I’m sitting under the high, bright ceilings of a cafe in an old mill town called Waltham, watching warm rain slide down the windows, and interviewing….myself.
Let’s get down to it. First influences?
When I was a child, I loved to read. I read all the time – while putting on my shoes, while traveling in the car, first thing in the morning, and always before bed. When I was about 10, I realized that though I passionately loved many books, my favorites were picture books. Two in particular stood out:
I’ve also had the same favorite band since I was 4. Do you think that’s unusual? (laughter)
The name of this band is the Talking Heads. I’ve even had the same favorite poet since I was 14.
The one and only Frank O’Hara.
These writers and thinkers helped me learn to look at the world as a place teeming with joy, mystery and beauty in the every day, and they also helped me look honestly at things that make us feel uncomfortable and, well, get comfortable with the many truths and contradictions of life.
That’s fascinating! But what’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
I often think about the Maple Walnut with chocolate sprinkles at Ron’s in Dedham, MA.
Unless…wait…are we talking about creemees? Because in that case I’ve never experienced a better treat than the maple creemees at the Elmore Sugar Shack in Elmore, VT.
Back to influences. It seems like a lot of what you liked as a child shaped the person you are today.
Isn’t that true of everyone? I think children are the most amazing group of readers, and I feel so profoundly lucky to get to publish children’s books for just that reason.
Are there other influences from your youth that play a role in your creativity today?
I started listening to rap and hip hop when I was in the 5th grade. I got a double tape deck boom box in my room, and memorized lyrics by Boogie Down Productions, the Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, Run DMC (I really wore out my tape of this one) and more. Those words still ring in my ears and energize me with poetry.
Were there other influences too?
Yes, the authors of the novels The Secret Garden, Anne of Green Gables, and Harriet the Spy all played important roles in my early thinking and were written by literary giants (Frances Hodgson Burnett; Lucy Maud Montgomery; Louise Fitzhugh).
Most surprising thing on your journey to becoming a published author so far?
How precious and vulnerable it feels to release your words into the world, and also how stunning and incredible it is to have them illustrated by a true artist. I still can’t believe that Chiara Fedele has illustrated my debut picture book. I feel so lucky. I hope I get to meet her someday and say thank you in person! Preferably in Italy, where she lives.
Wow! I hope you do, too. Thanks for this fun chat!
Cedar Pruitt loves interviewing writers, and Cedar Pruitt loves being a writer who is interviewed.
Cedar Pruitt 