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MEET MARY ANN FRASER
by Bonnie O'Brian

Did you write and illustrate stories when you were growing up?

Mary Ann Fraser

I can remember drawing when I was three, but I didn’t begin writing stories until second grade. I often finished my in-class assignments early, so my teacher would have me create stories to prevent me from disrupting the remainder of the class. I would work on a project for weeks. The stories were usually heavy drama about animals, especially wild cats, horses, and wolves.

When you went to college, were you already pursuing a writing or illustrating career?

My third year at UCLA I took a class on the history of children’s literature. I wasn’t sure what to do with my fine art major, but children's book illustration seemed like a possibility. I made an appointment with the professor to learn more. I explained to the professor that I was thinking of illustrating children’s books. He shook his head and told me to just forget it. He explained that the field was very competitive and I would have to be extremely lucky to break in at all.

Was your first book accepted immediately or did you experience a number of rejections?

I’m not one for giving up, but eventually after many rejections I had to admit that my first book proposal deserved a long, if not terminal, rest. I began researching for a new book idea, a book about Hillary and Tenzing’s trip to the top of Mt. Everest. I called it ON TOP OF THE WORLD. This time I sold it to the first publisher I sent it to.

How did your life change when you had children? Did it make it easier or harder to find time to write?

It was a race to see which I would deliver first, my first book or my first baby. Fortunately the book beat the baby. Ian Noel Fraser was born just fourteen days after I mailed off the final illustrations for ON TOP OF THE WORLD. After that quiet time to write or illustrate became a rare commodity.

Do you focus on fiction or nonfiction? Which do you prefer? Do you find one easier than the other?

While most of my books have been non-fiction, I more recently have been doing fiction. While I find fiction to be the most creatively satisfying I have to say non-fiction is easier for me to structure.

Do you work on more than one book at a time?

I usually work on two to three books at a time, but they are all in different stages. I may be developing an idea for one, sending another around to publishers, and working on rewrites or illustrations for a third.

Have any of your books earned special recognition?

My book awards include a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, Book Links Book of the Year, IRA Young Readers Choice Award, and American Booksellers "Pick of the List."

What do you most want the students to get out of your school visits?

I would like students to be inspired to pursue their own stories. My goal is to get them to that first step of finding the kernel of an idea and then giving them a method for turning that into a story.

Is there anything about yourself that you’d like to share – hobbies or special talents other than writing/illustrating?

While I love to draw and write I also have found other mediums for creating. I enjoy gardening which to me is like painting with plants. I love the outdoors, playing the hammered dulcimer, and travel. In addition to making children’s books I also have a decorative painting business, providing murals and faux finishes for people’s homes, schools, or businesses.