Interview with Multi-Genre Author Kim McDougall

A native of Monteal, Quebec, Kim McDougall is a multi-genre author, photographer and fiber artist. Under her married name, Kim Chatel, she writes children's books. Her titles include the young adult novella, The Stone Beach, and the newly released picture book, Rainbow Sheep. I'm excited to have Kim here today to talk about her writing and specifically about Rainbow Sheep, a one-of-a-kind picture book where the pictures are from settings and characters created from sculpted wool.

When did you decide you wanted to become an author?

I have always written. I have a book of poems that I wrote when I was 8 or 9 (Cats have fur. They often purr…) In high school, I won an award for a descriptive flash I wrote about someone drowning. Then in college, I was lucky enough to have several encouraging professors who inspired me to continue writing. After my daughter was born, writing slipped by the wayside, but when she started school, I decided it was now or never. I put aside all my other projects (photography and crafting) and became a full-time writer. It took 3 years, but I'm finally reaping the rewards, with several projects being published in the next few months.

Do you have another job besides writing?

You mean other than mom and housekeeper? Those keep me busy enough, but I also  edit a newsletter for one of my publishers and I've recently started making DVD's of picture books. I still take pictures and I have a small portfolio on iStockphoto.com. I have my own ezine, called Between the Cracks Digest too, but I've put that on hiatus for the summer to spend time with my family and promote Rainbow Sheep.

Were you an avid reader as a child? What type of books did you enjoy reading?

I read all the time as a child and teenager. I could spend hours by myself with a good book. As a young child, I loved the Bobsy Twins series. Later I fell in love with fantasy fiction when I read Madaleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time. I remember how she explained time could be folded like a blanket to travel over its surface faster. It was a true WOW moment for me. I had never read anything like it. Then my brother gave me the Belgariad series from David Eddings and I was hooked on fantasy.

Tell us a bit about your latest book, and what inspired you to write such a story.

Well, one evening during a storm, my daughter couldn’t sleep. I started a game with her that would last for years. I gave her a dream. This funny story was something she could latch onto while she tried to sleep and I told her to finish it in her dreams. The first of these story-dreams was an early version of Rainbow Sheep. Of course, it wasn’t as simple as that. The plot and characters went through many revisions before it was ready to submit for publication, but the basic story is the same one I told on that rainy night so many years ago.

Article Author: Mayra Calvani

Mayra Calvani writes fiction and nonfiction for children, teens and adults. She also offers online workshops on the art of reviewing and picture book writing at SavvyAuthors.com.

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