17 Oct Michelle Nott, TEDDY, LET’S GO, and a GIVEAWAY!

Comforting as hugging a beloved stuffed animal. This is how Kirkus described TEDDY LET’S GO, by my friend Michelle Nott, and illustrated by Nahid Kazemi. I don’t always agree with Kirkus reviews, but for this one, they nailed it.  And how much do you love the picture of Michelle hugging Teddy on her signing day? SO sweet! 

Michelle and I met through Houston SCBWI, and although she doesn’t live here anymore, we stay in touch through the magic of the internet. I am thrilled about Michelle’s success and happy to welcome her to Writing Outside the Lines.

OK, let’s get to it!

EL: Michelle, welcome! I know this book, although not autobiographical, is close to your heart. Can you explain where you got your idea? How the story developed?

MN: I have a teddy bear that has accompanied me throughout my whole life, one my grandmother handmade for me. As a young child, I would imagine Teddy had thoughts. We would have conversations.

One day sitting in my young daughters’ shared bedroom, where Teddy was lounging on some pillows, I started to wonder again what Teddy would have to say about this life of his — created in Zanesville, Ohio, and subsequently living in Pennsylvania, back to Ohio, then over to France, Michigan, Virginia, California, New Jersey, and, where we were at the time of this inspiration, in Belgium.

My very first drafts of the story spanned from childhood to adulthood. It was the grown child who gave Teddy to her children. But, I soon learned that the plot was too long and was trying to do too much. So then came some tough revisions. The story then took shape with a child character who would eventually offer her teddy to a new sibling.

All the while, I kept asking myself, “Why?” “Why is Teddy so important to me?” “What story does he want to tell?”

A few years earlier, and only months after we had moved to Belgium, my dear grandmother passed away. Although she was gone in one sense, she would always be with me because of all the love she offered me in making this teddy bear, as if her spirit would forever be here. And so, to answer my questions, I think Teddy wants to tell readers and children that love can last generations. When or if we’re not sure if we have anything worth giving, we always have love.

EL: That’s beautiful. I know your path to publication for this book was slow and winding. Will you share?

MN: My path to publication for this story was very slow-going. I went from telling this story to my 4- and 5-year-old children to reading them draft after draft throughout primary school before putting it away for quite some time after many failed query attempts. “Lovely, but too quiet,” seemed to be the consensus from U.S. agents.

Then in 2016, I queried Essie White at Storm Literary Agency with a middle-grade manuscript. She liked my writing and asked if I had any picture book manuscripts to show her. I sent her a few, including Teddy, Let’s Go! She loved the literary, quiet aspect of Teddy’s story and offered representation. As we see, she found a beautiful publishing home for it at Enchanted Lion Books.

And just in time, my advanced copies arrived days before my daughters left for college this fall. Teddy’s publication journey spanned their childhood!

EL: Amazing! Do your own children often give you inspiration for your stories, aside from this one? What are some other ways you get inspiration? I know that you’ve lived in many places. Does this wider view of the world help you with your writing? Whew! That’s a lot of questions. 

MN: My children absolutely inspire my stories. And their encouragement has kept me going. The two other books I’ve had published, which are early readers, came from situations when my girls were young. My youngest needed glasses unexpectedly. She had never complained about her eyesight. From that experience, I wrote Freddy, Hoppie, and the Eyeglasses. At another moment during the toddler years when frustration seemed like a daily occurrence, I wrote Dragon Amy’s Flames.

When it comes to my picture book and middle-grade manuscripts, my children, as well as all the travel we have done and living in international communities, greatly influence my stories. When I think of the manuscripts I’ve written in the past several years, there is often a theme of belonging, respect for others and for our planet, and showcasing (in fiction and NF) the importance of female characters and their contributions to our lives.

EL: Do you have a writing routine? If so, will you share it?

I can’t just roll out of bed and start writing. I have to exercise and have a good breakfast first. Otherwise, I and my writing will feel very sluggish. Because I do freelance editing and write PB reviews on my blog, I like to work on those in the mornings (as long as nothing else is pressing). I also like to do a quick writing prompt just to get my brain going in a creative way. Then I get focused on my own projects. Very often, I’ll be working on a new manuscript, revising another one, and/or researching for yet another. I’ll work until about 6pm (with probably too many tea and coffee breaks in between) to prepare dinner. Cooking is another creative outlet for me. While I’m chopping and stirring, my brain is often still with my characters— more than one pot has boiled over or a pan has burned because I’ve had to run back to my desk to write down a new idea. I save most of my mentor text reading for the evenings.

EL: Oh, those burned pans! I’ve had a few popcorn debacles when I had to leave “for just a few seconds” to write something down.  What do you do when the words just don’t come? 

MN: When I’m struggling to find the next words, I’ll go for a walk. Stepping away for a 20 or 30- minute stroll will take the pressure off my mind to think of the next perfect line. Without that stress, I usually realize what the story needs by the time I get home. But if that doesn’t work, I’ll read some mentor texts or focus on a different project. Some days, we’re just more in the mood to work on one thing over another.

EL: I get it! What is the hardest thing about writing children’s books, in your opinion?

Writing isn’t the hard part. And I actually enjoy editing. That’s where everything takes shape and starts to shine. Sometimes receiving editorial feedback is not pleasant. But if I keep my mindset to understand that the comments are only there to push me to write better, I can feel gratitude rather than frustration.

But publishing children’s books is hard. A manuscript must find the right person on the right day in the right mood who connects with your story and who can envision all it can become. And that is out of our control as authors and/or illustrators. All we can do is produce our best work… and that’s the fun part.

EL: I couldn’t agree with you more! 

EL: These inside spreads are as beautiful as the cover. So evocative. Nahid Kazemi did a beautiful job.

What about this business makes you smile?

MN: All the wonderful friendships I’ve made through critique groups and conferences. Also, I love seeing the children smile at author events while I read my books and receiving pictures or notes afterward. That joy is contagious.

EL: I agree. What is your advice to aspiring writers?

MN:  As you can see, this is not an easy business. What looks like “overnight success” was most likely prefaced by years of hard work, determination, and learning… constant learning. So, if you’re in for it, know you are welcome. The kid lit community is here for you.

EL: Now the all important question. Where can we buy this wonderful book?

Here’s the link to my local bookstore, Park Road Books, for anyone who wants a signed copy (they can specify that in the comment section). https://www.parkroadbooks.com/book/9781592703685

And it’s available at all other bookstores, online and “real,” also. 🙂

My website is: https://www.authormichellenott.com/

EL: Thank you so much, Michelle! Ok, readers, it’s time for a GIVEAWAY! Michelle will send a signed copy of LET’S GO TEDDY to one lucky winner. (US address only, please). All you need to do to get in the running is to comment on this post. If you are a subscriber and/or share this (We’d love a share!), please let me know in the comment for extra chances of winning.

To learn more about me, my books, and my school visits, please visit my website at http://www.EllenLeventhal.com.

Until next time, be well,

Ellen