Betty Davis is a children’s book author from McHenry, Illinois in the USA. She writes an adventure series for late elementary to adult of which The Worldly Adventures of Nicholaas and Pieter-Spain is the second volume. In this interview, Betty talks about her latest book, reading and writing.
Voicu Mihnea Simandan: You write for a large range of readers, from children to adults. Do you employ similar writing techniques when writing for an older or younger readership?
Betty Davis: I employ a series of writing techniques that inspire children to become more skilled writers. Writing is a form of communication that one expresses themselves. Many children just don’t have a clue about how to write or make strong paragraphs. Through a creative writing class I teach them to express themselves simply by being relaxed. Secondly having knowledge of synonyms, and adjectives is important in making a story interesting. Children often write boring sentences such as, “Bill said the dog is too big to fit in the car.” The words said and big are overused and boring. Words such as, commented, replied, noted are good alternatives for the word said. Words like immense and huge are good choices instead of big. I teach children how to write sentences that are interesting so the reader can visualize what is going on in the story.
When I write I have an idea of what I am going to write because the lengthy process of research. I just start writing and my story unfolds. It is amazing to me that I am able to do this because I often do not know where the story will lead me. I write from my heart and my vivid imagination helps me to write the story.
VMS: How has your writing evolved over time?
BD: My writing has changed over time. Each book becomes even better than the story before. However my fans think the stories are good and can see no real difference. I feel the more I write the more I can develop more insight into the character to give real meaning to his life and what he values most.
VMS: Where did the ideas for the The Worldly Adventures of Nicholaas and Pieter-Spain (2013) came from?
BD: I got the idea to write this adventure series from my mom who said kids don’t know enough about the world. I can testify to that being a reading specialist for over 15 years. Children only seem to know about their little corner of the world. Whereas I try to expand their learning by giving them a fiction story that contains a lot of facts. In turn children will gain the insight and an imagination where the greatest inventors of our time were great readers. If children can acquire a love for reading and know about the world around them they will be able to solve some of the problems our society has. My niece mentioned to me that they went to Niles, Michigan and the sixteen year old said are we out of the United States? My niece traveled from Illinois to Michigan. So you see there is a real need for the books that I so passionately write about.
VMS: In the book, Nicholaas, the main character, travels to so many places…
BD: Nicholaas the main character in the story travels and discovers so much history and foreign culture while traveling on a cruise ship. I take the highlights of the country that he visits so even if the reader never gets a chance to go there he or she would know about the country and what to expect if he or she went there. Traveling to these different countries helps the reader connect with his roots and also shows that each child is really the same. Yes they may speak a different language and have different traditions but they really just want to be listened to and understood. By talking about the traditions and culture we can better understand them and they understand us. Any child who reads the book is fascinated by the history of the country. For instance in Barcelona the construction workers found a city called Barcino fourteen stories below what is now called Barcelona. Tourists are able to walk on an aluminum sidewalk and walk through the city.
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.
BD: I don’t believe e- readers will ever replace books. Children love to be able to hold a book and turn the pages. My book draws the reader into the story as each adventure unfolds the reader finds it hard to put the book down. Not so with e- readers.
VMS: Do you still read children’s books fiction?
BD: Yes, I love to read children’s books and being a teacher having knowledge of the literature available to children and referring specific books to them is a way of encouraging and enlightening them.
VMS: You are very active online and maintain an excellent blog / website where you promote a fun way of learning phonics. How important is it for writers these days to be “out there” on the Internet, interacting with their fans?
BD: It is very important to be out there in the social media promoting myself as a teacher and author. It is through blog articles, special events, and classes that I build a reputation that I am an expert in my field. I have taught children with all types of disabilities to learn how to be confident and passionate readers sometimes reading two years above their counterparts after finishing the phonics program. Showing parents that I care and that they can see the results of my tutoring has helped me to build a solid reputation.
VMS: Tell us about the special phonics events you organize. What are some of the highlights of these gatherings?
BD: In the past I have sponsored special events at an ice cream social in McHenry, Ill, every July. I have games, and art media so parents and children alike can participate in some of the activities that I would do with my students in a normal class. I use a body boggle mat in which children jump on letters to spell a word, or use sand to spell a word. I use these special events to help build awareness of the fun reading can be. I use art, music and games to teach the phonics concepts. Reading should be fun and not drudgery.
VMS: What book are you working on right now?
BD: Shortly I will be starting my third book The Worldly Adventures of Nicholaas in England. In this book Nicholaas meets a disabled soldier who through the help of a horse farm is once again regaining his strength in his legs through horseback riding therapy. During his time in the Navy he was injured when a bomb went off and shattered his leg.
VMS: What is your writing routine?
BD: I do not write everyday! When I am busy or my mind is on other things it is hard to focus but once I start I keep writing sometimes everyday for about six months.
VMS: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
BD: Aspiring authors should never give up. Many authors took years before their books became successful. If you have an important message for the population than you should not be afraid to shout it out and be proud of what you have to share with others.
Have fun with phonics:
