Author Interview - Marcia Berneger - author of Buster, The Little Garbage Truck

My friend, Marcia Berneger has a picture book being released today! Don't you just love the cover.  Buster is such a cute garbage truck!

I'm almost as proud as she is. I was one of her critique partners and I was there when Buster was 'being born.' 

It is available at most on-line retailers: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Target, even Walmart.

How did Buster come to be?

It took me a few days to write Buster, and over a year to “perfect” it. I have both an online critique group and a face-to-face one and they both saw Buster many times, helping me get to that “ready” stage. I needed to get to the point where, when I read it, nothing zinged out at me as “hmm, that could be worded better.” I also read Buster to several kindergarten and first grade classes, watching their reactions as they listened.

How do you come up with ideas to write about? 

Many of my ideas are loosely based around student and/or experiences I’ve had throughout my teaching career. Buster is a great example of that. I was tutoring a young boy who was terrified to go into first grade. He happened to be extremely bright, so I was trying to boost his confidence. He also happened to be obsessed with garbage trucks. I couldn’t find a book about a child-garbage truck, so I wrote the story for him.

Tell us about your desk or workspace.

I often hand-write my stories into one of my many journals (many times I’ll get an idea at a writing conference or class—so I’ll start the story right there on note paper), then transfer it onto my computer. Sometimes I do type one directly—if I’m at home when inspiration hits. My edits are almost always done on the computer. I have a small desk crammed with everything I need.

How long did it take to get an agent/editor? Can you tell us about the process of finding and signing with an agent? 

My agent story is a bit unique. I’d attended that big LA SCBWI conference one summer and saw an agency I thought would be a good fit for my work. I’d just started on Buster, so I wasn’t near ready to submit. By the time I was, a year later, I’d lost my notes and couldn’t remember which agent I’d seen. I remembered the agency, though, and took a guess. I referenced the conference in my subject line. Well, the agent loved Buster, but did ask why I’d put that conference in there—since she hadn’t attended it! (Oops!)

Do you have a current WIP or next project you’re working on? 

I have many works in progress from picture books to young chapter books, and even a middle-grade novel. But I’m actively working on a second Buster book, Buster and the Bullies. I really like this one. It’s been getting very positive reviews from the students I’ve read it to—and isn’t that what this is all about?

Favorite quote – favorite children’s books –

When I was little, I loved The Pokey Little Puppy. But my favorite book is The Abandoned, by Paul Galico. It’s about a boy who becomes a cat, and has to learn how to “be a cat.” My favorite quote comes from that book. When the boy complains to his very patient teacher (another cat), she tells him: “Can’t catches no mice!” That became my watchword for anything that seemed too hard to do. Even now!

What words of wisdom or advice do you have for “writers under construction?”

READ!! (I know, everyone says that.) But read in your genre, and read specifically for craft (how the writer achieved what s/he was going for). Go to an SCBWI meeting (they’re all over—great organization for support and guidance). Find a critique group and see what others have to say about your work, then choose only what you want to use. Stay true to yourself and listen to your heart first. It’s YOUR story!

And don’t be afraid to submit!!

Like Buster says: Be brave! HONK your horn!

Where can readers find out more about you?

  Marcia

Website: www.marciaberneger.com
Facebook:                                                                  www.facebook.com/marcia.berneger
Twitter: @MarciaBerneger
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/berneger
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Marcia-Berneger/e/B00NXBFBIY/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1

I hope you enjoyed this interview with Marcia. 

I know you will enjoy her book. 

And, like Marcia says, read and don't be afraid to submit!

 

 

Interview

I've been asked by children's author, Deb Hockenberry, to answer questions about my writing.
You can visit her blog here.

What am I currently working on?

I work on more than one thing at a time. It helps keep me from getting stuck or bored. My biggest project now is editing (again) my middle grade book, titled Duck and Cover. And, each month I write an article for Two Lane Livin' Magazine.

Why do you write what you write?

A few years ago, I had this urge to write a picture book about picking blackberries. I couldn't get it out of my mind. I found out about a writing group that met in Ripley and decided to go to one of the meetings. I discovered that I didn't really know how to write. But, I kept attending the meetings and my skills and confidence grew. I find I tend to live in the past, so I write from childhood memories. And, I love writing historical fiction - writing about a time before all of these new-fangled inventions and discoveries. I tend to write shorter pieces, so it works great for my love of writing for children.

Describe your writing process.

I sit in my chair and peck away at my laptop. Of course, an idea has to come. Sometimes that is the hardest part of the process, especially when I write articles for children. But, once inspiration hits - my fingers fly across the keyboard - stopping only to do more research. (And to eat, drink, take bathroom breaks and all those other necessary activities) Whenever I write a historical fiction, I do research before I write and if I need to, I continue to research as I write. I don't have any special time of the day or hours of the day that I write. Life sometimes gets in the way of a regular writing routine.


How does your work differ from others in the same genre?

I don't think my work differs from others in the same genre. I write what I know. I write what I am interested in. I write what I don't know and learn along the way.

Do I have a book or anything submitted?

I have several of my manuscripts that I am currently submitting. Still waiting for that acceptance!

I have self published a book, titled FunThrough the Seasons - Recipes, Crafts and Fun Facts for Kids. It is a compilation of my articles, which include easy recipes and crafts, that I write for kids for Two Lane Livin’ Magazine. I have organized the book into months of the year, each section starting out with an original poem about the month. And, I have added more content. It is a great book for preschool to grade school age children. They learn in a fun way.

Well, that's it. I hope you enjoyed the interview.