Interview: Mona Voelkel

Little Thoughts Press Issue Eleven: Stirring Words with a sneak peek of the poem "A Pebble Remembers" by Mona Voelkel. The poem is accompanied by artwork by Kim Wagner Nolan.

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Mona Voelkel is a reading specialist and writer. Words are the heartbeat of her teaching and writing life so she is especially honored to contribute to Stirring Words. Her poetry has been published by The Dirigible Balloon and The Milford Journal. A new picture book, Moon Choo-Choo, illustrated by Nancy Kincade, is a rhyming celebration of creative collaboration. She was born in the Bronx, lives in Westchester County, New York, and loves to spend time with friends.

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Little Thoughts Press: "A Pebble Remembers" is a very creative way of introducing young readers to an element of medieval life. Did you know from the start that you wanted to explain how a trebuchet works by telling a story from a pebble’s point of view? Or did you come to this realization after you’d started working on the poem? 

Mona Voelkel: I loved  the word "trebuchet," and wondered if I could write a poem about this medieval boulder-throwing machine. My first drafts focused on the boulder, not the pebble. It took several drafts (and feedback from writing partners) for the pebble's voice to emerge. Once that happened, the poem became the story of a pebble sharing its regret about the damage caused when it was a boulder.

Little Thoughts Press: How would you advise young writers who are interested in history to approach writing stories or poems about historical subjects?  

Mona Voelkel: Know your historical subject well. Make a list of twenty questions about your topic that intrigue you and research the answers. Then, set a timer for seven minutes and write what comes to mind about your topic. Underline the words, phrases, or sentences that most appeal to you and use those as a possible way to begin your poem or story.

Little Thoughts Press: Our Stirring Words issue is all about odd, interesting, or inspiring words and phrases. What is your favorite word right now? Why do you love it?

Mona Voelkel: I just read an essay by Mary Ruefle with the phrase, "wild forest blood runs in your veins," and I love that because it feels mysterious and elusive. I also love the word "serendipity" because I am thrilled by the people, places, and things that pop up unexpectedly in my life.

Little Thoughts Press: Why did you choose the word(s) you chose to feature in your Stirring Words piece?

Mona Voelkel: I originally described some of the people inside the castle as "servants" but then changed that to "vassals" to better fit the medieval setting. I also changed the word "fraction" to "fragment" because it was more of a "rock" word.

Little Thoughts Press: How did you get started writing kid-lit and what do you find most challenging and rewarding about writing for kids?

Mona Voelkel: I think I got started writing kid-lit by having the honor, over 25 years as a reading specialist, of reading notable children's literature (poems, picture books, novels) to my students and seeing how books can comfort, transport, educate, and uplift us.

After I retired from the classroom in 2021, I started writing for adults and children full-time, even though I was not sure if it was something I could do. I took the advice I would give my students: "Just write and see what happens." The most challenging part is always when a story or poem is not working and I feel like there is no way I can fix it.

I have learned, over time and from my experiences guiding young writers, that feeling is part of the writing process. I developed strategies (put the draft in a drawer for a few days, ask for help, work on another project) to ride that wave.

By far, the most rewarding part of writing for kids is being able to encourage young writers. At a recent school visit, a 3rd-grader asked me, "Did you always know you were going to be a writer?" I replied, "No, because I never thought that was something I could do." I want every child to know that writing is something they can do to express themselves, as an outlet for their creativity, and as a possible career.

Little Thoughts Press: Which kid-lit authors and books were your favorites growing up?

Mona Voelkel: Growing up in the Bronx, I practically lived in the Fordham Road branch of the New York Public Library. The Poky Little Puppy, Dick and Jane, The Hundred Dresses, The Nancy Drew Series, The Once and Future King, Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Shakespeare were my favorites growing up. 

My parents were both from Ireland so I was also influenced by their oral stories of growing up in rural Leitrim and Sligo, and my father's ghost and fairy stories, along with his ballads.

Little Thoughts Press: And what about today? Any kid-lit writers you love and want to shout out?

Mona Voelkel: So many! I especially love Georgia Heard, Rebecca Kai Dotlich, Irene Latham, Charles Waters, Suzy Levinson, Kristine O'Connell George, Dashka Slater, Katey Howes, Joyce Sidman, Julia Donaldson, Jon Klassen, Marzieh Abbas, Lisa varchol Perron, and Julie Fogliano.

Little Thoughts Press: What advice would you give to young writers?

Mona Voelkel: Read. Read. Read. Take yourself seriously as a writer by giving yourself the gift of time to write. Draw your story or poem out first, if that's what you want to do. Jot down wonders and noticings in a notebook. Have fun! Enter writing contests and submit to magazines like Little Thoughts Press.

Little Thoughts Press: Is there anything else you wish I had asked? Any upcoming projects, publications, or other news you'd like to share?

Mona Voelkel: I would love to give a special shout-out to the amazing illustrators of the Stirring Words issue, including Kim Wagner Nolan, who brought my poem to life with her gorgeous illustration.  

"A Pebble Remembers" is also a poem in my upcoming poetry collection, Pebble Ponderings, which I am currently querying.

I am also excited that my new poem, "The Boat Beach" will be included in the December 2025 "Better Together" issue of Little Thoughts Press.  

I also want to thank you, Claire, for creating such a gorgeous magazine for writers and readers of all ages. Each edition is a joy to behold and is infinitely inspiring. I feel so honored to have my work appear on your pages alongside writers I so admire.