Interview with Wendy McLeod MacKnight, author of The Copycat

1. Can you tell us a little about your next book?

Ali Sloane has moved at least once a year for as long as she can remember. She’s already attended nine different schools,

lived in dozens of apartments, and never really felt at home anywhere.

But Ali’s parents promise that this time will be different. They’re moving to Saint John to live with Ali’s great-grandmother in her magical and mysterious old house with room for all of them.

To Ali’s surprise, things aredifferent this time, but not quite in the way she’d hoped. “Ali’s Rules for a New School” are super helpful—especially in middle school—and she follows them carefully knowing from experience that’s it’s important to fit in. Ali has always acted like a copycat to make friends, but the kids at Princess Elizabeth School aren’t like other kids she’s met. And then there is her cousin, Alfie. Ali desperately wants to meet him. But does Alfie want to meet her? Does the Sloane family feud extend down to their generation? And if it does, why?

2. What’s your writing process like?

I tend to write my first draft VERY quickly, then torture myself over multiple revisions! It typically takes me three drafts to really get a handle on the book I am trying to write! 

I am also an early morning writer. My ideal is to write from 7 am to 11 am every day! Some days I write more than four hours, some days less, but I like to get at least four hours in every day!

3. What piece of advice would you give to aspiring authors?

Be kind to yourself is the first piece of advice I’d give. Writing is such a personal kind of work and rejection can be painful, but try not to be brought down by it.

Persevere - in your writing, querying, and life. And find some writing friends. You’ll need them!

And finally, ask yourself this question when you think you’re ready to submit - is this the best I can do? If not, wait and go at it again!

4. When does your next book release?

The Copycat releases March 10th!!! Hooray!

5. What are you currently reading?

I just received Karen Foxlee’s Lenny’s Book of Everything for Christmas and I can’t wait to read it! Karen is one of my favourite authors! I’m also looking forward to a new book by Jen Longo - she’s kept me waiting so long!

Bio:

Wendy McLeod MacKnight lives in New Brunswick, Canada.The Copycatis the follow-up to her acclaimed novel about art come to life,The Frame-Up.In a past life, she was head of the Department of Education in New Brunswick, but now she is happy to write books, feed raccoons, and share the magic that is Saint John and the Bay of Fundy.

www.wendymcleodmacknight.com