Children's Author, Bill Kirk visits Write What Inspires You!

I recently had the opportunity to catch up with children's author, Bill Kirk since our last interview a year ago. A lot has transpired in Bill's career and personal life since then. Bill, congratulations on all your positive happenings...I'm quite impressed.

DMc: Congratulations! You have been quite busy with three books scheduled for publication in 2011 with another two under contract. How are you balancing all your book promotion tasks?



BK: Thanks, Donna. You are so right. Balancing is a good way to put it because it is a real balancing act between tending to the business side of book promotion and marketing and finding time for the creative side of writing. I must admit, I still haven't mastered the business side of things. But I should say right off the bat that the interview opportunity you have given me today is definitely a plus on the “promotion” side. Thanks for having me.
I suppose the approach that works best for someone has to be connected to whatever their goals or objectives are for their writing. It’s hard to tell what works best. But all I know is once a book has been released, the real time consuming work begins—the more time you put into promoting your books, the better the chances of meeting your personal goals and objectives. There are lots of ways for one’s writing to have meaning. So, I would say pick how you want your writing to be used and to have value, then promote it toward those ends.

As it turns out, last month was a good month for both writing and promotion. April is National Poetry Month and I participated in the Writer’s Digest Poem A Day Challenge, which was indeed a challenge. But at month’s end, I had 30 poems—some good and others not—to use as a creative starting point. Also last month I traveled to South Carolina and did book readings in four classes at the school our granddaughters attend. So, on balance, April was a pretty good month for both the business side and the writing side.

DMc: Please share with our readers something about the three books scheduled for 2011 release.


BK: All of my children’s books so far are written in rhyme. I find that format to be very fun to play with—I guess it’s the word play that I find most enjoyable. Maybe it’s my inner child trying to escape.



Likewise, the three releases in 2011 are written in rhyme and will be published by Guardian Angel Publishing as part of my anatomical series of rhyming picture books titled THE SUM OF OUR PARTS. The first two books in the series were previously published in 2009 (“No Bones About It”) and 2010 (“Circulation Celebration”).




The third book in the series is currently in production. “Muscles Make Us Move” about the muscles in the human body. I’d have to say working gastrocnemius and sternocleidomastoid into the verses was a bit of a puzzle but those challenges make the anatomical rhymes fun to write. Later in the year “The Skin We’re In” will be released, followed by a “two-fer” book combining the eyes and the nose (“Once Upon An Eyeball” and “The Nose Knows Roses”).

The production pipeline for the anatomical rhymes is a bit longer than for some of my other books. The reason is that the content includes the rhyming text, factoids about each system, a glossary, word search, word match and sometimes a bonus rhyme. Also, the technical nature of the content both in the verses and in the factoids requires three sources to be sure the information is correct or falls within acceptable factual variation. Only after the content is verified and matched with the illustrations can the book building process begin, followed by the review of the galleys.

I’m hopeful as more books in the series are published, readers will feel they have some choices about which books are of the most interest depending on where they are in their anatomical learning. The series will be ideal for late grade school and middle school students who are beginning their science studies.

DMc: Eugene Ruble is the illustrator on many of your books. Please share with us the collaboration process with Mr. Ruble.


BK: The anatomical rhymes pose an interesting illustration opportunity to stay true to the technical side of anatomy which capturing the interest and imagination of young readers. Being new to Guardian Angel Publishing, I didn’t have a good sense of who might be able to combine both aspects. But fortunately the publisher, Lynda Burch, had someone in mind who would be up to the challenge.

Eugene Ruble has deep background in technical drawing but also knows how to make a technical drawing both simple and quirky. So, his bone drawings have faces and the heart has a personality. I haven’t seen the muscle drawings yet but I know Eugene will put his artistic spin on them that will bring the muscles to life.

The collaboration process has typically been iterative from the time I submit my initial Book Information Sheet with illustration suggestions for each verse, until the final galley. Lynda has given me an opportunity up front to provide my basic thoughts to Eugene about what might work to support the content. For some verses, the possible illustrations are more obvious than for others. But in all cases, the artist is free to take my suggestions as a non-artist and interpret the content.

The first time I will see Eugene’s interpretation is in the initial galley Lynda sends me for review. I consider that point the start of the back and forth “tweaking phase” where I provide feedback to be sure the artwork and content are in sync—for example, does the number of pints of blood in the verse and the illustration match. During that phase, the publisher also has input based on her experience about what works and what doesn’t. The overall production process can take several months to a year. But when we stick a fork in the final galley, release happens shortly after.

DMc: Shifting gears a bit, where did you grow up and go to school and where have you lived over the years?


BK: I grew up as the oldest (and only boy) among four children. My dad was in the Air Force. So, we moved around a lot and changed schools a lot. We were known as military brats among kids in the local communities, which tended to give us a clear identity—and it probably created a certain defensive pride about who we were. By the time I graduated from high school, I had lived in Germany (twice) and Bolivia, Arizona, Florida (twice), Georgia and Virginia. And I had attended six different schools in three countries.

As an adult, I continued to move around as a member of the Air Force myself. In addition to living in Florida (twice again), Texas (also twice), Virginia (again) and California, I also lived in Thailand and Italy. I think all those experiences have taught me to look for both commonly shared values and unique qualities of people wherever they may live.

DMc: How do you keep your ideas fresh and entertaining for our young muses?


BK: Good question, Donna. One validation point for me has been watching our grandchildren as they play and discover things. I suppose I saw the same things when our children were growing up but I was often too busy to notice the fine points then. In fact, now I find myself experiencing déjà vu moments that “suddenly” inspire me to write a certain story.

One example which led to a published book is seeing the reaction on our four-year old grandson’s face when he saw a spider in the sink in the bathroom one morning. Another is my own recollection of fireflies on a summer evening when I was a kid, reinforced when our own children and grandchildren had the same experience. And who hasn’t had ants in their kitchen? Some things seem timeless and yet they can be captured in ways that seem totally in the moment because they happen around us every day.

As for the anatomical rhymes, I’d have to say those are based on a personal interest in health and wellbeing and my own curiosity about how the body works. The challenge is to write about the subject in a way kids will find odd, funny, amazing, a little scary or even gross. I haven’t mastered “gross” just yet but I’m getting there.

DMc: How do you spend your time when not writing? And how can our readers learn more about your diverse writing career?


BK: I’m retired from professional life. But I have often found myself stretched further now than ever before with no end of things to do. I’m an Eagle Scout and am currently the Scoutmaster for Troop 259 in Sacramento, CA. I got back into Scouting about eight years ago when our grandson, Dylan, was old enough to join Cub Scouts. He is currently a Life Scout. The Troop is currently planning a 50-mile, six-day backpacking trek in July in the High Sierra. So, backpacking and camping are how I recharge. I am also active in my church and will start a three-year term as a Deacon next month.

As for my writing, it is something that I have always enjoyed as a creative outlet. I feel very blessed to be able to work with some terrific artists and to see some of our joint efforts in print, whether in magazines, newspapers or books. Readers can sample some of my written meanderings on my website at http://www.billkirkwrites.com/, on my blog at http://billkirkwrites.blogspot.com/ and of course via the Guardian Angel Publishing site at http://guardianangelpublishing.com/.

Bill, thank you for visiting with me today...it's been wonderful getting to know you even more.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
http://guardianangelpublishing.com/pathway.htm

Boy Scout Leader and Children's Author: Bill Kirk

Children’s author, Bill Kirk and I first met through Guardian Angel Publishing about a year and a half ago and have forged a wonderful cyberspace connection. Recently, Bill took time out of his busy schedule and provided me an opportunity to get to know him better. Come along for this laugh out loud (no I didn’t use LOL…my girls think it’s weird for their mom to use text lingo. Shh…don’t tell them I just used it) interview and become inspired.

DMc: The Sum of Our Parts: Circulation Celebration is told in rhyme is an ingenious way of learning the human circulation system. Please share with us your inspiration behind this concept?

BK: Great question, Donna. I suppose it all started with a rhyme I wrote about all the bones in the human skeleton a few years ago. At the time, our grandson was struggling a bit with learning the bones in seventh grade science class. So, I wondered if there might be a catchy way to verbally walk him through the bones using rhyme and a jaunty rhythm to help some of the strange names stick. In the process, I figured I might as well see if it would get any nibbles from editors and publishers.

Finally, after lots of rejections, one editor I contacted liked the anatomical rhyme concept and wanted to see more. So, I decided to pick the body apart into its various systems using rhyme as the primary driver. Although it didn’t work out with that publisher, soon after, I found a welcome home at Guardian Angel Publishing. Other books in THE SUM OF OUR PARTS series (muscles, skin, brain and other systems) are in the pipeline for publication over the next couple years.

As for what started me down this path in the first place, I’ve been a runner for over 40 years and have worked through more than my share of running injuries. I’ve also been a long time student of what makes our bodies tick, including studying pre-med in college—until I ran into Organic Chemistry, that is. So, learning and writing about the various body systems has been a good way for me to keep my hands on the subject. For me, it’s been a fun journey.

DMc: You are an avid Boy Scout leader. Have you incorporated any of your writing into a lesson for your scouts to earn a badge?


BK: What a great idea. Now you’ve got me thinking. Actually, I did write a Scout related rhyme once, although not specifically for earning a Merit Badge. It was after I had completed my training in Wilderness First Aid which is a course required by at least one of the adult leaders taking any group of Scouts into remote or challenging hiking or backpacking areas such as in the High Sierras.

In a somewhat humorous fashion, the rhyme tells of a weary Scouter who has just faced treating broken bones, head injuries, cuts, shock, dehydration and altitude sickness in the wilderness. Arriving home, he debates whether to recount the details when his wife asks, “How was your day?” then decides he can’t bring himself to do it. The rhyme was published in the Boy’s Life online blog Cracker Barrel to generate interest in the course among adult Scouters who participate in High Adventure Team activities. Also Scouts over the age of 16 are encouraged to take the course to develop their advanced first aid skills.

DMc: What is the most valuable piece of advice you received when you first started writing for children?


BK: One positive piece of advice stands out, as well as one negative comment that turned out to be positive. The first was to go for the story first and everything else will follow. That is, if the story is solid, what’s left is for the writer to figure out how best to tell it. But if the story is iffy or not well developed, it doesn’t matter how well written the piece is, it will likely not get an editor’s second reading or capture the interest and imagination of any reader, particularly a child.

The second comment that has stayed with me as a motivator was, “Any story written in rhyme can be written better in prose.” Well, I have to tell you, that is just the challenge I need to prove the person wrong. Granted, some rhyme can be atrocious, including some of my own. But for me, rhyme is a unique form which pulls the reader into the story with the quirkiness, simplicity and fun of the word play and the nature of the rhythm.

In fact, the rhythm can set the tone for the piece. Is the story filled with action? Give it a staccato beat with shorter line length. Is it a mood piece? Allow the rhythm to flow slowly and smoothly.

As for rhyme, the options are virtually endless. Do you rhyme every other line, first-third or second-fourth? Do you rhyme all four lines in a verse? Do you use internal rhyme within the lines or only rhyme the line endings? Within the first few lines of the story, the reader will likely be looking for what to expect in terms of the rhyme, cadence and rhythmic patterns.

When written well, a rhyme can provide both comfort and anticipation as the reader settles into the rhythm and awaits the next rhyming sequence. Besides, it’s a lot of fun to write….

DMc: What has been your most memorable experience as a writer to date?


BK: I was asked via e-mail by the mother of a young student in Texas if he could use a baseball rhyme, “The Cubs’ Last Game” for a poetry recital at his school. I had written the rhyme when my grandson, Dylan, was playing Little League baseball. The mother and her son had been searching for a poem and had come across my rhyme on The Baseball Almanac website under The Casey Collection.

I was thrilled to know someone was reading and using the rhyme and was even happier when the mother e-mailed me a few weeks later to say her son had won first place in the competition. He had actually drawn out a large baseball diamond to lay on the floor. During his recital, he played the parts of the players in the rhyme, even runing the bases to “score” the winning run.

DMc: Please share with us your current work-in-progress.


BK: Ah, so many rhymes and so little time. One story in particular has been “in progress” for over three years. My working title is “A Whale Of A Tale In The Midst Of A Gale.” I’m not sure it will ever see the light of day but it’s been a fun project to get back to it every couple months as I fiddle with lines, add verses, resolve conflicts and try to bring the story full circle to a conclusion.

The manuscript has gone from sort of a long-ish regular rhyming story to one that is now written in a series of chapterettes. I suppose it may turn out to be nothing more than an ongoing warm-up practice piece to help me keep my head in the rhyming game—maybe a little like the warm-up vocal exercises a singer uses before a performance.

Otherwise my writing interests include non-rhyming poetry, humor and satire. And I even have an international conspiracy novel that’s been on the drawing board for two decades. Needless to say, my slush pile abounds.

DMc: A signature request I like to ask every author, illustrator, editor, etc., I interview is for the individual to share with us a tidbit form their lives that the reader will find either humorous or surprising. Bill, can you please share one with us?


BK: Hmmm…. Let’s see. I’ll tell this story for the kids out there. When I was younger, my family used to visit my grandparents’ farm in Mississippi. There was no running water, no electricity and no bathroom except an outhouse. There was also a smokehouse and a chicken house. So, there were lots of chores to do and kids had to come up with their own fun.

During one visit, when I was about six years old, my cousins and I were sliding down the tin roof of the chicken house. It may sound strange but what a great slide it was! We would slide down almost to the edge, then scramble back up to the peak and go again. For added excitement, the dare was to slide down head first—until, that is, I didn’t stop myself soon enough and slid off the roof head first. The good news is I didn’t hit the ground on my head. The bad news is I fell head first into a 50-gallon barrel of slop. For those adults familiar with farms in the old days, you will know what slop is, as in slopping the hogs.

Needless to say being submerged in slop with no way to get myself out was about as close to “Fear Factor” as I had come to that point in my life. It seemed like an eternity. But fortunately my cousins quickly jumped off the roof and dumped me out, spilling slop all over the ground. Of course, the pigs were thrilled with their unexpected feast. As for me, after I had stopped coughing, gagging and sputtering, none of my cousins wanted to get too close to me, at least until I got cleaned up in one of my grandma’s famous super-chilled, well-water washtub baths. Brrrr!!!

Be sure to visit Bill at: http://www.billkirkwrites.com/