Tag Archives: That Baby Woke Me Up Again

Friday Spotlight & Giveaway: Sherry Ellis, Author & Musician

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Sherry EllisFRIDAY SPOTLIGHT & GIVEAWAY 6/10/16 – Author and musician, Sherry Ellis. Please join us in welcoming Sherry, and don’t forget to comment for your chance to win as she is giving away a copy of each of her books – That Mama is a Grouch, That Baby Woke Me Up, AGAIN, and Ten Zany Birds.Good luck. Click on the link and start commenting!

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-Virginia Wright                                                                              http://www.amazon.com/author/virginiawright

 

 

11/4/2012 Week 1 | Interview With Guest Author – Sherry Ellis

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Virginia Wright Blog Author Interviews
Week 1 – Nov. 4, 2012  Guest Author | Sherry Ellis

Welcome! Sherry, I’m so happy that you are joining this event “The Seven Weeks to Christmas Author Interviews & Giveaways.” I know you are an inspiration to me personally, and I’m very proud to have you visiting as  my guest today.   I want to thank you for your generous offer to give away a copy of your book to two lucky commenters of this post. I know these will make great Christmas gifts to our winners! With that said, let’s get on with the interview.

-Virginia

 

 

Bio: Sherry Ellis is the award-winning author of That Baby Woke Me Up, AGAIN and that Mama is a Grouch.  She is also a professional musician who plays and teaches violin, viola, and piano.  She resides in Loveland, Ohio, with her husband and two children.


 

Tell us a little about your background and how you became a children’s book author. I pretty much stumbled into the world of writing.  I am a professional musician, so prior to writing my first book, my time was divided into taking care of my two children, and playing and teaching the violin, viola, and piano.  My career as an author began seven years ago in a rocking chair.  It was about three o’clock in the morning, and my five-month-old son had awakened.  It was probably the seventh time that night.  He was a terrible sleeper (actually both kids were), so this was pretty typical.  As I sat in my sleep-deprived state, a poem started going through my head.  It was the beginning of That Baby Woke Me Up, AGAIN.  Every time my son woke up, I added to it.  By the end of the week, the entire story was composed in my head.  I shared it with my three-year-old daughter, who thought it was great.  It was she who suggested it should be a book.  The rest is history.


That Baby Woke Me Up, AGAIN about? It’s a story about a little girl who’s having trouble getting used to the sleepless nights due to her new baby brother.  She can’t figure out why he keeps waking up so much.  Mama explains a few things, and assures her it won’t last forever.  It’s a good book to share with the big brothers and sisters of a new baby. 

How do you come up with ideas for stories? Life gives me a lot of ideas!  Something my kids do might spark the creative juices in my head.  I jot down ideas in a notebook.  If I come up with something I think would be a good story, I create an outline of how I’d like the story to progress.  When the outline and characters look good, I begin writing.

How long does it take for you to write a book? Years!  Actually, I can whip out a first draft for a picture book in about two weeks.  It takes about four months for a chapter book.  The thing that takes so much time is the revision process.  I must’ve revised my current project almost one hundred times!  I’ve been working on it for three years.  I think it’s finally ready for submission!

What is your current project? It’s a chapter book series for kids.  The first book is Bubba and Squirt’s Big Hole to China.  The premise of the series is that Bubba and Squirt travel through a vortex that leads to another country.  They have an adventure while learning about the language, history, and culture of that country.

Tell us about the marketing process for authors. What do you do to market and sell your books? Marketing is a big part of being a successful author.  It’s all about getting the word out.  You won’t sell books if nobody knows about them.  I do a lot of networking through sites like JacketFlap, Twitter, and Facebook, as well as through blogging.  I have also done radio interviews and book signings.  One fun event I do is a Pajama Party Story time at bookstores and libraries.  Kids are invited to dress in their pajamas and bring their favorite teddy bears for an evening of music, games, and stories.  I show up in my pajamas and Winnie the Pooh slippers, and we all have a good time.

What is your best tip for aspiring children’s book authors? Read!  Read as many children’s books as you can so that you get a good sense of what kids like, and what publishers want to see.

Where can readers find you? They can find me at my website, www.sherryellis.org, my blog, www.sherryellis.blogspot.com, as well as on Facebook and Twitter.

Thank you so much for having me as a guest!

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Comments are now open!

 

 

Guest Post | Sherry Ellis, Author

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Sherry Ellis, Author

Sherry Ellis is the author of That Baby Woke Me Up, AGAIN and That Mama is
a Grouch, which was awarded first place in the Parenting category of the
2011 Pinnacle Book Awards. She is also a professional musician who plays
and teaches violin, viola, and piano. She lives in Loveland, Ohio, with her
husband and two children, and has considerable experience with toy-strewn
environments.

 

 

  1. What inspired you to write? Both of my books were inspired by true life experiences.  That Mama is a Grouch was inspired after I tripped over toys my kids’ toys.  I whacked my foot on the sofa and ended up breaking my toe.  Believe me, I was one grouchy mama!

2. Can you tell us a little about That Mama is a Grouch?

That Mama is a Grouch

Sure.  It’s the story of a mom who is having a tantrum.  There are toys on the floor, messes in the kitchen, and finger-paint on the walls.  Mama is sick of it.  The narrator, the precocious child who made the mess, can’t seem to understand what the problem is.  Finally, Mama explains some rules of the house.  Then it all makes sense – at least for a little while.  That Mama is a Grouch is a fun book for kids ages 3-8 that lets them know that parents are human with feelings and emotions.  It also reminds parents that kids are, well, kids.  Messes are to be expected.  It is my hope that kids and parents will read the book and use it as a tool to talk about some of their own household rules.

3. What is a typical writing day like for you? My days are anything but typical.  I suppose that’s part of being a mom with young kids.  I try to write whenever I have an opportunity.  Sometimes I write at the bus stop when I’m waiting to pick up my children.  More often than not, I write in the evening.  It’s hard for me to find an hour or two for uninterrupted writing.  I have to take it in fifteen-minute snippets.  That said I still manage to write nearly every day.

4. What do you enjoy most about writing? I enjoy using my imagination as I write.  It’s fun to create characters and story lines.  It’s almost as if I’m a little kid again, making my own imaginary world.  Who wouldn’t like that!

5. What is the most difficult part of writing for children? Well, obviously I’m not a kid.  So the two biggest challenges are coming up with stories and characters that are interesting for kids today, and not being too “preachy.”  If there’s a lesson to be learned, it has to be subtle.  Otherwise kids aren’t going to want to read it.

6. What is the best writing advice you have ever received? Join a writers’ group (and go to the meetings!).  It really forces you to keep up your writing skills.  In a sense, you are held accountable by your peers.  It’s also a great way to get feedback on your work.   As an extra bonus, you can learn about various opportunities (like workshops and book shows) in your area.

7. Do you have any other works in progress?  Can you share a little about them? I have written another picture book called, Ten Zany Birds.  I am currently looking for a publisher for it.  The big project I’m working on is a chapter book series.  The first book is called, Bubba and Squirt’s Big Hole to China.  The premise of the books will be that Bubba and Squirt travel via magic, to other countries.  They will learn a little about the language, culture, and history of the people who live countries.  While they are there, they will learn about the language, culture, and history of the people, while having some kind of adventure.  I have been working on this first manuscript for about two years, and have revised it at least fifty times.  It’s almost ready for resubmission to an interested agent.  I’m keeping my fingers crossed!

8. Do you make school visits?  If so, please describe a typical school presentation. I do make school visits.  I speak to classes of around twenty students.  During these presentations, I usually read one of my books.  Then I’ll talk about the writing process and the steps to getting published.  Aspiring authors always have questions, so I do my best to answer questions and then encourage them to keep writing.

9.  Do you have a website? Yes, I do.  My official website is www.sherryellis.org.  You can also connect with me on my blog:  www.sherryellis.blogspot.com.

10.  What is your best tip for aspiring children’s book authors? Read.  Read as much as you can so that you get a good sense of what kids like, and what publishers want to see.

Thank you for having me as a guest on your blog!

We appreciate you stopping by, Sherry.

Sherry will be giving away one paperback copy of her book, and one eBook. You must comment for your chance to win.

Good Luck! Commenters…

Comments are now open!