Chit Chatting with Raven Howell

Chit Chatting with Raven Howell

Interviewed by:  Jill Sheets

 J: Tell us about yourself.

R: Warm sunshine brings me peace, pets nourish me with joy, gardening is rewarding, flowers delight me, and my family is most precious.

Songs from the 70’s and 80’s are my favorite. There’s an innocence in the lyrics, and the melodies have a hopeful, positive, and relaxed vibe. Music has always been a backdrop to my life’s journey.

Because I’m a full-time writer, I need my breaks from the computer, and I love to hike in nature or just go for a stroll. Many of my creative ideas spring from those outings. 

Cooking and baking are therapeutic, allowing me to be both inventive and expressive while still taking a momentary break from whatever project, article, poem or book I’m working on. After all, writing a children’s story is similar to coming up with a great recipe, something you concoct to be delicious, to have others enjoy.

J: When did you start to write, and what was your first story?

R: As soon as I learned my alphabet and words and writing, I took off. It has always been an innate thing with me, no conscious thinking about doing it, it was just what has always happened. It’s a part of who I am and less of what I do.

I first started writing rhymes and poems, and I also found childhood notebooks with funny little imaginative plays I’d written- descriptive scripts and all! The first full song I wrote (at maybe 10 or 11 years old) had a love theme and was called “The Rosy Moon in You”. As if at that age I knew anything about romance – ha! 

J: Tell us about your book, "The 20 Little Poems by 20 Little Gnomes," and how you came up with the ideas for the book.

R: I knew I wanted to compile an uplifting, smile-inducing collection of poems for children, but something an adult would also enjoy reading. In many ways, poetry is a universal language, and if you have a joyous verse, it’s usually experienced as joyous no matter what age you are. 

I picked twenty of my poems most befitting to that theme. Then when I happened to come upon artist Naz Tarcan’s whimsical illustrations, I knew she was the one I needed to collaborate with. I feel so lucky that both Nazli and my publisher were on board for us to produce our book together.

J: Tell us a little bit about your other books.

R: I think at this point I’ve had twenty children’s books published. But I’ve been writing (specifically for kids) for almost three decades. Some of my very earliest work is out of print, but half of my books are children’s picture poetry collections, and half are children’s stories, both rhymed and unrhymed. I’ve written fractured fairytales, bedtime books, books about holidays and seasons, dogs, and colors, books about diversity and friendship, but the common thread throughout them is inspiration. If I had to categorize my book releases more specifically, I would say I write children’s inspirational books.

J: Are you currently working on anything?

R: I’m incredibly busy right now – all good! I literally just received an offer for a contract for my picture book, Seasons. My book Loved, an ode to mothers and parents and our loving relationships with our children, will be out in March, and my first counting book, Mattison Mouse Counts is scheduled for a May release. I’m also reveling in writing ATOS children’s stories for the youngest readers with another publisher.

J: Who are some of your favorite poets?

R: Aileen Fisher is at the top of my list. I love the poetry of Valerie Worth, Walter Dean Myers, Myra Cohn Livingston...and continuing with more contemporary poets- Charles Ghigna, Rebecca Kai Dotlich and Jane Yolen.

J: What is your favorite poem?

R: I don’t have one favorite, but, although this is an older release, I love Sandra Olson Liatsos’ poetry book, Bicycle Riding and Other Poems, and I’ve found many favorites in those pages.

J: What are your writing habits?  Do you have times when you set down to write or when you think of a poem or story?

R: Because I’m a full-time writer, my writing habits are good. I am awake at dawn and depending on my schedule and what’s due when, will usually be wrapping up my writing work at a fairly late 7 p.m. these days. Some of my time is spent in a free creative mode when I’m inspired to write my own poetry or children’s story. Other times I’m busy writing articles, poems for kids’ magazines, meeting deadlines, taking on commission work, or ghostwriting. I’m also a columnist (I write The Book Bug) for Story Monsters Ink magazine, so that keeps me on my toes. 

J: What is your favorite thing about writing for children?

R: I favor the whimsical, and adventuring into enchantment. And that can be found even in a fairly realistic setting in a kids’ book because if 

the sentiment overflows with kindness, love, self-care – THAT’S magical and wondrous in itself! Writing kid lit is my most effective way to express that gentle, loving hug.

And meeting with and sharing my writing with children in classrooms or libraries is priceless! That’s one of my favorite things about writing for kids.

J: Are you on social media?  What about an official website?

R: I enjoy using social media – yes, I’m on all platforms. Overall, it’s a great way to note new projects or find announcements, laugh out loud at a creative video, or just be supportive of another and connect with a friend. 

My website is www.ravenhowell.com Hope you visit!

J: Is there anything else you would like to add?

R: Poetry is that sparkle that makes the heart sing at any given moment. The 20 Little Poems for 20 Little Gnomes is written to celebrate discovery and reveal wonder. I hope it lights your way and provides a little sunshine to any of the dark corners.

Book Summary

Discover the magic in simple moments when a child peers in the mirror to unintentionally come upon his smile, where kittens nap in boots, fairy hugs feel good, mice delight in reading books, and January snowflakes taste yummy.

Twenty whimsical poems warm the heart and inspire cheer; a collection enticing both the young and seasoned reader to explore the enchantment of the wonderful world of poetry.

Publisher: Handersen Publishing

ASIN: B0BJNT69WG

ISBN: 1647030757

ISBN-13: 978-1647030759

Print Pages: 28 Pages

Purchase a copy of The 20 Little Poems for 20 Little Gnomes on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, or Bookshop.org. You can also add this to your GoodReads reading list.

About the Author

Raven Howell writes stories and poetry for children. Having published several award-winning picture books, she enjoys sharing her love of literature by visiting classrooms and libraries. Raven is Creative & Publishing Advisor for Red Clover Reader, served as Poetry Director for Monster Magnificent, and writes The Book Bug column for Story Monsters Ink magazine. Her poems are found in children’s magazines such as Ladybug, Spider, Highlights for Children, Humpty Dumpty, and Hello Magazine. She’s an editor, and collaborating author for Reading is Fundamental SoCal.

When not writing, Raven enjoys sunshine and the beach, spending time with her family, hiking, laughing, reading, goofing around with artwork, and inventing new recipes.

You can find her on: 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/atpearthkeeper

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atpearthkeeper/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RavenHowellAuthorandPoetPage/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/pickward/_saved/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raven-howell-5a813015b/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ravenhowell22