A.E. Cannon (aka Ann Cannon) is the author of more than 10 books for children. Her latest book is “Sophie’s Fish,” a picture book for children ages 4 and up. Below is a complete transcript of Ann’s interview with Cracking the Cover.
Have you always wanted to be a writer?
At some level, I think so–although it didn’t really occur to me that people could actually be writers in real life until I was in graduate school. Before then I wanted to be something practical like an astronaut. Or a spy.
Once you did decide, how did you make that happen?
I started writing and sending things out. And out and out and out. I also followed through on writing opportunities that presented themselves–even when I wasn’t particularly interested (I wrote distributors’ manuals for MLM companies, for example. BORING!).
Why do you write for young people?
I love kids’ books. Love ’em! Also, I’m a ten year-old boy on the inside. (Either that or a thirteen year-old girl.)
You’ve written for all age groups in the children’s grouping (picture, middle reader, YA), which is somewhat unusual. Do you find it difficult writing to different reading levels?
Not really. I think I’d get bored if I wrote in the same genre over and over.
Where did the idea for “Sophie’s Fish” come from?
Check out this Trib story–I tell where the idea came from. But long story short, I babysat our neighbor’s fish and WORRIED the whole time that I would kill it. http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/lifestyle/54109107-80/books-fish-book-kids.html.csp
“Sophie’s Fish” makes me smile, in part because your humor is familiar to me. Is that something that comes naturally to you?
That’s nice of you to say, Jessica. I never set out to be funny, to tell you the truth–it’s just that I’m always interested in that chasm between how things should be and how they really are. That’s where humor resides–in that chasm.
Did you collaborate with Lee White on the illustrations?
No. It’s very rare for authors and illustrators to collaborate. Lee and I have never even spoken to each other, although we’d dropped one another friendly e-mails from time to time. I will say this–I think his work is FABULOUS!
Why do you think your books appeal to young readers?
Well, I hope they appeal to young readers. The humor helps, I think.
You have been a newspaper columnist for a while now. How does that differ from being an author?
Hmmmm. Well, the turn-around-time for columnists is MUCH shorter. Like, I write something on Thursday and see it in print on Saturday. You may not see a novel you’ve sold in print until two or three years later. By the time a book comes out, you may have forgotten how it ends . . .
Looking back, how has your writing evolved?
I’m not really sure. Sometimes I think I was a better writer twenty years ago than I am now. Is that a terrible thing to admit? I do think I have a more professional attitude about the job of writing than I used. I try not to rely on inspiration as much as I used to. I set myself daily tasks whether I feel like writing or not. And then I write. (Most days.) (Although not always.) (I still have diversion issues.)
Do you have a book that resonated with you as child?
I LOVED Little Women. I wanted to be Jo March.
What are you working on now?
A YA mystery. It’s been an adventure!