Inspiring My Nieces on How I Became an Author
Written By Savvy Auntie Staff Writers
By Courtney Sheinmel, STELLA BATTS Books Series
Feature Image: Courtney and her two nieces (at right) attending a school book event.
To celebrate the release of STELLA BATTS #5: WHO’S IN CHARGE? I agreed to be interviewed by the girls who inspired the series—my nieces, Sara (age 10) and Tesa (age 7).
Sara: How old were you when you started writing?
Courtney: It’s hard to remember because it was soooooo long ago, but probably around 4 or 5 years old. And before that, when I didn’t know how to write, I made stories up out loud.
Tesa: What did you write about?
Courtney: When I was a kid, I wrote a lot about sisters—they would fight, they would make up, they would need to stick together to get through something tough. Kind of like Stella and Penny in the STELLA BATTS series. So you can see, not much has changed!
Sara: What books did you like to read when you were 10?
Courtney: I read a ton, but my favorites were the books in The Babysitters Club series—especially ones that centered around my favorite of the babysitters, Stacey McGill. She was from New York and very fashionable. I would study the outfits she wore in the books and try to recreate them when I got dressed for school.
Tesa: What about when you were 7?
Courtney: Anything by Judy Blume—especially the books about Fudge.
Sara: How did you decide to be an author and what do you like the most about being an author?
Courtney: Since writing was always one of my favorite things, I took as many writing classes as possible in high school and college. But then, I went to law school. At the time, a bunch of my friends were going to law school. It seemed like a good idea. And suddenly there wasn’t as much time for writing stories. I studied hard, took the bar exam, got a job. But I really missed writing. If anyone asked me what my long term career plans were, I would still say I wanted to be a writer. One day I realized in order to make that come true, I actually had to start writing again. And so I did—I wrote my first book, MY SO-CALLED FAMILY, on the weekends. When I got a book deal, I left the law firm behind. So my advice to both of you is: follow your dreams. If it is your dream to be a lawyer, then I will be cheering you along all through law school! But if it is your dream to do something else—practice medicine, sing, dance, paint, be a zookeeper—then go for it. Don’t turn your back on what it is you really want to do, until you’ve actually tried it.
There are a lot of things I like about being an author, but the thing I like the best is being part of a community of writers. When I stopped working in an office, people said to me, “It might get hard not having colleagues around. You might get lonely.” There are a lot of things that make writing hard sometimes, but loneliness is never, ever one of them.
Tesa: What made you write the STELLA BATTS series?
Courtney: You did! You and Sara! I’d written a few books for older kids and teens, and Sara suggested I write something for kids her age—she was 7 seven years old at the time. That’s why the first book is dedicated to both of you.
Sara: Why did you dedicate the “wall of sweets” to Stella’s sister?
Courtney: I thought it would be nice to have something for Stella’s younger sister in the book, since Stella has her own line of fudge.
Tesa: Did you put the sweets in the book because they are your favorite?
Courtney: Actually, I will tell you a secret. I don’t really like candy! Except for chocolate, which I LOVE. But I don’t like gummy sweets, and I don’t like gum, and I only like two different flavors of jellybeans. That’s why I also write a lot about fudge—Stella’s favorite is mine as well. (And I just realized Fudge was the character in Judy Blume’s books who I liked best. Coincidence?)
Anyway, thanks for the questions, girls! You are my favorite sweets of all!
Courtney Sheinmel grew up in California and New York, graduated magna cum laude from Barnard College, and Fordham University School of Law. After working as a litigator for several years, Courtney decided to focus on her first love: writing. She is the author of My So-Called Family, Positively, Sincerely, All the Things You Are, and the Stella Batts series for young readers. Visit her online at www.courtneysheinmel.com.
Photo: Courtesy of Courtney Sheinmel
Published: October 1, 2013