Post date: Feb 16, 2016 2:08:04 PM
Charles Ghigna (Father Goose) interview with David Alan Binder
From his website: Charles Ghigna - Father Goose® lives in a tree house in the middle of Alabama. He is the author of more than 5,000 poems and 100 award-winning books from Random House, Disney-Hyperion, Time Inc., Scholastic, Simon & Schuster, Capstone, Boyds Mills, Abrams, Orca, Charlesbridge and other publishers.
Website: www.FatherGoose.com
Blog: http://charlesghigna.blogspot.com/
Twitter: FatherGooze
Good Reads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/119850.Charles_Ghigna
• How do you pronounce your name?
Pronunciation of Ghigna: GEEN-YA with a hard G. Here’s a link to the pronunciation of Ghigna: http://www.teachingbooks.net/pronounce.cgi?aid=5467
• Where are you currently living?
Homewood, Alabama
• Where would you like to live?
Right here in Homewood, Alabama. When I tell people that, they often look at me like I’m crazy. They say, “You’re a writer. You can live anywhere you want?” I always reply by nodding and saying, “Yes, you’re right! I could live anywhere. That’s why I live in Alabama.” ;-) Alabama is truly a well-kept secret. I’ve traveled all over the world and I always come home grateful to live where I do. Alabama has some of the friendliest people I’ve ever met. Alabama also has a rich diversity of people and places. Our mountains and rivers and lakes and beaches are some of the most beautiful in the world. I live in a treehouse in the middle of Alabama, the perfect place to write, to dream, to live.
My “treehouse” is the attic of my 1928 red brick Tudor home in Homewood. I’ve been climbing the stairs into my treehouse each morning for more than forty years. By the time I’m at the top of the stairs, I’ve entered into my “what-can-I-get-into-day” mode. I turn on my computer, sit back in my chair, look out the window at the treetops, and let my imagination run wild.
• Why did you start writing?
I wanted to grow up to be a major league baseball player. I played baseball all through school and received a try-out with the Pittsburg Pirates in 1964. I’m still waiting to hear from them. ;-) In the meantime, I’ve been writing a few books. The truth is, I wrote my first poem for a girl in high school. She gave me a kiss — and in that moment I realized the power of words. I haven’t stopped writing since.
• What is the most important thing that you have learned in your writing experience, so far?
The magic power of language and communication are integral parts of our lives, as important as eating, sleeping, and breathing.
• What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?
I often begin writing with just a glimmer of an idea, a mood, a setting, a character — and let them take me where they want to go.
• Tell us your insights on self-publish or use a publisher?
Publishers pay their authors an advance against royalties and a royalty check every six months based on sales. I’m not sure who pays you to self-publish. Publishers edit, design, promote, publicize, market, and distribute your books. I’m not sure how that works in self-publishing.
• Who is the name of your publisher and in what city are they?
My publishers are Random House, Time Inc., Disney, Hyperion, Scholastic, Simon & Schuster, and Abrams. They are all located in New York. I also write for Capstone located in Minnesota and for Orca located in Canada.
• How did you acquire an agent? Any tips for new writers on getting one?
I do not have an agent.
• What are some ways in which you promote your work?
My publishers usually do a good job of getting the word out about my new books. I also sometimes agree to do book signings and school visits. I was recently taken dragging and kicking into the world of social media. That seems to help get the word out to family and friends about my new books.
• Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
I have a little black book that I keep in my desk. It has all the information and ideas for all the books. I pull it out each morning, open it, pick out a new idea and begin. He said with his tongue in his cheek.
• Do you have any suggestions or helps for new writers?
Read and write every day. Look inside. Listen to your own voice that says “Listen to this.” Write in a whisper as though you are telling a child a secret. Avoid the babble about the latest trends and how to curry favor with agents and editors. Use that time to write. Writing is a solitary art. It takes time and patience, and a love of language, and a storyteller’s heart.
For beginners who think they want to be a writer, I would suggest writing every single day for at least an hour. Write for two weeks without stopping. Then stop. If you can. If you can’t, you’re a writer. And no one no matter how hard they may try will ever be able to stop you from following your writing dreams. Enjoy those dreams. Follow them. Make new ones. Write of your passions, your loves, your fears, your joys. Share them.
• How many books have you written?
I was told I have written more than one hundred books. I celebrated that milestone more than a year ago. I’ve since lost track of how many new ones. I just keep writing … as long as I can.
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