{"id":972,"date":"2016-06-30T23:52:31","date_gmt":"2016-06-30T23:52:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/willbly.com\/?p=972"},"modified":"2016-07-01T00:01:26","modified_gmt":"2016-07-01T00:01:26","slug":"q-a-with-ghouliana-stories","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/willbly.com\/?p=972","title":{"rendered":"Q & A with Ghouliana Stories"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ghouliana Stories (Bess Sturgis) writes tales for young readers that are spooky but not too scary. She is one of the hardest working writers I know and also one of the most optimistic. She is a champion of literacy for children, and uses costumes and props to enact her stories. If you live in Indiana and frequent writerly festivals\/events chances are you have come across Mrs. Sturgis.<\/p>\n

\"Sturgis<\/a>
Sturgis as “Ghouliana”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You write \u201cNot Too Scary Tales\u201d for young readers. Where is the line between Not Too Scary and Too Scary?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019m very old school when it comes to the line between \u201cNot Too Scary\u201d and \u201cToo Scary Tales\u201d.
\nBecause I write for advanced young readers (7+), I refrain from putting my characters in situations of true terror. While they may become lost, frightened or bullied, NEVER are they stolen, unnecessarily terrorized or graphically eaten alive.<\/p>\n

How do you walk it?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Very carefully! I use a lot of silliness and humor to keep the tension levels at bay. Grown-ups DO NOT thank you for giving their young readers nightmares.<\/p>\n

How important is promoting literacy among the young?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Is this a trick question (insert snarky grin here\u2026)???<\/p>\n

The ability to read defines a person\u2019s ability to navigate life.
\nI believe there is no such thing as \u201ctoo early\u201d to snuggle a baby and read aloud from a book.
\nIt doesn\u2019t matter what the text says. It\u2019s the warmth, closeness and tone of voice that makes the little one smile and recognize books as something wonderful.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
A display in a local library shows off “The Shoe Troll” by Ghouliana Stories<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You are perhaps the most active author I know. Between all the public readings, fairs, appearances, and social media, when and how do you actually write?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I write ridiculously early in the morning, usually from 5:00am until whenever, however, some of my most beloved characters have appeared after 3:30 am and before 7:00am.
\nThese characters didn\u2019t shuffle in as yawning and sleepy wisps wearing pajamas and slippers. They arrived without warning; wide awake, fully formed and ready to play.
\nAs to how I write: first drafts are almost always written by hand, in pen, on recycled paper.
\nI love the freedom of scribbling words across the clean side of a used page. This gives me a feeling of \u201cNo Rules-No Fear\u201d and allows me to dance with whoever shows up.
\nAlso, this allows me to write just about any time and anywhere I have a few extra minutes.<\/p>\n

How important is \u201clegwork\u201d for new writers?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Legwork is crucial! No one is going to walk up, knock on your door and ask, \u201cDo you have any books in a box under your bed I can buy?\u201d
\nIf you don\u2019t \u201cput your book out there\u201d, who will? Even if you have a traditional publisher, you are still expected to do a lot of self-promotion.<\/p>\n

\"Mrs.<\/a>
Mrs. Sturgis matches costumes with her characters.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In one sentence, why are libraries important?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cLibraries are equal opportunity information providers.\u201d
\n(Original Copyright 1992: Bess Sturgis)<\/p>\n

Works by Bess Sturgis<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"13515311_638106486348180_1979985514_n\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"13492813_638106473014848_184243522_n\"<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ghouliana Stories (Bess Sturgis) writes tales for young readers that are spooky but not too scary. She is one of the hardest working writers I know and also one of the most optimistic. She is a champion of literacy for children, and uses costumes and … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[16,1],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6aT9B-fG","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":949,"url":"https:\/\/willbly.com\/?p=949","url_meta":{"origin":972,"position":0},"title":"5 Questions with Author Robert Mullin","date":"June 27, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"I recently had the pleasure of asking Robert Mullin a few questions. 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