10 QUESTIONS FOR…children’s book author Laurel Snyder

Author interview with Laurel Snyder

Laurel Snyder is a graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, and Baltimore native, now residing in balmy Atlanta. She is the author of two novels for kids (Up and Down the Scratchy Mountains, Any Which Wall) and two picture books (Inside the Slidy Diner, Baxter the Kosher Pig) as well as a book of poems for grownups (The Myth of the Simple Machines).  Occasionally you might also catch her on NPR’s All things Considered. 

1. Tell us about your latest book.

Any Which Wall is a tribute to one of my favorite children’s authors, Edward Eager.  Set in Iowa, it follows the lives of four bike-riding kids, who find a magical wall in the middle of a cornfield.  The wall sends them back and forth in space and time, and they meet a silly cast of characters, from Merlin, to the worst-pirate-in-the-world.

2. How did you get started as a writer?

I was 9 or so, and the details are hazy, but mostly I think I just read a ton and imitated what I read.  My parents recited Yeats to me in bed, so the standard was kind of high. (I’m not kidding)  Then in high school, I had a very amazing experience with a special English teacher who taught a poetry workshop to kids.  After that, I never really considered doing anything else.  Writing and waitressing. That was the plan.

3. What does a typical day look like for you?

Well, I have a 2 year old and a 3 year old, so maybe you can imagine—it’s a little insane.  The boys have “school” from 9-1, so after hurling frozen waffles at them, and wiping their faces and their teeth, I shove them into clothes and dump them into the lap of the wonderful Miss Cindy.  Then I race back home again. If I’m lucky I get 3 hours of work-time. After I pick them back up we usually trash the house for an hour, pick it up, and head to the playground.  It’s all very glamorous.

4. Describe your workspace.

I share an office with husband (who plays guitar and bass) and we’re both messy, so the room has two big old metal desks, three IKEA bookshelves, piles and drifts of scrap paper, two laptops, and about 14 pieces of musical equipment that might or might not be broken.  It is not a very artful room, but it works. Over my desk is some original art from my books, and my diploma. When the mess gets depressing I look at those and sigh.

5. Favorite books (especially for writers)

Well, as a “writing book” I love Hugo’s the Triggering Town.  For kids I love Thurber’s Thirteen Clocks, and anything by Eager, Dahl, Enright, Nesbit.  For adult novels I’m devoted to Wallace Stegner.  And for poetry, I think anyone who hasn’t read Berryman’s Dreamsongs should do so immediately.

6. Tell us 3 interesting/crazy things about you

I’m epileptic, but I get by without medication.  I have seizures only at night.  Weird, huh? 

Also, I’m the product of a Jewish/Catholic home, which is an important part of who I am, I think. 

Also, I love beets.

7. Favorite quote

Home is where, when you go there, they have to take you in (Frost)

8. Best and worst part of being a writer

The best thing is actually writing.  The worst thing is actually writing.  From day to day these things are alternately sacred and profane experiences.  Or at least great and terrible.

9. Advice for other writers

Don’t think about selling.  Just think about what makes for good art, and keep at it.  Start over. Try again.  I do believe that a talented voice will find a publisher if they make a good enough book, no matter what.

10. Tell us a story about your writing experience. 

I like to tell people about how, when I first got to Iowa, another student read one of my poems, and said to me (with a straight face)  “If you aren’t addressing postmodernism in the age of Ashbery, I don’t know why you’re writing at all.”  It crushed me!  Here I was, from my little state school in TN, coming to the hallowed halls of the IWW, and I believed him!  I felt like a fool. I had NO IDEA WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT!  Well, that guy was an idiot, and he still is.  Whatever else people can teach you, NOBODY can teach you what to write about, or how.  Not really. Nobody can tell you what book YOU should be writing. They can only teach you how NOT to write it.  I still hate that guy,

Where can people buy your books?

Oh, I would be eternally grateful if people would request them for order at their local children’s library.  I know hardback books are pricey, and my great wish if for every library to carry my books.  I was a library kid.  If they want to buy one, they can get them wherever they buy books!  Ideally an indie shop.

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