Debut Author Interviews

Marlane Kennedy is the author of Me and the Pumpkin Queen (Greenwillow/HarperCollins, Summer 2007)

• Marlane Kennedy on...Family Appreciation
• Marlane Kennedy on... Completion
• Marlane Kennedy on...The Call
• Marlane Kennedy on...Writing Schedule
• Marlane Kennedy on...After-Sale Revisions
• Marlane Kennedy on...Agents
• Marlane Kennedy on...Prior Research
• Marlane Kennedy on...Ideas
• Marlane Kennedy on...Training
• Marlane Kennedy on...Why Kids?
• Marlane Kennedy on...Influential Books
• Marlane Kennedy on...Self-Help Books
• Marlane Kennedy on...Cover Art
• Marlane Kennedy on...First Novels

Now that you’re under contract, does your family better appreciate your writing?

My family has always been great, even though it took me fourteen years to be published. My father has been bragging to people for years that he had a daughter that was a children’s book author. Pre-contract I found that pretty embarrassing, but I appreciated the fact he thought what I was doing was worthwhile. And now that I will actually have a book in print you can imagine how much more bragging he is doing. My husband has always made time for me to write. I can’t even begin to count the number of times he has taken our kids places or entertained them so I coud have some quiet time to write without the usual interruptions. Never once has he grumbled—even when it seemed like my writing was destined to be a hobby only. He certainly was happy though, when the first advance check came in!

How did you know you were “done” with your book and ready to submit it?

I never consider a manuscript totally “done” when I submit. I think there is a myth out there that manuscripts have to be perfect before submitting, but all manuscripts go through revisions (and copyediting!) after they are accepted. I do spend a great deal of time, though, combing over a manuscript and making changes before I’m ready to send it out. A manuscript may not have to be perfect, but it certainly has to be polished until it shines! Usually I know it’s ready when I finally read through the manuscript and make only small changes—a word here and there.

What happened when you received ‘The Call’ that your book would be published?

When my agent called to tell me Greenwillow had made an offer first thing I said was, “You’re kidding.” She assured me she was not. Luckily my husband was home from lunch and nearby so I gave him a thumbs up and he immediately knew what was going on—so he was the first to know. I remained fairly calm and informed my agent I would wait until I got off the phone to start screaming and jumping up and down. I didn’t want to burst her eardrum! Afterwards I felt bumping into the walls loopy—like I was drunk or something. I felt so scattered I couldn’t concentrate on anything other than the fact I would finally be published after years and years of trying. I called my sister, parents, and a few friends. To celebrate my husband, kids and I went out to dinner. I hardly ever drink, but I ordered a Long Island Ice Tea which of course made me even loopier. And then I wore a dopey grin on my face for about a month.

What is your writing schedule?

There is a famous quote by Dorothy Parker—“I hate writing; I love having written.” That’s me! I almost always have to force myself to write. But usually, once I start it is hard to stop. I am not the most disciplined writer. I tend to write in spurts. Sometimes I will do marathon sessions several days in a row. Sometimes weeks will go by without me working on a project. But I have had a little one at home these past six years. She’s off to first grade this year, and my older ones are in high school, so I’m hoping to get into a regular writing routine!

How much revision did you do AFTER you sold your book to your publisher?

When the offer was made, my editor told my agent my manuscript didn’t need much in the way of revision. When my revision letter finally arrived it was only about a page and a half long—and the first part was actually how much they loved the story and how excited they were to be publishing it. My editor wanted more of the main character’s best friend and asked that I add a few scenes having to do with the father’s veterinary practice and family dogs. Pretty painless stuff. But she also thought the ending should be changed. That threw me for a loop at first, but once I gave it some thought I was able to tackle the revision and it wasn’t as difficult as I thought it would be. My editor gave excellent feedback and I’m grateful for her advice. The time and work I spent in doing the revision was well worth the end result!

Is an agent useful or necessary for a first-time author?

My publisher, Greenwillow, is closed to unsolicited manuscripts. I never would have a chance with them without being repped by my wonderful agent. So, yes, I find it useful to have an agent. However, during my pre-agent days I didn’t have any problem at all getting my manuscripts read by publishers who had an open door policy. I had many requests for sample chapters and fulls just by sending out query letters. It isn’t necessary to have an agent—but I guess you could say it sure helps (as long as you have a legitimate, enthusiastic agent, of course!).

How much research and/or meditation about your subject did you do before you began your first draft?

The main character in ME AND THE PUMPKIN QUEEN grows giant pumpkins. Now I can’t even keep a houseplant alive. Not a bit of green in my thumb, unfortunately. So I did a massive amount of research before and during the writing of my novel. I scoured the Internet—there are surprisingly a lot of sites having to do with giant pumpkins. I also read several editions of Don Langevin’s HOW TO GROW WORLD CLASS GIANT PUMPKINS and consulted an expert in the field. The novel takes place in a real setting—Pickaway County, Ohio—and Circleville’s Pumpkin Show plays a major role in the story. But I didn’t have to research the setting at least—I grew up there!

Where did you get the idea for your book?

I grew up near Circleville, Ohio, which is famous for a festival called Pumpkin Show. The entire downtown is blocked off and over 400,000 people fill the streets. There is every imaginable kind pumpkin food, tons of rides, artist and craft booths, the world’s largest pumpkin pie, and a giant pumpkin contest. My novel, ME AND THE PUMPKIN QUEEN, was inspired by my hometown and the festival it hosts.

What writing training have you had?

I was an education major, but I did take a few creative writing classes while attending Ohio State. After graduating, I attended a few conferences focused on writing for children. I would say, though, that the best training I had was reading tons and tons of middle grade novels. All the books I read as a child must have imprinted on me somehow—and I continued reading stack of books for the elementary crowd as an adult as well.

Why write for children and teens?

I never outgrew children’s books. Instead of making the jump to reading adult books, I kept on heading for the middle grade/young adult section of the library. My twenties and thirties have passed and reading books for kids is still a passion of mine. For years I wondered what the librarians in my town thought of me—what a relief it was when my book sold and I could tell them why I had been hanging around the kids’ book shelves. It gave me a legitimate excuse! Anyway, since I enjoy reading stories for kids, it naturally follows that what spills out of me are stories for kids.

What books had an impact on you when you were growing up?

When I was in second grade my teacher gave me a Nancy Drew book to read. Not exactly considered great literature in the grand scheme of things, but it certainly ignited a passion for reading. During those early years I devoured the whole Nancy Drew series and the Trixie Belden mysteries, too. Then I went through a long spell where I would only read books about horses. When I was junior high age, though, I absoultely fell in love with Katherine Paterson’s JACOB HAVE I LOVED and also Madeleine L’Engle’s A WRINKLE IN TIME. In high school Paul Zindle’s MY DARLING, MY HAMBURGER was a favorite. And, of course, as an adult I have discovered many great books: Louis Sacher’s HOLES, Kate DiCamillo’s BECAUSE OF WINN DIXIE, Lowis Lowy’s THE GIVER, and Jerry Spinelli’s STARGIRL and MANIAC MAGEE.
All these books have helped shaped me as a writer, I believe.

What are some of your current favorite writing or author-help books?

Stephen King’s ON WRITING. Not only does it give great writing tips, but it’s a fascinating read that offers an intimate look into his personal life.

I also found CHILDREN’S WRITER’S AND ILLUSTRATOR’S MARKET to be a big help when I was first learning about the publishing industry. And though no longer a novice, I still enjoy reading each new edition.

Did the art director read your entire book to get inspiration for the cover?

I had no involvement with the book cover at all. Though I knew who the artist would be, I was kept in the dark about the actual cover. My first peek at the cover didn’t happen until the Advanced Reader Copy arrived in my mailbox. Thankfully, I was happy with the outcome! And I could tell right away that the artist had read my book. The main character, Mildred, grows giant pumpkins and had quite a few disastrous growing seasons in the past, yet she remains full of hope and anticipation for the growing season ahead. Mildred’s expression on the cover says it all perfectly. Even the dog’s expression is spot on—though good natured and loveable, he causes a bit of trouble for Mildred during the course of the story. Later, I was able to contact the artist (the wonderful, talented Marla Frazee) to let her know how pleased I was with the cover. I found out that she had indeed read the manuscript and loved the story.

Was this the first full-length novel you wrote, or rather the first that you sold?

I wrote my first novel, a humorous young adult, fourteen years ago. Lots of bites. No takers. Six middle grade novels followed. I garnered a stack of requests and personal responses, but not a single contract. My eighth novel sold to the second publisher that saw it. I am the poster child for persistence (or maybe just sheer stubbornness) :)