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Originally from New York City, D. Dina Friedman moved to western Massachusetts with her soon-to-be husband twenty-eight years ago because "it was a compromise between Brooklyn and the Ozarks." Now she lives next door to 350 cows and has developed a passion for gardening and for hiking in the state park behind her house. In addition her two young adult novels, Dina has published numerous short stories and poems in literary magazines and has twice been nominated for the Pushcart Prize. She teaches at the University of Massachusetts/Amherst.

Thank you Dina for taking the time to answer some questions for us!  What are you currently working on?

Well, I have many different projects at various stages of completion, but the latest project facing publication is a paperback edition of Escaping into the Night, a historical novel that tells the story of a 13-year old girl's flight from the Polish ghetto and setllement into a forest encampment that saved over 1200 Jews from the Holocaust. I'm hoping that now that the book is in paperback that it will be used even more extensively in Holocaust middle school curriculum, though the book has also been enjoyed by many adults.

Have you received any awards for your work?

Escaping Into the Night was designated as a Notable Book for Older Readers by the Association of Jewish Libraries, A Best Book for the Teen Age by New York Public Library, a Children's Book Council/National Council of Social Studies Trade Book, and a VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates) Top Shelf Fiction Pick. It was also nominated as a Best Book for Young Adults by the American Library Association.

Do you also do speaking engagements, or seminars?

I've done a number of speaking engagements including workshops for teachers, school visits, book club visits, conference presentations, etc. You can find more information on my website: ddinafriedman.com

How has your education, profession or background helped you in your writing career? Or conversely, how has you writing success helped you in your  profession?

Well, I was an English major with a concentration in Creative Writing in college a million years ago, but it took me many years since then to perfect my craft. I spent my twenties writing poetry and going to tons of reading in New York City.

Then I moved to western Massachusetts and spent a number of years both participating in and leading workshops with Amherst Writers & Artists. Most recently I teach a different kind of writing - writing for business majors at the University of Massachusetts. It's all helpful, even the business writing teaches you how to commit words to a page quickly with clear intent. But ultimately, without a lot of discipline and outside motivation, I would have never had the stamina to be a novelist.

What kind of other works (books, scripts, poems etc.) have you had published?

I have published poetry and short stories in numerous literary journals, as well as a second novel for younger readers: Playing Dad's Song (Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 2006) which is about a boy whose father died during 9/11, and how he finds healing from his grief through music. My most recent publication is an essay in an anthology entitled Woodstock Revisited (Adams Media, 2009). I happened to have gone to Woodstock with my summer camp when I was 12 - for one evening, until they realized what was happening and took us home.

Is there any aspect to your profession that gets you in touch with your readers directly?

Well, I love presenting at schools and book clubs and talking to people who have actually read my work. I also love hearing from readers via email through my web site.

What will your next project be?

I have three other young adult /middle grade novels that are currently being circulated, and another book I'm drafting that feels very promising. I don't know which will be published next.

What type of work is the most rewarding or satisfying for you?

Writing, obviously, though it's never easy, it's always a thrill on the days when I feel that I've nailed something.

What can you recommend for writers who are just getting started and are trying to make a name for themselves?

You can't just write because you want to be published. You need to write because you love it and because you can't "not write." Take the time to perfect your craft. Writing well is a lifetime learning process and all of us, published or not, are still somewhere on the continuum.

Take workshops and join critique groups, but ultimately find people who can see your work the way you see it and help you bring it to that place. Some of the feedback you get will not be helpful, not because the people reading your work are not intelligent, but simply because they are not in line with what you are trying to do.
 
Which is your favorite book/work published? Is there a favorite?

Favorites often change with the wind, but some books I have total admiration for include Les Miserables by Victor Hugo and The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. I adore books that use story to explore wider social issues. For children, I'd have to say that one of my all time favorite books is The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White because of the great humor and because I can't resist things about music

What does a typical work day look like for you?

On days that I'm not teaching, I tend to write in the mornings for 1-3 hours. The rest of my days are taken up with more administrative tasks: book marketing, teaching-related tasks, etc.

Finally, a most important question: what was the last song you sang out loud when you were by yourself?  :)

On My Own, from Les Miserables, though I can't sing as well as Susan Boyle.

Thank you Dina! We wish you great success with your upcoming young adult novels!