I used to hang out with my young niece in the afternoons, long before I started a family of my own. She was the one who asked me one day if I knew what ‘I Forget’ looked like, and told me that it was a question mark over someone’s head, in a cloud.
Victoria Simpson – 3 April 2020
The Back Flap
Keisha is a young 5-year old, home from kindergarten. Playful and full of spunk, she’s also stubborn. As she unwinds with her aunt at the park, the two find an endearing way to connect- but only after some trouble. Full of imagination and entertainment, this book gets kids talking about their day. Vivid illustrations and a unique story provide content that both parents and young children can relate to.
About the book
What is the book about?
Eating I Forget is a picture book for young kids aged about 4 to 6. It focuses on a young girl who doesn’t want to tell her aunt what she did that day at school.
When did you start writing the book?
Many years ago, it has taken a long time to for us to produce it.
How long did it take you to write it?
It actually only took a few sittings to write the book, as it’s short. What took a long time was completing the illustrations. We had difficulties with many aspects, particularly getting our computer programs to do what we wanted.
Where did you get the idea from?
I used to hang out with my young niece in the afternoons, long before I started a family of my own. She was the one who asked me one day if I knew what ‘I Forget’ looked like, and told me that it was a question mark over someone’s head, in a cloud. So, she really gets all the credit! I stole the idea from her.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
Once the words were done, we did struggle a bit with trying to figure out what story the illustrations should tell.
What came easily?
Writing the words and the title.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
The main character is a bit like my niece, but generally both characters are fictional.
Do you have a target reader?
Young children, aged 3 to 6, being read to by an adult.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
Not really, for this book. Once I got the idea I ran and grabbed some paper. I wrote the whole thing in one sitting, and edited it here and there over time.
For the illustrations, we did many story boards. As the writer, I also came up with the ideas for each illustration, and guided the illustrator as to what style we might like the drawings to be in. (My illustrator wanted this guidance).
Andre Allen, the illustrator, came up with several ideas as to what the main character and her aunt might look like, as drawing people is his strength. We did this over a long period of time and eventually chose the final images. We worked on a mix of paper and computers.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
No outline.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I edited the words once I was finished. The illustrations were “edited” many times.
Did you hire a professional editor?
No.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
Never, ever. I can’t speak for the illustrator, however.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
No, we were interested in self-publishing and selling online through sites like Amazon, at least to start.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
I had submitted picture book manuscripts to kids’ magazines and publishers before, but I never had anything chosen. I had received positive feedback from some editors at established magazines however, and I am employed as a writer online already.
So, I went for it. I decided that I didn’t want to wait to be “chosen” by a publisher and that I would self-publish instead. Now we have to market the book however, which is a great challenge!
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
Andre, the illustrator, did it. He works as a professional artist, so you could say that we both did it ourselves and had it professionally done.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
Ha! We are winging it. We’ve tried to develop a plan and follow it. It’s time consuming but hopefully someday we will sell something.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Be ready for many ups and downs throughout your process. Be aware that once the book is done, marketing effectively is, in some ways, the biggest and hardest goal to meet. Write for fun- it takes the pressure off.
About You
Where did you grow up?
Ontario, Canada.
Where do you live now?
Same place- although I haven’t always been here.
What would you like readers to know about you?
I love writing for both adults and kids, and I sincerely hope that this book will entertain some children for a moment, some afternoon. I now live with my husband, two young kids and my father in the suburbs of Toronto, and I feel like I am just beginning.
What are you working on now?
Blogs, health news, articles for students online and a novella about a boy who runs away across the country while playing hide and seek with his dad, one sunny afternoon.
End of Interview:
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Get your copy of Eating I Forget from Amazon US, Amazon UK, or Amazon Canada.
