MoAA Interview #8: Erin Dealey

Erin DealeyErin Dealey is a bright star who shines in the same sky with me at the East/West Literary Agency.

She and I hit it off very recently because she manages the @EastWestLit Twitter feed…and I’m quite the prolific Tweeter myself.

Turns out, Erin was a Math major who graduated with a degree in English. I was a writer who got a degree in Chemistry. Two different paths…but with a very similar mind set! (And we both love Children’s Theatre…but what’s not to love?)

The more I learn about The Divine Miss Erin, the more I positively adore her. I have no doubt you will, too!

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Alethea Kontis: What’s the best thing about writing?

Erin Dealey: Not having to do report cards.

AK: What’s the worst thing about writing?

ED: I’m still correcting papers!

AK: Finish this sentence: Writing is like…

ED: …training a puppy.

Sometimes you think it’s so cute and clever.

Charlie

And sometimes you want to give it to the neighbor.

AK: If you could write anywhere in the world, where would it be?

ED: Hmmm…at Sharon Creech’s house? Wouldn’t that be cool? I’m a huge fan. Actually, I want to be Ms. Creech when I grow up–but I’m still in my Bloomability stage.

AK: Pick five words to describe your latest work.

ED: Kid’s table + holiday dinner = fa-la-la-frolic!

AK: Pick five words to describe you.

ED: (I had my family answer this one): optimistic, spunky, creative, dedicated, fun

OR: perspicacious, energetic, original, entertaining, and redonkulous

(They couldn’t decide…)

Deck the Walls cover by Erin DealeyAK: What’s your favorite type of tree?

ED: Apple–great climbing, healthy fruit, mmmm-delicious pies.

AK: What were you like in high school?

ED: Younger…

AK: If you could give one piece of advice (writing or otherwise), what would it be?

ED: For those who say they want to write a book someday: “Someday” is NOW.

AK: The Colin Harvey Memorial Question: What are 3 things you’d like to do before you die?

ED: You’re killing me here! Oh–wait–ok:

1. Finish all my projects!

2. Find the Dealey family in Ireland. (We’ve traced them to Abbeyleix.)

3. Be the best grandma ever. (No pressure, kid.)

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Erin writes in many genres, from board books to YA. Her picture books with Atheneum, Goldie Locks has Chicken Pox and Little Bo Peep Can’t Get to Sleep, have taken her to school visits as far south as Brazil and as far north as Tok, Alaska.

She is a Language Arts/ theater teacher with decades of classroom experience and has lived to tell about it.  In the summer, she’s “Drama Mama” aka the head of the theater department of Sugarloaf Fine Arts Camp, which is where she is right now. As a member of the Area 3 Writing Project (UCDavis), Erin leads writing workshops for teachers and students of all ages.

If you’re wondering why she looks familiar, Erin was co-Regional Advisor for SCBWI CA North/Central, and has presented at SCBWI conferences, reading associations, school library associations, and the California Kindergarten Conference.

If you’re still reading this (thanks!), you can find her full bio and Writer’s Rap at http://www.erindealey.com and Twitter: @ErinDealey.