Not only is Dianne White a phenomenal and successful writer, she is one of the nicest and most caring people you will ever get to meet. I am so blessed to call Dianne a dear friend since we have been in a critique group together for almost six years now. Each one of her books is beautiful, but I think that GREEN ON GREEN is one of my favorites.
Meet the most amazing Dianne White!
Dianne White thinks there’s nothing better than a good book, a lemonade sun, a white-on-blue sky, and a green-on-green day. She’s the author of several picture books, including the award-winning Green on Green, illustrated by Felicita Sala, Blue on Blue, illustrated by Caldecott medalist Beth Krommes, Goodbye Brings Hello, illustrated by Daniel Wiseman, and the upcoming, Sometimes a Wall, illustrated by Barroux. A former teacher, Dianne lives with her family in Gilbert, Arizona. Visit her at diannewrites.com .
About GREEN on GREEN:
How did GREEN ON GREEN come about and is this a follow up book to BLUE ON BLUE?
After the publication of BLUE on BLUE, I sat down to think about what a companion book might look like. I knew two things. First, it would need to focus on a different, but related, concept from nature. Second, it would need to use a “color on color” phrase in a way that was similar in its connection to BLUE on BLUE, yet different enough so as not to repeat myself.
As I spent some time doing what I like to think of as “poking” at my idea, I decided I wanted some kind of rolling sequence of colors – one color leading to the next. I also wanted repetition. Green was the obvious choice because – although I tend to think of it as a spring color – it has a place in all seasons of the year.
Which is your favorite illustration in the book and why?
No surprise … I love them all! But, if I have to choose, here are three:
“Winter the sparkle. Winter the chill…” – the community coming together to sing.
Artwork Copyright © Felicita Sala www.felicitasala.com
“Cinnamon spice. Almond between…” – the family breaking bread.
Artwork Copyright © Felicita Sala www.felicitasala.com
“Lemonade petals. Sunflakes between…” – the boy, the puppy, the flowers!
Artwork Copyright © Felicita Sala www.felicitasala.com
Do you have a standard approach when developing story ideas?
In general, my stories start with a handful of words. Usually, I hear a line or a few words and, from there, I move to a kind of free writing that consists of me asking myself questions. What do I already know or sense about the story? What am I trying to say? Where am I in the story? (Meaning – in what way do these words or does this idea resonate with something deep inside me? In other words, what’s my emotional connection to the idea?)
Often, I’ll put these snippets of story away for months at a time, then pull them out to think about them for a few days before returning them back to the idea file on my computer. That was the case with this manuscript, which began as a file called “Green the Grass.”
Sooner or later, I finish a draft. That’s the point at which I rely heavily on my wonderful critique partners. They help me see the story in new ways and point me to those areas of the text that need revision. It’s a recursive process. Write. Revise. Critique. Reimagine. Revise. Critique, and so on. Time passes and at some point, the story is ready to send to my agent, who often has other suggestions.
Are you working on something right now that you would like to share with your readers?
I’m always working on *something* book related. That can mean anything from beginning a new manuscript to making plans for my next book launch, and everything in between. At the moment, I’m working on revising one picture book manuscript and writing another, preparing a virtual book launch for GREEN on GREEN (more info below!), planning a video/virtual presentation about rhyming picture books for my local library, and calendaring a Zoom meeting with the publicist of my next book – SOMETIMES A WALL, illustrated by Barroux (Owl Kids, October 2020).
What is your favorite word?
Hope
Do you have a favorite quote?
I am not good at remembering quotes, but I do have a file on my computer where I save the ones I want to go back to. I opened that file and found this, written by E.B. White in CHARLOTTE’S WEB. It is spoken by the minister in the sermon he gives to his congregation after Charlotte has written “Some Pig” in her web. He explains the miracle by saying, “…human beings must always be on the watch for the coming of wonders.”
In these times, when our lives seem fraught with trouble and we ask, “What is to become of our world?” I like the idea of leaning into the hope of a miracle. There’s always room for the “coming of wonders.”
Any upcoming events?
Yes! On June 25th @ 11:00 – 12 pm, I will be doing a virtual book launch for GREEN on GREEN at my favorite bookstore, Changing Hands.
This launch was originally scheduled back in March and we are excited to offer it now as a live virtual event on ZOOM. I’ll be reading GREEN on GREEN, sharing a few insider stories about the book’s creation, and showing kids how to make their own “under the sea” aquarium.
Virtual attendees will receive a signed copy of the book, plus a bag of summer goodies.
Learn more and register HERE!
How can readers connect with you?
Website: www.diannewrites.com
Facebook: https://twitter.com/diannewrites
Twitter: @diannewrites
Instagram: @diannewrites
