Picture book writer Julie Fulton (Bears Don’t Eat Egg Sandwiches) is a music loving poetry writer. Here she shares some wonderful insights in her My Book Corner interview…

Tell us about you in 25 words or less.
Music teacher/musician who has somehow drifted into the magical realm of picture book writing. Lover of beaches, animals, dancing, reading and chocolate.

What makes you happy?
Sitting on my favourite beach with my best friends, waiting for the surf to build.

Where is your favourite place to write?
Sitting on my favourite beach….if I could control the weather! I actually write in our upstairs office. It has a table where I can write by hand and a computer where I can type, depending on my mood. The walls have photos of my dogs hanging on them plus post-it notes covered in my scribblings. There are shelves stacked with books and a row of guitars waiting to be played.

What’s on your TBR pile at the moment?
Lindsay Davis’ newest Flavia Alba novel – I adore Roman history and detective stories, so her books are perfect for me. And they’re funny, which is always a bonus. The rest of the pile tends to be picture books. I’m always reading picture books to see what’s out there and how other writers do it.

What’s your worst habit?
Wishing time away.

I see you have a love of music plus writing in rhyme, do you find two combining the two helps – from a creative point of view?
It can do. I find it helps to march around the room ‘singing’ my rhyming texts to check they have good rhythm and metre. I sometimes find myself doing it whilst out walking too – my fellow villagers have got used to me now. Getting the initial idea for a story down on paper is never easy though, no matter what I do to try and help the process along.

Your favourite word(s)?
‘It’s dinner time!’ If someone’s saying that it means I haven’t had to cook the meal.

What are your top tips for budding childrens’ picture book writers?
Enjoy what you do. Read as many examples of the genre as possible. Spend time with young children to see what makes them tick. Find a supportive critique group and be prepared to listen to their thoughts. Try to stay three years old in your own head….and act just a little bit crazy.

Can you give us a glimpse / hint at your current WIP? (I can bribe you with cake & biscuits & urm, egg sandwiches!)
There are several ideas on the table ranging from a story full of colourful creatures to a non-fiction idea stemming from my love of music.

Did we forget anything?
Possibly, but then my memory’s so dreadful I wouldn’t remember if you had or not!

Just for fun

Tea or coffee? Neither, unless it’s peppermint tea.
Paper books or e-books? Paper every time.
Cake or chocolate? Chocolate (dark).
Write or type? Write if poetry or picture books. Type if for older readers or short stories.
Poetry or prose? Poetry.
Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff or Slytherin? Hufflepuff, because I love the sound of the word and Hufflepuffs are loyal souls.
Hot or cold? Dry hot’s OK, but I’m not good if it’s humid. Would rather pile on the jumpers on a freezing day.

Julie Fulton’s latest picture book is Bears Don’t Eat Egg Sandwiches, illustrated by Rachel Suzanne.

 

You can discover more over on Julie Fulton’s website. 

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