AMBERLY KRISTEN CLOWE

My guest today is children's author, Amberly Kristen Clowe. I know her as Krissy. We are represented by the same agent, Dawn Dowdle.

Let's give a warm welcome to Krissy.

You have a new release. Tell us all about it:

"Katie Ling Fashion Queen" is a picture book published by AwareNow Publishing. The main character, Katie Ling, has a serious passion for fashion. She knows she's different from a lot of the kids her age who love ponies and video games. Instead of feeling weird, she feels special. I love that subtle lesson in the book.

The road to publication is long and full of problems. What did you learn through the writing process from first word to signing the contract?

Wow. I'm going to have to only mention a few things, because it would take me pages and pages to explain everything I've learned since day one. This is not an overnight success type of business. It takes time. Time researching, time waiting on responses, and actual time spent writing. It also takes having a humble attitude. My work has been changed again, and again, and again. I've learned that this makes it better. It doesn't make me less of a writer. I wore my heart on my sleeve at first. After several rejections, I finally rolled those sad, little sleeves up and got down to business.

As a stay-at-home Mom, what is your writing schedule like?

My writing schedule revolves around my nine-month-old son's schedule. I get work done when he naps, plays independently, and sleeps at night. I'm happy as long as I do at least one thing daily that has something to do with my writing career. That could be writing, editing, brainstorming, social networking, querying, etc. Most days I do more than one, but I don't get down on myself as long as I do something. With my busy schedule, that's the best I can do without compromising family time.

What advice would you give a "wannabe" writer?

If you really believe in your idea, stay with it. Join a critique group and better your story. I really believe that if you apply the advice you get to your writing, eventually, a publisher will believe in your story as much as you do.

What sets you apart from other writers?

I've taught children and really understand their interests. My stories are easy for them to relate to and can evoke emotions whether happy, sad, or just plain silly.

As a romance writer, I'm always on the lookout for pictures of drop-dead-gorgeous men. I notice you have several pictures on your fb page of a very handsome "young" fellow. Tell us about your handsome son. How is he an inspiration to your writing?

What a fun question! My son has inspired many of my ideas. I love to take seemingly boring, daily tasks and look at them through his young eyes. Suddenly, everything is refreshingly exciting.

Thanks for stopping by today to talk about your new book. How can readers purchase it or learn more about you?

 

Below are links to my website, blog, and where to purchase Katie Ling. Thanks so much for squeezing me into your busy schedule Vonnie!

http://awarenow.ca/?p=145

http://www.amberlykclowe.yolasite.com
http://www.amberlykclowe.blogspot.com/

KRISSY CLOWE says, "We Could All Learn From Rudy and Mem!"

My guest today is Krissy Clowe. Krissy has been writing stories since she was a little girl. She began studying children’s literature in college and graduated with a degree in early childhood education. After being inspired by her students, Krissy decided to pursue her childhood dream of becoming an author. After several years, late nights with the computer, and rejection letters, Krissy’s dream is finally coming true in January of 2011 when her first picture book, Katie Ling Fashion Queen, will be published with AwareNow Publishing. When Krissy isn’t writing, she’s playing with her son, walking her two dogs, feeding her fish, or being lazy with her husband on the weekends.

Krissy, welcome to Vintage Vonnie!

Thanks, Vonnie. The other day I was thinking about all the people I have met in my lifetime. I have many childhood friends, teaching friends, church friends, writing friends, and family. Those numbers really start to add up. I also began to think about how everyone I know is passionate about something. Some people are passionate about music. Others are passionate about reading. Some people are passionate about both, and the list goes on and on.


My husband always laughs at the fact that my favorite movie of all time is Rudy. One of my favorite lines is “You’re five foot nothin’, a hundred and nothin’ and hardly have a spec of athletic ability and you hung in with the best college football team in the land for two years!” Rudy may have lacked many things, but passion wasn’t one of them. Because of this, he achieved his dream.


Another one of my favorites is the children’s book Wilford Gordon McDonald Partridge by one of the greats, Mem Fox. The story is about memory loss through the eyes of a young boy. Mem Fox was passionate about bridging the divide between the elderly and the young. This is the only book that makes me cry every time I read it.


I believe passion is what separates a so-so manuscript from a literary masterpiece. It’s crucial that authors write on topics that they are passionate about. This turns a writer into a storyteller. Whether a story makes us pathetically sob or laugh out loud, our souls are touched. As a writer, that’s the legacy I want to leave.


Krissy Clowe, author of children's picture book, Katie Ling Fashion Queen