Author, donor talks writing
Education students gain insight into writing a book
Joe Habbyshaw
Issue date: 11/8/07 Section: News
Oelschlager said she does most of her writing very early in the morning.
"It comes to me in the middle of the night; it's very weird," she said.
She also said she works in the early morning hours because her husband needs personal care and help running his company full-time.
"I write between four and six in the morning," she said. "I get up at four and try to write then because that's what I really love doing."
Another major part of her children's books is the artwork. A lot of her work is complimented by the art, she said.
"The hardest part is the pictures," she said.
Oelschlager has three artists, including her daughter, to illustrate her books.
She also said she adds jokes for adults in her books.
"In every one of my books I need a little bit of adult humor to keep them entertained," she said.
On the last page of Poppy, whose main character is a rooster by the same name, Poppy is forced to move back to a farm where Oelschlager said he would be happy.
"He's the only rooster in the hen house, all the hens are around him," Oelschlager joked at the end of Poppy.
Students in attendance were also treated to a preview of what Oelschlager has planned for the future.
Some of her latest works not yet in print include Made In China, Let Me Bee, What Pet Will I Get, Francesca and Big Blue. They are all children's books.
She joked, that Made in China may not be a go, because of problems with lead being found in toys coming from China.
Oelschlager told students who are interested in writing to go to their professors for help. She also said students should think about writing chapter books.
"There is a huge need for teen books," she said. "All my grandchildren are old enough now so they are like 'write a chapter book.'"
Oelschlager said she only writes books intended for 4 to 8 year olds.
Early childhood education major Ken Boston said he was glad he attended the presentation.
"She was very interesting and very encouraging with the group," he said. "To be honest, our early education teacher made us go, but I'm glad I went."
"It comes to me in the middle of the night; it's very weird," she said.
She also said she works in the early morning hours because her husband needs personal care and help running his company full-time.
"I write between four and six in the morning," she said. "I get up at four and try to write then because that's what I really love doing."
Another major part of her children's books is the artwork. A lot of her work is complimented by the art, she said.
"The hardest part is the pictures," she said.
Oelschlager has three artists, including her daughter, to illustrate her books.
She also said she adds jokes for adults in her books.
"In every one of my books I need a little bit of adult humor to keep them entertained," she said.
On the last page of Poppy, whose main character is a rooster by the same name, Poppy is forced to move back to a farm where Oelschlager said he would be happy.
"He's the only rooster in the hen house, all the hens are around him," Oelschlager joked at the end of Poppy.
Students in attendance were also treated to a preview of what Oelschlager has planned for the future.
Some of her latest works not yet in print include Made In China, Let Me Bee, What Pet Will I Get, Francesca and Big Blue. They are all children's books.
She joked, that Made in China may not be a go, because of problems with lead being found in toys coming from China.
Oelschlager told students who are interested in writing to go to their professors for help. She also said students should think about writing chapter books.
"There is a huge need for teen books," she said. "All my grandchildren are old enough now so they are like 'write a chapter book.'"
Oelschlager said she only writes books intended for 4 to 8 year olds.
Early childhood education major Ken Boston said he was glad he attended the presentation.
"She was very interesting and very encouraging with the group," he said. "To be honest, our early education teacher made us go, but I'm glad I went."
Be the first to comment on this story