What is the name of your book?

Come ‘N Git It!

Pelican Publishing

Give us a short summary of your work.

In this colorful tale of the food culture of cattle drives in the 1800s, chuckwagon chef Cookie takes young readers along on a rootin’-tootin’ adventure. The days start at three o’clock in the morning when Cookie makes coffee so thick “you could float a horseshoe on it!” With informational sidebars, a historical note, bibliography, and glossary for cowboy food terms such as “calf slobbers” and “swamp seed,” this spirited picture book brings the tastes and smells of the Old West alive!

Tell us a bit about your path to publishing, from idea to submission to publication.

For a few years, I was researching Texas Cattle Baron Charles Goodnight, thinking I might be writing a biography. Yet it was too broad in scope. While searching for an “angle” to sharpen my focus, I was watching the Food Truck Wars on the Food Network , and I realized, Charles Goodnight made the first food truck! He did it to help his cattle drive idea! I decided to write the story of a fictional chuckwagon cook–a day in the life of–and then put some of my cattle drive research in the borders as sidebars. Once I had my focus figured out, it wrote really easily.

How long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing stories since age 3 when I wrote: “The Green Valentine who Wanted to be Red.” I declared myself an active writer in 2002, but, really, writing has been a lifelong thread.

What's your favorite genre to write and why?

I’ve had success with historical fiction because I love the research side, but lately I’ve been branching out to try humorous picture books and my first ghost story!

Which ICL or IFW courses have you taken?

Writing for Children and Teens

How has taking our courses helped your writing and/or career?

In that first course, I learned about the purposeful use of sensory language, which has served me well. I also continue to utilize the ICL newsletters for resources.

Have any of your class assignments been published?

Yes! Several of the assignments were picked up by online magazines for children.

Do you have a favorite writing tip you'd like to share?

Join a critique group. I found mine through my local SCBWI branch, and we’ve been at it for three years now. Each member has different strengths–their feedback has really helped me over the years, as their friendship has made writing less of a lonely pursuit.

If you could travel back in time and give yourself one piece of writing advice, what would it be?

It’s supposed to be hard; don’t give up!

Are there any quotes about writing that inspire you?

What's the most valuable thing you learned from your experience with the Institute of Children's Literature?