Interview (Part II) and Giveaway with Clara Gillow Clark

As promised, here is Part II of my interview with children's author Clara Gillow Clark.

DBP: Your website mentions you are from a family of seven children; I am also from a family of seven children. How did coming from a large family influence you to become a writer?

CGC: Coming from a large family means that you have a lot of relationships and a lot of interesting dynamics among siblings. My parents both loved to quote long passages of poetry, we always had books around, and my older sisters were great readers, so I guess all of those things were influences.

DBP: What is the best writing advice you’ve ever received?

CGC: It was actually from an interview with Judy Blume who wrote that if you keep at it [writing], you’ll start to catch on—I tell kids when I do workshops that it’s the sort of aha! moment of learning to ride a bike or even before that learning to tie shoes, zipper a jacket, or button your own dress/shirt for the first time. I’ve had several of these writing aha! moments over the years and it’s euphoric when it happens. The worst? If writing isn’t easy for you, you shouldn’t bother.

DBP: As a children’s author, you talk at libraries, schools, and conferences. What tips can you give to help other writers prepare to give presentations?

CGC: Always practice your presentation until you can do it without a script. Beyond that, once you arrive, forget about yourself—be friendly, be funny, and make eye contact.

DBP: You have a website. You also have an amazing blog http://claragillowclark.blogspot.com/ where you post about writing and books. I am a follower and a frequent visitor. On your blog you also sponsor contests and giveaways, as well as interviews with other children’s writers. How has the Internet changed the way writers connect with readers and other writers?

CGC: The Internet is time consuming and has challenged us to prioritize our time better, but it’s also created a much stronger sense of community for writers both in support of each other and in the craft, as well as being an amazing place to meet readers. Writing can often be a lonely life because we do need to have solitude for creating, but with the internet, we are always able to reach out and connect.

DBP: Speaking of contests on your blog: What can you tell us about your Spilling Ink Writing Contest going on right now?

CGC: Thanks for asking about that. I ran this contest last year for the first time when Spilling Ink, A Young Writer’s Handbook co-authored by my friend Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter, was released. The response was great so I decided to make it an annual event with cash prizes and autographed books for Young Authors in grades 4-8.

DBP: That is so cool! What a generous and thoughtful way to encourage young writers to achieve their dreams! Any last thoughts about writing or words of advice?

CGC: Write what you care about—it’s the internal conflicts not the external ones that matter the most.

DBP: Your advice about internal conflicts is so true. Now, final question: What is the best way for readers or writers to contact you with questions?

CGC: Message me on facebook or Twitter--@claragillow), leave a comment on my blog, or e-mail me: claragillowclark(@)gmail(dot)com

Thank you so much, Clara, for being so generous with your time and words of wisdom.

To all my visitors, thanks for stopping by and reading what Clara has to say. If you haven't already done so, be sure to leave a comment to be entered in a drawing to win a copy of one of Clara's books. Winners' names will be posted by the end of the week.