INSTRUCTORS
INTERVIEW WITH ANNE MARIE PACE
When did you first feel like a writer?
When I was in first grade, I wrote and illustrated a story about a boy on a sled, and I realized how much fun writing could be. That story, extensively revised, is my book PIGLOO, published 45 years later—without my illustrations. I am definitely a writer, NOT an illustrator.
What's your philosophy about teaching a writing class?
As a teacher, I want to be a GPS. I want to meet my students where they are, understand where they want to go, and help them each find a road map for getting to their destinations. Since everyone’s starting points and destinations will differ, their maps will differ as well.
If you could meet any fictional character, who would it be and why?
Any fictional character whom I would want to meet, I have already met. They exist on the page and then in my head, and sometimes they take up residence of some sort in my heart. Well-drawn characters are already real—perhaps like the Velveteen Rabbit is real because he is loved.
INSTRUCTOR BIO
In spite of the adage to write what you know, Anne Marie Pace has never been a vampire, a bear, a ballerina, or a sledding pig. She is the author of a number of published and upcoming picture books, including NEVER EVER TALK TO STRANGERS and A TEACHER FOR BEAR, both published by Scholastic Book Clubs; the VAMPIRINA BALLERINA series, illustrated by LeUyen Pham, published by Disney-Hyperion, coming as an animated television series from Disney Jr. In 2017; and PIGLOO, illustrated by Lorna Hussey, published by Henry Holt. Upcoming picture books include GROUNDHUG DAY, illustrated by Christopher Denise (Disney-Hyperion, 2017), and BIG-EYED BUG, illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon (Beach Lane Books, 2018). She enjoys teaching at WriterHouse, and not just because it’s behind Bodo’s.
WHAT WRITERHOUSE STUDENTS ARE SAYING ABOUT ANNE MARIE
“Anne Marie was well prepared, very encouraging, all good!”
“She gave helpful info in general about children’s books and helpful info about our individual manuscripts.”
“She did a fantastic job covering the different types of picture books, the formula and critiquing in a clear and helpful way.”
“She helped show us how to revise our stories to make them better.”
“The instructor was personable and helpful. She was organized and thorough.”