A Frog Serenade
A Frog Serenade
By Mary Vela Publisher CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (LUV-BEAMS)ISBN 1537133160
ANSI 1537133160
Published in Children's Books,Synopsis
A tiny frog named Teeny falls in love with a little girl frog but she won’t give him the time of day. He gives her a water lily and whistles a tune. He gives her a bug and dances for her, and still, she ignores him. Suddenly, a large toad pops up out of the ground and gives him advice. Will it help?
What is the Tag Line for your book? (A short description of your book in a sentence or two)
A tiny frog serenades his love with Mariachi music.
Do you write full time or part time
part time
How do you structure your day when you write
I usually write in the mornings and proofread in the evenings. Then, I rest on weekends. This helps to clear my mind.
Why do you write? (Example; For fun, to make extra money, a personal experience you want to share with the public)
As a child, I looked forward to my grandfather's visits. At night, under a full moon, we sat on the front porch and listened to stories about his childhood. Afterwards, he followed up with ghost stories that sometimes kept us awake at night. But we were always ready for more. This experience contributed to my love of reading and writing. At age 10, I knew how to read in English and Spanish.While working as an Editorial Assistant, I received monetary awards and was selected as "Civilian of the Year." I love to write. Once my husband and I come up with a story idea, we discuss it and I start writing. He then edits the story and adds the humor. I could not do it without him.
What are you working on right now / or your most recent work
I am currently working on a series of stories about three unique characters that travel around the universe looking for adventure and fun. The characters have already been developed into plush dolls with patent and trademark protection. The dolls, called LUV-BEAMS, received Preferred Choice and Seal of Excellence awards by Creative Child Magazine and TDMonthly Magazine featured them as “winning toys.” The dolls have appeared at toy expos and made newspaper and television headlines. My goal is to license the dolls with their stories. Check them out at http://luv-beams.com/.
What inspired you to create this book
Since frogs usually sing to win the heart of a female frog, I decided to write about a romantic frog who wins the heart of his love in a different way. He dresses up as a Mariachi and shows up with his friend, a toad, who plays the guitar while the frog belts out a song. And it works. At the end of the story, I provide a brief history about Mariachi music.
What genre do you write in and why did you choose it
I love to write for children. My main goal is to teach with humor.
How much research did you do on your book? (If it applies)
Research was only done on Mariachi music.
How do you think you have evolved creatively from when you first started writing until now
Some may think that it's easy to write for children but it's not. When I first started writing, I had to place myself in the mind of a child as far as how they think, the language to use, and the length of the story according to the age of the child. Once I accomplished this, I moved on to stories for older children and teens.
What was the hardest thing about writing this book for you
Since this is my 30th published picture book, I found it easy to write.
What was the most rewarding
I frequently attend book fairs and read at schools and libraries. The most rewarding part is seeing the faces of children as I read the books. I see smiles on their faces and if the book is bilingual (English/Spanish), there is excitement because the children are relating to the story in their language.
If you had to start over, is there anything you would do different
If you like to write, that's the best part. I only wish I had started writing earlier. It's never too late to write. Write what you know and take classes to master the skill.
How have you evolved from when you first started writing until now
As an Editorial Assistant, I prepared and edited guides and regulations that had to go before a board for publication. It was during this time that the "writing bug" hit me and I began to write my stories.
Are you a planner type person, or do you prefer to dive right in when you write
I never plan. If something unique comes to mind, I'm ready to start the story.
How much dialogue do you have with your readers
The dialogue is usually brief and suited for the targeted age of the child.
Do they influence your writing
Children always influence my writing. And, if they are bilingual, I write for them.
Do you recommend being a part of a support groups to help you with your writing
Since I have taken numerous writing classes and have quite a few award-winning books, I consider myself proficient in writing.
Do you work with an editor If so, how much input do they have
I only work with an editor to clarify issues on lengthy stories.
Was there anyone in your past that you think influenced your writing
Definitely, my grandfather and his "story-telling" influenced my writing. When he told stories, he acted out the scenes and changed his voice to match each character. We all listened intently and sometimes laughed until our faces turned red. This is the greatest gift he gave me.
Do you have any tips or useful resources on marketing
There are so many resources to market books. Some are expensive. Tips include book fairs, libraries, schools, flea markets, etc. Make sure that you have a great illustrations so that your book will attract attention and sell.
How are you publishing this book? (Indie / self-published, traditional)
I have been traditionally published 12 times. This book is self-published.
What are your thoughts on book series
If you have a story that has the potential for continuing adventures, go for it.
How long do you think a book should be? (Pages or words)
It depends on the reader's age.
Do you have a strategy for finding reviewers
Currently looking for reviewers for my books.
What advice would you give to your younger self today
Read a lot. It improves your grammar and helps you do good in school. This will follow you into adulthood.
What is your favorite book or film
To Kill a Mockingbird (high school assignment & film)
If you don’t already have one, do you have plans to have a book trailer and what are your thoughts on them overall
Book trailers are good but sometimes hard to find on the internet.
What are you working on next
An adult novel and a memoir.
When you get frustrated, how do you deal with it
Take a break.
What advice would you give a writer that is just starting out
Write what you know. Don't give up.
About the Author
