I am delighted to feature author Catherine Ciocchi on the blog today! Her new book, SCIENCE MATTER AND THE BASEBALL PARK, (illustrated by Chantelle and Burgen Thorne, Gnome Road Publishing), combines a clever rhyming text with layered science information. Read on as Catherine shares her inspiration, and her thoughts about stories . . . creativity . . . and connection. Welcome, Catherine!
STORIES – Discuss the inspiration for your ideas and stories, and share the process about your latest projects.
It’s hard to say exactly where my inspiration comes from. Some of my manuscripts are science based (including my two picture books) and that comes from my science teaching. My wheels are always turning, trying to come up with ideas on how to convey information in an interesting way. I research what is being taught in science on the elementary level too. But some of my manuscripts are not science based and with these I may start with a fun title and work it into a manuscript. Watching the world go by and paying close attention also inspires me. Personal experiences do too. My ideas for Science Matter and the Baseball Park could have come from my sports filled life with my husband and three sons who were all athletes. I continue to write, share critiques, revise, and submit. That’s my ongoing process.
CREATIVITY -- How do you showcase your creative side through writing/illustrating and other pursuits?
I incorporate a lot of rhyme in my teaching. I give students a nonfiction rhyming piece for almost every unit and leave out the rhyming words. Some love this. In the end, they have their notes to put into their binders. I create promotional material for my social media. I also generate pretty good emails. Lol.
CONNECTION -- How do you connect to your young readers through your writing/illustrating, and how do you stay connected to the KidLit community?
Interests and real-life experiences must be considered when writing for any reader. For the littles, I write what’s familiar to them and make learning fun with sneaky teaching. I stay connected to the Kid lit community with my membership in SCBWI and The Children’s Writers of the Hudson Valley. I am on the conference planning committee and get to meet lots of writers, editors, and agents. I belong to a couple of critique groups and social media also keeps me connected.
CATHERINE'S BIO:
Catherine loves living in the beautiful Hudson Valley, New York. When she’s not teaching high school Earth Science or writing, she spends time with family and friends. Catherine enjoys a great view, the changing seasons, and the night sky. Her husband and three grown sons have brought her immense joy with daughters-in-law, and two precious granddaughters.
CONNECT WITH CATHERINE:
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