1) Think of the ways that you can write about the number 2. Write down all your ideas - even the ones that seem far fetched.
2) Start a sentence with “Two…”
3) Think of two characters: Describe one of the characters. Then, make the other one completely the opposite of the first character. Let them talk to each other. What happens?
4) Complete this phrase “Twice the…”
5) Write a poem or a short story that uses the number 2 as a central figure or word.
Meet an Author Series
Interview Part 3:
About Writing
What advice would you give to others who wish to write?
Write your best. Never stop learning. Always believe in yourself. And the most important piece of advice if you wish to publish — remain persistent. Never surrender the dream.
How do you usually find ideas in writing?
Ideas for my books and stories come to me in several ways.
1) I think of a quirky, fun character that I just have to write about.
2) A plot or event stirs my imagination, and I want to write about the situation.
Sometimes, if neither a character nor a situation intrigues me enough to write, then I pick any word and weave a story around it. Some fun stories come to life when I choose a word at random and start writing.
Anything else you’d like to tell our readers?
Please visit my web site to learn more about Harriet’s Horrible Hair Day. You can also read about the illustrator, Michael P. White. If you are interested in learning more about writing, there are articles about how to write and publish. The site contains many links to other interesting areas, too. The web site URL is http://dlstewart.com.
End of Interview. This interview was first published in July 2001.
Meet an Author Series
Interview Part 2:
About The Author
What about the author? Tell us something about you. What are your likes and dislikes?
I enjoy animals, especially cats. Two cats let me live with them: Oscar is a Maine Coon Cat, and Sparkle is a mixed breed, though I’m sure she has Siamese in her since she loves to chatter so much. It’s hard for me to choose a dislike . I enjoy so many things.
Have you always wanted to be a writer? Tell us how you became one.
In grade school, a teacher assigned us book reports, and we could read any book we wished. I discovered the joy of visiting other worlds when I read Miss Pickerel Goes to Mars by Ellen MacGregor. My mother says I always enjoyed telling stories. In high school I started to write them. I edited the high school magazine and read everything I could about how to write.
For years I wrote without publishing. Then I submitted a story to a local magazine, and they printed it. I started entering writing contests and winning. I was then asked to write scripts for a local cable television channel and invited to create and moderate an online writing forum. Peachtree Publishers asked to publish Harriet’s Horrible Hair Day — one of the most exciting days of my life.
Are you working on another book? Can you tell us more?
I am always writing. Writing is so much a part of me that I can’t imagine not writing. Currently, I am finishing another picture book for children and also am working on a middle-grade novel.
When you’re not writing, what do you like to do?
I especially enjoy designing web sites. I love computers. I also quilt, read, garden and have fun riding my bicycle.
Meet an Author Series
Meet a Children’s Book Author
Name: Dawn L. Stewart
Book Title: Harriet’s Horrible Hair Day
Illustrated by: Michael White
Publisher: Peachtree Publishers
Recommended Reading Age Group: 4 to 8 years old
Interview Part 1:
On Harriet’s Horrible Hair Day
If you could describe your book, Harriet’s Horrible Hair Day, in one word, what word would it be?
Hilarious
What is the story all about?
Harriet’s Horrible Hair Day begins when a wild, unruly curl pops out of Harriet’s neat braid. Her brother and sister try to straighten the curl with one outrageous plan after another . only to have even more curls appear. By the end of the book, Harriet sports twelve untamed curls and has suffered everything from a mud bath to a hair “treatment” mix of pickle juice, peanut butter, mustard and molasses. A surprise finish proves that even hairy problems can have happy endings.
How did you get the idea for this book?
The idea for Harriet’s Horrible Hair Day started with the thought, “What would a girl do if she suddenly developed one crazy curl and couldn’t get rid of it?” Then I built on the idea: What if her brother and sister tried to straighten the curl? What if Harriet’s hair became more and more curly? Then I had fun thinking of different ways to straighten the rebellious curls.
Who should read this book?
The book is for children ages 4 to 8 years old. I have read the book to children in preschool through grade 5. Younger children enjoy the antics of the cat and dog illustrated throughout the story. Older children laugh at Harriet’s plight and delight me with their ideas for new ways to straighten Harriet’s curls.
What makes writing JOYFUL for you?
Do you find joy when you write? How - and why? If you don’t, why not?
Write about things that make you feel joyful.
Some sample starter sentences:
- “I am joyful when…”
- “My heart is filled with joy because…”
- “Writing is joyful because…”
- “Joy is…”
If you’ve been a regular visitor to eWriteLife.com, you would’ve noticed by now that things look a bit different around here. Yes, we just got ourselves another makeover. I know, I know… I happen to like makeovers. 
There is one significant change this time around, though.
You see, apart from Ingrid Diaz doing a fantastic job at re-designing this blog, eWriteLife.com has now joined the network of blogs over at b5media.com.
As some of you might be aware of, I’m one of the founders/owners of b5media blogging network. And, while I’ve been running eWriteLife independently for the last 5 years or so, I decided that it’s time for it to join the business that I’m trying to build with 3 other fantastic guys.
These are my top 3 reasons for finally deciding to take eWriteLife.com out of independence and in to its new home network:
1) I love b5media. While I already run two blogs on the network: Self Help Diva and Just Make Money Online, they’re both results of the AboutWeblogs + b5media merger. It’s cool. But, I wanted to give a bit more - seeing as my partners brought in some of their existing blogs to the network.
eWriteLife.com is my first ever ‘official’ site and domain name. The domain was bought last 14th April 2001; prior to this, it was running for a year or so on Freeservers and Geocities. The only domain I own that pre-dates this is ShaiCoggins.com, bought 24 August 2000. Anyway, eWriteLife is one site that I feel really attached to, as I’ve learned so much through several years of running it. And, I’ve met so many great people through this site too.
So yeah, this is one way for me to show my full support for b5media. 
2) I believe in the power of networks. One of the reasons that I started a blogging network was because I believed in what networks bring to individual blogs and bloggers. Well, I still believe it. That’s why as much as I’m bringing something to b5’s table by taking eWriteLife.com in to the network, I know that b5 will be giving me back a lot more. Like the support of fellow b5ers and our growing community.
Hey, I’m all for independence. But, I also know that it’s great to have other people around.
3) More support, more for users. Since I’m now receiving some extra help and support to run this blog, I’m hoping that this will result in better services and products for eWriteLife.com readers, visitors and supporters. Let’s see how it goes…
So, if you have any thoughts, ideas or suggestions, please feel free to let me know all about it.
“You must write, not just think you’re going to.
And you must read widely, not in order to copy,
but to find your own voice.
It’s a matter of going through life
with all one’s senses alive,
to be responsive to experience,
to other people.”
- PD James
When it comes to writing fiction, plotting can be really tricky. Angela Booth has a simple - but effective - tip: Start with a Character!
The basic idea is to think of a character that you want to write about. Then, think of one major trait that that character possesses. As the story progresses, your character undergoes revelations and/or changes. And, at the end of the story, that initial trait turns in to an opposite trait.
Angela has given some examples of this type of plotting. Here are some more ideas that you might want to work with:
- A shy little boy becomes a hero.
- A lonely housewife finds her happiness from an unexpected source.
- A man who’s been trying to hide most of his life becomes a celebrity.
- A confused character suddenly realises what he/she wants from life.
Can you think of other characters and ideas?
When you have your character in mind, then you can create your plot based on how the changes may happen. Try it and let me know how you go.
Suggested Book on Novel Writing:
I just discovered Writer Unboxed, a collaborative weblog on genre fiction by Kathleen Bolton and Therese Walsh. There are all sorts of interesting resources that readers can find in the blog. The interviews section can be a real treat.
The phone is ringing. You rush to pick up the receiver.
Then…
What happens next? Write down your first thoughts and see where it leads you.
