Featured Interview With Wendy Knuth
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born and raised in San Diego, California. I currently live in Arizona with my husband, the old, bald guy, and our two boys. We have a dog named Tucker, who was the inspiration behind the zombie dog, Wolfbag, but there is no resemblance. My boys and I enjoy making youtube videos aimed towards the younger audience.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I started reading at a very early age and as a parent I am still a strong believer in early reading. We didn’t used to have 24 hour a day television and therefore we actually played outside a lot, and read a lot. I’m dating myself, but those were the days before cable tv and the internet, let alone video games and cell phones. Can you imagine!? I also started writing at a very early age. I requested a diary for Christmas one year and couldn’t wait to get it. Keeping a diary is an interesting thing, because reading it 20 years later almost seems as if you are reading someone else’s work. I can hardly remember most of the entries I made at an early age, let alone later ages, even though it is/was a day to day, first-hand account of goings-on. Very odd feeling.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Since I’ve written a children’s book, I’d have to say that I am inspired by authors who lay out a story that inspires not a lecture, but discussion, no matter how light-hearted it is. There are really too many authors to name. I also highly recommend reading numerous genres, as well as visiting the library and letting the little ones choose books for themselves, in addition to the ones adults choose to read to, or with, them. I also really enjoy books that include subject matter either in the wording or the pictures, or both, that have a little something for different ages. That way, both children and adults can enjoy them (and therefore enjoy them better together) and the book can be read again with new finds you didn’t catch the first time. For great examples on this I would have to turn to the movies and recommend Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Finding Nemo as great examples of what I am trying to convey.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
The book I have written is called Moore Zombies: The Search for Gargoy. It is a 34 page children’s book illustrated by Brian Allen of flylanddesigns.com. Brian Allen’s drawings are amazing – check out his website! This is a good looking zombie family, with nice zombies who are afraid of humans, including: Baby Zom (small and strong with a cute little bow next to her partially exposed brain), Kamper (dirty little boy who likes to camp and say goofy things), Broheimer (preppy boy zombie who is very smart, as he is an avid reader) and Gothina (teenage girl zombie who is into Goth, and critter-inspired fashion). These kids love tomato juice and have a stay-at-home Mombie. This book took me approximately two months to write, and about 7 months to have illustrated. I did change some of the writing during the illustration process since I felt it would go better with the pictures.
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