Meet Lisa Rose
What a delight to welcome Lisa Rose back to Frog on a Dime. She’s so honest, funny and genuine. She first visited in March 2014 to talk about her upcoming picture book. And now [cue the fan fare!] SHMULIK PAINTS THE TOWN has just released!
To celebrate, I’m letting Lisa take the wheel . . .
When my agent suggested I write Jewish books I wasn’t thrilled. True, I was Jewish. I suffered through Hebrew school. I had a Bat Mitzvah. I didn’t have a Christmas tree or even own a Christmas sweater. I used words like tush, schlep, and nosh. But I didn’t really want to write a Jewish book. At the time I was writing outside of my race. Inspired by the students I taught in Highland Park and Pontiac, Michigan, I believed their story needed to be told. I have been fighting for #blacklivesmatter long before it was a hashtag or even twitter was invented.
It wasn’t until I adopted my daughter that I thought about my culture. How would I make her feel part of the community? It was then I realized how little I knew about my own history. I knew much of it was slaughtered in the Europe’s concentration camps. And what was known was not discussed. The memories were too painful. There was just an attitude of “move on and live.” Simple and yet profound. We lived. We learned. We laughed.
So, I believe it isn’t accident that my first published Jewish picture book is both funny and empowering.
Thank you for sharing, Lisa. I’m very excited for you and for the children who will enjoy your book. (And hey, you’re a pretty good driver!)
SHMULIK PAINTS THE TOWN just released from Kar-Ben Publishing is about a painter who has to create a mural for Israeli Independence Day. He can’t decide what to paint and gets a little help from a very unexpected source—his dog!
And now, it’s time for True Confessions, Random Facts and Inside Info with Lisa Rose . . .
True confession: Rose is actually my middle name. I have two terrible last names. So I chose to go by Rose because it was easy to pronounce and also honored the grandmother I never knew. She, against all odds, escaped to Detroit. There, she lived, learned and laughed so that one day her granddaughter could tell the story.
Lisa Rose:
- Loves the color blue
- Hates ketchup
- Taught 1st grade and her students often lived in homeless shelters
- Owned pet turtles named Broccoli and Peapod
- Practices yoga
- Prefers frosting and ice cream to anything spicy or garlicy
- Likes to wake up early–like before 5 a.m. early
- Prefers Law & Order reruns to reality TV
Would you like to know even more about Lisa Rose, my crispy little waffle cones? What a silly question. But of course you would. More info about Lisa Rose, click here.
When you write, magic happens. Doors open. People smile and the world is a better place. ~ Alan Dapre
Meet Lisa Rose
It’s my delight to introduce you to vivacious, rap-writing debut author Lisa Rose. I first met Lisa through our regional chapter of SCBWI and was immediately attracted to her bright smile, energy and enthusiasm. And wait until you hear her good news . . .
Tell us about your book–details! We want details!
SHUMLIK PAINTS THE TOWN will be published by Kar-Ben in 2016. It’s about a painter named Shumulik who needs to create a mural for Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israeli Independence Day). He can’t think of anything to paint and soon all of Jerusalem will be there. What is he going to do? It has a funny surprise ending!
Can’t wait to read SHUMLIK PAINTS THE TOWN and find out what the surprise is. So, when did you know you wanted to write for children?
It sounds cliché, but I was in second grade. I wrote a poem and my teacher called me a writer. I always wanted to write. But my mother told me to do something that made money. So I became an elementary teacher and got really, really, really rich! Moral of the story: don’t listen to your mother.
Very funny, Lisa. Now, what is it about writing for children that appeals to you versus writing for adults?
Hope. All children’s book must end in hope or by definition they are not a children’s book.
What’s the best writing advise you’ve ever been given?
I was a playwright before I wrote for kids, but this still applies: “No amount of sequins can save a bad script.”
Love that. And it definitely applies to children’s writing too. As you know, Frog on a Dime is all about encouraging children’s writers, so what’s the most encouraging thing anyone has ever said to you (related to writing)?
It was from Michigan’s own Debbie Taylor. I was writing outside of my race and shared with her I wasn’t trying to be revolutionary, I just wanted to write about something that touched me. Debbie said, “That’s your answer!” Recently, I was working on a project and it just wasn’t working. I tried and tried. Until I realized I was writing it for all the wrong reasons. I think good writing must have passion and purpose. The idea must scrape your soul.
Photo by Vicky Lorencen
What advise would you give to someone who has been pursuing publication for a long time, with close calls, but no contracts?
Keep going and learn how to flip-turn. I was swimmer before I was writer. It is excellent training. I was used to going as fast as could into cement walls. Instead of crashing after rejection, I just turned around and swam as fast I could into another cement wall. I sent the editor at Kar-Ben over twenty stories. We were on a first name rejection basis. But she kept encouraging me to send more stories. And so I did. I told myself I was going to keep writing until I got a contract or a restraining order from her. Luckily for me, the contract came first.
That’s great advise, Lisa. I’d never thought about flip-turns, but that’s a perfect analogy for the submission process. Time for one last question? Okay, name three things we’d be surprised to learn about you.
1. While I have this nice Jewish book coming out with Kar-Ben, most of my novels feature African-American characters and I am working on a digital media project with the former producers of rapper Eminem. Yes, I even write rap music.
2. I have partnered with a Detroit graffiti artist, Fel3000ft. to create a chapter book. I joke that I write everything from shalom to shazizzle!
3. I like eating ice cream with a fork.
4. BONUS! I have an e-book coming out with MeeGenius in the Spring: OH NO! THE TOOTH FAIRY BROKE HER WING! It is a sequel to OH NO! THE EASTER BUNNY IS ALLERGIC TO EGGS!
Hey, this was fun, Lisa. Thank you for stopping by Frog on a Dime. Wishing you many more publishing success stories. Keep doing those flip-turns!
SHMULIK PAINTS THE TOWN just released from Kar-Ben Publishing is about a painter who has to create a mural for Israeli Independence Day. He can’t decide what to paint and gets a little help from a very unexpected source—his dog!
