Short story writer Tarky Lee joins me today to chat about her new juvenile fiction, The Giving Back Tree.
During her virtual book tour, Tarky will be giving away a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card. To be entered for your chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit her other tour stops and enter there, too!
Bio:
Tarky Lee is an Oakland, California based artist, writer, and professional child care provider. Much of her life’s work has been inspired by the children and people she works with. She believes the stories we tell ourselves and others have the power to reshape our lives and heal our hearts. The Giving Back Tree is her first illustrated publication. She looks forward to sharing much more of her art and books with the world.
What do you enjoy most about writing short stories/children’s books/novellas?
I love having the ability to create new pathways for learning and understanding through the pages of illustration and simple text. Stories enable and empower us to create our futures. It’s a beautiful process that ends in watching a child or adult’s face light up with curiosity and emotion.
What genre are you inspired to write in the most? Why?
They say people write what they know. I was inspired to start with a children’s book because working with kids showed me there were stories they needed. Sitting with a child I nannied, we made up a new story to The Giving Tree, one that didn’t end with the tree left alone with nothing. Kids books lend themselves well to using our imaginations to take us to healing places.
What exciting story are you working on next?
Next book is about learning to laugh even when you might feel afraid. The story was also inspired by a kiddo at bed time. She was telling me about her scary dreams and I found ways to make jokes that made her laugh. Laughter is powerful.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
Being raised by a writer and a Montessori teacher, ingrained in me that writing was a powerful tool. For many years I wrote in journals or to myself but never considered myself a writer as I felt most of what I made deserved to be in a trash bin. Then one day I was recently fired and went to one of the worst babysitting jobs of my life came home and banged out five pages of what felt like for the first time my own voice as a writer. I believe that short story I wrote at the age of 30, is when I felt like a true writer.
How do you research markets for your work, perhaps as some advice for writers?
I am very fortunate in that I did 8 years of PR and Marketing before quitting my career to become a full time nanny and part time artist creating work I wanted to see in the world. I feel the best advice I have learned is just do what feels most accessible to you, and learn from others doing similar projects. There’s always someone out there ready to offer their expertise. All we have to do is listen!
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I keep annual notes of all kinds on my phone with strange categorical tabs. At the end of the year I try to comb through the word alphabet soup I left myself to see if there are any good thoughts in there. I did the same thing with notecards for several years. The cards go in ziplock bags with the year marked and I toss them in a bucket. It helps me feel free enough to write what comes up, and sane enough to sift through and discard the rest.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
There was a time when I was so argumentative as a child, I thought being a lawyer might be my calling. Yes, I was the one debating God with pastors. So thankful I chose to go another direction.
Links:
Website | Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Thanks for hosting!
Sounds great.
This book looks very interesting. Thanks for sharing!
Enjoyed the interview. The book looks great.
The book sounds wonderful. Thanks!
I like book details.
Great interview
Great author interview!! I really enjoyed reading it!!