Interview Kathe Gogolewski

by

Rebecca Grace

1) Tato sounds like an absolutely delightful tale for children. Where did you get the idea?

Tato is a fantasy adventure for children ages 8 to 13. I was teaching grade school when I started writing it, so the genre was a natural choice. The story evolved through a number of chats with my schoolchildren. It started one day when I called several students outside. “Let’s go, kiddoes!” That soon evolved into “kiddo potatoes” just because the words sounded funny together, and it made the children laugh.

One day soon after, some of the kids asked why I called them potatoes. I said, “Because kids come from potatoes.” No forethought there at all, but it took off.

“Well, then,” one smart kid said, “I’m a russet potato! See? I have brown skin.”

“Yeah,” said another, “I’m a white potato!”

“I’m a French fry!” said a clever third. “What are you, Mrs.Gogo?” they asked. I told them, “I am not a potato. Only kids are potatoes. I am an adult.”

“But you were a potato once, because you were a kid, too,” one doubtful child asked.

“Nope. I was born an adult.”

“Well, I think you’re a baked potato!” the French fry kid informed me. So they asked me more questions, and I invented this story about a kid who brought a potato to life with a magic formula as a way to explain how some people came from potatoes. That’s how Tato got started.

2) Why do you enjoy writing children's stories?

I am recently retired, but I’ve enjoyed teaching elementary school for many years. And I’ve often combined story-telling with teaching, especially if the topic is a dry one for the kids. It’s been a wonderful opportunity, over the years, to test my storytelling skills. Usually, their eyes tell me everything I need to know. I’ve had the opportunity to read Tato to at least 400 children over the past few years, which includes children from other teachers’ classrooms. I’ve received written feedback from the children that helped me feel that I was on track with the book. You can read some of their comments here: http://tri-studio.com/Whatkidsaresaying.html

3) What special qualities do you try to instill in your children's books?

Nice question. While I don’t want to preach to kids (they can smell that stuff a mile off!), I do want them to feel certain things through the interaction of the characters with each other and the events in the story. I want the story to tap their sense of compassion for others and to gather a feeling of hope and strength about how to deal with it. For example, in the story, the main character, a boy named Michael, loses his grandfather, Gankum, who was also his best friend. In the end, Michael is able to transcend his grandfather’s death through the idea that love lasts forever. The message is delivered through a lot of action and suspense. Michael and his sister and their little mascot, Tato, must battle giant spiders and shrinking doorways to overcome obstacles. Children are allowed to figure for themselves the final, good news message.

4) How many children do you have and what types of books do you try to get them to read?

I only have one daughter, Rose, who is now grown and making her own way in the world. She is twenty-four and one of my all time favorite best friends. When she was little, I read many books to her. I tried to gravitate toward the books that she liked. We read a lot of Berenstein Bears back then. She adored those stories. Plus, we read other favorites over and over, such as Good Night Moon, Dr. Zuess books, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, to name a few. When she was older, she read all the classics such as all the Roald Dahl series (Matilda, The BFG, The Twits, etc.), The Chronicles of Narnia, Cricket in Times Square, A Wrinkle in Time, Little House in the Big Woods, Harriet the Spy, Hatchet, On My Honor, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing… the list went on and on. I didn’t have to find books for her. She managed it well enough herself and read all the time.

5) What inspired you to start writing and how old were you?

I was staring out the window in my second grade classroom when the teacher caught me and asked what I was doing (as in why are you not doing your workbook?!). I told her I was writing a poem in my head, which was true. She asked me to stand up and recite it. Shaking like a leaf, I recited it to the class. Luckily, she liked it, and I didn’t get in trouble. She even had me copy the poem so she could display it. That’s what started my career. LOL! Writing keeps me out of trouble! I still remember the poem. Here it is:

Gentle spring wind

Flying through the trees

Gently flying past the busy bees

Whizzing your way through the tall green grass

Oh tell me of the things that you like to pass.

6) What were the first sort of stories or books you wrote? (fantasy, children’s, romance?)

Funny you should pick those three genres because I’ve written three books, one in each. The first was Tato. After that, I wanted to see if I could write a romance. The genre is so different from children’s, that I chose a pen name for myself, Ann Durand, so readers wouldn’t get confused. I just finished my third manuscript. This one is a fantasy/sci fi with romantic elements. You can find out more about them here: http://tri-studio.com/anndurand.html

7) You write both short stories and books. What do you like best about writing in each genre?

The obvious satisfaction for a short story is that I get to write the ending not long after I write the beginning. The satisfaction for a novel is when I am able to successfully weave all the different story elements together into one grand finale!

8) What kind of books do you like to read when you aren't writing?

I read in a wide range of genres, from action/adventure to biographies and everything in between. If it’s a good story, I’ll read it. My husband and I trade books a lot, so I get to read his books, which has broadened my interest in different topics and genres.

9) You've been an elementary school teacher. How has that helped you in your writing?

Teaching children anything means breaking a concept or lesson down to the most elemental steps in order for it to be clear. Writing needs to make sense to the reader, and through my teaching, I think I‘ve learned a lot about how to present ideas so that they are easily understood.

10) What would you say to beginning writers who are just starting out and want to specialize in writing for children?

I would advise them to read their stories to children or have children read them. It is vital to test your market, and children will let you know right away if they like it or not. You can read it on their faces. If you are asking for a written response, I think it’s important to tell them that the author wants to know the truth and allow them to feel safe about writing or telling what they think. If you’re around children, this process can be easy. If not, go find some, but ask their parents or teachers first. J

11) What else do you like to do besides writing? (hobbies, special interests)

I like to paint and draw. I am a muralist in San Diego County. My latest project was two wall-sized murals at San Diego Children’s Hospital. You can view them here:

http://tri-studio.com/KATHE.html

My other special interests include my family, of course. I live with my husband, Ray, and our cat, Ginger.

12) What are you working on for your next book or short story?

I am currently polishing Silver Gate, a sci fi with romantic elements, for publication. The next book will be a non-fiction project. I have a dear friend who has lived a life you wouldn’t believe. I would like to tell her story.

13) What would you like to write in the future?

I will see what sticks on the wall and go there.

14) Is there anything else you would like to tell your readers?

You’ve been very thorough, Rebecca. Thank you.

I would like to invite readers to visit my website if they haven’t already. Go to http://www.TRI-Studio.com Both Ann Durand and Kathe Gogolewski are me. It was the only way I could figure to separate two totally different genres! Click on Kathe Gogolewski to read an excerpt of Tato or listen to a short podcast.

Thanks, Rebecca, for the great interview questions!