Four Interview Questions with Author Laura Perdew

Laura Perdew is coming to The Wandering Jellyfish Bookshop Author Signing Fair from 12-1 on December 4th! She is a fiction and nonfiction author for children (and their adults). Her titles include The Earth: One of a Kind Planet, The Moon: Small-but-Mighty Neighbor, The Stars: A Gazillion Suns, and The Fort. Get to know her with these fun interview questions, check out her website, and stop by the store to say hi and snag a copy of her books!

1. What got you into writing and what genres inspired you in your early writing career?

I've always been a writer, but I really started writing seriously as a teacher when I modeled the writing process for students. Also as a teacher, I saw firsthand the gaps in the market for certain books. When a friend suggested that we start meeting weekly for a writing night I said YES. We met on Wednesdays for over a decade!

2. What was the greatest challenge  while writing your books and what advice would you give to young writers?

The challenge depends on the project - sometimes it's finding the right voice or angle, sometimes it's plot, and with my nonfiction, sometimes the research is the challenge. Overall, though, my biggest piece of advice would be to keep writing and learning, not give up, and be patient with yourself (that was three pieces of advice, wasn't it?).

3. What purpose do you find in your writing? In other words, why do you write?

Most of the work I do now is focused on nature, the environment, and environmental issues, and my goal is to share the wonders of the world with kids to inspire the next generation of conservationists!  

4. What is the question you wish people would ask during interviews?

When you're not writing, what are your favorite things to do?

BONUS LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite procrastination snack and/or activity?

Watching the birds and other critters outside my office window.

Would you rather write in a secluded lighthouse or in a cabin in the woods?

In a cabin in the woods by the ocean.

Book or movie you could read or watch repeatedly?

None - I don't reread or re-watch (though I will say I've watched some of Sir David Attenborough's documentaries more than once!).

Pen, pencil, typewriter, or computer?

Computer (usually), but I often brainstorm and write the opening lines or pages on paper (with a pen).