Interview Friday with Award-winning Children's Author Donna McDine

Donna McDine is an award-winning children’s author. Her stories, articles and book reviews have been published in over 100 print and online publications. Her interest in American History resulted in writing and publishing "The Golden Pathway."

She writes, moms and is a personal assistant from her home in the historical hamlet Tappan, NY. McDine is a member of the SCBWI, Children’s Literature Network and Family Reading Partnership.

VS: What do you do to help balance your writing life with your family life?

Donna: I try my best to write when my family is off doing their “thing” and then meditate for 10-15 minutes prior to their return so I’m refreshed for them.

VS: How long have you been writing?

Donna: Since 2007

VS: What is a typical writing day like for you?

Donna: No day is the same. I grab my writing time when I get it. Whether 15 minutes or 30 minutes at a time. As many authors we hold full time or part time jobs and we jump on the chance when it comes. I always keep my To Do list with me, a pad of paper and pen. Yep, I’m old fashioned. I don’t like to rely on technology. When a thought or inspiration comes to me I want to write it down immediately and not wait for technology to start up.

VS: Is your family supportive of your writing?

Donna: Yes.

VS: If this isn’t your first publication, what was the first thing you ever had published?

Donna: The Golden Pathway – August 2010

VS: Can you share with us a little about your current book(s)?

Donna: Hockey Agony: Peer Pressure and Honesty many times go hand-in-hand. What is Larry to do when his teammate asks him to cheat when he is given the responsibility to run the clock during the big hockey game? Outwardly, it may seem he will follow suit, but his conscious tells him otherwise at the moment of truth.

Powder Monkey: Forced into a life at sea by the Royal Navy Press Gangs, 12-year-old Tommy Kitt finds himself in a floating sea of misery. Poor living conditions and beatings occur daily. Despite his runt like size, Tommy must summon the courage and physical ability to prevail in a situation he cannot escape.

VS: What tips can you give writing parents with children at home to help them see publication?

Donna: Persistence is key and have at least 2-3 short stories in the pipeline.

VS: What do you feel as parents we need to do to help our children see success?

Donna: Supporting them in their dreams and getting them involved in activities that are related to their interests. Such as, science clubs, sport camps, art classes. You name, there is something for everyone.

VS: You are an award-winning author. Can you share what awards have received for your writing?

Donna: Honorable Mention in the 77th and two Honorable Mentions in the 78^th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competitions (The Golden Pathway, Hockey Agony and Images of the Past)

Literary Classics Silver Award & Seal of Approval Recipient Picture Book Early Reader ~ The Golden Pathway.

Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention ~ The Golden Pathway.

Global eBook Awards Finalist Children’s Picture Book Fiction ~ The Golden Pathway.

Preditors & Editors Readers Poll 2010 Top Ten Children’s Books ~ The Golden Pathway

VS: Where can the readers of The Writing Mama find out more about and your writing?

Donna: www.donnamcdine.com

www.donna-mcdine.com

You can find out more about Donna McDine, her books and World of Ink Author/Book Tour at http://tinyurl.com/3tv4jgf

World of Ink Interview with author Judy Snider and Illustrator Cady B. Driver

Judy Snider , Joan’s sister lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia with her husband, Gil, and two silly cats. She is the author of the CWA award-winning children’s picture book, Goldy’s Baby Socks , and on a team of authors of The Scared Purse . The Writing Mama Interview with author Judy Snider VS: What do you do to help balance your writing life with your family life? Judy: It is easier now that my kids are in their 20’s and out of the home. I get up very early, and some of the best writing I do is in a sunny place with a glass of water or coffee and my silly cats nearby. When my oldest was a baby, I took a write-away-course, and would write when he took his naps. Some of my best writing was at a table while I waited in those days for them at parties, video arcades, etc. I work out of my home on projects, so working with my sister on our latest book, and the phone usually did Cady Driver, our illustrator. VS: How long have you been writing? Judy: I wrote my...

Interview Friday: Natasha Yim & Gretchen Maurer

Natasha Yim is a children's book author and freelance writer. Her first book, Otto's Rainy Day was published by Charlesbridge Publishing in 2000. It was selected as a Kids' Pick of the Lists. She has written for Highlights for Children, Appleseeds and Faces magazines, and her new picture book biography, Cixi, The Dragon Empress was released by Goosebottom Books in October 2011. Gretchen Maurer's writing has been published in Frances Mayes' The Discovery of Poetry, and in Adventure Cyclist and Highlights for Children magazines. She also co-wrote a short film, Alma, that has won multiple awards. Mary Tudor, "Bloody Mary" is her first picture book. She lives in Northern California with her family. Natasha Yim’s current book, Cixi, The Dragon Empress and Gretchen Maurer’s current book, Mary Tudor, “Bloody Mary” are two of the six books (all written by different authors) in Goosebottom Books’ series, The Thinking Girl’s Treasury of Dastardly Dames. The seri...

Meet the Hosts of the World of Ink Network on the What is Success Show

The What is Success show is on the 1st Wed. of every month with host Virginia S Grenier. Each month the show touches on different topics about the movie, publishing, marketing and even inspirational worlds around us. The guest each bring their own view point on what makes people success in their careers and life. This month listeners will get to meet the Hosts of the Featured World of Ink Network here on Blog Talk Radio. The hosts from WOI will share not only about their different shows, but also the other projects they are working on outside of talk radio. We will be joined by Marsha Casper Cook from A Good Story is A Story; Rj Jefferies from The Write Step; Irene Roth from Families Matter; Willow Cross and Tracee Ford from The Paranormal Hour; Virginia S Grenier from The Writing Mama and Stories for Children; and lastly Bennet Pomerantz co-host and new WOI host. Learn more about the hosts and our network at http://worldofinknetwork.com Read articles, dis...

VS Grenier ~ Award-Winning Author, Speaker & Podcaster

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