Peggy reveals her secrets for success.

It’s a delight for me to introduce Peggy Tibbetts. Though Peggy and I have never met personally, we have long shared the email route to one another. Peggy is a multi-faceted woman who never tires. She has not only authored two books, Carly’s Ghost and Rumors of War, but is also Contributing Editor for Writing World and WP World Muse. She is very active in her online writer’s group and is always ready to lend a helping hand to the novice writer. Peggy’s home is in Silt, Colorado.

RP: Again, it’s a pleasure having you, Peggy. I’d like to begin with your book Carly’s Ghost, which, by the way, I enjoyed very much. Carly and Jackie are sisters whose sibling rivalry creates a battlefield within their new home. Is this something you dealt with as a young girl?




RP: Ghost stories have always maintained immense popularity in Children’s Literature. Why do you think that is so?



RP: Is it true and you and your husband lived in a cabin similar to Carly’s and endured the same ghostly sensations such as cold drafts, slamming doors, and strange footsteps? Was Carly’s Ghost was born out of that experience?




RP: With Carly’s Ghost being geared toward a younger audience, was it difficult for you to find that happy medium between “scary” and “not so scary”?



RP: Carly’s fears and insecurities were driving factors in her personality. Could you offer the readers some advice as to how you allowed Carly to transform from that fearful, insecure girl into a courageous girl without changing the person as a whole?



RP: Your book, Rumors of War, took a giant leap away from children’s literature. What made you change direction to this fast-pace conspiracy set during the Gulf War?



RP: Peggy, you’ve developed quite a writing résumé relative to children’s literature. I understand you began with a children’s column, Kid’s Korner for your local newspaper around twenty-five years ago, and went on to become an editorial assistant for a tourism publication. You have also acted as associate editor for a children’s history tabloid, associate producer of educational films, and associate editor for Children’s Magic Window Magazine. At present, you are a Contributing Editor for Writing World.Com with a column entitled “Advice from a Caterpillar.” Whew! Why have you always had a tremendous interest in children’s literature?





RP: Do you have a specific writing schedule that you try to adhere to?



RP: What projects are you working on now?



RP: Many people think writing for children is easy. How do you compare writing for children to writing for adults?



RP: Rejection is as common to a writer as blisters are to a gardener. Can you tell our readers how you deal with rejection?




RP: If you could offer only one piece of advise to a new writer, what would it be?



RP: Peggy, as always, you are a delight to work with. Thank you so much for your valuable time and I’ll certainly look forward to your next projects.

The interview with Peggy Tibbetts not only covers her middle-grade mystery, but her vast world of writing and publishing. Peggy is one busy woman. You don't want to miss reading this interview.