An interview with wonderful children's author, Joyce Mitchell

Thank you so much for spending time with me today, Joyce. I know everyone will love learning more about you and your delightful children's books. I've reviewed some of them and they really are wonderful. We'll get on with the questions now.

 WHEN DID YOU FIRST REALIZE YOU WANTED TO BE A WRITER OF CHILDREN’S BOOKS?

Well, I think I first thought of becoming a children's book author about five years ago, right after the passing of my mother and mother-in-law. To occupy my time, my grandchildren kept me very busy playing outdoors, taking them to baseball games and just having a great time! But after their parents took them home, I needed extra hobbies.

I'd always wanted to write my memoir, Unheard Cries: Rock Store Rebel (about my father being banned from our county, how my grandmother would find a way to hide him in the trunk of her Chevrolet and sneak him into the city for a visit—he was caught once and went to prison for a year). Anyway, after writing my memoir, children's stories unfolded in my head, like a movie. One! Two - then another! However, I didn't know how to get my work published until I befriended some indie authors, Helen Hart, Dolores Ayotte, Alinka Rutkowska and a wonderful book cover designer and writer, Laura Wright LaRoche, a lifesaver! To make a long story short, that's how I got started!

.  WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO WRITE?

 Just seeing the little smiles on children's faces as they read my book keeps me writing —just knowing that I didn't give up on my dream and that in a small way, I contributed to the writing world! I really enjoy it; my confidence is improving and so are my skills. I enjoy meeting new cyber faces, especially children's book writers all over the world.

 . WHAT OTHER GENRES HAVE YOU WRITTEN IN?

Besides the memoir, I have written a few Christian inspirational books and young adult novellas.

.  PLEASE SHARE YOUR BOOK TITLES AND A SHORT SYNOPSIS OF SOME OF YOUR CHILDREN’S BOOKS: (THREE OF THEM)

‘Just Little Old Me’

A cute, rhyming picture book about a little fish and frog, spilling their heart in the murky old pond foam!  Alex wants to know what Leah wants to be when she grows up. She changes facial expressions each time she answers him, and says, "Just leave me be, Alex… just wait and see…. for now let me be, JUST LITTLE OLD ME!"

 It's a really cute story, Joyce. I'm sure little children love it.

‘Button’

 Button is an adorable little dog who has one word to learn—WOOF! And the best teacher around is this little first grader, Buffy. 

She knows all about this cute dog—his favorite color is red and that his most fun subject in ‘doggy’ home school is math! Will
he ever learn WOOF instead of AROOOOOF! “Button, let’s have some fun—do you want to count R-E-D buttons?” “WOOF! WOOF!”
Good job! I love you, BUTTON! 

The "Button" adventures are such fun, Joyce. I love the ones I've read.

The Fishy Adventures of Gus, Toby and TooToo (Big Tale 1)

Let me introduce myself... I'm Gus, the most handsome (so they say) rainbow trout in Captain Cove. Life is grand in the river, just swimming along and munching the odd caddis fly. Not to say that my life revolves around eating - I do have some other interests too! Although I do love food! My best friend is TooToo, a pretty golden carp. She makes me laugh, but she has a little problem. I won't say what as she might be listening and I don't want to embarrass her, but it has to do with green bubbles and it surprised my little spider friend.

In Big Tale 1 of my Fishy Adventures, I meet a new swimmer on the block - a really talkative brook trout, who is a little annoying. I think he wants to look like me because I sparkle and I reckon he might have a little crush on TooToo. Will we become friends - let's find out... Meanwhile, TooToo hears some gossip about some treasure... but is it really real?

You have a great imagination, Joyce. I'll look forward to reading these stories.

.WHO IS YOUR ILLUSTRATOR?

For YA, cover illustrator is Laura Wright LaRoche. For the children's books, a very nice lady named Emily Zieroth (Odesk.com) illustrated Selfish Little Bob and a dear friend, Jayaisuruni Erandika (Odesk.com) illustrated Just Little Old Me, Button (Books 1 - 4) and The 'Fishy' Adventures of Gus, Toby and TooToo (Big Tales 1 - 4)

 WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO OTHER THAN WRITE?

I don't know if I can pick a favorite thing—I love going on vacations to the beach with my grandchildren. I love working with the church, helping with projects for the underprivileged children… cooking, reading.

Your favorite things show that you have such a kind heart, Joyce. Everyone must love you and the things you do for them.

 WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 8 – 10 YEARS?

Very old! No, really, age is creeping up, but I'd like to create more books, learn more how to market them, just ENJOY life!

 IF YOU COULD PICK A PLACE TO LIVE IN THIS WORLD, WHERE WOULD THAT PLACE BE?

Right here in Georgia! I love the country, the lakes, trees and all the farms! And 

the friendly people here—there's none like them!

 PLEASE SHARE YOUR LINKS TO BUY YOUR BOOKS!

http://rockstorejoycebooks.wordpress.com/

http://www.amazon.com/Joyce-Mitchell/e/B006B8P41K

 http://www.amazon.com/Childrens-books-ADVENTURE-EDUCATION-Preschool-ebook/dp/B00L0QPW92/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8  

http://www.amazon.com/Childrens-book-Collection-Beginner-Adventure-ebook/dp/B00I9KFSFU/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=

Http://www.rockstorebooks.com

Thank you so much for this lovely interview, Joyce.

copyright Deanie Humphrys-Dunne 2015

pictures from internet

website:www.childrensbookswithlifelessons.com.