Mom’s Choice Awards is excited to announce another post in our interview series where we chat with the inventors, designers, publishers, and others behind some of our favorite family-friendly products.

Hello, Mom’s Choice readers! Today we’re delighted to have with us Jill Vanderwood, an award-winning author with 14 published books. Three of her books have won a Mom’s Choice Award. Jill is the 2008 writer of the year for the League of Utah Writers. She is also a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). When Jill isn’t writing she enjoys spending time with her family, going for walks around her small Idaho town, and quilting. Today, we’re talking about Keeping Secrets—her fourth book in The Path You Choose series, where the reader is the main character and will be encouraged to make choices at regular intervals. And readers are asked: Is a promise a promise, no matter what? Are there some secrets that you cannot keep? Keeping Secrets has just been awarded the Gold Palate Award for The Best Book Cover Design from the League of Utah Writers, and this book was the Bronze Quill Winner from the League of Utah Writers on August 10 at an awards banquet.

MCA: Welcome, Jill! Please share with us what inspired you to become an author, and how your personal experiences influence your writing.

I didn’t realize my talents as a writer until I was in my 50s. I enjoyed telling bedtime stories to my grandchildren, using their names as the main characters. I finally began writing my stories. Next, I decided to take a few community writing classes. It had been a long time since my high school and college English classes, and I had a lot of information to refresh. Since then, I have not only taken classes, but I have taught many writer’s workshops for the League of Utah Writers. I recently attended and passed a ten-week  copyediting class through Writer’s Digest. I now have a volunteer editing job for an online magazine.

MCA: What do you hope readers will take away from your books?

My series, The Path You Choose is written in the form of Choose Your Own Adventure. This makes it easy for reluctant readers because each choice them make in the books takes them to a shorter story and an ending. They can go back and choose a different outcome by making a different choice.

Keeping Secrets is written for girls ages 11-14. The girls will learn whether a secret is a secret and when they really need to tell that secret to get help for their friends. The topic matter in this book includes, what can you do if one friend is a witness to a crime; another is depressed or suicidal; one girl’s parents are going through a divorce; someone is addicted to drugs, and another friend has experienced sexual abuse.

This book brings up these very sensitive topics which can and should be open for discussion in church groups, with parents, teachers and pastors.

MCA: What do you find most challenging about the writing process?

I enjoy a challenge in my writing. These books are very complex—as there are 13 possible endings in the Path You Choose books. I enjoy relating to my audience while I’m writing. My own life experiences in being one of the oldest children in a family of 11, being the mother of four and a grandmother has greatly helped me relate.

I have also diversified my writing, with both fiction and non-fiction books, picture books, middle grade and YA.

I am usually at a point where I have one book I’m writing and one that I’m publishing.

MCA: How do your books contribute to promoting family-friendly values or enhancing the lives of your readers?

My series promotes information that will lead young people to success in their lives. By having the kids make choices while reading, it becomes like a role-playing experience. They have already made a choice while reading, and they have seen the consequences of their choice, so it should be much easier for a reader to face a situation where they or a friend are experiencing depression, or unwanted sexual advances.

My books are also inclusive with characters of all races included.

MCA: Can you share any memorable moments or feedback from readers that have touched you or reinforced the impact of your work?

I speak to children in schools. After doing three assemblies on bullying at a junior high school, in Wyoming. Kids came up afterward to tell me that my stories really helped them. I also read my fiction books to classrooms a few times a year and students bring me the stories they have written and tell me they really want to become writers.

MCA: What advice would you give to aspiring authors who are just starting their writing journey?

In the beginning of your writing journey, the hardest part is sharing your writing with others, but that is a very necessary first step. It’s hard to take criticism, but without it your writing will never improve. I suggest joining a writer’s group, such as SCBWI, if you write for children. Go to a writer’s conference; you don’t have to live in Utah to join the League of Utah Writers—which is only $35 a year. Some of the chapters have online meetings. Twice a year we have conferences, which can also be viewed online and there are writing contests where you can enter your work in many different categories. By entering your work, the judges will give you pointers and feedback.

I also suggest that you take classes on writing through community education—most are offered as high school or college extension classes, for a low price.

MCA: Can you share any future writing plans with us at this time?

I’m still uncertain whether I will continue writing the Path You Choose series, but for now, I’m taking another direction. My newest book project is a middle grade mystery series featuring a deaf girl, with a twist. I’m calling it The Purdy Franklin Mysteries. I entered the first chapter of my work in progress in the Olive Wooley Burt First Chapter Contest. This is also held by the League of Utah Writers.  I’m honored to be the third place winner in the YA/Middle grade/picture book category.

MCA: Thank you for a wonderful interview, Jill! Please keep us posted on what we can look forward to next in your Purdy Franklin book series!

You can learn more about Jill Vanderwood and her award-winning book, Keeping Secrets, by visiting her MCA Shop page.