How long does the promotional aspect of writing take you? What are some of the best promotional tips you have learned? I’m so thankful for all my students taught me.Īllison: In reading through your blog, I was impressed with how well you promote yourself. It’s fine to think back to your own childhood and try to access your emotions, but to see them everyday through your students keeps those things alive and really helps you convey them on paper. It gave me a much better understanding of the age group. Being around your target audience five days a week is priceless. My experiences teaching definitely influenced my writing. I knew I wanted to help people–specifically kids. Kelly: If you looked at my “What I want to be when I grow up” assignment from first grade, you’d see I always wanted to be a teacher. Why did you become a teacher? Have your teaching experiences influenced your writing? I have overflowing bookshelves and a Kindle that’s filling up quickly.Īllison: Before you became a published writer, you were a middle school language arts teacher.

And every Wednesday morning you’ll find me at the bookstore. I go to the library every Monday morning and take out about 3-4 books. I read everyday, which usually amounts to a few books a week. For me nothing beat that–I still feel this way. I loved jumping into new worlds and meeting different characters. My parents actually had to take books away from me because I would get eyestrain from reading so much. I was the kid who wanted to learn to read because I loved books. Kelly: I can’t remember a time when I didn’t read. How did you get started in reading as a child? Out of curiosity, how many books do you read in a week? And how big is your library? It’s not a hobby it’s my life.Īllison: You also read a lot. I’m lucky enough to have a very supportive family who understands that writing is part of who I am. My personal favorite is writing fantasy, and since I taught middle school I have a special place in my heart for that age group. I constantly challenge myself to write outside of my comfort zone to see what I can do. I always had ideas swimming through my head, and I wanted to get them down on paper. Then I moved to short stories, and I even wrote a novel in middle school. Kelly: Growing up I loved to write poems.

How did you get started in writing as a child? How you juggle between writing for different ages and genres? Do you have a favorite age group and/or favorite genre for which you like to write? Who have been your best supports for you as a writer? Allison: From your blog you also seemed to have always been writing.

May the best dog win by kelly hashway