MEET THE AUTHOR: Jacqueline Guest: Award winning children’s author

Jacqueline is a Métis writer, the Métis people are one of the recognised Aboriginal peoples in Canada. The 60 year old has 18 published books for children. She lives in a log cabin nestled in the pinewoods of the Rocky Mountain foothills of Alberta. Jacqueline was in Tanzania last week for a one week workshop on writing children books where I managed to have a chat about her writing.

Her award winning books are unique in that many of the main characters come from different ethnic backgrounds including First Nations, Inuit or Métis.  Her well-drawn characters face issues common to every child such as bullying, blended families and physical challenges and are strong role models for today’s youth.  Jacqueline’s historic novels for young readers present Canada’s vibrant past as an exciting read every child will enjoy.  Her young adult mysteries address teenage problems in a sensitive way while still providing a great page-turner.

Why do you prefer to write children’s books?

I believe ensuring our children grow up to be success stories, begins with literacy.  Toward that end, we need interesting and engaging stories for them to read and I try very hard to create these type of books.

What inspired you to start writing for children? 

I have always been a reader and loved books from a very young age.  I know that books can inspire, educate and entertain readers, plus good stories give children a place to safely ‘escape’, where they can stand beside the hero as he takes them on exciting adventures.

Did you always know that you would do what you are doing now? 

No.  I always secretly wanted to be a writer, but life got in the way.  I had children to raise and bills to pay, and we all know being a children’s writer is not the highest paying job on the planet.  However, I never gave up on my dream, another important tip we need kids to understand, and after many years and eighteen books, I am now a full time writer. (Don’t tell my publishers, but I would write the books for free!  I love writing!)

What is your writing process? 

I create a thorough synopsis, then character profiles for the main characters and do lots of research to get the details right.  Ensuring accuracy in my facts is important. If needed, I create a chapter outline which really speeds up the actual writing process.  It allows me to see where my story is going and if there are gaps in my plotline. It also helps with pacing.

How do you balance your writing and your social life?

What social life????

Has your career affected your relationships in any way?

My first husband didn’t understand my writing. We divorced and now I am married to my soul mate.  He is the perfect husband for a writer. My husband understands my moods, passion, the need to spend hours in front of a computer, ignoring life until the chapter is finished. He encourages my need to track down every little detail to get the book right- the painstaking research, late nights, little pay and the travel where he is left at home while I get to come to fascinating places like Tanzania to help other writers achieve their dreams.

Why is it important that we have more writers of children stories?  

Our children are our future.  We need to make that future a bright one and success starts with reading.  I’m not going to last forever, but the books will still need to be written to continue to keep our kids reading.  The enthusiastic new writers are going to be the ones who create the books for the next generation of children. Organisations like Children Book Project (CBP) are so vital, and after spending time in Tanzania, I see how tirelessly others work to bring books and literacy to children.  It is people like these that make me want to work harder to write more books for our children.

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