Marcia Berneger
Photo provided by author
Marcia Berneger is a retired teacher who lives with her husband and three crazy dogs. She currently teaches Torah school in addition to volunteering in classrooms, libraries and with various fundraisers. She loves the way books teach children how to navigate their world and soar. She lives in San Diego.
Interview
What was your favorite book when you were a child?
I loved the Pokey Little Puppy when I was young and The Abandoned (Paul Galico) when I was a teen. I also loved Nancy Drew and read all of them.
What’s your favorite line from a book?
“Can’t catches no mice!” It’s a line I keep tucked into the corner of my mind. It’s from The Abandoned, a novel about two cats, and is all about trying and persevering.
Who are your top three favorite authors or illustrators?
I love Patricia Polacco! I also like David Shannon and the illustrator of my book, Buster the Little Garbage Truck: Kevin Zimmer. (He is amazing!)
Why did you want to become an author or illustrator?
I’ve written stories all my life. As a teacher, I loved finding books that resonated with my students and helped them think deeply, solve problems and just enjoy reading. Combining that with my love of writing made becoming an author a logical choice.
Do you have any advice for future authors or illustrators?
Read, read, read! Read everything current in the genre you write in. Look for the parts that make you laugh, those that make you cry, or those that just sing out to you. Then write—without stopping. Turn your inner-critic off and get your ideas down on paper. There will be time to go back and polish your story. Find other writers and help each other with praise and suggestions. Don’t say you can’t. “Can’t catches no mice!”
