Happy Tuesday Critters! Today, I’m thrilled to feature an interview with author Terry Pierce, whose new board book, LOVE CAN COME IN MANY WAYS, illustrated by Suzy Ultman, just came out with Chronicle Books this month. It’s the sweetest novelty board book, with lovely text, charming illustrations, and soft, fuzzy, felt lift-a-flaps! It’s quickly become my go-to new baby gift!
So without further ado, please welcome Terry Pierce!
Where do you live?
I lived in the California high desert for thirty-nine years but now spend most of my time in the beautiful high Sierra town of Mammoth Lakes.
How many years have you been in publishing?
I started writing for children in 1999, after 22 years of being a preprimary Montessori teacher.
How did you first get published?
This could take a while! When I decided to try my hand at writing for children, I gave myself a five-year time limit to get a book published (I know, crazy, right?). I dove into the SCBWI and all they could teach me. After I started submitting my work, all I received were form rejections, so I re-evaluated my strategy—still looking at my self-imposed five-year deadline—and decided to try my hand a joke writing (because I LOVED joke books as a kid). I wrote a sample of 25 jokes and sent them to Sterling Publishing. Within a month, I got a call with an offer to publish (although they wanted another 600 jokes!). Greatest Goofiest Jokes was my first book. It came after 160 rejection letters and three years into my writing journey.
Do you write full-time?
My husband retired two year ago, so I’m not writing quite as full-time as I used to at 35-40 hours a week. Life is too short not to take time enjoying life together with our hikes, climbs and walks. But the upside is that I draw inspiration from nature so I’m always thinking about writing even if I’m not physically doing it.
What inspires you to create picture books?
So many things! In addition to nature, my Montessori teaching experiences have inspired me, as do other children’s books. I love reading other picture books and getting an “Aha!” moment of inspiration.
What surprised you the most working as an author?
Great question! Initially, I was surprised at how hard it is to write a picture book. I just thought you’d just write it, but then I learned about plotting, characterization, page turns, allowing room for the illustrator to help tell the story, etc. The best picture books are flawless, so they look like they’d be easy to write. But they’re not. I’m always talking about this with my UCLA students. It’s probably the biggest myth about writing for children.
What is your favorite thing about being an author?
I love the creativity of it all! It’s so fun to get a spark of a story idea and play with it. I really do love playing with words. My tendency is to write in verse, with a light, lyrical approach. I can spend hours tinkering with a text and engaging in wordplay before I realize how much time has passed. I have all sorts of resources I use—books, websites, apps—that give me lots of treasures to dig through. It’s pure joy for me!
What do you find difficult working as an author?
Like many writers, the rejections are a challenge (I prefer to call them “declines”). You must have a tough skin to stick with this business, but even with that, sometimes the rejections can get to me. When that happens, I give myself a little “pity party” (always with chocolate and my co-author cat). I might step back for a day or two, but then I always put it in perspective and keep moving forward. Getting back to it sometimes means setting aside a particular manuscript (letting me get some distance) or diving back in with a new focus on how to improve.
What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?
I love taking long walks or hikes by myself. I have a favorite “secret spot” I often visit in the nearby mountains where I can just think. Another great way to find inspiration is to participate in an online event such as Tara Lazar’s StoryStorm or Paula Yoo’s NaPiBoWritWee (National Picture Book Writing Week). These are fun online blog events that help inspire children’s writers.
Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?
I usually have a cup of tea and my co-author cat within arm’s reach (I have two cats, but only one is always nearby while I write). Oh, and I need quiet. I’m not one who could write a novel in a coffeehouse!
Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the Kid Lit community?
Just one? If it weren’t for the SCBWI and my Kid Lit connections with other authors, illustrators, editors, etc., I wouldn’t have a single book published. It’s so important to network and make friends in this business! Not only for connections to help you get published or promote a book, but most importantly, when this business gets you down (and it will due to all the rejections), you need other writers who understand what you’re going through. I’ve had high and low moments in this business where my first call wasn’t to my husband, it was to my writing partners. Because they get it.
Recommended reading?
Rather than recommend specific books, I recommend that other writers develop a canon of authors whose work you admire and study those texts (read, reread, type them out). For me, the top of the list includes Eve Bunting, Lisa Wheeler, Phyllis Root, Tammi Sauer, and Kathi Appelt.
What has been the highlight of your career thus far?
This is a tough question! On a personal level, graduating from Vermont College of Fine Arts was a huge accomplishment and milestone for me. This opened the door for me to teach for UCLA Extension Writers’ Program, which I love. Book-wise, I’d say the huge success of my first board book, Mama Loves You So, has been a highlight. I never expected such strong sales and all the tremendous feedback I’ve received. Just knowing that parents and their babies are bonding over my book warms my heart. I’m hoping parents will have a similar response to Love Can Come in Many Ways.
What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started writing?
I wish someone would have told me: 1) the level of commitment it takes to get published (the dedication to learning the craft, time, expense), and 2) that on the average, picture book writers (picture books, easy reader, board books) don’t earn nearly as much compared to other writers. Neither probably wouldn’t have changed my mind about writing but it would have been nice to know those things before I started.
Can you tell us about your newest book?
Love Can Come in Many Ways is my first novelty board book. It’s all about ways in which animals, and humans, show affection toward one another. When I wrote the book, I just wanted to bring a little more love into the lives of young children, but Chronicle envisioned so much more. They wanted to create an interactive novelty board book full of cuddles, snuggles, hugs and love, by using felt lift-a-flaps. The illustrator, Suzy Ultman has a fun, whimsical artistic style that I know young children will enjoy. I’m really excited for readers who loved my first board book, Mama Loves You So, because this book is also a great book for bonding with little ones.
Interior art from Love Can Come in Many Ways written by Terry Pierce, Illustrated by Suzy Ultman
Interior art from Love Can Come in Many Ways written by Terry Pierce, Illustrated by Suzy Ultman
Interior art from Love Can Come in Many Ways written by Terry Pierce, Illustrated by Suzy Ultman
What’s up next for you?
My next board book, Eat Up, Bear! (Yosemite Conservancy) comes out on April 13, 2021, so I’m already looking forward to that. It’s another book that’s near and dear to my heart, about how to be good stewards of wild bears (but in a super cute fun way). I’m also currently working on some other picture book manuscripts and a chapter book series.
Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?
If you’re just starting, I’d recommend reading Ann Whitford Paul’s marvelous craft book, Writing Picture Books. And if you can, take a writing course on the genre you’re most interested in pursuing. I teach online courses for UCLA Extension Writers’ Program and have had many students go on to publication. Writing courses are a great way to do a deep dive into the craft.
And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?
So many choices but I’d have to say the Back to the Future trilogy. My favorite is the third one (something about the wild west tickles my fancy) but I most recently watched the second one. They’re all great!
Huge thank you to Terry for stopping by Critter Lit today! We absolutely LOVE your new book and can’t wait to see what comes next!
TERRY PIERCE is the author of twenty-five children’s books, including MAMA LOVES YOU SO (Little Simon, ill. Simone Shin), SOCCER TIME! (Random House, ill. Bob McMahon), and TAE KWON DO! (Random House, ill. Todd Bonita, 2007 Bank Street College Best Children’s Books). Her upcoming books include LOVE CAN COME IN MANY WAYS (Chronicle, ill. Suzy Ultman) and EAT UP, BEAR! (Yosemite Conservancy, ill. Nadja Sarell).
Terry holds a B.A. degree in Early Childhood Development and an International A.M.I. Montessori teaching diploma. She was a Montessori teacher for twenty-two years before following her dream of writing for children. Terry has an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, including the Picture Book Concentration certification. She’s also an online instructor for the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program.
She lives in eastern California, dividing her time between the high desert and the high Sierra. She lives with her husband and is a servant to two crazy cats.
FOR MORE INFORMATION visit Terry online at https://www.terrypiercebooks.com or on social media:
Twitter: @terrycpierce
Facebook: @TerryPierceAuthor
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