Our FIVE ON FRIDAY guest this week is Brenda Seabrooke. Brenda is the author of numerous children’s books, including Cemetery Street, which is a Mystery Writers of America 2009 Edgar Award Nominee for Best Children’s Mystery. You can visit Brenda at her website: childrensbookguild.org
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When did you know that you first wanted to be a writer?
At the age of 4 when I found out that they didn’t just appear, that somebody wrote those wonderful, magic things called books!
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What book or writer do you feel influenced you the most?
I don’t think any one book influenced me but I did read my way through the complete works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Edgar Allen Poe starting at age 10. Before that I read all of Dr. Doolittle and the Walter R. Brookes series about Freddy the Pig.
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What book or books are you currently reading or have recently read that you’d recommend to others?
I am currently reading How Oliver Olson Changed the World by Claudia Mills.
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If you could offer one piece of advice to aspiring writers, what would it be?
Read books in the field you want to write in. When I taught writing I was so amazed at the number of people who wanted to write for children but only read popular adult writers.
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Can you share with us your next project or any information about the next book you’re working on?
I’ve just sent in the galleys for Wolf Pie, a transition book just past easy readers but before novels. (Clarion, 2010) It’s a different direction for me, a humorous book about the antics of the Pygg Brothers and Wilfong Wolf.
Brenda is an inventive and exciting author! We are terrfically proud of her and are looking forward to more and more of her “brain children”.
Thanks, Connie. I’ll try to live up to your expectations!
I enjoy Brenda’s books. My four favorites: Judy Skuppernong, The Vampire In My Bathtub, ‘Twas the Day Before Christmas, and The Bridges of Summer.
I’m eager to read Brenda’s Wolf Pie.
Thanks for your kind comments, Phyllis!
Youngsters and those young at heart are so lucky to share in Brenda’s wonderful immagination. Her books are delightful.
I enjoy sharing Brenda’s books with my grandson, Thomas. He’s a special fan of hers.
Her writing is simply fun to read….filled with imagination and visual imagery!
BRENDA, I NEED TO GET CUSTODY OF MY GREATGRANDSON,SO I CAN READ TO HIM. I STILL HAVE THE: TWAS THE DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS TO READ TO HIM.
HE WOULD PROBABLY LIKE LIVING NEAR GENERAL LEE ANYWAY. WAT
Hey Brenda! Awesome interview! Anyone who wants to see the book trailer for Cemetery Street – http://tr.im/pYFJ
Thanks, everybody for writing! I love hearing from you and I love what I do!!!!
Hi Mom!
My grandchildren and I adore your books. I used to read them to the children, now they read them to me! What fun!! Keep them coming!
Our ‘grands’ are getting some of Brenda’s great books as gifts! They are fun and educational (the books that is!) We enjoy the history lessons intertwined in some of them. Keep up the good works!
I know how you like surprise faces at your front door.
Brenda, we are all proud of you and the success you have achieved. Thanks for sending this. Enjoyed your “appearance” on Winfred’s video of our class reunion.
Brenda,
I agree with you about people wanting to write in genres they don’t even read. The world is so full of the clueless….
Congrats on yet another successful book!
I love Brenda’s writing and feel the best is yet to come from her. Go, Brenda!
Brenda’s writing is rich and varied – but my son and I both especially adore her spooky books! Well done and deliciously tense.
Hi, Brenda. I enjoyed your interview! I love your books and have always been amazed at your imagination, talent and productivity.