FirstTime published Author, Gailya Keller, Shares her Story about Her Book, The Secret of Smiley Woods

I am a first time author of the children’s book, The Secret of Smiley’s Woods.  I married my high school sweetheart when I was 17 and we are getting ready to celebrate our 23^rd wedding anniversary.  I have a wonderful 4 year old little boy who is the light of my life.  I am a bookkeeper by day and a writer by night, or midnight, or sitting at the stoplight.

Tell us about the genre of your work.

My published genre is children’s.  I am open to any direction which I feel led to create.

Why did you choose this genre?

I have always had the desire to create.  I am a huge reader and always seem to have a story line circling around in my head.  I was never able to figure out where to start to get what I had inside of me out.  I saw an advertisement for a children’s writing course and signed up for it.  My children’s book was derived from one of my first writing assignments.  Now that I am a mother, I seem to think and write more in that direction and genre naturally.

What are some of your books, stories that have been published?

At this moment, I have one children’s book, The Secret of Smiley’s Woods.

What ages do you direct your books?

The Secret of Smiley’s Woods is a 5 to 11 age group.  My next book, which has not entered production yet, will be a slightly older age group.

Can you tell us more about the book and where we may find it?

The Secret of Smiley’s Woods can be found online at my publishers website, Tatepublishing.com, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million.  The ISBN is ISBN 978-1-61663-771-2

Do your books have a teaching objective?  If so, what is it?

I believe the book shows you to always believe in yourself.  You never know what you can accomplish when you find yourself in any situation until you try.  Also, never judge other people, you never know where and in who you will find a special friend.

How do you come up with the names of places and characters in your books?  

With Smiley’s Woods, the main character is Sarah.  At the time I started working on this, one of my very good friends was named Sarah.  As I was writing the story, her name kept coming to my mind and was the only name who seemed to feel right. 

How did you develop the character/s of your in each of your books (If you have more that one)?

 I know this sounds horribly cliché, the they seemed to develop themselves.  As I was attempting to figure out the direction of my story, they just grabbed me from inside and led me along and when it was complete, I just sat there, wow! 

Is there a unique character or a recurring character if you have more than one published or to be published book? 

My primary character in The Secret of Smiley’s Woods is Sarah along with her brother Peter and their cousin Jason.  In my second book, Jason gets to have his own adventure, and I hope to write a third which will allow Peter to have a little fun himself.  If all goes well, we may get to visit with Sarah again in Peter’s adventure. 

What is your favorite thing about your book/s?

We all have fears and when you are a child, those fears can be so huge.  I love the way Sarah is able to face a large obstacle and keep pushing forward and finds out just how strong she can be.  We all need just a little Sarah in us.

Is your book illustrated?  If so, would you tell us by whom, and if you worked with an illustrator, can you discuss that experience?

My book was illustrated by a wonderful lady, Rebecca Riffey, in my publisher’s illustration department.  It was fabulous and so exciting!  I spoke with her several times and she really understood my characters from the very beginning.  She was excited about my book and that made the journey feel more personal.  She really cared about my book and that made it so much easier handing over my vision to her and knowing she was taking it in the direction it needed to go which, I believe, really enriched my book.

How is writing in the genre you write, different than other genre?

There comes such a responsibility when creating for children.  You really have to be careful in the content of your writing.  Children are developing at such a rate and the world it getting so harsh.  When writing for children, we need to create a story which will lift them up and be safe for them to read and enjoy and it is bonus if you are able to provide a lesson which will help them as they grow.

Are there any problems in getting children’s’ books published? 

Right now the market is so saturated; I think it is hard to get any genre published but children’s is pretty hard.  I never knew how many children’s books were out there until I started writing myself and after becoming a mother.  It is amazing there are enough publishers for us all.

Why and when did you begin writing?

I began writing when I was in high school.  I actually still have those stories in my someday file.  I was blessed to have a very special teacher who encouraged us to follow creativity in any direction it took us.

What is your writing schedule?

At the moment, being a mother to a very active preschooler, it is whatever moment I can find quiet and paper or my computer and am still awake enough to get the words out.  I keep a notebook in my purse, van and bedroom so I am able to get that paragraph or thought out fast.

What projects are you working on now, or plan for the future?

I have a second book at my publishers awaiting production.  It is following Jason, Sarah’s cousin as he embarks on his adventure.  I hope to start working on a third book which will allow Peter, Sarah’s brother to have and adventure also.

What kind of advice or tips to you have for someone who wants to write and get published?

Get a good set of second eyes to edit your work.  Don’t be afraid of change…sometimes it can be a really good thing and help your piece of work.  Stick with it.  No matter what, if you want to write, never give up.  It may take years, but the right publisher or magazine will come along exactly when it is supposed to.  Always surround yourself with a supportive group of people in friends or family.  Only take anything negative someone may say to heart enough to get better or grow but never enough to give up on your dream.

What do you do when you are not writing?

 I read as much as possible.  I am also learning I am not too old to get around the equipment on the playground.  The sliding board is still a girl’s best friend!

What “Made It” moments have you experienced in life?

I was at our neighborhood store and I saw a lady in there with her small daughter.  She pointed me out to her daughter as the “lady who had written her new book”.  The little girl looked at me with such awe, I felt 10 feet tall and pretty much floated out of the store.

Where can we learn more about you?

My website is www.gailyalenkeller.com

My blog is http://gailyalenkeller.blogspot.com/

My Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Secret-of-Smileys-Woods-Gailya-Keller-