The New Jersey Children’s Writer’s Guild

Hello, Lyn, and welcome to The Writer’s Journey!

Children's Author Lyn Sirota

You have quite a diverse and impressive background: children’s writer, undergraduate degree in Psychology and Business, a Master’s in Industrial Psychology, and 15 years in corporate Human Resources.

I know that your writing began as a child, but would you tell us a little about what inspired that writing?

I would say that my writing as a child – which was mostly poetry – was inspired by a need to express myself. I was rather quiet in school and did not make friends easily. I had a few really close friends that meant the world to me. One of my closest friends lost her battle with a rare form of cancer and writing was a way for me to come to terms with the overwhelming sorrow I felt.

What a terrible loss, especially for a child.

Although your early leanings were toward writing, you eventually decided to study psychology and business, and to make them a career.  What influenced that decision?

I didn’t think I could make writing a career even though professors told me I was creative and great at it. I was, however, fascinated with studying people, animal psychology, industrial psychology and cognitive psychology. 

You also saved the life of a fellow lab “partner” during your years of study.

I rescued “Pinks” (my lab rat with pink eyes) from euthanasia.  She became my pet for years after training her in a Skinner Box for my Learning Psychology class.

In 2001, you decided on a career change.  What caused you to leave the corporate world and pursue your love of writing?

There were several things that motivated this decision. After 15 years, I felt I had seen and done it all in Human Resources. All my colleagues were being downsized and outsourced. For a time, I tried Human Resources consulting and that worked out quite well. I had long assignments and good relationships with companies, but that soon grew old. Then 911 hit me pretty hard. I was in a training class at Dun and Bradstreet where I was a contract Sourcing Manager and watched the towers come down repeatedly. I realized then that I had to be closer to my children and stop wasting time doing things I wasn’t passionate about. I needed to follow my heart.

In your, as you put it, “previous life” in corporate Human Resources, you wore many hats.  Has your background in business proven a benefit to you in your present life as an author, and in what way?

Yes, my past experience is definitely helpful when it comes to working closely with editors and reviewing contracts. When I was consulting, it was considered contract work so I was always reviewing contracts .  Now with my writing, I am reviewing and signing them as well. I also know how important teamwork is and that gives me the ability to work collaboratively with editors in a give and take relationship. Also, in my HR career, I wrote a lot. I authored many company handbooks and I was the editor of a manager’s newsletter called, “Coach Quarterly.”  When I worked for Midlantic Bank, many of the HR memos from the top of the organization (for example: about ethics) were ghostwritten by me.

Following your decision to change careers, you applied to and were accepted by the Institute of Children’s Literature (ICL) in 2002.  Would you tell us a little about ICL and what your experience was like working with their faculty?

The Institute of Children’s Literature (ICL) is an organization in West Redding, Ct that helps people realize and develop their writing talents. You need to provide them with an essay and, if accepted, they work with you in a structured curriculum that teaches you about children’s literature. You are also paired with an author/editor who works with you on all of your assignments. Writing assignments are critiqued extensively and this helps develop and hone writing skills.

Would you recommend ICL to writers who are new to children’s writing?

The ICL is a great way to get your “feet wet” as a writer.

 

After first enrolling at ICL, wasn’t your first officially published work of children’s literature an ICL assignment?

Yes, “Don’t Run, Don’t Hide” was my non-fiction assignment through the ICL. After I polished it up, Wee Ones Magazine published it back in 2004 and it has been reprinted many times over by other magazines. This article is particularly important in helping young children understand why they should never run or hide from a firefighter. It was inspired years before when I overheard a local firefighter talk about losing a child in a fire because she ran from him. I never got over the sorrow I heard in his voice. It haunted me until I wrote about it. It is available to download from my website or you can view it this coming October (Fire Safety Month) in the online magazine “Stories for Children.”

How did you feel when you learned that “Don’t Run, Don’t Hide” would be published in the April 2004 issue of Wee Ones Magazine?

Exuberant…and like I was “officially” a writer!

 

Your publishing credits have soared since then: articles and poetry in Highlights, Wee Ones, Saplings, Boy’s Quest, Hopscotch, Ladybug, Spider, Dragonfly Spirit, Moo Cow Fan Club, Holiday Crafts 4 Kids, Fandangle, Cecil Child, Broomstix, Stories for Children, Next Step, and Nature Friend magazines.  What subjects do you most enjoy writing about?

The subjects I enjoy the most are anything having to do with nature. I love to discover something new about an animal, especially something disgusting, because then I know a kid would love it. When I find a topic with an “oh wow” factor, I know I’ve got a hit for kids. I like to write about animals that have a bad reputation like bats and turkey vultures. I like kids to see “the other side” of them. I also like to write about science topics, too. I am a regular contributor to Science Weekly and write an issue for them every summer. This summer was Hot Springs (SW is geared toward preschool through 5^th grade and also has lab, math, writing in science, now you know, etc. hands-on activities.)

 What are you presently working on?

I am writing three books about lizards for Capstone Press. These books will be released next year and they will be at the K-2^nd grade level. I am in the process of edits with a middle grade science book about Wildfires that I wrote for Compass Point books and I am also editing my issue of Hot Springs for Science Weekly.  Additionally, I am working on a careers series for Next Step Magazine: Careers with Animals, Careers in Health, Careers in Education and Careers in Law.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not writing?

When I’m not writing (which is not often), I exercise about four times a week, read a lot and love to scrapbook. I volunteer quite a bit in my children’s schools and talk to kids about writing when I’m asked to visit. I also volunteer in our animal shelter.

You’ve jokingly referred to yourself as a “closet hippie,” but your love of nature and your dedication to helping animals in need is a very serious matter with you.  Has your experience with your rescued pets Saige, Koal, and Rayvan played any role in your writing?

Absolutely. From a young age, I loved animals and had no fear of getting up close with wild animals. I was pretty much kicked outside and had to entertain myself in my backyard that didn’t have much in it. So I looked for ladybugs and caught and released fireflies and moths. I’ve had dogs my whole life and have always taken an interest in their welfare. I would rescue a whole lot more if my family permitted it.

In closing, what advice would you give to anyone interested in pursuing a career in writing?

I would recommend they read as many children’s books in their genre as possible. It is also very important for them to join a critique group before they begin to submit their work. I am in two in-person critique groups and an online group. They are invaluable when it comes to advice and opinions about my work. I also recommend they join SCBWI and attend as many writer’s conferences as they can.

Has there been anyone who has played a significant role in shaping you as a writer?

My mother has always encouraged my writing and my older brother Jon used to read a lot of poetry to me as a child. We both share that love.

Who are your favorite children’s writers and illustrators?

I think there are probably way too many to list. I loved Judy Blume as an older child and Frances Hodgson Burnett, Laura Ingalls Wilder among others.

What are some of your favorite children’s books?

The Secret Garden

A Fish out of Water

The Runaway Bunny

Amelia Bedelia

I can’t said the ant

Where the Wild Things Are

Jamberry

Nancy Drew series

Little House on the Prairie series

Poems: Jabberwocky and Annabelle Lee

 What is your favorite opening or closing line in a work of children’s literature?

It is a simple opening with a tweak of intrigue. The book is called Edward the Emu:

“Edward the emu was sick of the zoo, there was nowhere to go, there was nothing to do, And compared to the seals that lived right next door, Well being an emu was frankly a bore.” by Sheena Knowles. It actually inspired two articles I wrote for Boy’s Quest (Down Under Dad, 2009) and Moo Cow Fan Club (EE-Moo, 2007).

Thank you, Lyn, for being our guest on The Writer’s Journey!

Thank you for the opportunity!

 

Lyn lives in New Jersey with her husband, children and furry rescued friends.  Visit her website at: www.lynsirota.4t.com