Monica Kulling, Author Extraordinaire

By Janie Reinart

We are honored to have the charming, resourceful, award-winning children’s author, Monica Kulling visit with us on the GROG today. Monica is the author of over 50 books for children including  picture books, poetry, and biographies. 

Her straightforward storytelling incorporates colorful anecdotes, exquisite details, and authentic voices. I love this story and own my own copy.  Monica has graciously gifted us with a copy of Mary Anning's Curiosity for a giveaway. (Rafflecopter will pick the winner.)

1.   Who is your agent? 

I don’t have an agent representing my work in Canada. The publishing community in Toronto is small and one can approach them on one’s own; however, in the United States, I’m represented by Red Fox Literary Agency.

2.   How did you get the idea for your story?

I was reading Tracey Chevalier’s engrossing historical novel Remarkable Creatures. Chevalier imagines Mary Anning’s adult life—her friendships with the famous geologists of the time and with Elizabeth Philpot and including Mary’s further significant fossil finds. That set me off on the road to reading everything I could about Mary Anning.

I was drawn to Mary Anning’s native intelligence and tenacity—to be this way at such a young age amazed me. When you consider the poverty in which Mary lived and her lack of formal education, what she accomplished is astounding. Mary’s story seemed perfect for kids, given that she made her first major discovery, the Ichthyosaur, at age twelve, and that her curiosity remained with her all her life.

3.   What is your favorite part of the story?

As strange as it may sound, I’m fond of the back matter. Maybe because it took me so long to write!

I also enjoy the scene where Mary comes home with a goodly coin for an ammonite she’s sold to a tourist and Joe bursts in with news of his great find, the eye of the mythological Lyme Regis dragon.

4.   How long did it take to write? Get to a publisher?

I had a working relationship with the publisher at Groundwood Books, Sheila Barry. I pitched the idea and she liked it, but wanted to see it as a novel rather than another picture-book biography. Because I’d never before completed a novel for kids, it took me some time to research, draft an outline, and revise several times. It took about a year, and because I knew that Groundwood Books wanted it, I didn’t have to peddle it anywhere else.

Monica's workspace.

5.   What is your writing routine?

I’ve been writing regularly for decades now, so it’s become habit. I find mornings the best time for fresh writing, and afternoons for editing what I’ve written the day before. Writing flies when you’re inspired, but I’ve found that showing up encourages inspiration.

6.   What is your favorite writing craft book?

Collecting books about writing was once a hobby of mine, so I have many such books on my shelves. I still purchase the odd one here and there, but a book about writing has to offer me more than “story starters” and cheap advice.

I am encouraged by the struggle other writers have faced in getting words on the page, and there are many great classics on that theme. I’ve reread the following four books a few times:

Louise DeSalvo, The Art of Slow Writing

Bonnie Friedman, Writing Past Dark

Ralph Keyes, The Courage to Write

Brenda Ueland, If You Want To Write

7.   What inspires you to write?

These days, character—that is, the quirkiness of human nature—is a catalyst for me. How people interact with one another is grist for my mill.

8.   What are you working on now?

I’ve just finished a sequel to Happy Birthday, Alice Babette. The new story depicts another chapter in the life of the lovable American expats Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas.

I’ve also been trolling through my archives of material I wrote decades ago and found the first three chapters of a novel that actually has a spark, which I may complete this summer. I’m fond of middle-grade fiction.

9.   Words of advice for writers.

Show up on a regular basis. Don’t wait to be inspired. If you’ve got a passion for writing, you’ll write despite the rejections. Or you might not wish to push publication. No harm in that. Publication isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Writing for oneself has a certain joy that publication often tramples on.

Monica Kulling

Thank you, Monica for your words of wisdom and inspiration. I look forward to reading the craft books you recommended. You can find Monica on Facebook. 

From Kids Can Press: Monica Kulling was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, and grew up in the Fraser Valley, surrounded by mountains. She studied creative writing at the University of Victoria, where her focus was poetry. When Monica enrolled in a course about children's literature, she was immediately hooked. 
You can purchase Mary Anning's Curiosity here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway