Friday Feature: Journeys Toward Publication and Beyond: Kelly Polark

I am dancing around the room with excitement to introduce you to Kelly Polark.   She's a wonderful blogger, writer, mom, and someday she's going to teach me to dance so I no longer embarrass myself!  Seriously, she's my number one pick of blogging friends to go clubbing with.  And, she might just be the next big singing sensation. She's just one of those people who you know that if you needed something, you could rely on her.  I'm so glad she's in the blogging world!  


Kelly, thanks so much for stopping by to do this interview!  Please, tell us a little about yourself.

I am a Midwestern married mother of three. I used to teach grade school, but have been fortunate enough to stay home with my children for the last ten years. I am easing myself back into education by substitute teaching occasionally. I have written manuscripts in the genres of poetry, picture books, and chapter books. I love to laugh. My entertainment of choice is a rock concert (where I sing at the top of my lungs)!


What are you currently working on?


In the last month I finished final revisions and the query letter for a chapter book titled, "Rock 'n' Roll Princesses Wear Black." I adore my main character! I have recently sent out a query to a few agents. I was honestly sweating when I hit send. While I anxiously await a response from agents, I want to work on a few magazine submissions and revisit a collection of poetry I started last summer.


What made you start to write seriously?


I've been a stay at home mom for 10+ years. About four years ago, I felt I needed something extra to stimulate my creativity. As a former teacher and a mom who loves to read to her children, I wanted to be a part of the world of children's literature. I joined SCBWI and started taking online writing classes and went from there.


What stage are you at, currently, in your journey toward publication? And--how is that going for you? Has anything surprised you about this stage?


I queried a few agents for the first time ever, and it is nervewracking. I have researched various agents and query letters for many weeks now. My critique group has helped me strengthen my story and my query letter. I sometimes find it surprising when my critique group suggests something to change and I think, "Why didn't I think of that?!" It is so beneficial to get feedback of your work from a variety of people.


If you had to pick one favorite blog, what would it be?


I have many blogs that I enjoy for different reasons, but my favorites are probably ones that make me giggle because I can be immature like that. I really enjoy the supportive blogging/writing community.


What is a favorite blog post that you have written?


I don't have a particular favorite, but the ones that have gotten the most traffic by far are the two where I posted a video of me dancing. If you make a fool of yourself, people will come see it! 


Come to think of it, my personal favorite is a post about my children's answers to questions I asked them about me. Some were so darn cute!  If you have small children, do this and save it for giggles later!  I printed their answers and have it in a keepsake box.


What online resource have you found most helpful?


I learned about Verla Kay's message boards at a local SCBWI meeting, and I have learned more there about writing and the publishing business than anywhere else. I continue to learn from different blogs on a weekly basis!


What has been your biggest trial in writing?


Making time to do it. I really need to make a schedule and stick to it.


What tricks have you acquired to make you write or create when you don’t feel up to writing?


I put on some Avenged Sevenfold or Motley Crue, headbang to a song, splash my face with ice water, go outside and run around the house once and sit down with my notebook and the ideas just start coming. I'm just kidding, I have no tricks except sometimes I set it aside for a few days (even a week) and go back to it and just make myself do it. I dreaded making a few major changes to my manuscript after my writing group critiqued it, but once I sat down to do it, it was much easier than I thought!


Tell us about a book that has impacted your writing life.


I would say "Where the Sidewalk Ends" by Shel Silverstein made the biggest impact on my life. I have read that book so many times as a child and an adult. I have several poems memorized from childhood. He is the reason I love poetry (and I really liked his Playboy articles as well...just kidding!).


What is your practical goal with your writing? Do you have a reach-for-the-stars goal that you would like to share?


Last year my practical goal was to be published in magazines. I was very happy to reach that goal in a variety of magazines. This year's goal is to get an agent that loves my work and sells my book! My reach for the stars goal is to be on a daytime talk show for my book. There are so many stay at home moms that watch those shows (though I have to say I don't as much anymore as I did when I had infants). Why don't they cater to these moms with interviews with children's authors and book recommendations for children? Like once a week for five minutes?? And I'd love to hype my book on The Soup on E!, because it's my favorite show (and I don't even think they hype books on it, but this is my reach for the stars dream).


So far, what has been the best part of your writing experience?


I feel very satisfied when I finish a manuscript, and it is submittance ready. Acceptances (on magazines so far) are fulfilling and help boost my confidence, but I have to say the supportive writing/blogging community is pretty freaking awesome. I sure do like my blogger buddies!


If you could be a character in a book, and live within their world, what character would you be?


I love my life and wouldn't want to be anyone else ever. And I am a very cautious person so would not have any sort of crazy adventures like in many books. I know, I'm a chicken!


What are the other distractions in your life?


My family (not exactly a distraction, but my main focus in life!), Facebook, and the pile of laundry I'm ignoring right now.


And, just because I’m curious, coffee or tea?


I dislike coffee. My morning beverage of choice is a small OJ and a small chocolate milk or skim milk. But I do enjoy green tea occasionally too!


Thanks Kelly!  You are so right about the daytime talk show thing.  That's an untapped market of moms!   Everyone, show Kelly some love by leaving her a question in the comment section--she'll be stopping by to answer them.  And, make sure to visit her blog on the way out.  You won't be disappointed!  


And, after that, I'd love it if you stopped by Casey's blog, Literary Rambles.  Jon, Tina, and I are there to discuss the newest internet sensation, W.I.B.I.J.?!.  Everything you wanted to know (and more).