Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in former East Germany to a German mother and a Vietnamese father – two adamant readers and advocates of literature. I spent an inordinate amount of my youth nosing through books that I shouldn’t have been reading, and watching movies that I shouldn’t have been watching. It was a good childhood.
I have written over a dozen children’s books. Beverly Clearly once said that if you don’t see the book you want on the shelf, write it. With both my sons having quite peculiar interests, I often was unable to find books that would cater to their curiosities. So I made it my mission to translate my boys’ interests into books that can be enjoyed by many. They were interested in vacuums? – I sat down and wrote a vacuum book. They were mesmerized by lawn mowers? – I went for it and wrote a lawn mower book.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is LIL FOOT THE MONSTER TRUCK. When my youngest became interested in monster trucks, I immediately sat down to research, write, and illustrate this book.
The story is imbued in life lessons and filled with monster jam fun for little rev-heads. I wanted the book to be fun to read, for both the child and the parents.
It’s hard at times to find a book that engages 2-5 year old boys and girls and holds their attention for the entire book. So I asked myself why kids love monster trucks. They love them because they are loud, and dirty, and crush anything that’s in their way. I knew that including these elements would help me make it a fun read for little ones.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know about the unusual part. People are always very surprised to hear how much research has to be conduced before a children’s book can be written. So I always start with the research, collecting data and fun facts that I think might interest the child reading the book.
My absolute favorite writing style is rhyme. Writing in rhyme can be quite challenging at times, and most people don’t realize that writing a couple of meaningful, short rhymes can take quite a bit longer than just composing a regular story. Because the text is so concise, every word counts. The ending is what almost seems to take me the longest. I usually have an exact idea in mind, but always seem to take a while to figure out how to say it best, for the biggest impact possible.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Having been born and raised in Germany, I think some of the books that influenced me the most are our traditional fairy tales, like Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella.
It’s not so much the stories, but more the way they are told. I think it’s pretty common knowledge that the original fairy tales are very different from the American versions. They are much darker. Very honest, very true and to the point. The language is not fluffy but rather describes things the way they really are. When they talked about harsh times, for example, they would describe it as such.
The American versions of these fairy tales, however, are always painting a very colorful and bright picture; it almost feels like they want to hide what feelings and places are really like and about. And I think this influences a child very much. I really believe that fairy tales had a huge part in shaping the way we are and interact within our society.
So I would definitely say that fairy tales as a whole have influenced me, especially when compared to someone that grew up in the US.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on my next book for my chapter book series, called The Amulet Of Amser, for 7-12 year olds. Two books have already been published in this series: The Case of the Mona Lisa and the Case of the Starry Night. It’s a chapter book series, much like Mary Osborn’s Magic Tree House.
This series’ premise is a boy, Wen, who is destined by his family’s ancient oath to protect the world’s most precious pieces of art. And to do so, he has to travel back and forth in time, to keep these art pieces safe.
I love this series because kids are exposed to famous pieces of art and because there’s time travel involved.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I love Awesomegang, of course. And I promote heavily within facebook groups.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just keep on writing and it will happen. Maybe not with your first book or your second, but if you’re persistent AND consistent enough, it will happen and you’ll be able to actually make a living with the writing of your books!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Something that was said by Entrepreneur On Fire podcast host John Lee Dumas: “It takes about 10 no’s to get 1 yes. Embrace and welcome every no, because it brings you one step closer to that one yes.”
I love that so much. From now on, whenever you get a no, get right back to it, knowing you’ve just moved that much closer to your yes!
What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading two books: Gretchen Rubin’s new book The Four Tendencies and Jay Abraham’s book Getting Everything You Can Out Of All You’ve Got, an oldie but a goodie.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I will continue writing my children’s books, letting myself be inspired by my two amazing little boys.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would bring a collection of all Pippi Longstockings books, James Patterson, and Dean Koontz.
Author Websites and Profiles
Yvonne Jones Website
Yvonne Jones Amazon Profile
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