Here Comes the Judge: Nancy Roe Pimm
The Rate Your Story Team is pleased to welcome Nancy Roe Pimm, multi-published non-fiction author, to our fold.
Here's Nancy, sharing a little bit about herself...
What brought you to children’s books? How long have you been writing? I wrote my first book, a narrative nonfiction titled Horses, Horses, Horses at age ten. The problem was that most of the adults in my life discouraged me from pursuing my dream of becoming a published author. So, I went to college and became a dental hygienist.
Has your publication journey direction changed at all from the onset?
It wasn’t until my husband followed his racing dreams and actually drove in the Indianapolis 500 and the Daytona 500 that I realized dreams can come true—no matter how huge they are!
Please tell us about the first book you published. In my late 30’s, I finally sat down to write that book. I also joined SCBWI and attended conferences and workshops. My journey began in 1996 and my first book was published in 2004, The Indy 500: The Inside Track. In 2019, my eighth book and my first picture book was published with Beaming Books, Fly, Girl, Fly: Shaesta Waiz Soars Around the World. For "The Story Behind the Story" of this book, click here: THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY OF FLY, GIRL, FLY (literallylynnemarie.com)
What genres of books will you be rating for Rate Your Story? I am open for anything nonfiction, picture books to young adult. I love true stories, in books and in the movies!
List five things you look for in a successful story.
Great hook/beginning
Voice
Pace
Rising action
Satisfying ending
Name five subjects you don't want to read about.
Fantasy
Sci-Fi
Dystopian
Poetry
What author has inspired you most on your journey?
In the beginning of my journey, I was inspired by Walter Farley. My favorite authors now are Candace Fleming and Steve Sheinkin.
What do you feel is an important preliminary step before actually writing a story?
As a narrative nonfiction writer, once an idea has hooked me, research is the most important next step.
Please share a writing Tip for our Members.
One writing tip is to organize your research. It makes it mush easier when you need to
source material. When writing a picture book biography, I go to the library and read lots of picture book biographies. I take my favorites home. Sometimes, I choose one and type the story on my computer. I use this as a warm-up of sorts, to get the cadence and the rhythm needed to tell a story in such few words. The biggest challenge is finding your way into the story. Once I figure out how I want to start the book, then the fun begins.
Share a fun fact about YOU!
One fun fact about me is that I even though I grew up in Brooklyn, New York, I became a cowgirl. I competed in rodeos on weekends, barrel racing and goat tying. And I married a rodeo cowboy who later became a race car driver!
BIO: Nancy Roe Pimm wrote her first book, HORSES, HORSES, HORSES at age ten. Today, she still loves horses, along with every other animal in creation—and she still writes books about anything that makes her say, “WOW!” She has books about race cars, gorillas, military dogs, and aviators. Five of her narrative nonfiction books are Junior Library Selection and Colo’s Story is a Choose to Read Ohio Selection. The Center for the Book chose Colo’s Story to represent the state of Ohio at the National Book Festival in Washington D.C.
Pimm visits schools and organizations to encourage the next generation to believe in their dreams and to challenge the possibilities. She also teaches writing workshops, virtually and in-person. Pimm lives with her retired race-car driver husband in Plain City, Ohio. Nancy and Ed have three daughters and two grandsons. They share their home with two dogs, one cat, and one snake. To discover more of Pimm’s books, visit her website: www.nancyroepimm.com
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