Six Questions with Cathy Ogren
Before becoming a full-time writer, Cathy Stefanec Ogren was an elementary school teacher, working with second and third graders. Her final years in education were spent as a school librarian, where she was passionate about introducing new and diverse books to her students. Cathy believes in writing books that children can use as magical tools to spark curiosity and imagination and teach them about the world. She is the author of the picture book Winter Solstice Hill, The Little Red Chair, and the humorous non-fiction picture book PEW! The Stinky and Legen-Dairy Gift from Colonel Thomas S. Meacham. Visit her website to learn more about Cathy and her work, or find her on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cathy.ogren
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cathyo.likes/
Twitter/X: https://x.com/CathySOgren
1. How did you begin your journey as an author?
When I was young, I loved reading and creative writing. I wrote plays that my friends and I performed for our parents. As time passed, I continued to write plays and poems, which I kept in a file. During my teaching career, I found success writing for educational and children’s magazines. I took time off from teaching when my daughter was born. I read lots of books to her. It was then that I decided to try writing a children’s book. I took a correspondence course in children’s writing, wrote an early reader, and sent it off to a publishing house. Imagine my surprise when an editor called and said they wanted to publish my book. I thought I was on my way…or was I?
2. What has helped you build resilience along the bumpier parts of your path to publication?
After my first book was published, my husband was transferred from the Midwest to the East Coast. My daughter was a full-time student, and I went back to teaching. Years passed with no more book sales. I went to writing conferences, worked on my craft, and collected numerous rejections. I adopted the mantra NEVER GIVE UP. At a conference, an editor who eventually became my agent saw potential in my writing. As my agent, he secured a two-book deal with a super publishing house. Between 2008 and 2010, the children’s book market took a slow dive, and so did my two-book contract. I was devastated, but I didn’t give up. Writing for children is my passion, and I was determined to find success.
3. What’s one lesson you learned the hard way in your publishing journey?
I’ve come a long way since my first book came out. I’ve learned that the publishing industry can be finicky. There are ups and downs for everyone. One editor may love your writing while another may think it’s not good enough to pursue. It takes patience, and you can’t be upset by rejections. It may mean it was not the right editor/agent to champion your book. Or it may mean that you should take another look at your manuscript. Is it the best it can be? If you have a passion for writing for children, keep honing your craft to achieve success.
4. How was the editorial process? Did you do any revisions? Did you have a lot of collaboration with the illustrator?
My editor was a dream to work with. She had a great vision for the book and was very supportive of my input. There were revisions, but nothing major. Some dialogue was cut that the editor didn’t think was necessary. Text was changed in certain places for clarity reasons, or text was moved to another page because it didn’t match the illustration. These revisions made the story so much better. My collaboration with the illustrator was through my editor and art designer. The editorial process was seamless.
5. Were there any scenes you had to cut that you wish you could’ve kept?
Some dialogue was cut or edited, which helped to tighten the manuscript. Two scenes were also cut that I wish I could have kept. One was where Ella decorates a pine tree with pinecone birdfeeders that she made as a gift to the birds. The other was when Gramps brings out a thermos of hot chocolate as a warm-up before cutting down a holiday tree. I believe the editor wanted to keep the story focused on the relationship between Ella and Gramps and felt these scenes didn’t move the story forward.
6. What was the most challenging thing you faced while writing/researching this book?
I think the most challenging thing I faced while writing is word count. I tend to get carried away with words. My first draft is always too long. I’ve learned to step back and take a hard look at what is needed or not needed to create the story I want to tell. Word choice in your manuscript is important. Unnecessary or frivolous words or phrases need to be removed while keeping the heart of your book.
Are you a traditionally published picture book or middle-grade book creator who would like to be featured on the Six Questions blog? Email us and we'll get you on the schedule.
Comments