Read, Write, Repeat.

I was browsing in my local library a few weeks ago, when I picked up a book in the middle-grade section. The title caught my eye, and I took it home without giving it much more of a look. Well, that book, The Beef Princess of Practical County (Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 2009), ended up being the best thing I’ve checked out in quite a while.

It’s got lots of things I like: A realistic, everygirl main character. Names that are plays on words (the three Darling sisters are named Precious, Lil and Ohma), a Midwest setting and the chance to learn about some things I know next to nothing about – raising livestock and showing steers and the county fair.

Luckily for me, author Michelle Houts knows about these things and was nice enough not only to write the book in the first place, but also to visit Read, Write, Repeat and share how it came to be.

What inspired you to write this book? I had been watching the young livestock exhibitors at our county fair for awhile when it occurred to me that these kids had to have tremendous amounts of dedication and courage to do what they do year after year. I thought about what a great story it could make … there’s excitement, drama and humor. It’s all there. So I decided to see what I could do with it.

Were any of Libby’s experiences inspired by you? Did you show steers? No, but all three of my children show steers. Enter a fair beauty pageant? I was the Franklin County Fair Queen a long, long time ago! Become a vegetarian? No,  I love veggies, but I would miss prime rib if I became a vegetarian. Once my oldest daughter declared herself a vegetarian. For about three hours.

What county fair do you attend? My family and I take our animals to the Mercer County Fair in Ohio. What’s your favorite thing to do there? Aside from watching my kids show their animals, I think I like watching Pee Wee Showmanship. This is where little, little kiddos get to go out into the ring with a pig or a goat or a calf and show their stuff. They all walk out with trophies … and the biggest old smiles you’ve ever seen!

Did you ever consider naming your daughter Precious? Be honest … No, no and no! I’ve taught a lot of children over the years, and I’ve often wondered why parents would choose certain names for their children. Some names are lovely. Like Precious. But with my luck, if I chose the name Precious, my daughter would have a hard time living up to her name.

How do you balance living on a farm, teaching and writing? I do a lot of things late at night. Like this. My grandma called herself a night owl. I think I take after her.

Favorite children’s author:  Cynthia Rylant.

Which books do you read for inspiration? I think I read more middle-grade fiction now than I did when I was in the middle grades! 

How did you go from aspiring writer to published author? Patience, perseverance and faith. I just knew that if I tried hard enough and long enough, it would eventually happen. To get The Beef Princess of Practical County into the hands of a major publisher, I took advantage of Delacorte Press’ annual middle-grade novel contest. It worked. My novel was not chosen as the winner (no winner was chosen that year), but it was a finalist and that resulted in a phone call from an editor at Random House.

Advice you’d give someone just starting out:  Write something awesome. And then try to sell it. The market is too crowded for mediocre. Put your time into getting it down and doing it right before you send it out.

What’s your favorite part of writing: The idea stage. I love to lie in bed and dream up characters, scenarios, places, and plots. Of course, if I never went any farther than that, I wouldn’t be published, so the writing and editing and rewriting and proofreading area all part of the picture. I just really love generating ideas.

What’s he coolest library you’ve ever visited: Great question! I think I have to say the Westerville Public Library. I don’t think I’ve been there for 25 years, but it was my home library as a child and all I can recall is the way I felt when I was inside its vast, light, airy rooms. I recall exactly where the Little House books were shelved.

Anything else you’d like to add? My family recently acquired an old, one-room school house. When I’m not dreaming up story ideas, I lie awake and dream up how it might look restored to its former glory.

Learn more about Michelle at her Web site. Add a comment below. And, read her book, of course.