Marilyn Singer
Linda Gallop
Winner of the National Council of Teachers of English Award for Excellence in Poetry, 2015, Marilyn Singer has written more than 100 books in many genres. An animal lover, Marilyn likes to look for critters in many places—and then write about them. She lives in Brooklyn, NY, and Washington, CT, with her husband, a dog, a cat, and two doves. Visit her web site: www.marilynsinger.net.
Interview
What was your favorite book when you were a child?
Fairy tales, poetry, All-of-a-Kind Family, Alice in Wonderland
What’s your favorite line from a book?
“We are such stuff
As dreams are made on, and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep.”—The Tempest by William ShakespeareWho are your top three favorite authors or illustrators?
Shakespeare, Dylan Thomas, Gerard Manley Hopkins
Why did you want to become an author or illustrator?
I’ve written poetry since I was a child. It always gave me pleasure. As I got older, I began to write prose as well. I enjoy research and basing non-fiction on that—often with a lyrical bent. But I also like to make up things out of my head, hence fictional picture books, short stories and novels. Versatility is important to me—I dislike being bored!
Do you have any advice for future authors or illustrators?
Read, observe, don’t procrastinate—write and rewrite.