DEBUT RYS AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: Donna Marx

Donna Marx and Good Luck, Puck!

Before I introduce this month’s featured author (who, as the editor of her book, I am very excited about), I want to discuss – just what is luck? 

Here are two variations of luck’s definition

1. success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one's own actions.

2. chance considered as a force that causes good or bad things to happen.

I personally believe that luck is a combination, with a twist. While “chance” can certainly be a factor, I believe one’s actions certainly come into play. One’s actions are part of the force that causes good (or even bad) things to happen.  

When Donna Marx, one of my Mentees and a Member of Rate Your Story, decided to pay for a first page critique from me at Girl Power Hour, it wasn’t just luck, but good business sense. It was a story that I had worked with her on for several years, and that I loved. Since I had seen it many times, she could have chosen another manuscript. But she didn’t. And not only was I impressed with how polished it sounded when I read it aloud, but so was Michele McAvoy, the publisher of The Little Press! Was this luck? No. It was the culmination of many things:

1. A marketable idea. 

2. A fun title. 

3. A story with a strong seasonal tie-in. 

4. A story that kids would connect with.

5. A main character that kids would identify with. 

6. A great takeaway value. 

7. A satisfying resolution. 

8. The timing element (Olympics). 

Yes, Donna took a “chance” in submitting that story over another. But mostly, it was the hard work (along with blood, sweat and tears) of someone who was open to feedback, willing to invest time and energy and money into learning her craft, and willing to take her story apart and put it back together again, and again, and again, until it worked. I’m sharing this because these are the most important building blocks of success. 

LM: What inspired you to write Good Luck, Puck, as well as to keep going back to it, time

and again?

DM: After I retired, I spent a lot of time with my grandsons while their parents worked. Since I was a teacher, I liked planning our days with themed activities, like Dinosaur Day or Space Day, and we started calling it Camp Grandma.  So it was Hockey Day and we were playing hockey in the driveway.  The puck kept getting away from us and rolling down the street. So every time that happened we would shout, “Runaway Puck!” (the first story title).  It reminded me of the book,  The Runaway Pea by Kjartan Poskitt. It’s a story about a pea that rolls off the plate and into some adventures. So I started writing the story with a similar pattern.

I think the boys’ enthusiasm about the hockey puck character, along with the initial positive feedback I was getting about the concept, motivated me to keep revising. 

LM: What about your story made you think it was ready to submit?

DM: As you mentioned, I had been working on this story for several years.  During that time, I added all of the “missing” elements: stronger stakes, the right combination of adventures, a better setting, more layers, a catchier title, more kid-friendly language, etc. The critiques became more about drilling down on the right words and less about the essential elements in a marketable picture book.  PLUS, at a final session with you, your words were, “I think this is almost ready.”

LM: How many revisions did this story experience from idea to publication? What was the time span? 

DM: Wow.  This is a tough one.  Is A LOT  a number?? I’d say for major story element revisions at least 25. And then analyzing word choice, maybe another 25.  I know my beta-readers, my grandsons would use that “number” if asked this question.  LOL

LM: Did you have pagination and/or art notes in your manuscript when you submitted it? 

DM:  Yes. I believe in both. Pagination shows you have a vision for what will occur on each spread, which drives the pacing of your story. And art notes can be used to clarify what might not be in your text.  

LM: What preliminary research did you do to make sure your idea was unique and needed in the market place?

DM: I read every picture book I could find with the theme of hockey.  I also checked to see if there were any other books with an anthropomorphic hockey puck - this will be the first!  

LM: What kind of research did you do for the book? 

DM: Once I solidified the layers of teamwork, perseverance, and realizing your true passion, I added those to my library checkout list.  Although I was familiar with lots of hockey terms, since my grandsons play the sport, I found a comprehensive list.  And, of course, I did research on the Winter Olympics.  I wanted to make sure the sports and countries in my book were accurately represented.

LM: What were some of the things that changed substantially during this process of evolution from idea to book? 

DM: Initially, Puck wanted to leave hockey because he was bored.  That idea didn’t have the high stakes that not being the star of the team created. Plus, instead of just leaving the sport he was leaving a team.  That made it more likely for the reader to connect. Puck was the only character in the story, moving from sport to sport, basically talking to himself.  I added the sports equipment friends which made it a lot more engaging. And, finally, I hadn’t really done any world-building when I started the story.  The backdrop of the Winter Olympics was a game-changer that pulled everything together.

LM: What made you decide to bring this particular manuscript to Girl Power Hour, when you knew I had seen it already?

DM: Well, after you told me it was “almost ready” I made the changes we discussed and sat on it for a few months.  Then I sent it to an agent for a submission opportunity as a result of a webinar.  It was rejected. Now, I know every story is not for every agent or publisher, but I wondered, “What’s wrong with this story?” I thought there might be something you would pick up on when you saw it outside of our mentoring sessions. I was thrilled with your positive feedback and it gave me the confidence to be patient while getting it in front of the right person.

In my opinion, First Pages opportunities are one of the best ways to get feedback on your work.  If the first page is falling short, it doesn’t matter what follows.  It’s like missing ONE piece to your puzzle.  

LM: Do you feel that Puck was “lucky” or that he created his own luck by embarking on his journey to enlightenment? 

DM: Puck definitely created his own luck by taking the leap into the unknown.  Sometimes we don’t know how “lucky” we are until we experience alternatives and end up right back where we belong.  At the same time, venturing into uncharted waters can help us find talents or passions we didn’t know we had, thereby, being “lucky”, once again.  

LM: This is your debut book! What advice do you have for those who have yet to break in?

DM: Writing picture books is hard.  It takes practice, persistence, and investment in the craft.  I consider myself lucky.  I started this journey in 2021 and Good Luck, Puck! will be in the hands of kids in 2026.  I’m not necessarily a better writer than any of you reading this blog.  I just had the right idea, at the right time, in front of the right person.  Never stop learning and always be open to suggestions and changes.  That single critique comment might be the one thing that causes your story to pivot in the right direction.

LM: What are some things that you have learned or myths that have been dispelled since you have become an Author?

DM: Being a published author is hard, too! Your solo vision for the story is now the vision of the editor, the illustrator, the publisher, and even the distributor (they suggested we make the hockey players more generic -  as opposed to Team USA - for a broader appeal). You have to cut the apron strings, so to speak, and let the story you gave birth to be influenced by others.  In the end, if  kids can check out your book from the library or see it on a local bookstore shelf, it’s worth it!

LM: Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us! 

EXCITING UPDATE: I am "OVER THE RINK" excited to announce this fabulous event for my first published acquisitions as Editor at The Little Press GOOD LUCK PUCK! Please join me, @Donna Marx and illustrator Daniel Sulzberg for this WIN-TERRIFIC event! Replay available to registered Rate Your Story Members only. Others must attend live. We hope you'll join us for fun, writing and publishing fundamentals and prizes! Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe9rjU6VBU-b1sw8miNO3rb_HAytwLE-MqTYpV6GoX7Or4O5w/viewform?usp=header

DONNA MARX BIO:

Donna Marx worked with gifted children during her teaching career. She welcomed the challenge to nurture their thirst for knowledge and increase their love of literature. Donna has a heart for kids with multiple talents who struggle to discover their true passion. Her debut picture book, "Good Luck, Puck", was inspired by her grandsons. When she’s not writing, she watches them score goals or chase hockey pucks down the street! 

CONNECT WITH DONNA: www.donnamarx.com