Mildred Potash is a writer of children’s books and the author of Millie and Cupcake. She was born 1983 in Brooklyn, New York, and currently lives in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. In this interview, Mildred talks about her books, her love for children’s books, reading and writing.
Voicu Mihnea Simandan: You have been a story writer for a long time, how has your love for writing started?
Mildred Potash: I have always written things down in my journals but I never really pictured myself as a writer. One day I was sitting at home checking my emails and I happened to come upon emails that said “become a writer”. I considered them junk mail and kept deleting them. One day I finally considered writing a children’s book after parts of my story came to my mind. I wrote it all down. The rest of my story came to me in a dream.
VMS: Where did the ideas for Millie and Cupcake (Outskirts Press, 2013) come from?
MP: My ideas came from my love of rats. My pet rats inspired me to write my children’s book.
VMS: Illustrations are a very important factor in any children’s books. Who made the illustrations for Millie and Cupcake?
MP: My good friend Jesse Jones created my illustrations. I described the scenes and he drew the sketches and then created the pictures in color.
VMS: Why haven’t you branched out and pursued writing books for an older audience?
MP: I think my gift is writing for children. I am opened to writing for an older audience.
VMS: Some people believe that children no longer read and with the availability of affordable e-readers, many believe that sooner or later, children will no longer want to hold books in their hands. Please comment.
MP: I believe children love to be able to hold the book in their hands and turn the pages. Kids love writing in books and personalize them, you can’t personalize things on a tablet.
VMS: You have an attractive website. How important is it for writers these days to be “out there” on the Internet, interacting with their fans?
MP: It is really important to interact with the readers so that they feel the author is accessible and interested in their readers.
VMS: Do you still read children’s books?
MP: Yes, I may be an adult but occasionally, I read children’s books from my childhood.
VMS: What book are you working on now?
MP: I am working on part two from Millie and Cupcake. I am also working on my autobiography.
VMS: What is your work routine?
MP: I am really busy with my online classes and writing my other books.
VMS: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
MP: If you love writing, pursue it. Even if your book is not a success, don’t give up.
VMS: Thank you for your time.
MP: My pleasure. Thank you.
September 7, 2013
Very nice interview! 🙂