Bev: Hi, Kathy. Welcome to
my blog. Please tell us about yourself and how you became a writer.
Kathy: I started writing
short stories as early as kindergarten and wrote my first “book” in third grade
(I used cardboard tied together with yarn as the “cover!”) I have a degree in
magazine journalism and have worked for several Fortune 500 companies as well
as trade magazines. I started writing children’s books several years ago after
having kids, and I’m currently the editor for knowonder!, which publishes short
stories for kids ages 3-10. The young middle grade audience (ages 7-10) is
definitely my writing comfort zone.
Bev: When you were a
child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Kathy: After going to the
circus at age 5, I wanted to be a trapeze artist! That didn’t happen, but I
still love taking my kids to the circus.
Bev: How did you come up with the idea for your latest book and were there any glitches along the way?
Kathy: My kids loved the
Magic Treehouse series by Mary Pope Osborn and I wanted to write a story that
could transport kids to another world—in this case the world of animals. It was
during a trip to our city’s zoo that I decided a menagerie carousel would be
the perfect device to do that.
I really didn’t have any
glitches. In fact, I was fortunate to interview one of our zoo’s head keepers
to get lots of great animal stories and background information on zoo life. It
was critical to the plot.
Bev: You’re shipwrecked on a deserted island.
What character from a book other than yours would you want to be stranded there
with you? Why?
Kathy: The Cat in the Hat.
He’d make it fun and probably have some wacky invention we could use to sail
away!
Bev: If we peeked inside
your closet, what would we see?
Kathy: A mess! Clothes and
shoes all over the floor, a pile of empty shopping bags in one corner, shelves
of old books, VHS movies, and photos, and a big clunky fire escape ladder in
case I ever need to make a quit exit out the bedroom window!
Coffee or tea?
Kathy: I’ll take either as
long as there’s cream and sugar!
Bev: Spring, Summer, Fall,
or Winter?
Kathy: Summer—the hotter the
better!
Bev: If you could have super powers what would you
wish for?
Kathy: I’d like to be able to
teleport and just pop in and out anywhere I pleased.
Bev: If you could choose
to live in another time, would you prefer the past or the future?
Kathy: I’d love to zip ahead
to the future and see what’s in store. Hey, maybe people will be able to
teleport in the future!
Bev: Are you working on
any new books now? Tell us about them.
Kathy: I’m currently working
on a middle grade fantasy series surrounding the popular sport of geocaching.
Bev: Where can your fans learn more about you?
ANIMAL ANDY is available
in ebook from MuseItUp
Publishing and in print from Amazon.
Website: www.ksrwriter.com
Twitter: @kathyrygg
Bev: Would you like to
share anything else with your fans?
Kathy: I also have a
children’s chapter book series published called “Tall Tales with Mr. K” and
book two recently released called “Taller Tales with Mr. K.” They are about a
magical third grade teacher who takes his students on fun, crazy adventures in
the teacher’s lounge. It’s great for kids ages 7-10 and both are available on Amazon.
Bev: Your book sounds just right for young animal lovers and older ones, like me, as well. Thank you, Kathy, for
taking time out of your busy day to visit with us. Stop by anytime.
Kathy:
Thank you for hosting me today!
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Have a great week, everyone.
Happy Reading.