KidLit Craft is back with another Snack-Sized Author Interview. In this series, we ask authors five quick questions that give us insight into their craft and process. Today we’re talking with author Serena Gingold Allen.

Serena is the author of the board books Moonlight Prance and Sunrise Dance. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and children and always finds time to explore the outdoors. 

Welcome, Serena!

Question 1: What's your writing superpower?

I'm great at getting a first draft written quickly (at least for board books and picture books).

Question 2: What’s an element of craft you explored in your latest project and what tips can you share with other authors for growing in their use of that particular element?

With my latest picture book project, I looked at my use of scene elements (dialogue, action, interiority/internal thought, description, exposition, back story, summary) by highlighting them with different colors (thanks to Anne-Marie for explaining this in her MG writing class!). I was then able to see that I had used way too much summary and back story at the beginning. Then on my next revision, I added in more action, dialogue, and a little interiority to strengthen my story. I hadn't ever delved into scene elements in a picture book with this much intention before and it was really illuminating. 

Question 3: If you could travel back in time, what advice would you give yourself as a new author?

Even though it can be intimidating to share your work with others, particularly when you're starting out, find and join a critique group. It's important to find a good match, so keep trying out new ones if the first one you try doesn't work. I wouldn't be the writer I am today without my critique partners! 

Question 4: What inspires you as a writer?
Kids (particularly my own)! I think about books I'd love for them to read and then I write them. My board books were inspired by wanting to read interesting books with high-level words to my infant son.

Question 5: What’s one book you think every kidlit author should read?

Oh boy, that's the hardest question! I think going back to well-loved books from childhood and studying them to see what makes them magical to you can really strengthen your writing. So I'm going to break the rules and share several books that I loved and reread innumerable times as a kid: Pippi Longstocking (Lindgren), Little Women (Alcott), Baby Island (Brink), and The Secret Garden (Burnett).

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