Knowing Sharon Stanley:
Although Sharon Stanley has been writing for years, it was only after her youngest son graduated high school that she got serious about it.
She joined the SCBWI and began to write with an eye to publish children’s picture books. S
haron published her first print book, The Little Dog in the Middle of the Road last winter with Silver Tongue Press, and has several others under contract.
She lives with 5 chickens, 4 dogs, 3 cats, 2 sons and one husband on a working farm in Virginia, where she endeavors to “live creatively…with cows.”
She enjoys mixed media artwork and blogs about her creative and farm life at farmandfrufru.blogspot.com.
You can read more on her website, www.sharonpstanley.com
Interview:
For people who haven’t heard
of "The Little Dog In the Middle of The Road" , make a brief description.
My book is called The Little Dog in the Middle of the Road. It’s about a little dog that becomes lost when he leaves home to look for his person who’s away on a trip. He decides the only way to find her is to sit in the middle of the road and wait for her to return. But it’s getting dark…
When did you decide to become a writer?
I really never decided to become a writer. I’ve always written for my own enjoyment, and after my youngest son graduated high school three years ago, I decided to seek publication for some of my stories.
Do you have specific habits when writing?
I’m not sure I could say I have specific writing habits, but I only write when I have a story in mind. I wish I could sit and write every day because I know that’s what “real” writers do to polish their craft, but it just doesn’t work for me. It doesn’t feel right. When a story comes to me, I mull it over until I have the basic plot, then I begin writing. After I write it all out the first time, it goes on the back burner for a while and then I begin editing.
Early bird or night owl?
I’m a night owl. Then I hate to get up in the morning.
Where do you get your inspiration?
I live on a farm and my inspiration usually comes from here. Animals are the stars in my books and often tell their own stories…I just write them down for them. Little Dog is based on a true story…he was found on our road just sitting in the middle of the road and I began to wonder why.
What do you do, besides
writing?
Besides writing, I take care of my husband and our two (grown) boys and our home. Both our sons farm as well as my husband and I help out by keeping the books and moving equipment from field to field during harvest. I also have art workshops on the farm from time to time.
Do you have any hobbies?
I do have hobbies. I make things. I love paint, paper, fabric and any sort art supplies. I love collage and mixed media art, sewing, and re-inventing things I find at thrift/antique stores.
Guilty pleasures?
My guilty pleasures include reading decorating magazines, Jane Austen novels I’ve read a dozen times and dozing on the front porch in a lounge chair, usually with a dog on my lap.
What are you reading right now?
Right now I’m reading a memoir written by someone I know which is great fun because I know a lot of the people he has written about.
Name your favorite author and book:
Jane Austen is certainly one of my favorite authors and I love all her books, Emma being my very favorite. Beatrix Potter is my favorite children’s author of all time because I love her detailed pictures as well as her stories. Mem Fox is a wonderful children’s writer and Susan Meddaugh nails it everytime with her Martha books.
What's the craziest thing you've done?
I am not a crazy person; Ditsy, yes, but not too crazy. Perhaps the craziest thing I’ve done recently is to presume to think I might be able to write a story worthy of publication.
Biggest trouble as a writer?
I think the biggest trouble I’ve faced as a writer is to become used to rejection as a fact of life. It’s very hard to pour your life and soul into a story only to have it rejected. I research each publisher before submitting and only submit when I think it will be a good fit, so it’s difficult not to take rejection personally. That said, it does get easier the more you practice.
Favorite TV show?
I don’t watch a lot of TV, but I love old shows like Andy Griffith. I live with three men so we watch a lot of Duck Dynasty, Gold Rush and Alaska
Favorite movie:
…Sense and Sensibility, Love Actually, Bright Star.
Favorite food:
Ice cream is my favorite food. It should be its own food group. I could eat it three times a day…sometimes I do.
What thing you wish you could stop doing?
I wish I could stop eating so much ice cream.
THANK YOU SHARON FOR SUCH A GREAT INTERVIEW!
And don't stop eating ice cream! It's delicious :D
A little dog ‘s person goes away for a few days. Not happy where he is
staying, he goes into the middle of the road to look for his person. He finds
a nice person to help him but it is not his person. He wants his person and
knows that they have to come down the road to find him. So, he sits in the
middle of the road and waits.
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