Please welcome author Ronni Diamondstein to this episode of “Getting to the Heart of Why We Write!” 💃💃💃
Ronni was on my blog last year talking about her journey and picture book, Jackie and The Books She Loved illustrated by Bats Langley. You can check out that interview here, but come back here afterwards to check out this continuation for a deeper dive into her writing journey.🎧🎧🎧
Ronni is an expert on building community, enjoying the process of writing, and fostering a love for children’s literature. We talked a lot more about some of these topics in our last interview so make sure you check it out through the link above and if you can’t at the moment, I hope you enjoy this quote from it:
I was lucky because being a librarian, I had to read a lot and even when I was in college I got this job in my local library in this summer reading program. I used to come home–my mother thought I was nuts–with a stack of picture books to read.
— Ronni Diamondstein
Some Highlights:
Her first picture book as an author illustrator–a college project!📕
Building community through writing workshops and open mic nights.🎤
Growing community through book festivals and building a love of writing and books.✍️📚
The attentiveness and support found within the kidlit company.♥️
Having a story to tell and finding the right angle for you to dive in.🏊
Famous/Legendary people all started out as kids–like the rest of us.
Leaving messages with Siri or your answering machine for story ideas.📲
Next time you hit a wall with your writing, take a break to make brownies!!
Keep track of the books you’ve read, in the back of your journal, in alphabetical order, however!
Links Mentioned🔗:
Ronni’s website and book extras for readers
Ronni on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Threads, and Bluesky
Jackie and The Books She Loved illustrated by Bats Langley on Amazon, Bookshop, and Barnes and Noble
Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival
“I don’t mind saying this, I got my first contract for my book when I turned 70. So I always say, ‘Don’t give up.
— Ronni Diamondstein
You never can tell when it could happen.’”
Book Recommendations📚:
Beautiful Noise: The Music of John Cage by Lisa Jean LaBanca Rogers illustrated by Il Sung Na
The Power of Her Pen: The Story of Groundbreaking Journalist Ethel L. Payne by Lesa Cline-Ransome illustrated by John Parra
Before She Was Harriet Lisa Cline-Ransome illustrated by James E. Ransome
Dominic by William Steig
Thank you so much for listening and stay tuned for next week with author Kalee Gwarjanski and some other possible surprises! While you’re waiting, make sure you’re all caught up on past episodes like this one with author Jessica Speer about overcooked ideas and inspiration.
