Children’s author Steven Joseph joins me today to chat about his new children’s book, Snoodles in Space Episode 2: The Zoodles Strike Back!
Bio:
Steven Joseph is a first-generation American, the son of a Holocaust survivor, a masterful attorney, seasoned negotiator, engaging speaker, award-winning author, and a long-distance runner who has completed 58 marathons, including 5 Boston and 19 New York City Marathons. With a sharp sense of humor that has kept him schuckling back and forth at countless synagogues, he’s also spent many years sitting in stillness at the Village Zendo, trying desperately to empty his mind while staring at a blank white wall. Despite his extensive life experience, he remains wise enough to acknowledge that he hasn’t figured everything out — except, perhaps, for the art of effective crankiness.
Steven’s books include “The Last Surviving Dinosaur: The TyrantoCrankaTsuris,” “The Crankatsuris Method: A Grownup Guide to Effective Crankiness,” and the “Snoodles” series, which includes “Snoodles, Kidoodles, Poodles, and Lots and Lots of Noodles” and “Snoodles in Space: A Snoodle, The Zoodle Kidoodles, and One Happy Schmoodle.” His latest book, “Snoodles in Space Episode 2: The Zoodles Strike Back!” delivers more of his signature wit and wisdom as he continues to explore and celebrate the cranky corners of life.
Despite his long partnership with therapists and his time spent as an attorney, Steven remains grounded and approachable with a wit that is as quick as his award-winning blog is insightful. Discover more about Steven Joseph’s unique blend of humor, insight, and crankiness on his website.
Visit Steven Joseph’s website for more information.
What do you enjoy most about writing short stories/children’s books/novellas?
Short stories and Children books are a bit different, but somewhat the same. Both start with one idea that pops in your head. The idea becomes like a powerful magnet. All the paperclips start flying to the magnet and you get a story.
But nothing beats the collaboration with my illustrator, Andy Case. When you see your words turned into amazing illustrations, it is just magical.
Can you give us a little insight into a few of your short stories – perhaps some of your favorites?
In Cranky Superpowers, I have a chapter titled Cinderella CrankaTsuris which retell the Cinderella story in a completely different spin. Snow White, the Rapunzel Sisters, a talking snake are all part of the story. But there is a scene with the King and Queen. I didn’t even have to write it. I just watched them talk in my head, and these imaginary characters wrote the piece.
It was the same with redoing the Wizard of Oz with the Lion getting to eat the Wizard. The characters did all the work.
What genre are you inspired to write in the most? Why?
You will be surprised by my answer. Law related with an emphasis on negotiation skills. The second is children’s books with the Snoodle series. It has been the thrill of a lifetime to work with my amazing illustrator, Andy Case.
What exciting story are you working on next?
For next year, my fourth Snoodles book, Snoodles in Space: Escape from Zoodletraz.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
In 1995, when I was asked to write two chapters in an Accounting Liability textbook. The attorney who asked me to write said to me “If you want to be an expert on something, write about it.” I wrote the two chapters but just kept writing after that.
How do you research markets for your work, perhaps as some advice for writers?
I don’t, but perhaps, that is something to do. But my advice is the response I give when somebody says that you can’t make money writing books. My response is that I make me. That should be the focus for the person thinking about writing.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I write in my head when I go out for a long run in the morning.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a cantor in some synagogue.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
When you can make the totally ridiculous to be completely believable, the words become magical, and then, anything becomes possible.