Shari Lyle-Soffe has been writing for children for a little more than 10 years. Her first publishing credits were in children's magazines. She lives in the woods of Southern Oregon where she is inspired by the animals that often visit her yard. Shari loves children and animals and thinks the two groups clearly understand each other. She has a children's storybook series about raccoon brothers, The Rooter and Snuffle series. She also has a picture book about perseverance titled Nothing Stops Noah.
The Interview
Some writers go on long walks, others keep a journal, write at a cafe, or listen to music. What do you do for inspiration and unleashing your creativity?
I love nature. I use to take long walks in the woods. I can't take long walks anymore due to an injury but I love to sit outside and smell the fresh air, listen to the birds and feel the sun when we have some. I sporadically keep a journal of sorts. It is part diary, part reflection, and part observation of what is around me.
Are you a disciplined writer? What is your working style?
If you could see my office you would know discipline is not in my vocabulary. I try to be disciplined but I fail miserably. I am more of a pile it type person, and jump from one thing to another. I'm ashamed to admit it, but it is partly because I get so many interruptions while I am working. If I had an office away from home, all by myself, I would set the publishing world on fire, or at least make it smolder a little bit. My main interruption is my husband. I love him and I wouldn't want to lose him so I'll just muddle through.
Do you like to outline and plot ahead, or are you more of a stream-of-consciousness writer?
No, I don't outline, do character studies, plot or do anything else that is organized, although I have tried them all. They just don't work for me. I might take a few short notes while I'm thinking up a new book, but usually I just write. It comes to me fairly quickly and easily if I'm not interrupted. That is not to say there are not plenty of rewrites and edits later, but for the most part it flows.
Have you ever suffered from writers block? If yes, how did you cure it?
Yes, too many times. I have tried all of the usual suggestions but if it is a real block it means my life is out of adjustment and I need to step away from the writing and figure out what is troubling me and how to fix it. The problem usually is not the writing it's me. Often it is a lack of confidence in my abilities brought on by an insensitive remark from someone or a disappointment. In the beginning I overcame it by plastering my office walls with everything of mine that was published. Seeing my successes gave me confidence. Don't ask me about patching the holes in the wall when we got ready to paint, it was a nightmare.
How do you see the future of children's picture books?
I think publishing will become more and more about electronic formats and less about print books. I am sure someone will come out with a reader that is able to reproduce color artwork and text and someday it will be more affordable than readers are now. Don't kid yourself that no one will buy them for kids. Just about every kid I know has a Nintendo DS at a cost of $129. They take a beating so I'm sure the technology can handle it.
Picture books are an art form and I can't imagine that paper books will completely go away but I think the field will definitely change. I think it is unwise for writers to shun ebooks. There is still a kind of snobbery when it comes to electronic publishing that is unrealistic. I think many turn their backs on ebooks. They are missing a golden opportunity.
Do you have a website/blog where readers may learn more about you and your works?
Yes, I have three in fact. If you are interested in finding out more about children's books you can go to my Website where I post a book each day to fit a theme and do one author interview each week. I occasionally offer something for free on this site too. To learn more about my Rooter and Snuffle series of books go to my Rooter & Snuffle blog . To learn more about my picture book "Nothing Stops Noah" or to find out how to enter your pet in Noah's pet of the week, go to NothingStopsNoah blog .
Thanks for the great interview, Shari!
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
