TOGETHER WE RIDE written by Valerie Bolling
I love putting together blog post highlights about how debut authors conceived and created their first story. But it’s REALLY exciting when debut authors become multi-book authors, and I’m so pleased to welcome back Valerie Bolling!
Valerie is the author of another book called LET’S DANCE! and today she’s back to share how her second book, TOGETHER WE RIDE came to life with illustrations by Kaylani Juanita.
Valerie is an educator, writer, reader, explorer, and so much more!
Let’s go…
Valerie, thank you so much for agreeing to be part of the blog again. Could you tell us what sparked the story concept for TOGETHER WE RIDE?
TOGETHER WE RIDE was inspired by all the children I saw riding bikes when taking my daily “mental health walks” with my husband during the COVID shutdown of spring 2020. In particular, there was a five-year-old girl who had just learned how to ride a bike. Learning to ride a bike – without training wheels – is such an exciting milestone for children that I decided to write a story about that experience.
How long did it take you from that idea to the published book?
I wrote the first draft in April or May 2020. It was so long ago that I don’t remember. I signed with my agent, James McGowan, at the beginning of June 2020, and he immediately went out on submission with the book (originally titled BIKE RIDE). The book was acquired, at auction, in a two-book deal in July. Thus, that amounts to three – four months from idea to book.
Wow, that’s amazing! I think it might be a record (at least on this blog) of how fast from idea to book. Sometimes when the right idea strikes, it strikes hot! What was your revision timeline?
April or May 2020: Wrote first draft
April or May 2020: Revised two or three times with feedback from critique partners
June 2020: Shared with agent
What was the hardest part about revising for you?
Revision is actually my favorite part of the writing process. Perhaps the most challenging part was making sure the rhyme was tight and that all of the words rhyme with each other.
Rhyme is definitely a unique skill. Did you have that moment of “ah-ha!” during the process of writing?
It’s interesting that revision can occur very late in the process. When my editor, Elizabeth Lazowski, saw the text alongside the illustrations, she asked me to consider deleting a word. I agreed that it would make sense to do so and had an “ah-ha!’” moment that additional text could also be cut.
That’s really impressive, especially since every word is very precious. What are some tips that you have for people who want to write?
Read books in the genre you’re writing as well as books about craft.
Write as often as you can.
Revise even more often.
Become active in the writing community.
Make sure you’re part of a critique group.
Become a member of SCBWI.
Sign up for the 12 X 12 Picture Book Challenge with Julie Hedlund.
Stick with it (whether you’re agented, published, or not)! Don’t let rejections discourage you; let them fuel your efforts to continue to read, write, revise, repeat.
And now, the words from the draft..
Tears dried.
Decide …
Shrug-sighed.
Push, goodbyed.
Turn wide.
Bug-eyed
Pump, fly!
And a spread from the final published book!
Be sure to follow Valerie’s book news on her website (valeriebolling.com) and follow her on Twitter (@Valerie_Bolling) and Instagram (@ValerieBollingAuthor). You can purchase her books on Bookshop.org or her favorite Indie Store!