This week we are featuring another children’s book author, Laura Yirak. Laura grew up in Scotland and moved to the United States when she was eleven. She says, “I had the best childhood, playing my days away in the lowlands. There was always something to get up to, whether it was exploring some old ruins or running down to the sweet shop for a bag of treats, I won’t forget it.”
She spent her first two years in college writing poetry and started publishing in 2011.
Writing is her passion. She is always creating children’s books drawing inspiration from her two little ones.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I started writing in journals as a teen which progressed to poetry when I started my creative writing classes in college. I took them out of curiosity.
Do you have any interesting writing habits or quirks?
I sometimes write in the kitchen. It’s where I create poems and a fancy meal! Or I write by the fire, but as summer approaches, I’ll write outside on my swing bench.
Where do your book ideas come from?
They just randomly pop in my head at random times. I always have to have a pen and paper nearby. It’s not forced or predictable.
What age groups do your books target?
18 months and up. I don’t cap the age. I have had ten year olds email me saying that they enjoyed some of the stories as well as their grandmothers 😉
Who are some of your favorite children’s authors?
Roald Dahl.
What are the elements that you think make a good children’s story?
I prefer sweetness in the story, or just simple fun.
Of all your children’s books which is your favorite and why?
Bumble Babees. Every time I look at the little guy in the sunglasses it makes me smile. He’s too cool! I want to do another story with them.
Do you have any upcoming releases? Tell us about them.
My next release is Puppy Come Here! This is story about a rainy day and the little puppy who does not want to come out of his kennel, so the little boy tries to coax him out. The puppy stories are inspired by my Dad’s dog, Charlie. He is a character—a black dachshund. The actual puppy is the illustrator’s dog, Buddy. That’s probably why I haven’t formally named the dog in the story. The readers can choose.
What is your advice to any other aspiring children’s book authors?
Don’t wait—now is the time to publish! And don’t be afraid, just because one book doesn’t sell, doesn’t mean the next one won’t. Try it all 😉
What else do you want to share with our readers?
I want to say thanks for reading and I hope that you and your children enjoy the stories. Share sweet memories!
To catch up with Laura visit her blog, follow her on Twitter or check out her author page on Amazon.
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