Hello everyone and welcome to this week’s A Cup of Conversation which I’m really happy to be bringing you this week as it almost didn’t happen! I know, shock, horror! But Sydnie Rose came up trumps and her interview is a breath of fresh air…she is determined, fun and has a great can-do attitude. I hope you enjoy her interview as much as I did…it will certainly leave you wanting to eat pancakes!
1. When did you start writing creatively?
Ever since I was in the third grade! I was basically a Junie B Jones/Cam Jansen fanatic, whose cleverness inspired me to begin writing my own stories.
2. Your Instagram bio states you are a 12 x 12 picture book challenge member. What does this mean/entail?
The 12 x 12 picture book challenge is a year-long community of just picture book writers, who, with the support of one another, aim to write 12 picture book manuscripts in 12 months. Not only does it increase your writing motivation, but it increases your chances of landing an agent!
3. Have you incorporated your own experiences of growing up in your books?
I have! I’ve incorporated some of my own fears and likings (such as pancakes in my latest picture book, Plenty of Pancakes).
4. What is your process for querying?
When I finish writing a manuscript, I do a thorough re-read through it myself, then send it off to my genuinely lovely beta readers, and when all those edits are at last conquered, I start querying them to agents! Yikes!
5. Tell us a little about your picture book Plenty of Pancakes.
Plenty of Pancakes was initially inspired by my love for the sticky breakfast food, because, let’s be honest, who doesn’t like pancakes?! It’s sole purpose is for the entertainment/enlightenment of children, as I remember back in my own childhood days, that picture books with food were always the most interesting to me. So fun and tasteful!
6. Are any of the characters in your books based on yourself?
I love this question. Yes, they are! In my current YA contemporary lesbian romance novella WIP, the protagonist, Cindy, was inspired by myself! When a character is based on the writer themselves, I feel as though we wholeheartedly connect with them a lot quicker, and the words simply flow out more smoothly, as all we have to do is reflect on our own experiences, and boom-shakalaka! We’ve got a great start.
7. Which of your characters is your favourite and why would your readers like them?
Eliza, from my YA romance novella WIP, Relationship Pending, is one of my ultimate favorites, as she’s such a romance, and, not to mention, a downright badass. I think readers will like her because her free spirit is really inspiring, and they may even learn some relationship-tips from her.
8. How do you organise your writing process and how do you prepare your books for release?
If I’m being brutally honest, I’m not someone who absolutely has to have every single little detail of the plot planned out. I’m really laid back about the whole thing, and usually just outline the major ideas, as I know the rest will come to me along the way. Although I haven’t released any of my books yet, as I’ve actively been submitting them to agents & publishers for the last 7 years, when it does (hopefully) come to that time, I would promote them with several advertisements/excerpts in the weeks prior.
9. Is there any aspect of the writer’s life you least enjoy? Why?
Thinking ahead gets to me, at times. For example: say I’ve just started writing a manuscript and I’m up to only 1,000 words and I’m shooting for a goal of 20,000. The thought of the long road scares me just a bit, but I know I will get there in time, and that’s when I try and remind myself to just enjoy the ride.
10. What do you do to relax or recharge and how does it help your writing?
I Netflix! For some reason (I can’t be the only one), Movies/binge watching TV shows help take my mind off things. And, sometimes, the characters portrayed in them inspire the words to begin flowing out onto the paper again. Funny thing is, I’m going to school to become an actress next year, so, who knows: perhaps someday, I’ll have the privilege of watching myself on TV and will be inspired from my own work!
11. Are you a planner or a pantser?
I’m going to combine these two and call myself a “plantser”, as I believe my writing process reflects both.
12. What are your three big plans for 2019?
1: Finish wring my YA contemporary lesbian romance novel.
2: Write 12 new picture book manuscripts for the 12 x 12 challenge.
3: What has been my goal for the last 7 years: find an agent to represent me!
What a delightful interview! Thank you so much Sydnie – I know you were really pushed for time but I’m so glad you took part in A Cup of Conversation. And thank you to my readers…and please link up with Sydnie on any of her links listed below.
Until next week, Happy Reading, Happy Writing, Happy You!
Soulla x
Links:
Twitter: @sydnierosewrite
Instagram: @wanderinginthewritedirection
