#93: Writing Advice, Cooking Tips,and the Power of Travel with Dr. Pamela Gurley
Dr. Pam Gurley grew up as a military child and even served in the Army herself. So, how the heck did she end up an author of more than a dozen books, including the children's book series Brown Girl and Brown Boy?
We're diving into all of that in this episode. We're talking about her writing process and everything that goes into designing a book. Side note: Pam finished one book in TWO WEEKS. If that's not a kick in the pants, I don't know what is.
Dr. Gurley also offers tips for bookshelf and closet organization and drops some knowledge about cooking (and why it's okay to improvise in the kitchen). And since we're both avid travelers, there's plenty of discussion around some of our favorite spots and a few sites still on our list. Let's hop to it!
Highlights of our conversation include:
Why it’s important to be able to improvise while cooking (a good lesson for life, too!). (3:14)
Some of the earliest things Pamela wrote, including her books of poetry. (6:09)
How Pamela organizes her books and closet. (7:55)
A look inside Pamela’s writing process and how she ensures the story she’s telling is impactful for readers. (9:45)
Pamela’s blueprint for her children’s books and a scoop on some of her upcoming projects. (13:50)
How to be ready to capture an idea no matter when it strikes—plus a super handy tip for the Notes app. (16:39)
Pamela talks about her Brown Boy and Brown Girl children’s books. (19:27)
Why book design is so important for a book cover, and how to create eye-catching imagery. (20:33)
The many travels of Pamela, and other spots she still has on her visiting list. Please don’t criticize my geography skills during this part. (26:45)
The career path Pamela has taken, going from the Army to a government job to becoming an author. (30:58)
Pamela’s top three favorite books and authors, and the therapeutic powers of cracking open a physical book and settling in to read it. (33:55)
Where to find Dr. Pamela Gurley
Learn more about Dr. Pamela Gurley on her website.
Check her out at iamdrpgurley on YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter.
Grab copies of any of her books from Amazon, Target, or anywhere books are sold online.
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