Our guest: Loretta Ellsworth is based in Minnesota. She was a late-comer to writing, not writing her first novel (2002’s The Shrouding Woman, from Henry Holt) until she already had four children. Her latest book, Unforgettable, was released in 2011 by Walker Books, and her 2007 novel, In Search of Mockingbird has been newly re-issued by Henry Holt.
The Proust-Esque Questionnaire is based on a set of 36 standardized questions designed by Marcel Proust in the 1890’s to give an overview of the respondent’s personality. Our goals are less lofty, but hopefully will provide some insight into how your favorite authors and illustrators work and what they love.
1. WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY OF CHILDREN’S LITERATURE?
My parents had a big book of nursery rhymes which made its way through all seven of us kids, losing its cover in the process. She read it to each of us and I memorized most of the rhymes and loved the pictures in that book.
2. WITH WHICH CHILDREN’S LITERATURE CHARACTER DO YOU MOST IDENTIFY?
I loved the Little House books and identify with Laura; she was plucky and loved her family, and never lost her pioneering spirit. Plus, my great-grandmother lived near Laura Ingalls Wilder as a child, and most likely attended school with her sister Carrie.
3. WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE CHILDREN’S BOOK AUTHOR? ILLUSTRATOR?
I have many favorites; it would be too hard to list just one. EB White (Charlotte’s Web), Mary Norton (The Borrowers), Natalie Babbitt (Tuck Everlasting) are just a few. Some of my favorite illustrations are by Dr. Seuss, Chris Van Allsburg, and Marla Frazee.
4. IF YOU WERE THROWING A KINDERLIT PARTY FOR FIVE GUESTS, WHO WOULD YOU INVITE?
I’d love to sit in on a meeting of the Inklings where J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis met, but it was an all-male club, so I’d have to come in disguise. (Editor – Dorothy L. Sayers was an occasional visitor to the Inklings meetings, so you might have a chance!) The Oxford pub where they met would be a great place to eat, I’m sure.
5. WHICH QUALITY DO YOU THINK IS MOST IMPORTANT IN GOOD CHILDREN’S LITERATURE?
The story is the most important facet of children’s literature, which is to entertain. Finding the best way to tell that wonderful story is the challenge.
6. IF YOUR OWN WORK HAS A DEFINING CHARACTERISTIC, WHAT WHAT IS IT?
Much of my writing is about acceptance, learning to embrace who you really are. With so many books and magazine articles promising a ‘new you’ it’s no wonder young adults struggle for acceptance.
7. IF YOU WERE TO DIE AND COME BACK AS A CHARACTER FROM CHILDREN’S LITERATURE, WHO WOULD YOU LIKE IT TO BE?
I’d love to be fourteen year-old Arrietty from The Borrowers and live behind the walls of an English house. Or I’d come back as Trixie Belden and solve mysteries between sets of tennis.
8. IF YOU COULD GO BACK AND REDO ONE THING IN YOUR WORK, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
There would be too many to name. But I do wish I’d started writing books earlier; it took me many years and a circuitous route to become an author.
9. WHAT IS THE GREATEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WERE EVER GIVEN?
Butt in chair. Meaning that you have to show up every day and do the work, which may explain why it took so many years before I became an author.
10. DESCRIBE YOUR WORK PROCESS.
When I was working as a teacher I developed a very loose style of working and wrote whenever and wherever I had time; thirty minutes here and there, during my child’s soccer practice, early morning, or late night. Now that I’m not teaching I have more of a schedule and I try to write every morning, but I still the like the flexibility of working at different times and in different spaces. Sometimes I have help, as you can see in my pictures.
11. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CHILDREN’S BOOK AND WHY?
My favorite book is To Kill A Mockingbird, which isn’t really a children’s book, but is often read in high school. The writing is scrumptious, and I learn something new every time I read it. I also love Green Eggs and Ham, by Dr. Seuss. It’s just so fun.
LORETTA ELLSWORTH: OFFICIAL WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER
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