Betty Birney’s Blog

Professional interviewer, Bobbi Yoo

No, no, I didn’t interview a hamster. A hamster interviewed me!

I haven’t gotten around to blogging about it yet, but I’ll be on the Faculty for the SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) National Conference in August. SCBWI has been my inspiration, my education and my biggest influence in my development as a children’s book writer over the past 18 years or so. When people ask for advice about being a children’s book writer, I only have one thing to say: Join SCBWI! The packet of information you get when you join is worth the membership fee. The conferences are awesome. But this is my first time on the faculty – delivering a keynote address as well as doing a workshop on school visits, a workshop on writing TV animation and doing manuscript evaluations.  Check it out!

So this hamster interview was part of the TEAM SCBWI blog on fellow LAYA Paula Yoo’s site.  Paula didn’t actually interview me … her hamster, Bobbi, did! Bobbi is an excellent interviewer for a hamster or a human.  And very cute, as you can see!

But you should browse around Paula’s website, too. In addition to her YA novel, Good Enough, she has a brand new book, just out this week, about the Hollywood actress, Anna May Wong. I can’t wait to read it – the reviews are great!

And if you don’t know what NaPiBoWriWee is all about, scroll down here and read about it. It became a national sensation and took over Paula’s life for a while. But then, she’s a woman of many talents and excellent taste in pets!

Actually, I was interviewed by a hamster last year at the BBC in London for the kids’ show Go4It. It wasn’t a real hamster, though, but a marvelous actress who played the part of Henrietta Hamster to a T. She even brought celery and carrots to crunch on. I was amazed to learn that Henrietta had a huge crush on Humphrey!

We’re going back to the UK in September. Yaaaaay!!!!!