#Interview with Crystal Vaagen, #Author of If You Bring A Cow Home - @RobbieZero #ChildrensBook

About the Author:

Crystal Vaagen is an author who resides in North Dakota. During the arctic, blustery winter months, she likes to watch the snowflakes whip in the wind while sitting at the computer working on the next book idea. She holds three college degrees and never tires of learning. When she’s not writing, she’s traveling, hiking, or burning cookies.




Book Links:
Goodreads * Twitter

Interview with Crystal Vaagen

When did you first realize that you wanted to be a writer/ a storyteller?

I never set out to be a writer, I just knew I enjoyed it. My first experience was in 2nd grade when my wonderful teacher, Mrs. Fields, inspired me to write a play. I put it on for the whole class and melted with their positive response. I still remember peeking from behind a heavy side curtain to watch their faces.  So enjoyable.   It wasn’t a long play, but I knew right then and there I wanted to write. It required no mathematical problem solving skills, which I was never good at, and it didn’t require me to follow step by step directions for any art project. My end results were never the same as the rest of the class anyway. (That, I discovered was a prelude to my cooking skills). What I wrote was all mine, from my head. No directions needed. Nothing to solve. I wrote for my high school newspaper, the entertainment section, and wrote poems, which a good friend of mine saved from the bedroom trash bins from my teenage years.  I just keep writing.

What inspires you to write?

I am inspired to write when I feel my experience could help others or when I just want to get something off my chest. I write for persuasion, such as a letter to the governor. I write to illustrate social ills that can be corrected.  I also write for fun, as with my last book, “If You Bring A Cow Home.”

How did you come up with the idea for your current story?

I wanted to challenge myself to write a book for a young crowd, something for kids under 6. I thought, “What did I want as a kid?” I wanted a dog. But what if it wasn’t a dog that I wanted as a pet, what would’ve happened if I would’ve asked for a cow? A dairy cow.  The answer would have been an overwhelming, “No.” The idea grew from there. I blame it on the years passing Salem Sue, a statuesque cow overlooking I94 here in North Dakota.

Are there some stories tucked away in some drawer that was written before and never saw the light of the day?

Oh yes. I’m waiting for the right time to publish those.

Tell us about your writing process.

I create an outline of what I want to write, how I want to say it, put it in an order, and get back with it. I don’t rush.  As an indie writer, I don’t have any pressure from outside briefcase faces breathing down my neck. My timeline to write is mine, which allows ample time to do it correctly.

What is your favorite scene in the book? Why?

The cow sitting in the bathtub. I think the illustrator did an excellent job depicting what I was thinking.

What is your most interesting writing quirk?

I got rid of it, but there was a time where I couldn’t write contractions. All my words had to be spelled out. I don’t know why. Maybe all my years writing in college making sure I had enough word count on my papers? I have no idea.

Do you read? Who are your favourite authors and how have they influenced your writing style?

I do read. Oddly enough, only non-fiction. I like reading history, such as Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography, or science, like Stephen Hawking. They haven’t influenced my writing style at all because writing non-fiction is a different ball game. I don’t read fiction for many reasons, one is not being influenced by outside ideas. I’ve invented things that unbeknownst to me have already been invented before. I just don’t pay attention. I guess I’m original that way. I like to keep my books with that same frame of mind.

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?

I’ve heard the phrase many times, “Ooooh, I’ve always wanted to write but, excuse, excuse, excuse.” When I hear the word, “but,” I stop listening because you can do it if you want to. It just takes time. What is 10 minutes out of your day? Just do it.

Tell us three fun facts about yourself.

You can bribe me with chocolate chip cookies.  I love to travel. I love going to estate sales.

About the Book:

Children ask curious questions. "If You Bring A Cow Home" answers the question, "Where would you put a cow if you brought it home?" or "Why wouldn't a cow make a great indoor pet?" Geared for children under the age of 5.

Book Links:

Goodreads * Amazon