BookView Review

Welcome to BookView Interview, a conversation series where BookView talks to authors.

Recently, we talked to Kathleen Jeffrey about her writing and recently released book, Katie’s Really Bad Day, a relatable and engaging story about a young girl overwhelmed by the pressures of a spelling test. (read the review here).

How often do you base your characters on real people? 

So far, I have based characters on real people as “Katie’s Really Bad Day: A Story About Test Anxiety,” is my debut picture book and Katie’s character is based on my own experience with school and test anxiety. Also, most of the character illustrations are real people that my illustrator Susan Kilmartin and I know. For instance, the illustrated character of teacher Miss Julie is my sister who was an elementary teacher for 40 years. Plus, Miss Julie’s name is based in part on the name of my 2^nd grade teacher. Finn, Katie’s sidekick is a created character and illustrated as Susan’s grandson. My parents are Katie’s parents and my three children at that age, plus nieces, nephews, friends are classmates are in the story. Even my husband Paul makes an appearance as a teacher!  The illustration collaboration with Susan, an award-winning portrait artist was one of the most enjoyable and fun phases of the book’s development. Susan told me, “I only like to draw real people,” so the pictures went back and forth…then voila! To my surprise Katie’s story became a family heirloom.

How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?

I have an unpublished book, also about Katie and will be starting the illustration collaboration phase sometime later this year. 

What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?

While preparing to write “Katie’s Really Bad Day,” I extensively researched childhood anxiety along with school related and test anxiety. Also, I consulted with elementary teachers who later became critique partners. I also read as many children’s picture books on anxiety as I could find. In the process, I wrote my own biography tracing back to where my school anxiety likely started. Conversations with those who knew me as a child… my mom, sister, childhood classmates and a close neighborhood adult who I call “my other Mother,” (all career elementary teachers), assisted my conclusions. I believe that separation anxiety when first starting kindergarten led to my overall school anxiety that eventually led to test anxiety. This process gave clarity to my direction for the book.

What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?

Professional illustrator; Book design/self publishing company; Global distributor; Professional book consultants for marketing, editing, PR; Social media coaching. 

What is your favorite childhood book?

“The Wonderful Window,” by Beth Varden, Illustrated by Charlot BYJ. Written in 1954, it’s a spiral bound beautifully illustrated and heartwarming story about a sweet mischievous girl who drove her guardian angel crazy! One day she accidentally threw a football into the local church’s beautiful stained-glass window right before Christmas. Written in entertaining rhyme, many little miracles begin to unfold leading to a sweet, lovely ending on Christmas Eve. My original copy is tattered, torn, well loved and sits on my writing studio shelf. One day while working on character development, I had the inspiration to stop and read “The Wonderful Window” again. Katie, the main character became the name of my main character for “Katie’s Really Bad Day.” You would think I would have figured that out already, LOL, but it’s the process of writing that many surprises are revealed!

What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?

The writing itself can be a bit isolating. Being open to help, camaraderie through critique groups and workshops has been essential and very worthwhile. Also, trusting in myself and the spirit within that I have an important story to tell so just keep on keeping on. Taking time to be healthy in mind, body and spirit by walking in nature and taking breaks really helps to clear my head and renews my confidence.

Time management and taking the many phases of the process one step at a time can be challenging. Realizing that each day I was making progress and completing steps that seemed daunting at first was helpful.  Each book or draft is a teaching tool for the next. Embracing help, seeking support and experience from other authors and encouragement from family and friends is a so important.

Ultimately staying focused on the book’s true mission to help anxious children has become my mantra and the key to staying calm and patient as I continue to navigate new learning curves.

Who and what ultimately inspired you to become a writer?

About 23 years ago, after my dad passed away, I had a divine inspiration to write a spiritual children’s picture book. I started planning, thinking, praying on it, but the timing was never right to dig in and get it done. Life was busy, my children were young, and I worked full time. Eventually I left my 28-year media sales career and ended up working in the bookstore at Glastonbury Abby, a benedictine monastery. Researching and buying books for the store was fun, inspirational and kept my book idea alive. Finally, I wrote a very long manuscript. Through working with critique groups, I concluded it was really two books.  Out of that came “Katie’s Really Bad Day.” The next book is also about Katie and relates to my original inspiration for a spiritual picture book. Between journaling for the 23 years, joining the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) to learn how to write a picture book, and writing poetry during covid, I was finally ready to leave my 12-year bookstore adventure and get on with writing and getting the book published!

If you had to do something differently as a child or teenager to become a better writer as an adult, what would you do? 

As a teenager, I would have read more classic novels and read more often overall.

Is writer’s block real?

Yes, at one point, during what I call burn out, a wise critique partner said I was “in the weeds” and suggested I take a 4-month break. She was right. I did and came back refreshed and finished the book!

What do you hope readers will take away from this story?

Childhood anxiety is on the rise. Many children experience anxiety in school for various reasons. In 

researching for this book, it was wonderful to learn of the many resources and tools available today for teachers to help their anxious students. Some students are very good at concealing their test anxiety feelings and may suffer needlessly while also thinking they are the only ones. In addition, test anxiety can lead to a pattern of underachievement. I hope Katie’s story will help children identify their own anxious feelings, know that they are not alone and encourage them to tell their teachers and caregivers what is going on before their anxiety leads to a Really Bad Day!”