Book Birthday Blog with Deborah Aronson

Welcome to SCBWI-MI's Book Birthday Blog! 

Where we celebrate new books by Michigan's children's book authors and illustrators

Congratulations to Deborah Aronson on the release of her new book, DRAGONS FROM MARS GO TO SCHOOL!

Q#1.  Congratulations on your newest book, DRAGONS FROM MARS GO TO SCHOOL! What can we expect from Molly and Fred in this book?

Thank you so much! In this book, Molly and Fred are attending school, where they have some initial difficulties getting along with the other students. When they display their unique abilities, they are accepted by their classmates with open arms.

Q#2. I'm always so in awe of authors who write in verse. Can you tell us about your process for creating a strong, lyrical story?

I often write the same story many times, each time in a different meter. After reading the story aloud many times to some very patient friends and family members, it usually becomes apparent which rhyme scheme works best. Some parts of the story require a great deal of time to complete...months, sometimes years.

Q#3. What advice would you give to aspiring authors who also want to write in rhyme? Is there anything you wish you would have known when you first started writing.

Planning the story is very important. But if there are parts of the story that do not come easily, put the manuscript aside and come back to it with a fresh outlook at a later time. I have found that even the most difficult sections have a way of working themselves out.

Q#4. Who is your favorite author idol and how have they influenced your work.

I was originally inspired to write in rhyme by musical lyrics, particularly those of W.S. Gilbert, of Gilbert and Sullivan. His humor and inventiveness continue to inspire me. I also love the incredible wit in the light verse of Morris Bishop. I enjoy exploring the potential of rhyme to enhance humor.

Q#5. What are you plans for DRAGONS FROM MARS GO TO SCHOOL? Where can we find it and connect with you?

DRAGONS FROM MARS Go TO SCHOOL is available at Book Beat in Oak Park, MI. It is also available at various retailors, including Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

You may connect with me at my website, deborah-aronson.com, or at my email address, aronsondeb@aol.com.

Synopsis:

A little bit about the book:

Molly and Fred are two dragons who flew to earth from Mars, and now they are going to their first day of school. Will they be able to face the challenges they meet? After some initial difficulties, they win over their classmates with their kindness and demonstration of the many things dragons can do to help their fellow students.

A little bit about the author:

Deborah Aronson is a writer of stories in rhyme. Her first two books are "Where's my Tushy" (2014) and "Dragons From Mars" (2016). She is a retired social worker and lives with her husband in Bloomfield, MI.