By Indykids Staff
Q&A
Poet Kathy Price published her first children’s book, The Bourbon Street Musicians, in 2002. It is an award-winning picture book about four old, wrinkly animals who become friends and set off on a journey to New Orleans, making music along the way. Ms. Price sat down with IndyKids to discuss the making of her book – and tricks of the trade.
How long have you been
writing?
About 15 years, but mainly poetry.
How did The Bourbon
Street Musicians come about?
I wanted to write a book for adults, but as a
poet I had never written a story! I decided to experiment with exercises
specifically for children’s writers. At the end of the week, to my amazement,
I’d completed a first draft of The Bourbon Street Musicians! Unfortunately, I
had written my story on a typewriter, and had only one copy. By accident, I
threw out the first copy. I rewrote the story, but then my cleaning lady threw
out the second version! When I realized this second version of the story was
gone, I said “EEEK!” But I wrote it for the third time – on a computer.
Do you have a background
in music?
I am a musician. I play the guitar, recorder,
drums and piano, and I teach music to kids. Though I grew up in California,
both my parents were from Louisiana and I grew up listening to musicians like
Otis Redding. In some ways my book is a tribute to African-American musicians.
Do you have any tricks
that help you come up with ideas?
When I’m trying to brainstorm, I make spider
webs. I put the word I want to describe in a circle and write words that relate
to it. I draw lines between all the words to make the spider web.
Do you still want to
write a book for adults?
Sure. But now I’m working on a novel for older
kids, and I’m enjoying it!
