Debut Writers of the Class of 2k12: Caroline Starr Rose

Welcome to 2012! 
I'm delighted to be able to introduce readers to authors from my sister Class of 2k12, just as I did for previous 2k classes. I continue to be impressed by how many of our class members have crafted novels that have won awards, garnered fabulous reviews, and won devoted readers to their great books.
That is certainly true of the first of the 2k12 novels, MAY B. Rave reviews have accompanied the launch of this wonderful story. I'm so pleased that Caroline Starr Rose is here today.
Congratulationson the publication of your novel, MAY B. Can you tell us a bit about the storyand what inspired it?
MAY B. isthe story of twelve-year-old May Betterly, who must survive a blizzard -- alone-- on the Kansas frontier.
I've alwayshad an interest in the women of the frontier, stemming from my love for TheLittle House on the Prairie collection. As a child, I'd talk about Laura as ifshe were someone I personally knew. I'd devote a lot of time wondering abouther world: how she'd never seen a town until she was five, how she didn't go toschool until she was seven, how a penny in her Christmas stocking was such abig deal.
Lookingback, it seems inevitable I'd develop my own strong prairie girl.
How longhave you been writing for children/teens? Have you written other books or isthis your first effort?
I startedwriting in 1998, during summer vacation (I was teaching at the time). By thetime MAY B. sold, I'd written four novels and seven picture books.
Four novels! That just shows the importance of experience. Can youdescribe your path to the publication of MAY B?
I made thecrazy decision to stop teaching at the end of the 2008-2009 school year andwrite full time (crazy because I had no agent, no book offer, and no realprospects). MAY B. had just won first place for a novel excerpt at a localwriting conference, and I decided it was the time to take a chance.
I queriedfrantically and signed with my agent, Michelle Humphrey of ICM, at the end ofSeptember 2009. MAY B. sold at auction in March 2010. Lest this journey soundseasy, here are my stats:
200+ directrejections from editors over 11 years75+ agentrejections10 or somore rejections once on submission with my agent3 bids1 sale
I love those stats, because they show the value of persistence. Do you haveany advice for beginning writers?
Readbroadly, remember you have something unique to say, be willing to fail.
Can you tellus something about your personal life – inspirations, plans for the future,goals, etc.?
I've just started running again after many injuries in thelast few years. I'm not fast, and I can't cover more than a few miles, but itfeels so wonderful to be able to come back to something I love. Hopefully Ihave a race or two in my future.
Since Caroline sent me her interview answers, she added this: "I've runthree half marathons since then -- slow and steady, but my gosh, 13.1 miles isnothing to sneeze at."  Clearly Caroline knows about persistence.
My family has just moved back to my hometown, Albuquerque,NM, so my husband can start a new Presbyterian Church (PCA). I'd love to seethis beautiful city loved on and bolstered by this future congregation.
Do you haveany new writing ventures underway?
My picturebook, OVER IN THE WETLANDS, focuses on the animals and plants of SouthernLouisiana. If it sells, I'd like to donate a portion of sales to wetlandsrestoration.
I'm in theprocess of researching for an eventual verse novel about a Gitano (SpanishGypsy) girl.
Do you havea website where readers can learn more about MAY B? 
Yes! Please stop by!www.carolinestarrrose
Thanks, Caroline!