When did you first realize you wanted to become a Writer/author?
I was in the middle of earned my Master’s Degree in Reading. II was researching books about my culture (Italian) and realized that they were very limited. I decided then and there to add to the deficit!
Where do you get your ideas for your book?
My grandfather, Clarence passed away in 2012. He was so meaningful to my life and his death hurt tremendously. I wanted to honour him in a way that could celebrate our heritage and still remain relevant to children’s daily struggles.
What kind of things do you enjoy when not writing?
My husband and I have 3 boys 10 and under so they keep us very busy with sports and other activities! I am a committee member for the Italian Cultural Foundation in my hometown, which gives me a great source of pride. I also enjoy getting together with my family and friends as much as possible!
How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
“Clarence” is my first book and I will go guess it will be my favourite because it is related to my grandfather. I have another book in the works and will focus on it during the summer.
Do you have any suggestions to help others who have a passion for writing?
DO IT! Go for it! Don’t be scared! If you are passionate about your projects pursue them and don’t stop until you have that book in your hands. And even then, make it a best seller!
What do you think makes a great story?
In my mind, a great story is relatable and should leave you with new knowledge or a source of deeper understanding. In my book, I hope the reader sees that your true identify shouldn’t depend on what you look like on the outside. I hope that that this theme empowers each child who read this story to feel good about his or herself regardless of what others may think.
Which Writer/Authors inspire you?
Kevin Henkes was germane to my thought process as I wrote this book. He crafts his books with simple elegance so his readers can easily relate to the storyline and internalize it. His characters are adorably relatable and his illustrations draw the reader in immediately.
What are you working on at the moment?(optional)
What genre are your books?
Children’s Literature
What drew you to the genre you write?
I was teacher for 7 years and currently I am a Early Literacy Specialist. I love books and always have since I as a little girl. When I coach my teachers, Read Alouds are something that never get old for me because it gives the teacher a chance to model fluency and excitement for the student, which unfortunately doesn’t always happen at home.
Which Actor/Actress would you like to see portraying the lead character from your most recent book?(any book you like)
This was a hard question to answer so I asked my sons and they immediately agreed that it would be Casey Simpson from Nicky, Ricky, Dicky, and Dawn, which airs on the Disney Chanel.
Do you write full-time or part-time?
I write part-time. Between my full-time job, going to school, and my family, writing is difficult these days!
What is the hardest thing about writing?
For me, the hardest thing is figuring out what is going to draw the reader in and the problem of the story. It seems that I characters and surrounding events easily come to mind, but the problem can be, well a problem,
Any tips on how to get through the dreaded Writer’s block?
For me, I have to walk away and stop thinking about it for a while. When writing Clarence, I couldn’t figure out what object his Nonna would give to him. I took a break and watched a television show a few days later where the episode focused on a bell. Eureka! Before I knew it, the bell became a very important part of my story and Clarence’s anchor for “reflection.”
Do you read much, and if so who are your favorite Authors or genres?
Unfortunately, I don’t get a chance to read much besides literacy articles and curriculum companion guides. If I did get a chance, I would choose to read realistic fiction or biographies. One of my favorite books is Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson.
Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t included?
Thank you so much for interviewing me. I want to especially thank my publishers at Foundations, LLC and my Marketing Manager Toni, for all of her hard work and support. I also want to thank my family and friends for their constant support and encouragement during the process of bringing my book to life. This book is so very meaningful to me and I hope you enjoy reading it!
How can Readers discover more about you and your work? (please provide proper links)
www.stephaniebaruffi.com
www.foundationsbooks.net
https://www.facebook.com/slbaruffi/
https://www.instagram.com/StephanieBaruffi_author/
Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to take part in this interview 😊
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