The Writer's Block Interviews: Sharon Griffin

1) Tell us a bit about yourself and where you live and work.

My name is Sharon Griffin, from Houston, TX, and I work as an adjunct professor, teaching General Psychology. Previously, I worked as a Program Coordinator in NASA Johnson Space Center's (JSC) Education Office, placing high school and college students on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) internships and planning conferences, workshops and events, as well as supporting outreach events in the community.

2) Describe your journey to becoming an author.

I've always been good at writing, but oddly enough, I didn't like doing it for enjoyment, that is until recently. While working at JSC, I had the opportunity to meet many amazing, smart and talented women, both in technical and non-technical positions; however, they were still the minority in comparison to their male counterparts. Last April, while on a work trip in El Paso, TX, I had this light bulb go off in my head for a great idea. I did some internet research on children's book pertaining to male dominated fields. The only items that populated were articles about the small percentages of women in male dominated fields, hence why those career fields are still called that. After conducting the research, that's when I came up with the premise of my children's book. I wanted to write a children’s book that showcased the different career paths a little girl can pursue, all the while portraying different ethnicities for the various careers. I wanted little girls everywhere to be able to relate with the book and envision themselves doing those jobs. When I was a child, I never felt I connected with the characters in the books I read because I never saw any that looked like me. Having four biracial daughters of my own has inspired me to want to shed light on this issue and the desire to see more diversity in children's books.

3) Who is your ideal reader?

Although the book caters more so to early childhood to 5th grader, the ideal reader for my book is ANYONE and EVERYONE! The great thing about my book is that even though it is geared for little girls, it is teaching little boys that we as females are equal and can do the same jobs as males. I believe the sooner boys are exposed to this type of thinking, the more open minded they will be as adult males. This book allows mommies and daddies to let their daughters know, at a very young age, that girls can do anything boys can and that we should be treated equally.

4) Describe your path to publication. Has this experience met/exceeded your expectations?

I knew I had a great concept for a children’s book, but didn’t want to wait around for a publishing company to pick me up. Instead, I decided to pursue publication through an established self-publication company; however, after speaking to several company representatives and the fact that I would lose creative control by using one of their illustrators, I made the executive decision to publish the book through my own publishing company. Thanks to the Houston chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, one member took me under her wing and provided me step by step instructions on how to launch my own publishing company. A coworker at JSC also suggested a mutual friend of his wife’s to do my illustrations. After viewing samples she created for one or two of the professions in the book, the ethnicities I wanted portrayed and my vision for the illustrations, I knew she was the right individual to do the job. Veronica Sepulveda did an amazing job bring my words and vision to life with her illustrations.

This experience has by far exceeded my expectations because it taught me to not accept anything until I was 100% sure of the results and that it had my approval. Thinking in hindsight, I know I made the right decision in my path to publication and wouldn’t have changed it if I was ever given the opportunity.

5) How do you promote your work? What methods have worked best for you?

Currently I am promoting my work through the use of social media, such as: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and my blog. I am in the process of scheduling author signings at local elementary schools in the Houston and surrounding areas. I participate in local author events that I find out about through the Houston chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Another avenue I use to promote my work is LinkedIn groups, where I have opportunities like this, and the ability to do interviews and have my book reviewed to generate interest and book sales.

So far the method that has worked for me has been Facebook and the creation of a fan page for my book. I’ve held a contest where the individual who brings the most “likes” to my page wins an autographed copy of my book. Now I am seeing that using the LinkedIn groups is generating more interest and support of my book, as well as helping me build a network with people in the same profession.

6) Who are your favorite authors? What is on your reading list right now?

My favorite authors are Jhumpa Lahiri, Robin Cook and Stephen King. I’ve loved the Harry Potter movies, but haven’t had a chance to read the books yet. Currently, my reading list consists of what my daughter is reading for school. She’s fallen in love with my Shel Silverstein books and has been reading them to me. I’ve had the pleasure of listening to some of my all-time favorite books as a child.

7) Describe a typical day in your life.

On a typical day, I drop off and pick up my eldest from school. In between, when I am not taking care of my daughters or taking care of my household, I am usually on LinkedIn promoting my book or finding ways to promote my book through different outlets. Also, I am currently looking for full time employment. Also, I am in the process of schedule school visits, where I will read the book and do some activities with the children in elementary schools.

8) What projects do you have in the works?

I am in the process of creating a YouTube channel, where I will be interviewing women who hold positions in male dominated careers and give them the opportunity to talk about their path and the struggles they dealt with and had to overcome. In conjunction with the YouTube interviews, I will be posting those interviews, in detail, on my blog. I am also coming up with lesson plans to go with the book so that teachers can implement the book into their classroom curriculum.

9) What advice would you offer to aspiring authors?

Don’t give up on your dreams of getting published. If you feel your story is worth sharing with the world, take initiative into your own hands and make your dreams come true. Always have faith in your abilities, trust your instincts and never let anyone tell you any different. That is what is going to distinguish you from others who don’t strive to make their dreams a reality.

About the Author

I was born in Muscat, Oman and lived in India until I was 5 years old. On December 24, 1986, my family and I made the journey to the United States. For the past 26 years, I have been living in the Houston, TX area. My parents have been married for 31 years and I am the oldest of three daughters. I hold both a Bachelors and Masters in Psychology, and graduated with both my degrees from the University of Houston – Clear Lake. Of all the grandchildren on my dad’s side of the family, I am the only college graduate. I have been with my husband for the past 10 years (married for 5 of those years). We have four beautiful daughters: Mackenzie, 7 ½ years old, Madison, almost 5 years old, Makayla, 3 ½ years old, and Malia, 4 months old. Previously I worked at NASA Johnson Space Center, in the Education Office, and as an adjunct professor, teaching General Psychology. Some of my hobbies include: spending time with family and friends, reading, shopping, photography, scrapbook and planning social gatherings/events.



Contact Sharon

Website: http://www.griffingirlspublishing.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/SharonVGriffin

Facebook: http://facebook.com/sharonvgriffin

Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/GriffinGirlsPublishing

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/SharonVGriffin

The Writer's Block Interviews: Debbie Ridpath Ohi

1) Tell us a bit about who you are, and where you live and work.

I write and illustrate for young people and live in Toronto with my husband, Jeff. I founded Inkspot, one of the first sites for writers on the Web (now shut down). I have way too many online projects; you can find out more at my website: http://www.DebbieOhi.com. I'm represented by Ginger Knowlton at Curtis Brown Ltd.

In my spare time, I write songs and perform with my music group (http://urbantapestry.org) and also draw webcomics.


2) Describe your journey to becoming an author/ illustrator.

I've been writing all my life. I started out getting short nonfiction published in various print and online venues, was approached by Writer's Digest Books to do The Writer's Online Marketplace (2001), have also had short stories and poetry published.

Lee Wardlaw, a children's book author (http://www.leewardlaw.com/), encouraged me early on and helped me improve my writing. Lee was also responsible for connecting me with Ginger; Ginger is her agent, too.

At the SCBWI Summer Conference in 2010, I was convinced by an artist friend (Beckett Gladney http://artbeco.com) to enter the Illustrator Portfolio Showcase and, to my shock, won two awards: an Honor Award and a Mentorship Program Award.

One of the Portfolio Showcase judges was Justin Chanda, who is a publisher at Simon & Schuster and heads three imprints: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, Atheneum and McElderry Books. He offered me a book contract, illustrating Michael Ian Black's newest picture book. I was thrilled!

You can read my blog post about what happened here:

http://kidlitartists.blogspot.ca/2010/09/how-rejection-got-me-book-deal-my.html


3) Describe your body of work. Which have been some of your most meaningful projects?

As I mentioned above, I've written (and been paid for :-)) short nonfiction, a nonfiction book, short fiction and poetry. I've illustrated a picture book. I'm also working on writing my own picture books, plus working on middle grade and YA novels.

AND I have some more very very good book news but can't share it yet. Hopefully soon, though!

A few of my most meaningful projects:

I contributed a short story to the just-released TOMO, a YA anthology edited by Holly Thompson (Stone Bridge Press). Proceeds will help teens affected by last year's Japan earthquake and tsunami. More info: http://tomoanthology.blogspot.ca/

Also, of course, illustrating I'M BORED for Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers!


4) Tell us about your upcoming release, I’M BORED.

I'M BORED is a new picture book written by comedian, actor and writer Michael Ian Black. Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers is publishing it in September, 2012.

It's a fun story in which a little girl tries to convince a potato (yes, I said a POTATO) that kids aren't boring. I had so much illustrating this book! I also learned a ton about writing and illustrating picture books in the process; I'm posting about my experience in an online I'm Bored scrapbook: http://debbieohi.com/boredbook

I interviewed the editor, art director and author about the process, and am including quotes, photos and cartoons.


5) What is Inkspot? How did you develop the concept for it?

Inkspot was one of the first websites for writers online. I originally started it as a resource for children's book writers but then opened it up to writers of all genres. You can read more about what happened to Inkspot here: http://electricpenguin.com/inkspot/

Now I have a new site for writers called Inkygirl (http://inkygirl.com/), which is an illustrated guide for those write and draw for young people.

 
6) Who are your favorite authors? What is on your reading list right now?

It's hard to choose favourite authors -- depends on what type of book you're talking about: fiction, nonfiction, age range, etc. I read a wide variety of books and always reading multiple books -- depends on my mood, what I'm doing and even where I am in the house. :-)

On my current reading list, on my readers & in physical print:

TOMO edited by Holly Thompson (reading the other stories in the anthology)

THE YO-YO PROPHET by Karen Krossing

DEADLINE by Mira Grant

WITCHLANDERS by Lena Coakley

HEREVILLE: HOW MIRKA GOT HER SWORD by Barry Deutsch (graphic novel)

THE ANATOMY OF STORY by John Truby


7) How do you promote your work? What methods have worked best for you?

This was a much more difficult question for me to answer. To answer it properly would take a long time and go beyond the scope of a single answer.

So instead, here's the type of promotion that I DON'T do that I see being used quite frequently in Twitter:

Promotion that does NOT work, in my opinion: Making what is essentially the same "buy my book" post over and over again.

I figure most people are already being barraged online and offline (but especially online) with companies and individuals who are trying to get them to buy something.


8) How has music played a role in your life?

Music has been an important part of my life since I was a small child. I took piano lessons for many years and then taught piano part-time for about 20 years (since high school). I took flute in high school and started playing flute with my music group (http://urbantapestry.org) and in studio sessions with other musicians.

Now I write songs for and perform with my group, just for the fun of it. We've given concerts in the U.S., Canada, Germany and the UK and have several albums out. Other instruments I've played, with varying degrees of competency: guitar, Celtic harp, tin whistle and various bangy percussion instruments.

My current musical project: writing an "I'M BORED" song for a promotional music video!


9) How have your professional associations enhanced your career?

See my answers above for just a few ways that the SCBWI has helped my illustration career: Not only did I get a book contract, but being a part of the SCBWI Illustration Mentorship program (see the SCBWI Mentees blog: http://kidlitartists.blogspot.com) has been immensely rewarding in terms of the friends I've made and priceless advice and guidance I've received.

I save up so I attend the annual conferences in NYC and LA every year…it's been worth every penny. Not just for the talks, workshops and critiques but also for the networking opportunities.

I'm also a member of CANSCAIP (http://canscaip.org/), and have been learning a great deal from the monthly local meetings. If you're a Canadian writer or illustrator, I recommend joining!


10) What are your upcoming plans for 2012?

Looking forward to seeing I'M BORED on the shelves!

AND working on new book projects (hope to be able to share more about this soon -- waiting for the contracts to be finalized).


11) What advice would you offer to aspiring author/illustrators?

Be open to new opportunities.

Don't let yourself get into a rut. Keep working on your craft.

Remember that in the end, it comes down to having a good story. No amount of promotion or networking or multimedia formatting is going to help if you don't have a good story to begin with.

Meet other writers, illustrators and people in the industry in person, not just online. I wish someone had told me this many years ago when I was just starting out.


Author Bio

Photo credit: Beckett Gladney

Debbie Ridpath Ohi is a Toronto-based freelance writer and illustrator with a focus on content for young people. She recently illustrated I'M BORED, a picture book by actor/comedian/author Michael Ian Black, due out this Fall (Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, 2012), and has an illustrated short story in YA fiction anthology, TOMO (Stone Bridge Press, 2012). Previously, she was the founder of Inkspot and Inklings, one of the very first online writing communities and electronic newsletters. (Bio courtesy Chris Cheung of Autodesk SketchBook)

Contact Debbie

Twitter: @inkyelbows

Blog for kidlit/YA writers: http://inkygirl.com

More info about Debbie: http://DebbieOhi.com