What?
I write across genres and ages. When ideas come to me, a voice is already part of them and that’s how I know whether I’m writing a picture book, middle grade, adult work, web blog, or anything else. Most of my attention is focused on children’s fiction. In picture books, my stories usually revolve around a social-emotional issue and heavily feature family and friend relationships. These are influenced by my personal experiences and those of my children.
My debut picture book, Hattie Hates Hugs, is about consent and establishing boundaries, even with well-intentioned family. I love hearing how much young readers want to read and re-read about Hattie learning to say no to hugs, even those kids who are huggers themselves. Next year, my second picture book, Same Love Different Hug, comes out. I also have short stories for middle grade and adult readers published in magazines.
Why?
At first, I don’t always know why a story grabs my attention and I choose to work on that particular story and let other ideas wait. Some important connection eventually makes itself known, and in the case of Hattie Hates Hugs, it was my oldest son’s struggle to assert himself when he didn’t want hugs from family. As his mom, and as someone who struggled with the same thing as a child, I hated seeing him run away when family visited or have a family reunion ruined for him because others wouldn’t ask before touching him. I wanted to write this book to give a voice to kids like him.
Other times, my story ideas fester in my imagination for weeks and I must let them out. This is how my speculative stories are born, those that have elements of horror, science fiction, and fantasy. Much like my picture books, even these stories have heavy social-emotional themes inspired by my own experiences or my children’s experiences.
How?
Picture book ideas come to me already pretty well formed. I need a beginning and ending before I even start writing. Because picture books are short, I don’t outline them but instead start drafting, starting with the beginning and ending. That may just be notes or bits of dialogue at first, then I fill in the gaps and the story forms. I don’t do a lot of editing at this stage, but I do like to have a first round critique from at least a few picture book writers.
For longer stories, like novels or longer short stories, I like to write a loose outline. Again, I need to know the beginning and ending before I feel ready to draft or even outline. Everything in the middle feels more fluid to me, and so I tend to outline key turning points rather than individual scenes.
Bio:
Sarah Hovorka writes lots of stuff, from big-hearted picture books to horror-ridden novels. Unlike Goldilocks, every genre she tries feels just right. While children’s literature is her primary focus, she can’t resist writing speculative fiction and occasionally memoir for adults. Her three sons provide her plenty of fodder for her children’s books while her reading list influences the rest.
Hattie Hates Hugs is Sarah’s first picture book released by Beaming Books in April 2022, and she has two other picture books on the way. She has also published a middle grade short story in Spaceports & Spidersilk and stories for adults in Etaerio Pamphlet and Kraxon magazine.
Beyond reading and writing, Sarah loves to play games, bike ride, eat chocolate, and enjoy trees…when she’s not too busy homeschooling. You can find out more about her, her books, and follow her blog at www.SarahHovorka.com
Links:.
To buy Hattie Hates Hugs:
Amazon
IndieBound.org
Beaming Books
Barnes & Noble®
To connect with Sarah Hovorka:
Website
Twitter
Instagram photos and videos
Facebook
Goodreads
Linda K. Sienkiewicz is a writer, poet, and artist.
Learn more about her multi-award winning novel, In the Context of Love.
Learn more about her picture book, Gordy and the Ghost Crab.
Learn more about her poetry chapbook, Security
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