Boogie the Boxer: Gardens, by Rachel A. Wagner
This month the FURL Local Author Spotlight is featuring Rachel A. Wagner. Rachel is author of the children’s book Bogie the Boxer: Gardens, a cute story about a funny dog that loves to play in the garden.
Below are Rachel’s answers to FURL’s author questionnaire.
If you are or know of a published author who would like to be featured who lives, works or otherwise has a connection to the area served by the Urbana Regional Library, please contact us at FURL@friendsurbana.com
How did you get started writing?
I started writing, I guess, the way we all do, as a child, with doodles and little ideas that come to us. I remember an English teacher in middle school named Ms. Mackay who had us Venn diagram out our stories and we had the main concept in the center bubble, with the supporting concepts and points in bubbles out to the side. I would say that helped me at least control and organize all the ideas in my head, and some people need that help.
I have always written little stories, poems, and funny phrases that I liked. I love haikus. I carried around a little journal to keep ideas that popped into my head. Realistically, sometimes these ideas go somewhere, and sometimes they just sit.
Where did you get the idea for your first book?
The summers in the Washington, DC area are incredibly hot and muggy. It can be sweltering! I remember that we were dog sitting for my sister. When we would go out to water the plants (which has to be done often in the summer if you want the plants you worked so hard on to live), her dog thought the garden hose was playtime. The dog would bark and thoroughly relished in the water. I have found that most big dogs we ever had in the family enjoyed the hose.
My husband and I have always had pets. In college, we had a boxer named Bogie. He was a rescue that picked us and that had the best personality! Today, we live on a small farm and we have a lot of animals that we love on.
How long did it take you to write it?
It was actually something that I wrote fairly quickly, but the editing and revisions took time. I write and then have to go back over it. I have that questioning kind-of brain.
Was there any part of the publishing/promotion process that surprised you?
So, I went the self-publishing route, which I felt was right for me. This was entirely new to me, as was publishing a book, in general. I would say do your research and your homework. Look at all the options. Send questions to contacts and talk to people, then weigh your options.
Who are your favorite authors?
Throughout life, I have always been an avid reader! I try to at least read a book each month and we read to the children each night before bed- it’s a sacred tradition. I had another English teacher in high school, Mr. Reiner, who had us read and discuss a host of books from authors like Zora Neale Hurston, Barbara Kingsolver, and Wally Lamb, to name a few that I remember. I was entranced in the conversations about Mark Twain and what authors actually meant in their writings and whether there were underlying themes to what they wanted to convey. With children’s books, it can be a little more simple and straight-forward in the themes, but as a young adult I was really captivated by those conversations.
What's the best book you've read in the past year?
Naming only one is hard!!! I really liked “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens. I also liked: “The Giver of Stars” by Jojo Moyes, “Educated” by Tara Westover, “When We Believed in Mermaids” by Barbara O’Neal, “The Silent Patient” by Alex Michaelides, “On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous” by Ocean Vuong, and “One for the Blackbird, One for the Crow” by Olivia Hawker.
(Sorry, I am not much help with just one. 😊)
Is there any advice you would give to “budding authors”?
Don’t give up. Writing can be frustrating sometimes, and there can be distractions. If you feel that way, take a break, get a cup of coffee, take a walk, and come back to it later.
Writing is just that, writing. And, you often have to re-write, and do it over. If you have a block, do a sketch or diagram it out. Be patient with yourself. We all have stories to tell and ways to learn from and teach one another. Our stories and teachings are our greatest gifts.
What do you like most about the Urbana Library?
Our family are big fans of the Urbana Library. And, honestly, I grew up with my mother always taking us to the library when I was little, so I know how important libraries are to the community!
My kids and I have spent many hours attending the incredible children’s programs, picking up books, and pre-COVID-19, we would meet friends at Urbana Library. I really appreciate the monthly calendars that the library puts out so you can see what is coming and plan (especially with small children and busy schedules). The Summer Reading Program is excellent! The librarians have a special knack with the children. Librarian Janet is a favorite that my children call, ‘Ms. Janet,’ and wave to when we come to the library. She teaches them all sorts of new things, as do all the staff.
I like that Urbana Library offers such a diverse array of opportunities so we can learn about and appreciate the world- whether it’s an orchestra, or a drumming musical experience with a Caribbean beat, petting reptiles and other creatures, playing Minecraft and building cities, or a magician and his traveling adventures, there is continually something new and intriguing for everyone.