Welcome to BookEnds, Katrina Moore

  • By: BookEnds | Date: Nov 03 2017

When I read Katrina’s manuscript, I was so excited, I called her right then and there. It was a bit of departure from my normal way of offering rep. And Katrina is the reason why I stick to my normal rep. She was just picking her kids up from school and was so startled by my call. I felt terrible! Thankfully, Katrina is also one of the nicest people I know and she decided to join the BookEnds team, despite the startling phone call.

 

Tell us a bit about your writing process. Where do you write, and how often?

I squeeze in writing time everyday. Sometimes it’s hours, but more often than not it’s stolen
moments here and there (ideally in my office, but it’s usually writing “on the go”).

When an idea comes to me, it’s just a seed of a story—a character, a title, a concept. I try to grow the seed into a pitch, asking myself, “What is this really going to be about?” and think of what inherent universal theme, or kid-hook this story will have. At this point, I jot it down in my journal, and leave it. The seeds that turn into stories are the ones that I can’t stop thinking about. Usually, by the time I write the first draft, the story is so close to bursting I have to write it. And that first draft almost always needs plenty of sunlight, water, and reworking before it blossoms into something beautiful!

 

What do you love about writing picture books?

Picture books are lap-sized theaters. No two experience is the same, and the best picture books beg for re-reads and hidden treasures to be discovered. It’s an honor to be able to part of that magic making.

 

If you’re not reading or writing, what would we catch you doing?

When I’m not reading, writing, or teaching first graders, I’d be hard to catch because I’m (blessed to be) on the go! You can find me cooking without a recipe, painting outside the lines, or embarking on adventures in and out of books with my husband, toddler, infant, and pomapoo pup.  

 

Where can readers find you on the web and social media?

katrinamoorebooks.com

Twitter: @kmoorebooks

 

What’s the last book you read?

 Triangle by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen. It was sneaky, deceptively simple, and so funny. I’m looking forward to the next two in this series.

Also, Hush Little Polar Bear by Jeff Mack. That’s been the chosen bedtime lullaby from my infant for weeks. He tries to “sing” along with his big sister.

 

What’s your favorite quote about reading or writing?

“The greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.” -Roald Dahl