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Back to Featured Interviews >> MEET SHARON LOVEJOY
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| Sharon Lovejoy |
Climb trees, play in the hills around my home in Highland Park, and listen to my Grandmother Lovejoy read classics, such as SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON, TREASURE ISLAND, LITTLE LAME PRINCE, A CHILD’S GARDEN OF VERSES, and more.
What books influenced you most when you were growing up?
The SECRET GARDEN, HEIDI, LITTLE WOMEN, and the entire L.Frank Baum series (until Ruth Plumly Thompson took over).
Did you write stories when you were growing up? at school? Or at home as a hobby? As a young child, or as a teenager, or both?
I wrote my first “book” with my Grandmother Lovejoy, who died when I was 7. I started writing again when I was a teenager. For a short time at my Jr. High School, I wrote and illustrated a school newspaper (mimeographed) that was a few pages long. People loved to have me write about them or draw them.
When you were a child did you ever have moments when you decided that you were going to be a writer when you grew up?
I always KNEW that I would be a writer. Books were so important to me, and at the time, I didn’t have a clue how difficult getting published could be. But that didn’t worry me. I was happy writing and got great encouragement at UCSB when I took creative writing my final semester.
What audience did you have in mind for your career as a writer - adult or children?
I would have to weigh in for BOTH. I love writing for adults, but children’s writing has always been my first love.
When you went to college, were you already pursuing a writing career?(or a career in illustrating? or just art in general?)
I was an art major, but at UCSB I began to hope for a career in writing.
Was your first book accepted immediately? or did you experience a number of rejections?
For years, I owned and operated a small herb and garden store in Cambria, California. I became involved in The International Herb Association, and one afternoon when I had just finished giving a lecture at one of their conferences, a young publisher from Interweave Press approached me and asked if I had ever considered writing a book. Of course, I said, “YES!” She asked me to sit and discuss ideas with her, which I did right then on the floor in the hallway. Then she said, “I think we would love to publish your book.” That was in 1990, and in 1991 my book SUNFLOWER HOUSES came out. The Smithsonian picked it as a notable book; it received lots of favorable press; I received hundreds of letters and photographs; and the book is now in its 12th printing, but is now with Workman Publishing in New York.
What are the topics are some of your books?
Gardening, nature, first color reader for children, which won the National Outdoor Book Award for Children’s Literature, and my newest book, TOAD COTTAGES & SHOOTING STARS, is about how to get children unplugged and involved in nature, cooking, art, music, reading, and life.
I have completed one middle grade novel, which got wonderful feedback from three editors, but it is not “edgy” enough. It is about a young girl who lives on an island in Maine in the 1920s. All the editors asked what else I was working on, and that is a new novel about a young (and nameless) 11 year old girl who teams up with a runaway slave in 1860 in Virginia. Keep your fingers crossed! (But, it is still not “edgy.”)
Do you focus on fiction or nonfiction? Which do you prefer? Do you find one easier than the other?
Both are easy, but I adore fiction. It flows out of me like a clear mountain stream.
Do you do other types of writing - for example, educational, nonfiction, magazine work?
For 13 years, I wrote a personal, feature column for COUNTRY LIVING GARDENER magazine, which unfortunately lost its advertisers and closed its doors. My column was distributed by The New York Times Syndicate. I’ve written for dozens of publications, including NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND JOURNEY, and RANGER RICK, and a few years ago I wrote a chapter for THE NEW BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE encyclopedia. Some of my articles are used in educational testing publications in English and Spanish. Right now I am doing free lance work, but have a column about children in a publication called FARMING MAGAZINE.
Have any of your books earned special recognition?
2010 iParenting.com Media Award for TOAD COTTAGES & SHOOTING STARS (Workman Publishing)
2005 National Outdoor Book Award in the Children's Book category for THE LITTLE GREEN ISLAND WITH A LITTLE RED HOUSE (Down East Books)
2005 Garden Writers Association, Award of Achievement in the Writing-Book category for COUNTRY LIVING GARDENER: A BLESSING OF TOADS–A GARDENER’S GUIDE TO LIVING WITH NATURE (Hearst Books, Sterling Publishing)
2004 Garden Writers Association, Garden Globe Award of Achievement in the Book Illustration category for TROWEL & ERROR: OVER 700 SHORTCUTS, TIPS, & REMEDIES FOR THE GARDENER(Workman Publishing)
2000 American Nursery & Landscape Association, co-runner up for the 2000 Herald Award for ROOTS, SHOOTS, BUCKETS & BOOTS: GARDENING TOGETHER WITH CHILDREN
Magazine Awards:
2004 Garden Writers Association, Garden Globe Award of Achievement in the Magazine Writing category, "Heart's Ease," COUNTRY LIVING GARDENER (Hearst Magazines)
2003 Garden Writers Association, Garden Globe Award of Achievement in the Magazine Writing category, "Heart's Ease," COUNTRY LIVING GARDENER (Hearst Magazines)
2002 Maine Media Women Communication Contest, 1st Place in Print-Media Writing category, "Heart's Ease," COUNTRY LIVING GARDENER (Hearst Magazines)
2002 Maine Media Women Communication Contest , 1st Place in the Feature Story category, "The Alewives of Damariscotta Mills," NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND JOURNEY
2001 Garden Writers Association, Quill & Trowel Award-Magazine Writing category, "Heart's Ease," COUNTRY LIVING GARDENER (Hearst Magazines)
Do you enjoy researching or do you prefer working totally from your imagination?
I love research. I learn so much when I tackle a project.
Do you work on more than one book at a time?
Yes!
Which of your books did you most enjoy writing?
SUNFLOWER HOUSES, my first baby, and recently my fiction books.
What are you working on now? When do you expect to start submitting it to publishers?
I am working on a middle grade novel and a series of pre-K nature books, which I am also illustrating.
Do you write every day and do you have set hours that you work?
I am an avid gardener, so first I garden (early in the morning and usually in my nightgown), and then I write. I love my writing time, and it makes me feel as though I’ve really accomplished something, just as planting a garden makes me feel like I’ve done something worthwhile.
When is your next book going to be in book stores?
TOAD COTTAGES & SHOOTING STARS was released January 2010.
Do you like to include humor in your stories? Or adventure? Or mystery?
All of the above.
When you do school visits, what question do children ask you most?
How old are you? How much money do you make? Did this really happen?
What do you most want the students to get out of your school visits?
I want them to realize that reading can give you wings just as writing can. I encourage them to read, write, and draw what they’re thinking, hoping, or dreaming.
Has anyone ever written you a fan letter that you’d like to share?
I am humbled by my fan letters. Children are so honest. One young girl wrote, “At first I didn’t like your book, but then I sat down and read it and now I’m your biggest fan.” One letter in particular, from a grown man, touched my heart.
He wrote:
“Dear Ms. Lovejoy, I don’t write many fan letters. In fact, my last one was to Detroit Tiger Al Kaline, when I was nine years old. Al is now in his 70s.
I just wanted to offer two thumbs up on your work. It has given me many hours of pleasure-and I value that–especially since I am not nine years old any more.
I’m a humble woodworker and make custom rocking chairs during the day and I love to read at night. After working with my hands all day I find your work most agreeable. Thanks. I read your books to my kids-and nieces, all the time.
In fact, every night I take a vacation by reading you to my kids. Anyway, keep up the good work. I always look forward to your new books.”