-
Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you started writing children’s books?
I grew up in Toronto, Ontario but have lived in London, Ontario for over 40 years. I used to tell stories at various venues in London. At one, a lady came up to me and told me I should write my stories down. That started my writing career. I wrote my first book THE GREAT BELLYBUTTON COVER-UP and eventually self-published it.
-
What inspired your first story, and what inspires you now?
I was doing storytelling at Fanshawe Pioneer Village, London, Ontario. They were having a sheep shearing event. So I made up a story about a sheep named Violet who didn't want to be sheared because everyone would see her ... bellybutton! I ended up changing the venue to a fair. However, I wrote a second book about Violet, at the request of school children I visited for author visits, called SAY PLEASE TO THE HONEYBEES which takes place at Fanshawe Pioneer Village.
-
Do you focus on a particular age group or genre in children’s literature?
I focus on kids ages 3 to 8. My aim is to make kids giggle. The genre is juvenile fiction.
-
Which authors or books influenced your writing journey the most?
Robert Munsch, another Canadian author, inspired me.
-
What do you enjoy most about writing for children?
Making up hilarious stories.
-
How do you develop your characters and story ideas?
Story ideas just come to me. I'm very lucky that way. Events or incidents spark ideas. For example, we had a lot of stray cats in the area. We either kept them or found them homes. It was getting very irritating so I wrote DRAT THAT CAT! which emphasized how important it is to neuter your pets.
Many of the characters in my books are based on my family or pets.
-
Do you collaborate with illustrators, and what is that process like for you?
I have collaborated with illustrators on my previous books. It's hard to convey your vision when you know exactly what you want the illustrations to look like but you have to see it drawn before you know if it's what you want. I worked very closely with the illustrator and they had to be very patient and open to my ideas. I had to be open to theirs as well. Fortunately, all my books' illustrations exceeded my expectations.
I have written another book and have decided to try to learn how to illustrate it myself to expand my horizons. We'll see if I am successful.
-
What themes or messages do you hope children take away from your books?
I hope kids learn to read for the love of it because reading is FUN and not a school time chore.
-
Is there one book you’ve written that holds a special place in your heart? Why?
Yes. THE KIT KAT CAPER holds a special place in my heart because ... it's about ME! I'm the little witch trick-or-treating around the neighbourhood on my knees, pretending to be a kid and only wanting KitKats! Some people will do anything to get their favourite chocolate bar.
-
Where can readers, parents, and teachers find more of your work online?
You can buy my books through my website: https://www.susanross.ca
I don't have Amazon.ca on my website because their prices are way too high and they won't change them. The prices on Amazon.com are correct. Do not ask me why this is because I don't know. Canadians can by the books through Chapters/ Indigo on my website.
