An October 2006 interview with Gail Gauthier, the author of six books for children and adults, all published by G. P. Putnam's Sons.

My big break came in 1996 when I sent a query letter to G. P. Putnam’s Sons regarding a picture book manuscript. The letter ended up on the desk of an editor named Kathy Dawson. She asked to see the manuscript, suggested that the story would work better if the material were reworked for middle grade students, and we ended up working together for around nine years on six different books.

What is your working style?

My working style is very chaotic and time consuming. I work very slowly and don’t stay on task very well. I try to console myself with the thought that anything I do—surfing the net, hiking, looking out the window--may one day end up in a book.

Are you working on anything now?

I am waiting to hear from my editor about a draft I sent her for the second book in new series for kids in the lower grades. The first book, A Girl, a Boy, and a Monster Cat, will be published next June by G. P. Putnam.

I’m also in the very early stages of generating ideas for a book about an alien child who is living with a human family. It was inspired by books one of my sons read about children in England who were moved out of London during World War II. Just a few hours ago I decided to add a sibling to the story and make both the kids girls.

What is your goal as a writer?

I don’t want to do what other people are doing. I don’t want to take the obvious route with my stories. I also try to write about real, every day problems, every day life rather than “big” problems like abuse, neglect, etc. My view is that life isn’t easy for anybody. To suggest that only tragedies are worth writing about suggests that life is easy for those people who aren’t facing major calamity. It isn’t. It’s a struggle to learn how to get along with others, how to fit in, how to live our lives. I want to recognize those realities.

I write humor but I don’t necessarily see being funny as an end in itself. Humor is a coping mechanism. I like satire. Satire shouldn’t just be snide. It should be a way of commenting on our experiences.

What authors have influenced you the most?

I read Roald Dahl’s short stories for adults long before I read any of his children’s books. I’m not that big a fan of the kids’ books, but those short stories were dark and twisted and full of unexpected stuff.

I read a lot of Twain when I was a teenager. His humor and commentary may have been an influence.

What are some of your hobbies?

I am an exercise “hobbyist.” I work out an hour to an hour and a half a day, including two taekwondo classes a week. I do a lot of time on a treadmill, which means I can read while I’m walking. I belong to a hiking club and do a little biking, a little orienteering. My last few vacations have involved some biking and letterboxing (A hike that includes a sort of scavenger hunt for a hidden box that holds a notebook to record that you’ve been there.).

I’m also a blogger (Original Content http://www.gailgauthier.com/blogger.html), and I spend some time nearly every day reading other childlit blogs. This keeps me up on what’s going on in children’s/YA publishing.

What’s on your current reading list?

I’m terrible. I read several books at a time because I just can’t wait to get started on some of them. I also go to the library way too often. I go when I know I have stacks of books to read at home. I scoop up books I see on the shelves because I’m greedy and hope I’ll get to the books before they’re overdue.

Right now I’m reading several adult books. But I have The Clue of the Linoleum Lederhosen by M. T. Anderson waiting for me as well as The Wall and the Wing by Laura Ruby. Actually, I have two shelves of books waiting for me to read. Some of the books have been there for years.