One of the great things about doing these author spotlights is making new friends. I ran across the book “Neil Armstrong is my Uncle & Other Lies Muscle Man McGinty Told Me” by Nan Marino and I knew I had found a kindred spirit. I contacted Nan and asked if she would participate in an author spotlight and she graciously agreed.
WOTS: What was your road to publication?
NM: It took years. I scribbled my first story the day a school librarian friend remarked that she wished she had a story to go with her new set of penguin puppets. From that point on, I was hooked. But I had a lot to learn. Fortunately, for Christmas, two friends gave me a gift of membership to SCBWI. Through that, I found critique groups and writing buddies. Over the years, I wrote many manuscripts –and got many rejections. I stopped counting but if you add them up I was well into the hundreds. I taught my dog, Chi, how to chew up those rejection letters and moved on. One day, a manuscript got the attention of my amazing agent, Rosemary Stimola. She asked for a rewrite and then signed me on. She sold Neil Armstrong is My Uncle and Other Lies Muscle Man McGinty Told Me to Roaring Brook Press –and I got to work with my wonderful editor, Nancy Mercado.
WOTS: Can you tell me a bit about your writing process? Do you plot or not?
NM: I’m one of those people who has problems writing on lined paper so I’m not sure if I could ever plot out a story chapter by chapter. Generally I have an idea where things are going – and I have thoughts on where I’d like my characters to be at the end. But it doesn’t always work out that way. As a writer, it’s my job to develop a deep understanding of my characters, put them into unusual or difficult situations and let them do what they need to do. I’m much more comfortable writing when my characters are in control.
WOTS: Are you working on any new projects that you can tell us about?
NM: Yes. I’m working on a book called Piney Moon, which is scheduled to be published in Fall 2012 by Roaring Brook Press. It’s about a famous 11-yr-old musical prodigy who freezes on stage during a televised talent competition. To escape the paparazzi, he hides out in the Pinelands of New Jersey.
WOTS: Describe your studio or usual work space for us.
NM: My writing space is really small. The washer/dryer is in the nearby closet. The dog’s favorite chair is in there too. Even in its best moments, my desk could always be neater.
There’s a tray of rocks near my pc. My favorites are the ones that were given to me by friends—those are the ones that come with great stories. I have stones from a lake in New Hampshire, a gift shop in Ireland, and a schoolyard on Long Island. A friend gave me the sparkly word “hope” when I was going through a difficult time. I love the juxtaposition of the glittery word and the unpolished stones. And I have this superstition: the first few pages of any manuscript must spend time sitting on top of all those rocks and underneath the sparkly “hope” before they go out into the world.
WOTS: What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
NM: An herb farmer. I have visions of wandering through meandering paths of lavender, rosemary and thyme (although I suspect that most herbs are grown in straight lines and that real herb farmers don’t spend a lot of time wandering.)
Also I’d love to work at a rescue organization for stray dogs and cats, one that encourages people to adopt from shelters. There are so many great animals there.
WOTS: What’s one thing that most people don’t know about you?
NM: I studied martial arts and can break a board in two. I was a terrible martial arts student, but I did love the board breaking part. If you do it right, it feels like your hand is going through butter. If you do it wrong, well that’s another story.
WOTS: Was it easier or more difficult writing from childhood events and memories?
NM: For Neil Armstrong is My Uncle, it was fun to take snippets of my real life and put it into the book. At every party when I was growing up, we had a neighbor who sang the song “If I Were A Rich Man” so I had a character sing that song in the book. We also had tons of barbeques, and I played lots of kickball. It was fun putting some of my memories into the story. I hope I captured that close-knit neighborhood feeling.
Like most people who write for children and teens, I have very vivid childhood memories. No matter what type of story I’m writing, I draw on those experiences and feelings.
WOTS: What has been the response of your friends and family to your story?
NM: It’s been wonderful. My friends and family have been supportive at every point in my writing journey. Of course, my mom tells everyone. Even sales people and telemarketers know about my book.
WOTS: We here at Writing on the Sidewalk tend to procrastinate with our writing, where do you fit in Procrastinator or Proactive?
NM: I really want to say I’m proactive. I love that word – but it would be a lie. To be honest, procrastination and I are old friends.
There are many types of procrastination. Sometimes I’m filled with doubts at my ability to fulfill the promise of the story. I lose faith. Then I procrastinate because of fear. It takes guts to write.
However, there are other times when stepping away and doing something else is a good thing. It gives you a chance to think things over. Stories need to simmer and perk. That’s useful procrastination (or at least that’s what I tell myself when I’m searching the internet for a new lemon risotto recipe).
Of course, nothing happens unless you write. It’s all about balance. I’m still working on finding that perfect combination…
The paper back version of Nan’s book will be released on April 26th, be sure to look for it at your local bookstore. I am looking forward to reading her newest book Piney Moon in 2012.
Thanks for visiting with us on the sidewalk Nan.
