Writing "in the Zone"

Author Christy Mihaly on writing and on crafting stories for our youngest citizens about how our government works

Helping out super part time at a children’s bookstore is quickly becoming one of my truest pleasures. Some days no one comes in and I have the quiet fun of reading any (and every) book on the shelves, and other times the place is a mad-joy rush of children nosing through books, coloring at the art tables, or hopping around the story-time floor cushions. Occasionally, author friends stop in, and that is a special kind of fun because I get to have some lovely writing chat, and hear what they’re working on. The last happened one quiet Saturday when picture book author Christy Mihaly came by. Christy is a Vermont author who—most recently—has made quite a specialty of writing incredible picture books focusing on the workings of our American government systems. Two already out are: Free for You and Me, about the Constitution’s First Amendment and The Supreme Court and Us. How extra timely are books like these in a presidential election year, right? And how wonderful to know that our youngest citizens have access to gorgeously written books packed with facts about how our government systems work. Her latest book—coming out this month!—is called Our Congress, and part of that book celebration will include an event at my very own Inklings Children’s Books in Waitsfield, VT on September 14^th, 2024.

Recently, Christy gave very generously of her time to take part in my interview series. Thank you, Christy😊

What is surprising to you about being an author?

I used to think that being an author meant … writing. When I was new to the whole business, what surprised me was how much time I needed to devote to non-writing work: researching, pitching, looking for an agent, creating a webpage, blogging, networking, trying to figure out the world of editors and what they wanted.

Once I started publishing books, there were more surprises: first, how slow the publishing process was, then, how much promotion was required, how time-consuming it was to market books, how royalties really worked. I also learned that being a children’s author involves a great deal of standing up in front of crowds of kids and giving presentations. Who knew?

The other thing I used to think was that writing was a solitary business. Which it is – but I learned that making a book is a group effort. You need a critique group, an editor, an illustrator – each helps make the book better. The teamwork makes it fun. And related to that, I was surprised to discover the wonderful community of children’s book creators. I had no idea that being an author meant joining such a warm, supportive crew.

What does it feel like for you to sit down to write? Describe.

When I sit down to write, I’m always in search of that elusive “flow.” Sometimes, writing is a slow, painful slog. Other times, I do find myself in the zone. And it’s heaven!

I wrote a little ditty about this aspect of writing. The SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) print magazine accepted it for publication in 2019 or so. Soon after that, SCBWI stopped printing the magazine – so it wasn’t published after all. That’s the writing life, in a nutshell. Anyway, here it is:

Zoned Out

by Christy Mihaly

Feeling stuck, feeling crabby.

Writing muscles feeling flabby.

Had a concept; now it’s flown.

I can’t find my writing zone.

Ding! An e-mail: big rejection!

Now I’m feeling real dejection.

With my draft, I sit alone.

Time to find my writing zone.

Maybe I’ll revise this bit.

Would that be a better fit?

Chew my pencil, sigh, and moan.

I will never find my zone.

Wait …

Here’s a darling I can kill!

Cut more words! I know this drill.

Sit and write it—it’s well known …

That’s what gets you in the zone.

This is quite an inspiration.

Now I’m deep in cogitation.

What’s that? No—can’t get the phone!

Can’t you see? I’m in the zone.

~~~

Please share a favorite memory/experience of connecting with a reader

A reader’s mom – the cousin of a friend, someone I’d never met – took a photo of her daughter, taken on her school’s “Dress As Your Favorite Book Character” Day. She was dressed as the farmgirl in my picture book, Hey, Hey, Hay! She sent it to her cousin, who sent it to me -- I thought it was so darn cool.

How has the recent climate of book banning and challenges affected you? As a writer? As a published author? 

Book challenges affect us all, the whole country. To live in a place where some people can prevent other people from reading the books they want to read … it’s not right.

As an author, especially a nonfiction writer, I must write what’s true. I have a forthcoming book, Our Congress, that mentions that Biden won the 2020 election. When I wrote those words a few years ago, it didn’t occur to me that when the book was published in 2024, there would be so many loud voices insisting – falsely -- that Biden lost. Will the book be challenged? I don’t know. But I’m not changing the text.

One of my books has already been caught in the culture wars. My sweet little picture book, Patience, Patches! is on the 2023 Rainbow Book List. It tells the story of a new baby joining a family, from the perspective of a silly dog who doesn’t quite know what to make of the milky-smelling blanket bundle that his people bring home one day. With patience, the dog bonds with the new baby as the baby grows into his best friend.

The illustrations portray the parents as two moms. They’re a loving family, and Patches obviously doesn’t care or notice or mention the genders of his people. But some teachers have requested that I not bring Patience, Patches! to their classrooms, because they don’t want to get into trouble with parents or administrators. It makes me so sad for the kids.

Why are (or are not) paper books still relevant?

Picture books are irreplaceable. We cannot bring out our laptops and e-readers for a cozy bedtime reading with our little ones. Books, please. With gorgeous art.

And for the littlest babies – sturdy board books!

What question about being an author does no one ever ask, and what is your answer to that question?

Okay, here’s one: How do you write the dedication for a book?

Answer: I agonize over each dedication. The publisher doesn’t require the dedication until the book is about to be finalized, but I’m usually still trying to come up with something appropriate and just right at the last minute. I’ve dedicated books to people who have inspired me, my kids and grandkids, my agent, my dog, editors, and my mom.

I dedicated my book about the Supreme Court to a fourth-grade class (and their teacher). They helped me (remotely) with revisions. We had a great collaboration. I asked them what they knew and didn’t know about the court, and what they wanted to know. They asked great questions and provided helpful feedback. For that dedication, I sent the publisher revised wording – twice. But they made the changes – I think editors know dedications are weirdly important to authors.

Photo credit: Ronnie Buckman, Lancaster Elementary School, NH

Christy Mihaly writes for young readers because she believes that our best hope for the future is raising kids who love to read. She especially enjoys nonfiction, and has written more than three dozen books, including Hey, Hey, Hay! (A Tale of Bales and the Machines That Make Them) and WATER: A Deep Dive of Discovery. A former lawyer, Christy has penned numerous books about civics and democracy. Fall 2024 will bring the publication of her picture book OUR CONGRESS, illustrated by Doruntina Beqiraj. Christy also loves writing poetry for—and with—kids. She lives in Vermont where she enjoys walking in the woods and playing cello (though not simultaneously).

See more at www.christymihaly.com; follow her on GROG (http://groggorg.blogspot.com).

A book-ku about Christy’s Free for You and Me, Illustrated by Manu Montoya, Albert Whitman, 2020.

Charming rhymes; vivid

Illustrations bring life to

Our first amendment.