Wendy BooydeGraaff Profile

Name, location? Do you have a day job?
Wendy BooydeGraaff, Grand Rapids, Michigan.  I contract for an educational research foundation and a global relocation company. Both allow me to schedule my own days and do some work from home.

How did you hear about Ripple Grove Press?
There was a call for submissions in the publisher’s section of SCBWI’s The Bulletin, so I found out everything I could about Ripple Grove Press, and then submitted Salad Pie. 

What’s your work style? Early morning, late at night? All at once, bits at a time?
Hmm…my work style is that whenever I’m writing and a cat jumps on my lap, I have to stay put. Do not disturb the cat. I get a lot of writing done that way, especially now that we have two cats. 

I’m not a morning person, though I do love a good sunrise and can write well on the porch when the sun is coming up. I’ve done that in winter, though it’s harder because of the gloves and puffy jacket. 

When I’m home, I try to write in the morning, though I’ve written at all times of the day and night. I’m not too strict about when as long as I write every day.  

Who are some of your creative idols?
People and groups I find inspiring include Louise Erdrich, U2, John Legend, Toni Morrison, Stephen King, Ha Jin, Kate DiCamillo, BNL, Kadir Nelson, Norah Jones, Leif Enger, Keb’ Mo…there are many more that those are that come to mind first. 

Where does your inspiration come from?
Everywhere. The world around me and my imagination.

What are the biggest wins/challenges writing for children?
The wins:

• My neighbour sent me a text of her child holding my book with a big grin. They had just read it and loved it. 
• The children’s literature community is warm, welcoming and supportive. I’ve met so many great people who write for children, both published and not-yet published. It’s really fun to be there when someone crosses that line, to see their books on the shelves.
• Having a beautiful book in my hands after a long journey from that first hand-written manuscript is an amazing experience.

The challenges:

• Waiting
• Waiting
• Waiting

What are you working on right now?
I’ve got several writing projects going and I’m coordinating a blog with other debut picture book authors and illustrators: On the Scene in 2016.

What’s your favorite picture book, besides your own, of course?!
There is no way I can pick favourites—I’ve got lists of them. One is The Dark by Lemony Snicket and illustrated by Jon Klassen about a boy’s relationship to the dark. The illustrations are gorgeous, with a lot of darkness in different ways, and the words are like silk to read aloud.

For more about Wendy, visit her website: www.WendyBooydeGraaff.com