Transitioning from Psychologist to Children’s Book Author: A Q&A With Claire A. Freeland, PhD

Happy 2022! It was a challenging 2021, to say the least, which began with a robbery and ended with months of recovery from the vaccine. I haven’t had the motivation to write for a very, long time. But a new year brings hope and possibility. And 2021 wasn’t a total bomb. In fact, after several years of never believing I would ever find an agent, I finally signed with Tricia Lawrence from Erin Murphy Literary Agency last year. I wrote about the process on this website.

For the new year, I’ve been contemplating what my writing goals are. With everything going on in the world, however, I’m focusing less on word count and publishing goals, and more on community. When I saw Dr. Freeland on Twitter I got excited to connect with a fellow mental health professional. She not only transitioned from a psychologist to a picture book author, but she did so successfully publishing her picture books with Magination Press.

I am so grateful to have connected with her and for her advice and experience on what it’s like to be a psychologist to become a children’s book author. If you’re considering quitting your day job to write for children, you’ll find some jewels in this post.

Please let me know what you think in the comments below.

1. Tell us briefly about your career as a psychologist. 

I knew I wanted to be a psychologist after my first psychology class in college. Since I always enjoyed children, I focused my studies on kids. As it turned out, I had a few special opportunities to work with famous psychologists who studied infants and young children, so I narrowed down my interest even more. I was a practicing psychologist for over thirty years with a focus on children two to eight.

2. How did you start writing for children?

A colleague, Jacqueline Toner, Ph.D., and I talked about bringing our tips and tricks from the office to a wider population. In 2014, Magination Press published our first book, What To Do When It’s Not Fair: A Kids’ Guide to Handling Envy and Jealousy. We learned a lot with our debut and wanted to continue to write books for kids with a psychology focus. Happily, several more were published by Magination Press.

3. When did you make a decision to transition fully into being an author and why did you do it? And are you happy with your decision?

My psychology practice and the writing overlapped for about eight years until I decided to retire and close my office. With a little more time on my hands, I sought to learn more about writing for young children, always my favorite age group. I took classes and joined various writing groups to immerse myself in the world of picture books.

4. Tell us about the transition-was it scary, challenging, exciting, etc.? Why?

The transition felt great! The writing no longer takes a back seat the way it must when you are employed. And maintaining my interest in young children feels natural.

5. Is there anything about your previous experiences that help make you a better writer and in particular, a better children’s book author?

I have a good sense of the world of children, but picture book writing is a whole other skill set. Story structure, hooks, leaving room for the illustrator, lyrical language, and so forth are relatively new to me. I need the same writing practice and revisions and critiques as any other writer. I love that picture book writers come from so many different backgrounds. We each have something to contribute.

6. What advice do you have for others who are looking to make the leap?

Writing with a colleague was a great way to begin my writing journey, although certainly not the only way. The key, of course, is writing! If you can find the time to write, then just start writing. Write about what you know. Find the genre that is a good fit for you. And, the advice you always hear, read. Read current books to learn what is out there and to absorb the language and structures of published works. Join a critique group so you have others with whom to share the journey.

7. I know you mentioned you were looking for an agent. What specific qualities are you looking for in an agent?

I would like to find an agent who is as in love with picture books as I am– and is organized and responsive.

8. Are you working on any future projects you’d like to share?

I have written several picture books that are polished and ready to go. I have others that still need revision. And there are a few that are still in infancy.

9. How can people reach you?

Email:

Twitter: @C_AB_Freeland

Thank you, Brandi-Ann for this opportunity. I enjoyed chatting with you!