We recently connected with Marcie Colleen and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Marcie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
In the fall of 2011 I was a nanny in Brooklyn, NY. My days consisted of playgrounds, snacks, and nap times. During nap time I became reacquainted with children’s picture books and fell in love. I decided then that I would seek out to learn how to create stories of my own.
My education started at the library. I read every recently published picture book that I could get my hands on. And I say “recently published” because the form has changed a lot since the books I read as a kid. I wanted to know what picture books were being published in the last 5 years.
I also took classes on how to craft stories. And I wrote. A lot.
All of this: reading, learning, and practicing helped me to become the writer I am today. I cannot stress enough how important this stage of learning craft is. I know sometimes, as writers, we want to skip ahead to the part where we get an agent and a big, splashy book deal. And oftentimes that desire causes us to rush the first steps. But don’t. Put on the brakes. Focus on craft for a few years. Build your skills. It’s worth it.
Marcie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am a former classroom teacher turned children’s book author. I am an award-winning author of picture books, chapter books, and kids comics. My latest book, SURVIVOR TREE, illustrated by Caldecott Honor Winner Aaron Becker (Little, Brown) celebrates the real life story of a pear tree who survived the September 11th attacks and was an American Library Association’s 2022 Notable Book.
In addition to being an author, I am an expert on creating highly acclaimed Teacher’s Guides that align picture books and middle grade novels with the Common Core and state mandated standards. I am a frequent presenter at conferences for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, as well as a faculty member for the Writing Barn and the University of California San Diego Extension. My educational work in children’s literature has been recognized by School Library Journal, Publisher’s Weekly, and the Children’s Book Council.
I have a bachelor’s degree in Education of English and Language Arts from Oswego State University and a master’s degree in Educational Theater from New York University.
In August 2021, I joined Epic! Originals as a Senior Writer/Editor, creating comics and other prose for their digital platform.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
I believe that the most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative is connection with those I might not have had the opportunity to connect with. When I write a book, I may be writing alone, but then that book goes out into the world and finds its way onto bookshelves in bookstores, libraries, schools, and homes all over. My books are so much more well-traveled than I am! I’ve had books published in Korea, South American, and the Middle East. I get a fan messages from all over, like Turkey, France, and Brazil. I feel honored to be able to tell my stories and make these connections. Nothing is more rewarding then going to a book signing and meeting my young readers. Once, when signing PENGUINAUT! in Denver, Colorado a young reader came up to me and whispered, “I didn’t know you existed.” To which I answered, “and I didn’t know you existed!” But suddenly, through the power of books, we were connected.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
Setting out to be a creative is a very interesting path. There is no set degree or formula to follow that guarantees success. But it’s the mere act of that creation which is the most fulfilling. I think that is confusing to those who have careers that have very particular markers and milestones. While I get up every morning at 5am to write, I never know whether the book I am pouring my heart and soul into is going to become anything beyond a Word document on my computer. But that doesn’t matter. Simply starting my day in this way fills me in a way that other career paths never did. Even if I never published another book again, I believe I would still write. It’s a passion…not simply a career.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thisismarciecolleen.com
- Instagram: @marciecolleen
- Twitter: @marciecolleen1