Interview: Shaunessy Sinnett
- Little Thoughts Press
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Shaunessy Sinnett grew up in Goderich, Canada. She used to tell stories as a professional dancer in Riverdance until she discovered that telling stories on paper hurt her feet a lot less. Now, Shaunessy enjoys writing sweet, spooky, and humorous stories for young readers. She is a member of SCBWI, 12x12, and was selected this spring as a mentee in the PB Rising Stars program. Over the past year, Shaunessy was honored to be recognized in writing competitions like 50 Precious Words, the Halloweensie Contest, the KidLit Chuckle Challenge, and the Valentiny Contest. She now lives in Los Angeles with her husband where she enjoys writing, reading, dancing, and hiking.
Little Thoughts Press: Part of the charm of "Hurkle-durkle" is its use of repetition in every stanza. Did you know that you wanted to use repetition at the outset, or did you come to this idea during the process of drafting the poem?
Shaunessy Sinett: I did not originally plan for the word “hurkle-durkle” to repeat. I often let the rhythm lead when I write. In this instance, the repetition just fell into place.
Little Thoughts Press: One of the things that appealed to us about "Hurkle-durkle" is that it has no extra padding: every word plays an important role in the poem. In your revision process, how do you decide whether certain words should stay in a poem or be cut? What advice can you offer young writers for how to approach this kind of decision-making in their own writing?
Shaunessy Sinett: I am merciless when it comes to cutting words out! I try to imagine the poem like a little play the reader performs. When I’m drafting, I aim to make it as easy as possible for the reader to succeed in delivering every stressed and unstressed syllable. If I’m even a little in doubt about how a phrase will be read or interpreted, it’s GONEZO. Hehe!
For younger writers, I would encourage them to read the story or poem aloud and listen for any inconsistencies in the metre. Do not be afraid to search for a word or phrase that brings more clarity, a better image, or a better sound! Another idea is to keep a “graveyard” at the bottom of the page for lines or sections that you’ve cut. You may need to resurrect something!
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?
Shaunessy Sinett: I loved this issue for its many interesting words! I learned so much! Right now, I am fascinated by words that don’t seem to have an English equivalent; we can learn so much from other languages. I recently learned the Japanese word “tsundoku” which means buying books and letting them pile up unread. I, of course, would know nothing about this. (Pay no attention to that stack of unread books over there.)
Little Thoughts Press: Why did you choose the word(s) you chose to feature in your Stirring Words piece?
Shaunessy Sinett: The word hurkle-durkle has it all: Rhyme! Rhythm! It’s fun to say aloud! It’s a little silly! The Scots really made a winner when they thought of hurkle-durkle, hehe! I also loved its meaning: spending a little longer in bed than you ought to. It reminded me of the final page in Great Day for Up! by Dr. Seuss. It’s a cosy scene of a little boy in his bed. The rest of the book features everyone and everything else in the world getting UP! This was my inspiration for both the poem and illustration.
Little Thoughts Press: How did you get started writing kid-lit and what do you find most challenging and rewarding about writing for kids?
Shaunessy Sinett: I have always been interested in children’s literature, but I did not start studying it in college until the pandemic! I come from a dance/performing arts background, so I was surprised to find that writing picture books specifically felt like theatre on the page.
The most challenging element of writing for kids? For me, it’s plotting. This is less of a concern with poetry, thank goodness, but sometimes I will draft a manuscript based on just “vibes.” No plot in sight. I need to stop doing this. *internal screaming*
The most rewarding thing about writing for young people is bringing some sort of joy. It’s tough to compete with technology, but if something I write can entertain a reader, or bring a smile, or teach them something? That’s about as good as it gets.
Little Thoughts Press: Which kid-lit authors and books were your favorites growing up?
Shaunessy Sinett: We had a LOT of Seuss in my family home! Of course I liked the aforementioned Great Day for Up!, but I also remember loving There's a Wocket in My Pocket. And like all children, I enjoyed torturing my parents by asking them to read Fox in Socks no less than twice a week.
Little Thoughts Press: And what about today? Any kid-lit writers you love and want to shout out?
Shaunessy Sinett: Oh my goodness, there are so many! And I’m still discovering some of the greats! I have a particular soft spot for my fellow Canadian writers and right now I’m loving Casey Lyall’s work! I think she is a genius.
Little Thoughts Press: What advice would you give to young writers?
Shaunessy Sinett: Read! I’m sure young writers hear this a lot. I would also encourage young writers to pay attention to other forms of art: visual art, theatre, film, dance, etc. It’s all storytelling and we can learn from it!
Little Thoughts Press: Is there anything else you wish I had asked? Any upcoming projects, publications, or other news you'd like to share?
Shaunessy Sinett: It was a pleasure to answer these questions, Claire! I just finished a wonderful mentorship program called PB Rising Stars. I felt so fortunate to be selected as one of 28 mentees from over 2400 applicants. My mentor, Shana Keller, and the program directors taught me SO MUCH. Soon, I will be bravely entering the querying trenches in search of an agent. I am excited to use my new skills to create, create, create! No more hurkle-durkling: I have work to do!