Ask the Author: Shelley Sackier
Answered Questions (11)
Shelley Sackier
Book 2 is all finished! Alas, it will take the publisher (Harper Collins Teen) some convincing that enough readers want the sequel. I leave it to you, friend, but I'm so grateful you found it a worthy spend of your time. Cheers and thank you!
Shelley Sackier
Firstly, thank you, Ashen--your comment is getting reprinted in 48pt font and going up-- poster-sized--onto the fridge. I shall keep it there until my family covers it all in grocery list needs (but only behind my back because I shall fiercely defend it!).
Secondly, it is rocking horse manure rare for any of my dreams to influence my writing. My therapist says I should leave all that dream interpretation up to her, as my guesses are always some version of, "So, this means I'm not getting enough iron, right?"
That said, I do enter a "dream state" that is HIGHLY influential to my writing, and that happens only when I am walking (forest bathing, Cankama, Kinhin, Zen mindful walking meditation, etc.). It's here that all the bits come unstuck, all the characters take shape, and all threads are sewn together. It happens all the time, and it's likely the happiest moments of my day.
It's also where I have most of my real life conversations (because, of course, many writers are hermits and have no true friends). If pastured cows, or nesting birds had the ability to gossip, no doubt I would be the source of a great deal of facepalming and head shaking between them all.
A thousand thank yous for reading my drivel!
Secondly, it is rocking horse manure rare for any of my dreams to influence my writing. My therapist says I should leave all that dream interpretation up to her, as my guesses are always some version of, "So, this means I'm not getting enough iron, right?"
That said, I do enter a "dream state" that is HIGHLY influential to my writing, and that happens only when I am walking (forest bathing, Cankama, Kinhin, Zen mindful walking meditation, etc.). It's here that all the bits come unstuck, all the characters take shape, and all threads are sewn together. It happens all the time, and it's likely the happiest moments of my day.
It's also where I have most of my real life conversations (because, of course, many writers are hermits and have no true friends). If pastured cows, or nesting birds had the ability to gossip, no doubt I would be the source of a great deal of facepalming and head shaking between them all.
A thousand thank yous for reading my drivel!
Shelley Sackier
Hey Ellen, thanks for the question--and the answer is "there's always a chance." The next question would be ... when?? And for that one I have no answer. It all comes down to timing and interest (and then a little thing called money). Promise to keep you posted. ;)
Thanks so much for reading and I'm really glad you enjoyed The Antidote!
Cheers,
Shelley
Thanks so much for reading and I'm really glad you enjoyed The Antidote!
Cheers,
Shelley
Shelley Sackier
It's definitely being discussed! Happy Sunday, Sydney. Cheers!
Shelley Sackier
Well, firstly, Emily, a million thanks for taking the time to read the story. And a million more for telling me how much you enjoyed it. I'm so happy to hear that the bitter pill topics slid down easily with a slippery coating of humor. Those hefty subjects aren't the first thing many kids will gravitate to when searching for something to read, so it's always great to get some feedback.
Secondly, you betcha. I cooked up everything Opl makes in order to see just how challenging it would be for newbie teenaged hands to handle. Some I crafted myself and some I took from Jamie Oliver's Ministry of Food series, which were a series of 10-minute videos I figured most kids would find easy and fun, and are still available online via Youtube.
Lastly, anytime I'm reading about food I'm hungry. Which is basically most of the time I'm reading. Which really means I should be the size of a building with feet.
Cheers, Emily!
Secondly, you betcha. I cooked up everything Opl makes in order to see just how challenging it would be for newbie teenaged hands to handle. Some I crafted myself and some I took from Jamie Oliver's Ministry of Food series, which were a series of 10-minute videos I figured most kids would find easy and fun, and are still available online via Youtube.
Lastly, anytime I'm reading about food I'm hungry. Which is basically most of the time I'm reading. Which really means I should be the size of a building with feet.
Cheers, Emily!
Shelley Sackier
Currently I'm working on rewrites for a YA historical novel taking place in 18th century Great Britain that tells the tale of two teenagers on the opposite side of the Jacobite struggles, and a Middle Grade fantasy which is a story about a fairy who refers to herself as Nancy Drew with wings.
I also write a weekly humor blog about parenting two kids whom I share nothing in common with apart from the fact that all our clothes go into the same washer and dryer.
In my spare time, I wax lyrical over the beauty of hard liquor. But this is strictly when no children are present. Or are at least not looking.
I also write a weekly humor blog about parenting two kids whom I share nothing in common with apart from the fact that all our clothes go into the same washer and dryer.
In my spare time, I wax lyrical over the beauty of hard liquor. But this is strictly when no children are present. Or are at least not looking.
Shelley Sackier
Marry a publisher.
Shelley Sackier
The best thing about being a writer is all the invitations to state dinners and international round table functions. Wait ... no, that's the best thing about being a diplomat.
Which I'm not.
My bad.
But the writer thing? It could be the money. Yeah, I'll go with the money. But I'm guessing the state dinners are right around the corner.
Which I'm not.
My bad.
But the writer thing? It could be the money. Yeah, I'll go with the money. But I'm guessing the state dinners are right around the corner.
Shelley Sackier
A lot of authors don't want to admit to having writer's block, but I say toss aside the discomfort from the confession. Everyone has a different way of handling it. I, myself, have a whole array of ointments, creams and lotions. If things really get out of hand, I visit a doctor. Nothing cures writer's block faster than a visit to a psychiatrist who will loan you his copy of the latest Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Not only does it unmask the personal chaos you've been attempting to hide for years, but it works perfectly as an emotional thesaurus for the characters in your book. Works every time.
Shelley Sackier
I'd have to say that I don't necessarily feel inspiration, but rather an unending, insatiable urge to put what I see and think and feel into words. It's how I make sense of things. There are these steadfast and perpetual light bulb moments that happen every day. And oftentimes they are as slippery and ephemeral as fireflies on a summer's eve. Wisps that are hard to pin down and leave me aching for more. This is my writing life.
Shelley Sackier
Dear Opl was born in front of the white polar bear tank in the middle of the Sydney Zoo. My son, at the time, was about six or seven, and had a million questions where the answers required either an encyclopedia-sized brain or the ability to creatively lie because you didn't have a clue, but didn't want him to realize it. I was forced to go with option two.
He was a character that was desperate to be within the pages of a book, and so I began keeping a notebook of all his queries. Everyone else simply fell into place around this precocious younger sibling. He is the glue that holds the story pages together.
He was a character that was desperate to be within the pages of a book, and so I began keeping a notebook of all his queries. Everyone else simply fell into place around this precocious younger sibling. He is the glue that holds the story pages together.
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Oct 24, 2024 01:10PM · flag