Normally, the afternoon crowd in the M3 Coffee Shoppe is a teeming throng of teenagers. This week was only different because there was a darling little girl signing autographs for the pseudo-adults. Abigail had a backpack filled with Little books. Red stopped by to see what was on the horizon for the well-established six-year-old author.
M3: Abigail, I got a chance to talk to your Mommy to get to know you a little better. Would you read your author profile to the M3 Readers?
AB: Abigail Brand is the 6-year-old author/illustrator of the Hello Little Series. All her books are self-published, hand-written, and hand-illustrated, 14-page children’s books. Abigail Brand donates half the money from her Hello Little books to Neonatal Intensive Care Units.
M3: You are a very accomplished little lady. Do you have someone to thank?
AB: I want to thank my mommy for all the stuff she taught me when I was younger and all the books she read to me. And I want to thank her for always encouraging me to do the things I want to do.
M3: Reading is very important for all children. That is why we appreciate you writing and illustrating your books. How did you get started writing children’s books?
AB: I started by making things for my mommy. Ever since I was really little, I’ve always been drawing pictures and making up stories. I’ve made up plays and I’ve even written a couple songs and the music to go with it. I just love being creative! Even though my books are published now, I still make things for my mommy sometimes.
M3: (Abigail has an adorable smile.) I am sure your Mommy loves them, too. What would you like to tell someone who is just beginning to write a book to encourage them?
AB: You don’t really have to know exactly what the story is before you write it down. Just start writing!
M3: That is really smart advice, Abigail. You know, I usually talk to authors about their day jobs, but you are still too little to work.
AB: Well, I do have a day job. I go to school all day. And I have lots of after school and weekend activities. I don’t know if my fans care, except that I’m six, so I’m supposed to be in school, haha!
M3: I am sure your fans do care! You need to stay in school. How do you find time to write with all you do?
AB: I am very busy, and it is hard to find the time. Mostly, I write when I feel inspired. But sometimes, when a book is almost done, I make a schedule. That way, it doesn’t stay almost done for too long.
M3: That is a very good way to do it. Do you ever take a break? Grown up authors call it a hiatus.
AB: I usually take about a month in between to give my mind a little rest, but it’s hard to stop thinking about writing. (giggles)
M3: Grown up writers do the exact same thing. What are you working on right now?
AB: Right now, I’m working on the Spanish translation of Hello Little Cloud. It’s called Hola Nubecita. And after that, Hello Little Zoo will be available in September. The story is already written, but I’m going to draw the pictures over the summer. I’m really excited about it. The art in Hello Little Zoo is going to be very different from the other ones!
M3: You draw so well, too. Your books are really special to the readers. Why are they special to you?
AB: My book series is called Hello Little because I used to call my little sister Gabrielle “little”. And I’m donating to the NICU because my baby sister Natalie pooped in Mommy’s tummy and had to get checked by the NICU. The Hello Little Series is dedicated to my little sisters.
M3: That is very sweet of you, Abigail. You read a lot of children’s books. What make the Hello Little Series different from those books?
AB: My books are hand-written and hand-illustrated, by me. Plus, I donate so much of the money to a really good cause. The little babies need lots of help.
M3: Other writers think what you do is really grown up. How do you feel about other writers you have met?
AB: I think other writers can become my friends because we like doing the same thing [writing].I’m going to a writer’s conference on Friday, so I can meet lots of other writers!
M3: That sounds like fun! Being an author can be a tough job, Abigail. Have you fought any tough battles?
AB: A few people have said they don’t think I write my books. It hurts my feelings because I worked so hard for a long time. I know it might be hard for people to believe that a six-year-old could write books that people want to buy, but I hope I can change the way people think about what kids can do.
M3: I think you already are. I met you on Twitter. There are not a lot of six-year-olds with a Twitter account. How important is social media for your books?
AB: It’s really important. My Facebook page, my Twitter profile and my website are where I let all my fans know what’s going on. There’s no other way they would know. And also the way I spread the word and get new fans. Thank you to everyone who has supported my talent and my cause!
M3: You are a darling. Now, just between us. Tell me a secret you are not so sure you want me to tell everyone else, but it would probably be okay if I did tell anyway.
AB: I talk a lot. I mean A LOT, A LOT!
M3: (Laughing.) As long as you are not talking in class, I think that is just fine! Tell the M3 Readers in 15 words or less why they should buy a book from the Hello Little Series.
AB: Because it’s for a good cause. Half the money goes to the NICU!
M3: Thank you, Abigail. I hope to see you again when you new book comes out this fall.
~~~~~~~~~~
Darling M3 Readers,
Please take a few moments to check out Abigail Brand and Hello Little Series. Visit Abigail’s blog to learn more about the author and her books. Follow her on Twitter for the latest on her upcoming books.
Thank you for your unwavering support of the talented M3 Coffee Shoppe authors. When you tweet and +1 this post, please use the hashtags #authors, #books and #WW.
When this post goes live, Abigail will be in school. Please leave her comments. She will come by when she gets home to respond to you!
Red.
M3
spilledinkguy
/ April 11, 2012How very impressive!
That is wonderful!
I don’t know if I had READ as many books as Abigail has WRITTEN and ILLUSTRATED when I was 6!
Did I mention Impressive?
Yes?!
And Wonderful?!
🙂
spilledinkguy recently posted..Better Living Through Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
Abigail Brand
/ April 11, 2012🙂 Thank you. I really like books and stories a lot. That’s how I knew I would like writing books!
Abigail Brand
/ April 11, 2012Red, Thank you for this great interview! I had a really good time doing it. :-))
Red
/ April 11, 2012I am so glad you did! Be on the lookout tomorrow afternoon for more comments. The notice for your interview goes out tonight a little after your bedtime, so there will be more people coming by to see you!
Binky
/ April 11, 2012It’s nice to see someone so young having the patience to write and illustrate a book. And not just one! Your art is very good, and your printing is perfect!
Binky recently posted..Disadvantaged Youth
Abigail Brand
/ April 11, 2012Sometimes I get frustrated if it’s not coming out the way I pictured it, but I really want it to be perfect. If I have the time, I’ll sit there as long as I can and make it just right. My teacher this year has had to teach me that sometimes it’s better to get it done and handed in on time, than for it to be perfect and late! But my books don’t have a due date, so I can take 5 months to make it exactly how I want it! 🙂
Red
/ April 11, 2012That is the joy of writing books. You can take your time and write as you like!
Abigail Brand
/ April 12, 2012That’s true!! 🙂
Binky
/ April 11, 2012You have a lot of determination to be willing to take so long to make your book as good as it can be. A lot of people will give up after the first or second draft, but a real writer will work on his or her book until it’s perfect.
Binky recently posted..Disadvantaged Youth
Abigail Brand
/ April 12, 2012I guess it depends on how important it is to the person. My books are really important to me! And my drawings too. And I’ve always been taught to never give up on something really important to you.
Raymond Alexander Kukkee
/ April 11, 2012I am impressed! Abigail, as I tell the adult authors Red interviews, YOU too, have been interviewed by the best! Congratulations on your books! You ARE an author to watch! You have a very long and wonderful career ahead of you! “:)
Raymond Alexander Kukkee recently posted..Political Sanctions: Punishment for Voting Democratically
Abigail Brand
/ April 11, 2012🙂 Thank you! And I really appreciate Red for this great interview!
Red
/ April 11, 2012I know you are right about that, Ray! She is quite a star already!
Wendy Reid
/ April 11, 2012Wow. Abigail, I am so impressed. Your mother must have been a wonderful influence on you. My kids don’t like reading much at all. I have tried everything, from explaining how wonderful it is to be taken away to a magical world, to making sure to buy books about subjects that interest them. Do you have any suggestions to help me get them interested in reading? My sons are in their early 20’s, but I have a 15 yr old daughter who is still with me at home.
Leigh Ann
/ April 11, 2012Abigail- You are an amazing little girl and an inspiration to so many. You are so well spoken and have a true passion for what you are doing. Keep striving and working hard. Can’t wait to hear about Hello Little Zoo. God Bless you!
Abigail Brand
/ April 12, 2012Thank you very much! 😀
Androgoth
/ April 11, 2012Pure Genius…
For someone so young
Abigail has so much to offer
with her wondrously excellent
ideas and thrilling thoughts 🙂
Well done on your ‘Hello Little
Series’ and keep writing 🙂 🙂
This is a very nice posting Red
and from a little girl with talent
and absolute greatness…
Androgoth XXx
Abigail Brand
/ April 12, 2012Ever since I was really little I’ve been telling my Mommy that I want to know EVERYTHING! I’m always asking questions and reading. My favorite is researching things on the internet and watching documentaries. I’ve learned so much from all my questions and books and researching that I feel like I’m ready to share some of it with everyone! I’m really glad you guys like it. 😀
Red
/ April 12, 2012You hold onto wanting to know everything. I will tell you a secret. When you ask someone, and they answer, “I don’t know,” go ask someone else. When you find the answer, go back to the person who said, “I don’t know”. You know they will appreciate it.
Angela
/ April 11, 2012Abigail’s blog link led me to an oops page.
Great stuff!
Angela recently posted..Why You Should Still Carry On
Red
/ April 11, 2012Let me see if I cannot find and fix it 😉 Thanks for the heads up, Angie.
Red
/ April 11, 2012Try it now, Angie.
prenin
/ April 12, 2012A special family and a magnificent child Red! 🙂
Long may she continue!!! 🙂
God Bless!
Prenin.
prenin recently posted..Tuesday – shopping in the rain.
Abigail Brand
/ April 12, 2012Thank you! 🙂
Abigail Brand
/ April 12, 2012Good Morning, everyone! Thank you all so much for your comments. It was really exciting to wake up to all the really nice things you guys have said! I will comment back to everyone when I get home from school. Have a great day!
~Abigail