Russell J. Fellows

This interview first appeared in my Substack newsletter on December 6, 2024

Speaking of great books that would make perfect gifts, Author Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler has a few that would look amazing in the hands of your loved ones!

I had the honor of interviewing her as my last 2024 interview. It’s a great way to end the year!

You have written two picture books and one YA – how do you experience writing for different age groups? Is there one you prefer over the others?

I write how I read, in multiples. I typically have several writing projects going on at once, at least one picture book, a YA, and middle grade flash fiction (and then the occasional non-fiction piece for work). Switching between genres helps keep my brain fresh. If I have been working on one piece for a while, and writer’s block looms, I switch to another project for a while to maintain momentum.

The variance in my approach to writing picture books versus novels isn’t necessarily intentional, but rather the formats of the genres lend themselves to different paths. Of course, every author must discover their own writing groove, and the following is what works for me.

Picture Books

Picture books are recommended to be 1000 words or less, with the emphasis on or less. To keep focused, I have to be methodical. The limited word count requires every word to have purpose. After the idea hits me, I list all the page spread numbers first. I favor writing picture books in short bursts, mirroring the brevity of the picture book’s page length.

First, I determine the climax and hook and which page spread the climax will fall. Of course, this spread is moveable, but I like to have a target to build toward. My current books all contain back matter, as they are addressing facts about the natural world and yoga. I calculate in the back matter to my page count, as to not go over the recommended page length. All of the back matter is referenced or connected to the book content, so I ensure to use consistent terminology through the book.

YA Novels

With picture books, I tend to write more than required and then cut back on the unnecessary details; however, with novels I do the opposite. For the first draft, I focus on assembling the skeleton, which for me means dialogue and the major plot points. I add descriptive details and the “color” in subsequent drafts.

For novels, I have the exposition, climax, and resolution determined first, and then figure out how to get there. After writing the exposition, I formulate a timeline of major plotline events. I never know how many chapters a book will have until it’s finished.

I prefer to write novels in longer strides, so if I don’t have at least time to knock out a chapter I wait and work on something else. When I get stuck, I take a break (notice I said when and not if, blocks happen to every writer). Often my breakthrough ideas come when I’m doing something else, like driving, gardening, and particularly after teaching a yoga class!

You incorporate yoga and nature care into your picture books. Why do you see this as important, and why this age group?

I have taught yoga since 2011, and I find that yoga seeps its way into most everything I do! For my day job, I work in school-based mental health, and I teach social emotional learning lessons as a part of my job. When it comes to teaching stress coping skills, the earlier the better! Our amazing bodies contain the mechanisms to calm our responses. Kids (and adults) can be taught to harness those mechanisms, like breathing and movement, to manage stress responses.

Pairing lessons with movement allows young readers to make connections between the natural world and their own emotional experience. And what better practice to exemplify the power of patience than yoga! As with Nature, in yoga there is no “perfect”. Over time, yoga provides a path to an improved sense of body awareness and mental focus, which requires patience and not perfection.

Also I’m hoping that through my books, kids will explore the wonder of nature in their own backyards!

You work as a yoga instructor in schools – can you tell us a bit about how you’ve seen this help children?

Unfortunately, I see adults attempt to teach kids stress coping skills when the child is having a significant stress reaction. It’s difficult to learn anything new when we are at the height of stress! When the child is emotionally dysregulated we should be reminding them of the stress coping skills they learned rather than teaching them the skills.

When I teach yoga classes for kids, I include breathing exercises as well as physical postures. And it’s a fun time! Later if a child is dysregulated, the adult is able to remind them of the skill they learned in yoga class. It’s easier for the child to use, because they learned it when they were in a calmer state.

What’s on the horizon for your writing? What books can we look forward to reading from you soon?

I always intended for the yoga picture books to be a trio. The third book is written, hopefully the world will see that one soon!

I am in the process of querying my second YA novel. And here’s the pitch!

Jolie, a wallflower and teen daughter to a megachurch pastor, must find her voice as she unintentionally lands in the spotlight amidst a murder, a social media frenzy, and one audacious bully.

You also mention that you love to bake desserts – can you tell us what your favorite dessert is (and perhaps share the recipe)?

My favorite dessert to make is my Grandma Helen’s angel food cake with coconut custard, but if I give you her recipe she might haunt me from the beyond.

You can grab Rebecca’s books everywhere your favorite books are sold.

Visit Rebecca’s site to learn more

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Until next time, be kind and be magic.