Meet A.J. Irving, Author of Mama's Purse
BBB: What inspired you to become an author?
AJI: I have been writing for as long as I can remember. When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a novelist. In middle school, I wanted to be a sports writer. In high school, I wanted to be an investigative journalist. In college, I focused on becoming a freelance magazine writer. After I became a mother, I found my true passion—children’s literature. The excitement in my son’s eyes during storytime inspired me to become a children’s author.
AJI: I have been writing for as long as I can remember. When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a novelist. In middle school, I wanted to be a sports writer. In high school, I wanted to be an investigative journalist. In college, I focused on becoming a freelance magazine writer. After I became a mother, I found my true passion—children’s literature. The excitement in my son’s eyes during storytime inspired me to become a children’s author.
How did you come up for the idea for Mama's Purse?
My mom always had EVERYTHING you’d ever need in her purse. My family frequently teased her. We’d say, “You have everything except the kitchen sink in your purse!” So, I decided to write a book about a mama’s purse that really has a sink. Now that I’m a mama, I have everything in my purse (except a sink).
What do you think children will enjoy most about you book?
My goal as a children’s author is to encourage children to develop a lifelong love for books and to inspire young minds to use their mighty imaginations. Mama’s Purse is a rhyming picture book with vibrant illustrations that introduces unusual words and keeps kids guessing. What super silly surprises will come out of mama’s purse next?!
My mom always had EVERYTHING you’d ever need in her purse. My family frequently teased her. We’d say, “You have everything except the kitchen sink in your purse!” So, I decided to write a book about a mama’s purse that really has a sink. Now that I’m a mama, I have everything in my purse (except a sink).
What do you think children will enjoy most about you book?
My goal as a children’s author is to encourage children to develop a lifelong love for books and to inspire young minds to use their mighty imaginations. Mama’s Purse is a rhyming picture book with vibrant illustrations that introduces unusual words and keeps kids guessing. What super silly surprises will come out of mama’s purse next?!
BBB: Do you ever get writer's block?
AJI: I tend to get writer’s block during the revision process. I’m old school. I start writing all my manuscripts in a notebook. I feel more connected to the craft of writing when I write with a pen. I start revising after I type the manuscript on my computer. I get my best revision ideas when I am walking my dog. There are no distractions. It’s peaceful. I let my mind wander. Then, ideas start popping into my head like crazy and I race home to write.
BBB: What are you currently working on?
AJI: I am currently submitting one of my picture book manuscripts, MILLIE LOU’S MOO JUICE, to literary agents. I am also in the process of revising another picture book manuscript titled MAMA’S HAIR IS EVERYWHERE!
BBB: How can readers discover more about you and your work?
AJI: You can learn more about my work on my website, blog, and social media.
Website: http://www.ajsbooksllc.com/
Blog: http://ajschildrensbooks.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ajirvingauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aj_irving
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/ajirvingauthor/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/104075819972476218185/posts
Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/ajirving
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6646906.A_J_Irving
AJI: I tend to get writer’s block during the revision process. I’m old school. I start writing all my manuscripts in a notebook. I feel more connected to the craft of writing when I write with a pen. I start revising after I type the manuscript on my computer. I get my best revision ideas when I am walking my dog. There are no distractions. It’s peaceful. I let my mind wander. Then, ideas start popping into my head like crazy and I race home to write.
BBB: What are you currently working on?
AJI: I am currently submitting one of my picture book manuscripts, MILLIE LOU’S MOO JUICE, to literary agents. I am also in the process of revising another picture book manuscript titled MAMA’S HAIR IS EVERYWHERE!
BBB: How can readers discover more about you and your work?
AJI: You can learn more about my work on my website, blog, and social media.
Website: http://www.ajsbooksllc.com/
Blog: http://ajschildrensbooks.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ajirvingauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aj_irving
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/ajirvingauthor/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/104075819972476218185/posts
Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/ajirving
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6646906.A_J_Irving
