Who are you?
Ariel Bernstein, children’s book author, New Jersey.
What do you write?
I write mostly picture books, and sometimes early readers and chapter books. I started writing fiction on my own in high school. There was no pressure to write anything good or noteworthy, it was just for fun and I enjoyed trying to find interesting voices for characters. For children’s books specifically, I started about ten years ago when I was reading picture books to my children and I began to think of ideas. I really didn’t know how to turn the ideas into actual manuscripts though, so I did a lot of research and found critique partners. I love what I do when I find a concept or character that’s interesting enough to write about. I don’t love it when I get stuck figuring out how the story should proceed!
Where do you write?
I usually sit at my writing desk or on the couch in my living room and work on a laptop. I almost always try to write when no one else is home (besides my cat), otherwise I get distracted too easily.
When do you write?
The only time I had a big deadline was when I was writing the chapter book series WARREN & DRAGON and needed to submit first drafts by a certain date. For picture books, I never really sit down with any hard goals or time limits. I’m very much a ‘pantser’ and will write as long as I’m able to come up with something to write about.
Why do you write?
There is nothing more exciting than getting the author’s copy of your own book in your hands and looking through at how an illustrator brought your words to fruition. Other things that make it all worthwhile are reading the book aloud to young readers, seeing it in a library or bookstore, and hearing from readers that they enjoy it. But even if a story doesn’t eventually become a published book, the process of starting with the kernel of an idea and eventually creating a finished manuscript is very gratifying and I learn a lot from the process each time.
How do you overcome writer's block?
Taking a long walk almost always helps. Something about letting my mind wander and being away from my laptop and things like the internet allow my brain to think about a manuscript without pressure and a much needed different perspective. Also, discussing a story with my critique partners or agent can be very helpful at figuring out how to move forward.
Bonus: What do you enjoy doing when not writing?
I’m only so skilled at it but I enjoy playing mahjong, taking road trips with my family and finding something fun to watch together. Baking the perfect chocolate chip banana bread is also a highlight of a day.
My thanks to Ariel Bernstein for today's interview.