One minute interview with Jane Yolen and Heidi Stemple
Today I bring to you my very first One Minute Interview! I love the idea of gathering answers to similar questions from multiple creatives— it’s a delightful quick burst of support and inspiration for all I think.
Jane Yolen, author of over 365 books, is a treasure trove of Picture Book world knowledge, and truly delightful in person. Though she’s best known for her series of “How do Dinsosaurs…” books, she’s been doing this for years, and is filled to the brim with ideas for many more books to come. She and her daughter Heidi Stemple, started working together years ago, shortly after Heidi moved back to her home town to be near her parents. When I attended a workshop they lead together at the SCBWI, I was charmed by their co-teaching dynamic and warmed by their affection for one another. Here is my very first One Minute Interview, with both Heidi and Jane.
When writing a manuscript, do you type, or handwrite?
JY: “Type”
HS: “Type”
When you’re taking a break, do you reach for sweet or Salty?
JY: “Both”
HS: “Both”
Favorite Book You’ve Either Written or Illustrated?
JY & HS: “You Nest Here with Me”
What is the best thing about working together?
JY: “You know, one of the wonderful thing about working with all three of my children is that move from just saying, ‘How are the kids? I hear you had sniffles yesterday… you had the flu..’ whatever, to really deeper, much more interesting conversations. They start with a book, but then they go everywhere. My daughter used to say, people would say, ‘How could you write with your mom? I could never do that with my mom.’ And she’d say, ‘But you could probably write with mine.'”
Thank you to Jane and Heidi for taking the time to chat with me! Now go out and buy some of their books!!! The most current obsession in our home is Once There Was a Story: Tales From Around the World, Perfect for Sharing.