There are two books I would love to have written: 1. Charlotte's Web, by E.B. White, and 2. Jack and Jill and Big Dog Bill, by Martha Weston.
Why? Charlotte's Web is loved by most folks, whether it's the book or the movie.
Jack and Jill and Big Dog Bill is one of the very best learning tools for teaching kids to read. I might write something similar, but that one is the best. I taught one of my grandsons to read some 200+ words in less than two days, thanks to that book, the miracle of phonics, and a little extra effort.
I choose a book by its cover. If it calls me to the shelf, I'm going to pull it out and study the cover. If I like the title and the cover, I'll check out the blurb on the back. (I see yellow before anything else.)
If the back has reviews, lists awards, etc., but does not contain a blurb, I'm probably going to put the book back. I want the author's take on the story, right there on the back cover. That should give me insight to the author's style of writing and a teaser peek into the story line. I realize that not all publishers let the authors write the blurbs, but I always hope for it.
I'm not pleased with all the vanity presses that take advantage of authors. I wish authors would be more patient and learn what the field has to offer before they publish. There are so many great options!
Wicked! I spend a lot of time doing my own research and editing stories for other authors. I also speak at conferences and other events, attend critique meetings, organize a couple of annual conferences/events, and dedicate a portion of each week to my grandchildren and to volunteer at a nearby school library. One of these days, I'm going to have a housekeeper and a cook, and maybe a driver. That way, I can focus my attention on writing and staying healthy.
Absolutely! Much of my writing includes personal experience or pieces of friends' experiences they've shared over the years, although none of them are exactly like the real events. I simply use bits and pieces of similar experiences to create a new one.
