Joyce, aged 8
Joyce now
Q. Where were you born & raised?
A. I was born in Connecticut, and spent summers at a wonderful camp in Maine. Even though I now live in Minnesota, I'm a Yankee at heart. I am the middle sister of three; we used to drive our parents crazy with our bickering (we're still good friends, though). My parents really believed in books and education, so we all worked hard in school. I only got detention a few times (for talking in class; I was kind of a blabbermouth).
My husband and I have two sons. Sons were a shock after living with sisters; it took me a while to get used to that superhero, sports-statistics stuff. They have lots of other non-sport interests, too: art and nature and film-making. Our sons are almost grown, but they still travel with us, if we promise not to be too embarrassing.
Q. How did you start writing?
A. Words came into my head, and I wrote them down. This started in grade school. Later, I kept journals (still have most of 'em). From early on, I felt compelled to write. I think a lot of writers are like this. Writing helps us understand the world; we'd be lost without it.
Q. Where do you get your ideas?
A. I firmly believe (lecture coming . . .) that everyone needs "pondering time." Time alone, without noise and distraction. This is when ideas come--when things sort themselves out, when you see visions and solutions. Not just for writing, but for life. My pondering time happens during walks in the woods, where I watch the seasons change and let my thoughts wander. The natural world sustains and inspires me. I could never live in a city for long.
Q. Why do you write poetry?
A. I really discovered poetry in high school, encouraged by a sympathetic teacher. Poetry is so vivid and sleek--like a racecar. No extra words. I love using image and metaphor; it's such a powerful way of explaining your thoughts and feelings (as in poetry=racecar). Poetry comes naturally to me. Storytelling is not so natural to me, though I hope some day to successfully write a novel.
Q. How many books have you written?
A. Almost a hundred. Really! Most of them are sitting in dusty stacks under my desk. How many are published? Eleven children's books, and several more in process, at the moment.
Q. What do you like to do when you're not writing?
A. I like to teach poetry-writing in schools. I also love to dig in the dirt and eat chocolate (not usually at the same time, though it has happened). I love poking around outside, identifying birds, insects, frogs. And on inside days, I like to read and snuggle with my dog.
Q. Are you famous?
A. Yes--to my dog. And to my children, on good days. And there's a lady I met at the library who says my poetry makes her cry (but I'm not sure if that's good or bad).
Further interviews:
Joyce's journey as a writer on Papp Media (audio)
Her "Newbery moment" at Class of 2k11 blog
Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast:
School Library Journal's "Under Cover":
The Miss Rumphius Effect:
Wild Rose Reader:
Cybils Awards:
Bruce Black's Wordswimmer:
Tracie Vaughn Zimmer's Poetry House:
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