|
|
 |
Ohio
Authors and Illustrators for Young People Home Page
Ohio
Authors and Illustrators A - Z
Ohio
Authors and Illustrators - Maps
Tracey E. Dils
What is your connection to Ohio?
I have lived in Ohio almost all of my life. I was born in Cincinnati, lived in Texas for a short time, and was raised in Granville, Ohio. I attended college in Wooster, Ohio at the College of Wooster. I currently life in Upper Arlington with my family. I also am the recipient of the Ohioana Award in Children's Literature
What inspired you to become an author or illustrator?
I decided to become an author because I wanted to inspire children to read--and to write. I decided to become a writer when I was only in third grade. When I was in high school, I won a national creative writing contest and was published in two magazines. Seeing my name in print inspired me even further. It wasn't so much because it helped my ego, although that was part of it. It was the idea that I had created something that would remain and be part of the world long after I was gone.
What advice do you have for a young author or illustrator?
James Thurber once said, "I am not a writer. I am a rewriter." One of the most frustrating parts of writing is rewriting and revising, but if young writers are to be successful, they need to realize that revising is the real work a writer does.
What do you like to do for fun?
For fun, I like to spend time with my family and to exercise. I also enjoy traveling--both in this country and abroad.
Some of your most popular books are:
- Mother Teresa (2001)
- Samuel L. Jackson (2000)
- The scariest stories you've ever heard. Part III (1990)
- The Exxon Valdez (2001)
- Young author's guide to publishers (1996)
- Words, words, words (1987)
- Annabelle's awful waffle (1995)
- Grandpa's magic (1990)
- A look around coral reefs (1995)
- Real-life scary places (1996)
