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Catherine Dee
Author

Meet Catherine Dee, the author who wrote The Girls' Book of Love and other books just for girls! Did you know that she studied art?

How did you become a writer?
When I was a girl I kept a journal and planned to be a writer, but in college, my professors didn't think I was a very good writer. So when I graduated, I decided to pursue a career in design. I got a job at an advertising agency thinking I'd become an art director, but they needed someone to write ad copy (the words). I did, and I was great at it. This taught me that I should not let other people's assessments stop me from doing what I want. In my case, my apparent lack of success as an academic-style writer had nothing to do with my success as an author. If you love to write, you will naturally gravitate toward it, and who knows where that will lead you? I'm glad I didn't give up, because writing books for girls has been one of the most personally rewarding and fun things in my life.

What made you think of writing books for girls?
When I was laid off from a job as a copywriter, it was around Earth Day 1990, and the company had given employees a book called 50 Simple Things You Can Do to Save the Earth (you may have seen the kids' version of this). I was passionate about protecting the environment, I loved this book, and I knew I could write in the author/publisher's style. The author/publisher was in the Bay Area, where I live, so I called and asked if he needed any writers. After I showed him that I could write the same way he did, he hired me to work on books like The Recycler's Handbook and The Women's Voting Guide.

This last book, about women's issues, made me realize that there were no books about women's issue and self-confidence for girls (I certainly could have used one when I was growing up!) So I set out to write one, and it (The Girls' Guide to Life) turned out to be just the first of several books.

What new projects are you working on?
I am planning a new book in the Girls' Book of. . . series.

What would you tell a girl that was interested in doing what you do?
Find out what similar books (or screenplays, novels, or whatever you want to write) already exist so you don't do the exact same thing. Come up with a unique way to present your message. Expect that you may need a "day job" of some sort to pay the bills (I also work as a technical editor). If you send a book proposal to publishers and they turn it down, don't be discouraged. Virtually every author has received a rejection letter (or many, as in my case!) Get comfortable with the concept of perseverance and don't give up.

What are some of your hobbies?
Gardening, designing personalized greeting cards with PhotoShop, yoga, hiking, going to the gym, and hanging out with my family.

What was your favorite subject in school?
Art

What are some of your favorite websites?
newmoon.org, ms.foundation.org, amazon.com, my.yahoo.com, ebay.com.

If you could talk to you when you were 12 years old, what advice would you give yourself?
Observe what you like to do now, because to a certain degree, it will always be what you like to do. Apply this awareness when you're thinking about what to do with your life. Always think bigger than is realistic--err on the side of optimism rather than thinking too small. Trust your intuition and go after whatever good things you feel drawn toward; your energy will propel you forward. Live every moment with enthusiasm and wonder. The pace of life may seem slow right now and like you'll be around forever, but the older you get, the faster time will fly. And finally (as my dad says), anything worth doing in life requires hard work. But the work itself, and the sense of accomplishment it brings, are what make life worth living.

(Want more ideas? Consult The Girls' Book of Wisdom whenever you need inspiration.)