Morphing From Editor to Novelist

Though New Jersey author, Cynthia Chapman Willis, started her career as a textbook editor for Scholastic and later for MacMillan, she always wanted to be a novelist. Her dream came true in May 2008, with the release of her first novel.

Cindy, what inspired you to write DOG GONE?

The original inspiration for DOG GONE came from a stray dog my sister brought home when I was about fifteen years old.

Given that you had a full-time editing job, how did you find the time to write?

My job as a textbook editor was in New York City. So, I wrote during my commute on the train to and from New York City. I also got my sorry self up by 4:30 each morning in order to get in a couple hours of writing before my day job started. In addition, I wrote on the weekends and on vacation days.

How did your experience as a textbook editor help you as a novelist?

A Reading textbook editor is required to do a lot of writing. I wrote teacher’s editions, articles and activities for supplementary materials, books (sold in the school markets), and even promotional materials. All this writing taught me a great deal about editing my own work, revising copy, and cutting text down to its bare bones. In addition, I read and reviewed countless pieces of fiction, nonfiction and poetry for children while considering what to include in literature anthologies and what literature to use in conjunction with supplementary materials.

Tell us about your writing process. Do you use an outline?

I do create an outline. Every time I have a new story idea, I buy myself a blank book or notebook. On the first blank pages, I start building the scaffolding of the story outline. On other pages, I write character sketches, setting descriptions, important details, potential opportunities for humor and sometimes just random thoughts (you never know where these might lead). I even draw maps and sketch floor plans. All of this helps me to develop my skeletal outline and then build it up. Once I have what ends up being a meaty outline, I try to write the first draft full speed ahead without stopping to revise or fuss. The outline keeps me focused. I will, however, write notes that pop into my head in a different color in the manuscript (to return to later), but I try not to interrupt the process of getting the story down on paper. After this first draft, I am all about revising, revising, and more revising.

Pets play a prominent role in your story. Are you an animal lover? I am a first class over the top, crazy animal lover. Right now we have three cats and a dog, but I grew up with dogs, cats, horses, chickens, goats, fish and birds.

Do you feel that being a member of SCBWI and attending conferences has helped your career?

Absolutely! The SCBWI conferences in particular have been instrumental in helping my career along, especially the annual conference in Los Angeles, California.

Describe your quest to find an agent.

I heard my agent Steven Chudney, speak at a New Jersey SCBWI conference. Since I liked what he had to say, and his tastes seemed compatible with my novel manuscript (which is now DOG GONE), I sent him the first ten pages of it and a synopsis. Not long after that, he contacted me, asked to read more of the manuscript, and away we went.

How long did the submission process take?

The submission process took about two years from the time Steven and I signed a contract until when my novel sold. Even with an agent, some publishers seemed to hold on to a manuscript for quite a while.

Feiwel & Friends is a relatively new publisher. What can you tell us about them?

Although Feiwel & Friends is a relatively new imprint, there is plenty of experience and expertise. Jean Feiwel, for example, ran the trade division of Scholastic for twenty plus years and has an outstanding reputation as a paperback publisher.

Elaborate on the revision process once your novel was acquired.

I had lunch with my fabulous editor, Liz Szabla. From then on, the process took on a back and forth rhythm.

Your book cover is gorgeous. Who is your illustrator?

I love, love, love, the cover of DOG GONE! It was illustrated by Peter Sylvada, a painter as well as an illustrator.

What can you tell us about his work?

Peter has illustrated quite a few picture books, his first named a New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book. I am still amazed at how accurately he captured the feel and the flavor of DOG GONE.

What does your publisher expect from an author regarding self-promotion?

I think any publisher appreciates an author self-promoting as much as possible. For example, after speaking with my editor, I visited as many bookstores as I could that carried DOG GONE. I introduced myself to the managers and signed in store copies of my book. This led to more formal book signing events and presentations, newspaper articles, and author visits in schools.

What hot tips do you have for aspiring novelists?

Read as much as possible (fiction and nonfiction) and write as much as possible! When one project is finished, start another. Keep exercising and building those writing muscles. And remember that perseverance can be the key to success in this exciting but sometimes frustrating world of writing and publishing.

Your website www.cynthiawillis.com mentions another novel forthcoming in 2009. Can you give us a preview?

Yes! BUCK FEVER (as it is titled now) is another middle grade fiction novel to be published by Feiwel & Friends in the fall of 2009. This novel is about a boy struggling with the expectation that he is supposed to be a hunter when in reality he is an animal lover with no desire to hunt. He tries to force himself to be something that he is not, which, as most of us know, is never a good way to go.