My Special Interview With Best Selling Author Debbie Dadey (Part Two)

(Best Selling Author Debbie Dadey)

Last week I shared Part One of my interview with best selling children's author Debbie Dadey. If you missed it, you can click on this link (http://donasdays.blogspot.com/2018/03/my-special-interview-with-best-selling.html).

I was lucky enough to meet Debbie when I attended her ABC's of Writing For Children workshop at the Rose Glen Literary Festival a couple of weekends ago. I have read many of her 166 authored and co-authored books, including those from her ADVENTURES OF THE BAILY SCHOOL KIDS series, and GHOSTVILLE ELEMENTARY.

Her latest series, MERMAID TALES, are already winning her new fans with READY, SET, GOAL being released later this year. Now, keep on reading to learn more about the writerly processes of the amazing Debbie Dadey...

6. What has been some of the best ways to market your books?

     Ha, if only I knew the secret! Here are some things I do:

• Scheduling book signings (I've had ones where tumbleweed rolled through and where kids were literally lined up around the block).
• Visiting libraries and schools (libraries are usually free if they are close, but unless it is my 'home' school I charge). There's nothing more fun than sharing your stories with kids!
• I produce a teaching unit for each new book now. I wish I'd done this from the beginning, but life got in the way. Each MERMAID TALES book has a complete teaching unit to go with it on my website teacher's page. I am a former teacher and librarian, but you can model yours after existing ones or ask a teaching professional for assistance. I also have started making mini trailers for my new books-what a learning process that is.
• Attending writing conferences and offering programs.
• I am late to the social media party, but I do try. I think the key is not to harp on your books constantly. I'm at www.Facebook.com/debbiedadey. You can always contact me through my contact page at http://www.debbiedadey.com/Contact/index.php.

7. How do you select the names of your characters? 

     Very rarely a character's name will just come to me. Most of the time I select them out of a baby name book and/or the phone book. Sometimes I look for a name that 'goes' with my story. For instance, how could I not use Shelly as a mermaid name in TROUBE AT TRIDENT ACADEMY?

8. How long on average does it take you to write each book?

     There isn't an average. For books that are under contract there is always a time limit. For instance, there was a period of several years where Marcia Thornton-Jones and I wrote a book a month. Whew!

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9. What's one thing your fans might not know about you?

     I can still do a cartwheel! I found this out the other day and was rather surprised myself.

10. What's your latest book about and where can readers get a copy?

     My newest book is READY, SET, GOAL! When the team at Trident Academy gets to go to the Championship games, they have high hopes to win. But that's before Shelly sees a cursed fish. Can they break the curse before it's too late? Hope you'll buy the story to see how I tried to weave in my research about Atlantis and sports curses into the story. Then I hope you'll share it with your favorite young reader!

Be sure to leave a comment below and share a little love with Debbie by telling her which one of her books is your favorite!

     

Thanks, Debbie, for taking the time out of your busy schedule to answer a few questions for my readers. For more about Debbie, check out her website (www.debbiedadey.com), find her on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/debbiedadey/?ref=page_internal), hanging out on Twitter (https://twitter.com/DebbieDadey), and even on Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/debbiedadey/).

ARE YOU THE MISSING PIECE? is now available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble Bookstore, and other fine retailers. It was a #1 international bestseller in Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US last fall.

 

International best selling author, Donna L Martin, has been writing since she was eight years old. She is a 4th Degree Black Belt Taekwondo Instructor by day and a 'ninja' writer of children’s picture books, chapter books and young adult novels by night. Donna is a BOOK NOOK REVIEWS host and book reviewer for Harper Collins, She is also a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators and Children's Book Insider. Donna is a lover of dark chocolate, time at the beach, and well written stories.

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My Special Interview With Best Selling Author Debbie Dadey (Part One)

(Best Selling Author Debbie Dadey)

I consider myself a connoisseur of the written word...anything from picture books, chapter books, and young adult novels to adult fiction, self-help, and inspirational/motivational essays.

I've been writing for almost forty years...eight of those professionally...while being blessed to meet and make friends with many authors all around the world. But last weekend, I managed to meet someone whose writing I have followed and admired for many years.

While attending the Rose Glen Literary Festival, I met best selling author Debbie Dadey who was hosting her ABC's of Writing For Children workshop.

She was very approachable, somewhat surprising considering she is the author or co-author of 166 children's books, including the extremely popular chapter book series ADVENTURES OF THE BAILEY SCHOOL KIDS (42 MILLION copies sold so far!), GHOSTVILLE ELEMENTARY, and her latest series MERMAID TALES.

After a very informative workshop, I took a chance, requesting an interview with Debbie and she graciously accepted. Below is Part One of some of the burning questions inquiring minds, myself included, wanted to know...

1. What is your writing Kryptonite?

     I laughed when I read that question. I'd love to be superman-make that super writer! My writing Kryptonite has to be a bit of a catch 22. It's reading! I love to read and believe reading helps me to be a better writer, but the danger comes when I put off writing to read. I usually keep regular office hours to avoid that.

2. What are some common traps for aspiring writers?

     Writing clichés was my first trap-I wrote the giraffe with the too short neck and the Christmas tree that no one wanted. It's not that they are bad ideas, they have just been overdone and are difficult to sell. Another trap that I've been guilty of is researching, researching, and more researching. I think research is important. I do know many ways to become a werewolf, thanks to writing books like WEREWOLVES DON'T GO TO SUMMER CAMP and WEREWOLVES DON'T RUN FOR PRESIDENT, but continuing to research when I should begin writing is definitely a trap. I researched for eight years for CHEROKEE SISTER. Another thing to avoid is putting too much of your research into your fiction book. It has to fit naturally with the story and can't just be thrown in because you learned this fabulous fact.

3. What kind of research do you do, and how long do you research before beginning a book?

     The research I do definitely depends on the story. Currently I am researching the Wild West, saints, oxen, covered wagons, bioluminescence, and the porpoise. What a strange mix!
     

4. What was your first published book and how did it change your writing process?

     VAMPIRES DON'T WEAR POLKA DOTS, which I co-authored with Marcia Thornton-Jones, was my first book. I was very interested in writing books for reluctant readers and for students needing something between a picture book and a novel (I still am), but I hadn't even thought about writing a series. I found out how fun it is to get to know your characters through many adventures. That first book turned into a series of 51 numbered books in THE ADVENTURES OF THE BAILEY SCHOOL KIDS, Super Specials and Holiday Specials, and two spin-off series.

5. What is your favorite childhood book?

     There was a series called CHERRY AMES, STUDEN NURSE that was a favorite.

Be sure to leave a comment below and share a little love with Debbie by telling her which one of her books is your favorite!

Stop by next week for Part Two of my interview with best selling Kidlit author, Debbie Dadey. And thanks, Debbie, for taking the time out of your busy schedule to help my readers learn more about the life of a best selling author. 

For more about Debbie, check out her website (www.debbiedadey.com), find her on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/debbiedadey/?ref=page_internal), hanging out on Twitter (https://twitter.com/DebbieDadey), and even on Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/debbiedadey/).

ARE YOU THE MISSING PIECE? is now available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble Bookstore, and other fine retailers. It was a #1 international bestseller in Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US last fall.

 

International best selling author, Donna L Martin, has been writing since she was eight years old. She is a 4th Degree Black Belt Taekwondo Instructor by day and a 'ninja' writer of children’s picture books, chapter books and young adult novels by night. Donna is a BOOK NOOK REVIEWS host and book reviewer for Harper Collins, She is also a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators and Children's Book Insider. Donna is a lover of dark chocolate, time at the beach, and well written stories.

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Goodreads
Linkedin
Amazon