Writers4Higher features Debra Katz

Welcome to Writers4Higher

The purpose of the Writers4Higher blog: to feature authors in a new light, a fresh look at the way writers use their talents and life energies to uplift humankind. Writers4Higher doesn’t promote religious or political views. Authors are asked to answer three simple questions: simple, yet complex.

This issue, Writers4Higher features

Debra Katz

Hi Debra. Welcome to the Writers4Higher family!

1.      Tell me about yourself. Your book(s), your life, your inspiration.

I am a speech-language pathologist by training, but I have always wanted to write. I began my writing journey by taking some classes in writing, joining a critique group with an eclectic group of writers, and writing a few essays and articles for local and professional publications. Eventually my writing interests became more focused on writing for children, and I have been honing my craft ever since.

 I connected with a critique group of three other children’s writers, joined the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, began attending workshops, and submitted picture book manuscripts hither and yon. While my rejection letter folder grew fatter, my acceptance folder remained empty, so I decided to try the children’s magazine market. Bingo! I sold my first rebus story, Jake’s Toolbox, to Highlights for Children. Since then, I have had over a dozen publications in Ladybug, Faces, and Story Friends, as well as additional publications in Highlights. I have recently had a short story published online by knowonder! (www.knowonder.com) and another short story, The Tooth Fairy and the Sandman, published in their 4^th volume of read aloud stories, Herman’s Horrible Day, which is available from Amazon in print or electronic form.

My inspiration comes from writing. You can ponder all you want, commune with nature, surround yourself with positive people and energy, but it takes putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) for that inspiration to translate into words and for those words to take the shape of a story. I’m continually amazed by what ideas take hold when I sit down to write.

2.      Where do you see your writing taking you in the future?

I am always working on a manuscript – sometimes several - and always submitting. I do not like rejection, but I don’t fear rejection, either. If I am not submitting, then there is no chance of getting published, so each rejection letter, while disappointing, is also a reminder that I am doing something to reach my goal. I am continuing to write picture book manuscripts, but also work on rebus stories, short stories, and the occasional nonfiction piece.

3.      How do you use your talents/time to help others?

I do a lot of editing of student reports for my job as a clinical supervisor at FSU’s School of Communication Science and Disorders. I’d like to think that I am helping my students become better writers. It doesn't matter if you are writing fiction, nonfiction or professional reports – good writing is good writing. I’ve also     done the occasional presentation to writer’s groups, but would like to do more of that, time permitting.

Would you like to find Debra?

Check out the links to this talented author:

Debra's Blog: Counting Words, Words That Count

 

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