' books about Rochester after reading a series of mysteries for adults by Margaret Truman Daniels. Each book is set in a different landmark in Washington DC. I thought that someone should write books like that about Rochester. Then I thought, what if that someone was me?
On a daily basis what keeps me inspired to write is telling myself that I only have to write 500 words each day. I also tell myself that they don't have to be perfect. By giving myself permission to fail, I usually meet with success.
On a daily basis what keeps me inspired to write is telling myself that I only have to write 500 words each day. I also tell myself that they don't have to be perfect. By giving myself permission to fail, I usually meet with success.
Sally Valentine
I'm currently working on two things. The first is the sixth book in the Rochester series, tentatively titled Fire in Genesee Country. The other project is a collaboration with another author, Beth Hoad, on a book for adults about the Sherman/Peer family of Wayne County.
Sally Valentine
Write every day. Writing, like most other skills, improves with practice. Don't let rejections get you down. I had 17 rejections before my first kids' novel found a home.
Sally Valentine
Being able to work in my pajamas.
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