Author: Judith K. Olsen

ISBN: 1598009990

Today, Norm Goldman, Publisher and Editor of Bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as our guest, Judith K. Olsen, author of I Can Hardly Wait.

Good day Judith and thanks for participating in our interview.

Norm:

Why did you feel compelled to write I Can Hardly Wait? Why do you think this is an important book at this time?

Judith:

I Can Hardly Wait deals with the issue of juvenile obesity, body image, and decision making.  I noticed that the topic of overweight youngsters is covered in the media, but I hadn’t seen a piece of juvenile fiction on the subject.  Everything I’d read was so negative and frightening!  It seemed to me parents and their kids wouldn’t gain much other than the fear factor from reading it.  Blocking out the topic seems easier.  I thought a novel presented in a more light-hearted manner might attract readers and promote discussion.

Norm:

What are your hopes for this book? How has the feedback been so far?
 
Judith: 

My hopes are to put it in the hands of kids, especially when there’s an adult to guide them through a discussion.  That’s why I’ve included a teacher/parent study and activity guide in the back.  Rather than simply reading the book and putting it back on the shelf, this helps extend the experience. Hopefully kids will see through Sammy’s eyes and discover that their weight issues might not be a major problem right now, but they certainly will be problematic in the future.  So far I’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback from school systems, and I’m in contact with several medical facilities. 

Norm:

I noticed that you have used a POD publisher (Print on Demand). Why did you take this route? Have you been satisfied dealing with a POD publisher?

Judith:

I spent a year trying to find an agent.  I’d been under the illusion that others would see the possibilities in this concept and immediately want to help me get it published.  I was dreaming.  Agents told me there wasn’t enough conflict… as if being 100 pound overweight isn’t a conflict in itself!  It seems they wanted a story about flying dragons or magical and mysterious events, and here I was presenting such a common situation.  Eventually I tired of rejection and decided to make things happen.  I evaluated many POD publishers and found Outskirts to present the most author control at the best price.  I’ve been very satisfied with them.  My publisher’s rep, Lisa, worked with me via e-mail.  Together we designed the cover and wrote the additional information such as the back cover.  The feeling of taking my book out of the first shipment did, indeed, make it all worthwhile.

Norm:

How did you come up with ideas for I Can Hardly Wait?

Judith:

I wanted to write a book that would address real problems real kids face in the real world.  I am a diabetic who has had the lift-threatening “scare” and had to change her life style.  I understand the problem and the process.  Somehow I thought presenting this idea to kids in a non-authoritarian and non-threatening manner might be helpful.  It may sound strange to say so, but I sat down one day at my word processor and typed in the first sentence, “I can’t decide if this is a funny story or a sad story, so stay with me here.”  From there on, Sammy took over.  I simply knew what he would be saying about his life and said it through his narration.  Silly?  Maybe, but that’s the way it was.

Norm:

Will you be using the Internet to promote your book and if so, how?

Judith: 

My book is on the Amazon and Barnes and Noble websites.  I have a website through Outskirtspress.com.  I located you through their marketing advice.

Other than that, I’ve mainly been concentrating on approaching local sources and sources I could reach via snail mail.  I’ve even offered to send a copy to President Clinton’s organization.  (Heaven knows he understands the problem and has paid the piper, so to speak.)

Norm:

You include some very detailed dialogues in the book between Sammy and Chubs. Where did that dialogue come from?

Judith:

Ah, yes.  I’m proud of my work with dialogue.  Where did it come from?  I taught middle grades and gifted kids for 40 years.  Their voices still ring in my ears.  Since I “retired” in 2000 I’ve continued to work in schools as a long term sub and/or a writing consultant.  I also have four grandchildren.  The weekend I started writing the book, my grandson Tom (mentioned in the dedication) was staying at the house.  He was about 15 at that time.  I’d write; he’d comment.  Many times he said, “No way.  Kids don’t talk like that!” and I’d change it.  Sometimes we’d contact one of the younger grandchildren for advice. When the book was in its first incarnation I had several former students read it.  They helped a lot.  Sometimes their help was just laughing at an appropriate place.  That told me I was on track.  I remember a girt who’s now a scholarship student at SMU cracking up over the exchange between Sammy and Chubs when they get into their smart alec comments about “Like I care.”  “Like I care if you care.”   Etc.  That laugh told me the dialogue was realistic.  Adults tell me the “voice” of the book is me… that reading it was “just like talking with Jude.”  I guess that’s what writers do.

Norm:

How did you approach writing the characters of Sammy and Chubs? Did you plan them out or did they evolve as you wrote the book?

Judith: 

I’ve pretty much pre-explained that.  I know those kids.  I’ve taught them.  In spite of what I always tell students about planning out your ideas first, I never did that.  The part about the gingerbread boy was added after I saw that picture that is presented on the cover.  How perfect!  Why hadn’t I thought of that before!

It’s such a great metaphor for how Sammy feels inside about his outside.  The book was constantly a work in progress.  Sammy pretty much told me what to say.

I’m like a ghost writer for a concept.  It was fun.  The original version was about 25% shorter.  Looking back I sometimes think I should have written more, but I wanted the book to be “readable” so kids of all reading levels would actually want to read it and not be put off by its size.  That’s why the font is large.

Norm:

What challenges or obstacles did you encounter while writing your book? How did you overcome these challenges?

Judith:

Other than those nasty agents?  Well, my husband didn’t like it.  That was a chiller.  Eventually I just joined the “what does he know” club and ignored his opinion.  He was reading Dickens when he was that age, so he isn’t familiar with kid lit.  I had let the book sit untouched for quite a while.  Then last Mother’s Day my daughter, who was teaching a 5/6 grade split class, asked me, “Hey, remember that book you wrote?  Can you print out a copy for me?  I want to read it to my class.”  That was the turning point.  Her class loved the book!  I was there the day she finished reading it and heard the discussion that followed.  It wasn’t about Sammy; it was about the kids and their families and social values.  Then I knew I had to get the book out one way or the other. 

Norm:

How did you celebrate your novel’s completion?

Judith:

I guess I may have had a little champagne when I finally held a copy in my hand.  I continually celebrate it and the rest of my life.  It’s still a work-in-progress until I get the book out on a larger scale.  Limited funds make this difficult.  Right now I’m working full time (doing a paternity leave for a new dad) so I am not real energetic when the day is done… but I’m doing what I can.  Look out, 2007!  I’ll be coming after readers!  Any suggestions are welcome!

Norm:

What is next for Judith Olsen?

Judith:

When my daughter (also in my dedication) read the book to her class, they had suggestions.  Some are incorporated into this final draft.  One of their “absolutely have to” suggestions was a sequel.  As you know, I sort of leave the reader hanging.  Does Sammy actually lose the weight?  There’s evidence to support an argument either way.  (Personally I won’t know until Sammy tells me.)  So I am keeping notes for another book.  The class also suggested that I write a “prequel.”  They were curious about how Sammy had gained weight in the first place, especially since his mom had lost weight and was trying to help him do so.

It would be great to be able to live off my royalties.  HA!  I’m still far from breaking even.  But every time a youngster tells me s/he enjoyed the book, or starts to talk with me about weight issues I know that’s the real pay-off!

Norm:

Is there anything else you wish to add that we have not covered?

Judith:

Oh, you know… I could go on and on.  It’s a subject near and dear to my heart.  It incorporates my personal mind and body as well as my profession, my family, my past and my future.  We could never cover it all.  I should really write a novel for adults … but it would  require too many disclaimers!

Thanks once again and good luck with I Can Hardly Wait.

Thank you for asking and for listening, Norm.  I never mind talking about Sammy and Chubs!

The above interview was conducted by:  NORM GOLDMAN:  Editor & Publisher of Bookpleasures.  Here are more of  Norm Goldman's Reviews

To read Norm's Review of I Can Hardly Wait CLICK HERE       

To read more about Judith K. Olsen CLICK HERE