Lori Degman
- Children's Book Author -
- Children's Book Author -
Children's Book Author
About Me
Here's a picture of (L-R)
me, my sister, Mindy, and
my twin sister, Julie.
I grew up in a northern suburb of Chicago, with my mother, brother and sisters, Rick, Mindy and Julie, and our cat, George.
I earned a Bachelors Degree in Deaf Education from MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Illinois, and a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education from National-Louis University.
Now, I am an Itinerant Hearing Teacher - that means I go from school to school working with students who are deaf or hard of hearing. It's a great job!
I currently live in a suburb of Chicago with my husband, John, my sons, Sean and Brian (when they're not away at college), and my dog, Pippa (who hasn't even gone to obedience school, let alone college).
Here's a picture of me today
(well, not actually 'today' but
recently).
Questions I get asked frequently:
* When did you start writing?
I actually started writing my first book, a novel, in third grade. It was called "Susie Goes To The Moon". I had three chapters finished and I brought it with me to my friend Patricia's house. I left it on the coffee table while we went to get a snack and, when I came back, her brother Adam had ripped the entire thing to shreds! I was so upset that I couldn't get myself to start again!
* Where do you get your story ideas?
Usually a sentence or phrase pops into my head or I'll hear someone say something that just sounds like it'd be a great story or a great first line in a story.
* What should I do if I want to write for children?
Just start writing! Don't worry about spelling and grammar when you write your first draft. Get your story down on paper (or on the computer) - you'll have plenty of time later to go back and revise and revise and revise!
Also, join the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators - SCBWI. They have a great website and very helpful conferences and meetings. I've learned so much about writing from this group.
Find a critique group to join - it's invaluable! I'm a member of an online group but I know a lot of people who meet in person. You can find more information about this on the SCBWI website.
Another extremely helpful website is verlakay.com. Her message board - the blue board - has the most supportive members who are loaded with insight and information.
* How long did it take to get 1 ZANY ZOO published?
I wrote the first draft of 1 ZANY ZOO in 1991 - long before most of its intended audience was born! I did some revisions of it during the next few years and sent it out to publishers but all I got were rejection letters. When I went back to work in 1995, I put all my writing away because I was too busy. Then, two years ago, when my younger son, Brian, went off to college and I became an empty nester, I pulled out my stories again. I polished up the old ones and started writing new ones. I began reading everything I could about writing and getting published. I attended conferences and workshops and I got a lot of help from other writers. Finally, when I thought the manuscript was good enough, I entered it in the Spoonfuls Of Stories contest and I won!! So, that was the long way of saying it took 18 years to bring 1 ZANY ZOO from idea to publishing contract and one more year to publication (it's coming out next year)!
* When did you start writing?
I actually started writing my first book, a novel, in third grade. It was called "Susie Goes To The Moon". I had three chapters finished and I brought it with me to my friend Patricia's house. I left it on the coffee table while we went to get a snack and, when I came back, her brother Adam had ripped the entire thing to shreds! I was so upset that I couldn't get myself to start again!
* Where do you get your story ideas?
Usually a sentence or phrase pops into my head or I'll hear someone say something that just sounds like it'd be a great story or a great first line in a story.
* What should I do if I want to write for children?
Just start writing! Don't worry about spelling and grammar when you write your first draft. Get your story down on paper (or on the computer) - you'll have plenty of time later to go back and revise and revise and revise!
Also, join the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators - SCBWI. They have a great website and very helpful conferences and meetings. I've learned so much about writing from this group.
Find a critique group to join - it's invaluable! I'm a member of an online group but I know a lot of people who meet in person. You can find more information about this on the SCBWI website.
Another extremely helpful website is verlakay.com. Her message board - the blue board - has the most supportive members who are loaded with insight and information.
* How long did it take to get 1 ZANY ZOO published?
I wrote the first draft of 1 ZANY ZOO in 1991 - long before most of its intended audience was born! I did some revisions of it during the next few years and sent it out to publishers but all I got were rejection letters. When I went back to work in 1995, I put all my writing away because I was too busy. Then, two years ago, when my younger son, Brian, went off to college and I became an empty nester, I pulled out my stories again. I polished up the old ones and started writing new ones. I began reading everything I could about writing and getting published. I attended conferences and workshops and I got a lot of help from other writers. Finally, when I thought the manuscript was good enough, I entered it in the Spoonfuls Of Stories contest and I won!! So, that was the long way of saying it took 18 years to bring 1 ZANY ZOO from idea to publishing contract and one more year to publication (it's coming out next year)!
Some of my little know talents:
* I know sign language.
* I know sign language.
* I can juggle.
* I speak Pig Latin - iay eakspay igpay atinlay.
* I can tie a cherry stem in a knot with my tongue.
* I'm pretty good at word and number puzzles.
* I do Tarot Card readings ~ ooooooh!
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