This interview, with the title of FRAME OF MIND IN TIME, gives you a little insight into my childhood, and even into the future!
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It’s time to learn about our fearless leader, Nancy Viau. It was Nancy who started the KidLit Authors Club way back at the end of 2009. Its purpose was to bring children’s book authors together for book events such as bookstore signings, book festivals, conferences, library and school visits, and more. The official KidLit Authors Club website: www.kidlitauthorsclub.com went live January 1, 2010.
Let’s see what she has to say in our FRAME OF MIND IN TIME interview.
Your very young self: Who is reading to you and what book are they reading?
My lovely Mom is reading The Real Mother Goose by Blanche Fisher Wright. I remember it being a huge book in my very little hands, and I had to be careful when turning the pages. I also remember the peanut butter smudge my brother added on a favorite rhyme.
7-year-old self: What book are YOU reading?
Fun with Dick and Jane. Real words! Real sentences! A real story!
10-year-old self: What do you want to be when you grow up?
An ballet-dancing astronaut
Teen self: What impresses you?
Girls who were popular and confident, and who never seemed anxious about school, boys, gym class, hairstyles, parts they got in school musicals, or clothes. Also impressive: black lace-up “granny boots” and “hot pants” and any outfit that had fringe. My mom made a lot of my clothes, so sadly, these things were missing from my wardrobe.
Teen self: What embarrasses you?
Everything my parents said to my friends (looking at you Karen and Kathi Lange) and boyfriends.
Today: What inspires you and your writing?
Nature and the outdoors mostly, but also watching and listening to kids of all ages. They are never boring!
What have been your favorite times as an author?
I cherish the hilarious and thoughtful comments from kids, like:
You are my favorite author next to Dr. Seuss.
You are better than TV.
I have read your book one hundred and two times.
You were alive in the eighties???!!
Your 100-year-old self:
Now that I’m 100 years old, I realize how lucky I was to have had the opportunity to view the world through the eyes of children (in my writing). All these years, that has kept me young. Gotta add, those dang holograms the five-year-olds made of my “classics” are pretty awesome.