Eric A. Kimmel is an American award-winning children’s books author born in 1946 in Brooklyn, New York. He has published more than 50 books for children, many of which have won numerous state awards and appeared on school and library recommended lists. In Asia, he is known for The Sword of the Samurai, a book of adventure stories set in Japan, and Three Samurai Cats: A Story from Japan. In this interview he talks about his passions for children’s stories, Japan, the future of books, writing, and his fans. Read part 1 and part 2 of the interview.
“I always ask children what’s a good book. They’ll tell you. They’re never wrong.”
VMS: Do you still read children’s books? What about young adult fiction?
EAK: I read children’s books and young adult books. There are so many outstanding books available now. I always ask children what’s a good book. They’ll tell you. They’re never wrong.
Frankly, children’s books are better written than adult books. I was once reading a children’s book on an airplane. The person sitting next to me remarked, “Aren’t you embarrassed to be reading that?”
I looked over and saw she was reading a trashy popular novel. I said, “Aren’t you embarrassed to be reading that?”
I make no apology for reading children’s books. They’re some of the best books you can find today.
“Now the challenge is to get out alive.”
VMS: What book are you working on right now?
EAK: The story I just finished writing is a bit like the story of Jonah and the Whale. It’s a chapter book, which is new for me, since most of the books I write are picture books. I got this idea from a trip to Louisiana I made in the fall.
In the story, a boy who lives way back in the swamp goes looking for his dad, who has gone into the swamp some weeks before and disappeared. In the course of the story he and his boat get swallowed by a large swamp creature. He finds his dad and a pirate treasure. Now the challenge is to get out alive.
It was fun to write. It’s still in its early stages and has a lot of revising to go through. I hope it will be a book someday.
“It’s all in the thinking.”
VMS: What is your writing routine?
EAK: My writing routine is a lot less disciplined than most people assume. I spend a lot of time doing nothing, trying to find a good idea that will get me started. When I have a good idea then I have to work it into a story. I need a character, a problem, and the solution.
Sometimes you have to think about a story for several months until you get to the point where you’re ready to start writing. I often say that 80% of the work involved in creating a story is done before you write the first word. It’s all in the thinking.
When I’m working, I’m very intense. I sit at my computer and keep writing, writing, writing until I’m exhausted and can’t think anymore. I don’t like to be disturbed or interrupted. Sometimes I won’t even take the time to get dressed. I’ll just come down the morning and sit there in my pajamas until it’s time to go back upstairs for dinner.
Some writers I know are very methodical. They follow a set routine. Others are completely disorganized. It’s hard to imagine how they ever get anything done. None of this really matters. What counts is finding some sort of routine that works for you.
“Becoming a successful writer is extremely difficult.”
VMS: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
EAK: The best advice I can give aspiring writers is to write as much as you can. Write every day. Try out every idea. You never know what kind of writer you going to be when you start, to try everything. Write children’s books. Write spy novels. Write romances. Write mysteries.
Networking is very important. Join a writers group online. Connect with local writers. Go to conferences, workshops. Make friends with other writers and aspiring writers on Facebook. Don’t try to do it all by yourself. There are plenty of people who will give you good advice and help you make important connections. But you have to get to know them first. They only talk to their friends.
Also, be aware that becoming a successful writer is extremely difficult. It’s very hard work. You’ll have your heart broken time and time again. It’ll fall on your face 100 times. The key is that you get up and try again 101 times. If you can keep doing that, you’re bound to get somewhere.
VMS: Thank you for your time.
EAK: Thank you for the opportunity. Maybe we’ll have the chance to get together in Bangkok sometime soon. I’ll be looking forward to that.
Voicu Mihnea Simandan
Bangkok, Thailand
March 20, 2011
