It’s the first of April and I have an insightful interview with a wonderful children’s author, Elysabeth Eldering.
Elysabeth’s books focus on middle grade geography, specifically the 50 states. The series title is the JGDS, 50-state mystery trivia series – JGDS stands for Junior Geography Detective Squad.
Number seven of the series is The State of Acceleration, and with seven books complete and available, she’s busy working on the next 43.
Okay, down to it:
Elysabeth, how long have you been writing, and what made you decide to become a writer?I started writing late, about five or six years ago. I entered a writing contest on a dare and took a shared second place, and enjoyed my story enough to turn it into a series.
What influences your writing?This is a tough one. My kids mostly but also a friend of mine who has done a good bit in the writing community.
Why did you choose to write for children?My first story was a "children's mystery" for the fan mystery contest I entered and I decided that I wanted to turn that into a series that would be fun and educational for the kids.
What is your creative process like and how do you manage your time?Karen, you do ask the hard questions - lol. I still write by the seat of my pants and write when I feel inspired or know that I have a self-imposed deadline. Managing my time is difficult some days, especially since I feel like I'm on the road all the time what with taking kids to school, having to pick my daughter up from one school to take her to the high school (she's a senior and is in a college course that is geared towards her teaching career, so she is "student teaching" this semester for the time that that class actually occurs), picking her up after her classes (she has early dismissal which means she gets out a little after 1:30 every day), then running her back to the school at the end of the day and picking up my son from school.
On top of all the road running I do, I have a full-time job and have to make sure I at least make my required lines. It's hard to function some days and others I feel like I can do it all.
What do you think are the basic ingredients of a story? Basic ingredients would be likeable characters, an interesting storyline and something fun. My books are basically the game with the characters interacting so my storyline would be something on the lines of solving the trivia quiz by the end of the game for that particularly state. I think the fun factor helps if you can write something everyone can relate to and encourages them to keep going.
Do you belong to a critique group? Do you think critiques groups are important? I used to, when I first started out; but, unfortunately, I've not had the time nor funds to participate in the group of late. I do think critique groups are important as long as they function as a true critique group. I've heard stories of folks belonging to a group and it seems all they do is bash each other's writing and don't really provide the constructive criticism that is necessary to become a better writer. When I first started in my critique group, I cried after the first encounter because I felt like they didn't like my story or me and my friend, who is now my editor, told me to buck it up and deal with it, stop worrying about whether or not th
We're back with Elysabeth Eldering. Today we have a few questions for Elysabeth:
1. What is your favorite book and why?
I don't really have a favorite book because I read so many different types of things. Used to be my favorite author was VS Andrews but when I found out she had passed away and everything was being ghost written, I lost interest.
2. Were you always interested in Geography?
Not really. My father moved us around a good bit due to being in the military but geography really didn't hit me until I did my first story and made the destination the mystery. I decided to do that with each state, make that the unknown and find info I could use as clues to the state.
3. If you could live anywhere in the U.S.A, what state would you choose? That's pretty easy, Hawaii. Funny thing is my father was always stationed around the east coast and some overseas, but after he retired, my parents dis a bit of traveling; they went to Nevada and Hawaii and Missouri, none of which I have visited yet.
4. If it were anywhere in the world, where would you want to live?
I used to say Australia but now I'm not really sure. I'd like to travel and see some places I've only heard of before making my decision.
5. What's the most interesting item you've received from a state while gathering research for the books?
The only items I've received so far have been a few state pins, pencils, and some stickers and bookmarks. I have attempted to get items to use as giveaways for book signings and school visits and stuff like that but only eight states responded the first go round. I figure by time I get more books out, I'll have to hit them up again for items. Nothing really interesting yet other than the "embroidered" chick or hen applique sticker from Delaware.
6. What's the most interesting characteristic of a particular state you learned about while researching the books?
So far I've only really read my research information on about 3-4 states. I think what does interest me is how the states are small in the east and then so vast in the west - and yet if you think about the geography of all the states, there are many things that are similar. The western states you think would be flat, actually have mountains and snow and experience cold or sometimes colder weather than states you would expect to experience these things. It seems that most states have lots of lakes, lots of nature trails, waterfalls, canyons, and other similarities; yet they are still so different in that the mountain ranges in the smaller states obviously cover small amounts of space and the ones in the states out west can cover many acres or miles.
Please be sure to stop by Elysabeth's site and get your copy of State of Wilderness.
Product Details:
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 100 pages
Publisher: 4RV Publishing LLC
(July 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0979751357
ISBN-13: 978-0979751356
Product Dimensions:
8 x 5 x 0.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces
To learn more about the Junior Geography Detective Squad, visit http://jgdsseries.blogspot.com. Don’t forget to sign up for the newsletter so you can be informed of the series and events going on around the different states
You can also contact the author at [email protected]
Related website: http://4rvpublishingllc.com
Elysabeth, it's been fun hosting you this week. I look forward to seeing all 50 of the Junion Geography Detective Squad books in print. I'm sure they'll be a great learning tool for middle graders.
Karen
It's always interesting to hear more about Elysabeth. I think her series sounds great.
I agree, self-publishing is great. I think it's doing a great deal to level the playing field and give writers a chance to be heard.
Nancy, I agree also that self-publishing is a great tool for authors. There are just so many authors and not enough publishers.
The key though is to produce a quality product to keep the standards high.
Karen, thank you for bringing us this great interview. And your blog looks great! And everyone, watch my Sharing with Writers blog. Elysbeth will be my guest blogger in May. Yay!
Best,
Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Blogging writers' resources at Writer's Digest 101 Best Websites pick www.sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com
Hi Elysbeth,
Self-publishing does have its rewards. I too have self-published about five books (via createspace and lulu) and do as you do -- order my books in blocks of 10 or 20 at a time.
There was an article in our local newspaper about a week ago regarding self-publishing. It was a bit depressing to hear the article's author state that most self-publishing authors won't sell more than 100 books. I just wonder how many self-publishers are actually pursuing their writing dream and are able to make a living at it, or at least have a huge following. :-)
Lots of luck to you. Sounds like you have your hands full with your series.
Shelby Patrick
Thanks Carolyn, After a couple of years I thought the site needed a sprucing up!
Shelby, that's a tough question. Self-publishing is a great tool, but authors usually have to work harder to make sales. I'd love to know how many can actually make a living at it also!
Good interview Elysabeth. I can certainly relate to trying to manage a writing schedule around children (I've often done writing in the carpark of my kids soccer training). Your success with self-publishing is also interesting and a trend that is clearly growing.
Fascinating interview. You have taken on a huge job Elizabeth. Your series sounds fun as well as educational - a terrific twosome!!
Margot’s Magic Carpet - all my books on one page
http://perfectmagiccarpet.blogspot.com/
Maggie and Margot, thank you for stopping by.
Elysabeth is out of town, but will stop in in a couple of days.
Great interview and it was nice hearing your view on publishing as well. With so many different ways to get published these days as a writer, it's nice to hear different author's view points.
You're books are wonderful, too.
Hi, Virginia, I agree that it's always interesting and sometimes very helpful to learn of how other authors write and market.
Great interview. I've self published my three books but will have to look into createspace for my next one.
Good luck
Martha Swirzinski
Thanks Karen and Elizabeth for the wonderful interview. I'm exhausted listening to your schedule Elizabeth. How do you do it?
Karen, I love your new look. You go girl!
Thanks, Kathy!
Wonderful interview, Karen! You pulled the answers to some unique questions out of Elysabeth, to provide a very interesting interview. Great job!
~ Heather Paye
Thanks Heather!
Martha, I'm self-publishing my non-fiction books, as e-books though. One of them I'll be looking into createspace also.
A great series, Elysabeth! A wonderful endeavor and I wish you the very best in finding your following!
Heidi, thanks for stopping by. I agree with you, Elysabeth's endeavor is great.
Hey everyone. Sorry I didn't get a chance to comment earlier. I was in PA for a homeschool conference and the internet service was very poor and I was so busy that I didn't have a chance to even think about getting on the computer. I had a great time, although no sales were made.
Karen, thank you for hosting me and asking some tough questions.
As to answer the question about people making a living from self-publishing, I've heard of several who had been traditionally published and then went to self-publishing and turned a big profit.
The biggest thing with self-publishing is that the books are less costly for you to have them available (at least through createspace they are) and so your "profit margin" is bigger. Amanda someone just went over to self-publishing and is making a decent living from her books. Jay Konrath has done it and several others are doing it. Eventually I hope to make a decent living, at least have my books support me (pay the bills and cover expenses for traveling and events) instead of me supporting them. I think it will happen but it takes time.
Thanks for all the wonderful words of encouragement about the series. Keep passing the word to folks. I appreciate it.
Next month be on the lookout for a new "persona" to be revealed related to my series. See you all in the postings - E :)
Elysabeth Eldering
Author of the JGDS, 50-state, mystery, trivia series
Where will the adventure take you next?
http://jgdsseries.blogspot.com
http://jgdsseries.weebly.com
Elysabeth:
Fantastic interview. Thank you for your insights into self publishing.
Best wishes for your continued success,
Donna
Children’s Author
Write What Inspires You Blog
The Golden Pathway Story book Blog
Donna M. McDine’s Website
Don't have time to write and post your media releases? Contact: Dynamic Media Release Services
Hi, Donna,
Thanks for stopping by!