Would you please tell us about the inspiration and creative process behind Seriously Sassy wanting to save the world?
Seriously Sassy by Maggi Gibson
Well, I would like to save the world, but I know I can’t. Not on my own, anyway. But one way I believe I can make a difference is to write about a girl who cares passionately about serious issues like global warming and children working in sweatshop conditions in third world countries and cruelty to animals, but is also living through all the usual teen dramas – and having a lot of fun along the way.
In writing about Sassy I’m tapping into something deep inside myself, the passionate idealist in me, the same one I was when I was thirteen.
What inspired you to start writing children’s books?
I loved reading when I was young. I used to devour books. I even burned a boiled egg once I was so engrossed in a story. So I thought it would be wonderful to try to create some books that would give young readers today as much pleasure.
How do you get into the mind of a child in order to write in a way they can relate to?
When I was 13 my parents wouldn’t let me go to a party all my friends were going to. I desperately wanted to go, and once I’d stomped off to my room and stopped sobbing my heart out, I wrote a letter to myself making a SOLEMN PROMISE that I would NEVER EVER forget what that hurt and pain felt like and would NEVER EVER be so horrible and insensitive to my children. All I have to do is think back to that moment and I’m right inside Sassy’s thirteen year old head.
What do you know now that you wish you’d known when you started writing children’s books?
Seriously Sassy Pinch me, I'm Dreaming by Maggi Gibson
I really don’t know! You write each book because that’s the book you have to write at that point in your life. You’re always learning. Always making mistakes. Always thinking I won’t make that mistake again. Then, whoops, you make a different one instead.
What advice would you give someone who is thinking of becoming an author?
Read lots of books. All different kinds. Work out what kind of stories you like best – that’s the kind of story you should be writing. Try writing like your fave author. Don’t worry, you’ll soon develop your own distinctive voice.
For a parent who has a child only interested in watching TV what advice would you give them to interest their child in reading books?
If children see their parent reading it will make the child feel it’s a grown up thing to do. Don’t assume though that what you loved as a youngster will interest them! My own son never read fiction as a child, but loved factual books. One daughter devoured The Famous Five, the other wasn’t much of a reader, but now reads lots. Keep the pressure off, don’t be judgemental about what they want to read, make books available. And if all else fails, read their book and look like you’re loving it!
How would you persuade kids that green issues are important?
I think kids know this! It’s the grown-ups that are the problem. Though for the kids that don’t, I’d like to think that the Seriously Sassy books do a pretty good job of raising awareness with a lot of laughs along the way.
Would you please tell us about your causes or any charities you are involved with?
I find writing pretty time-consuming, so these days it’s through my writing I try to make a difference. Like Sassy I care about all sorts of things – green issues, social justice, cruelty to animals, needless wars. I tend to get involved where and when I get the opportunity. This spring I’m judging a kids’ writing competition for Unicef as part of their ‘Put It Right’ campaign.
What are your dreams?
I just wish that every child could have a happy childhood. You know, not have to worry about the things the grown-ups should be taking care of for them. For myself, I would love, of course, to write lots moe Seriously Sassy books. I’d be happy to keep writing for children until I pop my little old clogs.
Would you tell us if there are any future plans for Seriously Sassy?
I hope there are going to be lots more books in the series! In the third book, Crazy Days (July 2010), Sassy and her friends decide to fundraise to help people in an earthquake. But it turns out not to be as
Seriously Sassy, Crazy Days by Maggi Gibson
easy as they’d hoped. I’ve started a fourth book, which involves beached whales, and of course, the next stage in Sassy’s singing career.
What were your favourite childhood books and why?
I loved lots of books, but only owned about two. My faves were Little Women, What Katy Did and Heidi. When I was about 11 or 12 I read King Solomon’s Mines and was totally entranced by it. I also loved Jack London’s Wolf Fang. The book I would love to have read as a child but never came across is Anne of Green Gables. I read it last year and fell in love with Anne, who, I suspect, is Sassy’s great- great grandmother!
How do you keep in touch with your audience?
I do as many events and school visits as I can. I love going into schools and libraries and meeting readers. The Seriously Sassy series has its own website too, www.seriouslysassy.co.uk. When readers join the Sassy Gang they receive updates and newsletters as well as getting the chance to enter Sassy’s competitions and have their song lyrics published on Sassy’s Online Music Studio. I receive lots of emails from readers all over the world and I answer them all personally. If you want to book me for an event, please email me on maggigibson@gmail.com – I’d love to hear from you!
First time mums and dads survive the gauntlet of baby’s bedtime by establishing a regular routine. Story-time is one of the most important parts of that routine because it’s a very well defined activity that’s different from all other parts of the day. If story-time is always followed by bedtime, your baby will be a lot more likely to understand and even find comfort in the fact that one activity naturally follows another.
My nephew, who’s two, has a lot of energy and can keep going long after the grown ups have run out of steam. His dinner seems to give him a real burst of energy so he’s often found tearing around the house in the early evening. Even if he’s tired, it can be hard to calm him down enough to get him changed into pyjamas, let alone get him to sleep.
As well as routine and quiet time, books can help your baby sleep because of the subject matter of the story. This obviously requires language comprehension, so it only applies to slightly older children. For example, a book that starts out with an adventure but ends up with the adventurers cosily tucked up in bed will often translate to the child.
