Finding Inspiration With Rennie Dyball

Just as the school year concludes and the promise of summer unfolds, Rennie Dyball, a celebrated author known for her ability to connect with young readers, presents her newest literary creation: Fiona and the Peculiar Praise. This enchanting children’s book arrives as a welcome companion for families embarking on summer adventures, offering a captivating escape for young minds during extended journeys.

Rennie Dyball stands as a distinguished figure in the literary world, recognized for her exceptional storytelling across a remarkable range of genres. Her accolades underscore her versatility and talent, acknowledging her significant contributions to various literary categories. Fiona and the Peculiar Praise adds another gem to her already impressive collection of engaging picture books designed to ignite the imaginations of young readers.

In addition to her own accomplished body of work, Dyball actively collaborates with other writers, demonstrating her commitment to the broader literary community. She lends her keen editorial eye and storytelling expertise as a sought-after ghostwriter and freelance editor, helping fellow authors shape their narratives and bring their creative visions to fruition across a diverse tapestry of storytelling. Her passion for the written word extends beyond the page into the realm of equine pursuits. A dedicated equestrian and a lifelong admirer of horses, Rennie Dyball finds inspiration in her daily life in Maryland, where she resides with her family. The landscapes and experiences of her home often weave their way into the fabric of her imaginative tales, adding a layer of authenticity and charm to her storytelling.

Thank you so much for taking time for this interview! Before we dig in, our readers would love to “get to know you” better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?  

I knew I was a writer soon after learning to write. I remember telling my dad that I was hearing “book words” in my head from a very young age. He knew I was a writer from then on. I wrote for my high school and college newspapers, and landed my dream job at People magazine after graduation. I spent 15 years at People and People.com and it was the most incredible training ground for learning how to interview, and how to make every word count in your writing. I began ghostwriting celebrity books as a side gig while at People. When I left the magazine to work for myself, I also began writing fiction in addition to my collaborations. I’ve also been an equestrian for most of my life, and I currently compete in the hunters and equitation. Getting to write books about horses is a truly special blend of passions for me. 

Congratulations on your recent amazing books. As an award-winning author, what is one thing you wish you knew about the publishing industry before you got your first book published? How would that knowledge have benefited you early on? Can you tell us more about “Harvesting Wisdom” and what it means to you?

I wish I knew how important it is to check in with a work in progress as much as possible. Agent and author Kate McKean likes to say “touch your manuscript most days” and I’ve really taken that advice to heart. Even recently (you never stop learning!). It’s easy to fall into ruts where you work on the paying gigs during the day (for me that’s book collaborations and freelance editing) and end up ignoring your own manuscript – a work in progress. But even if I just set a timer for 30 or 45 minutes and go inside that manuscript and do something, it’s time well spent. The way I see it now, a manuscript needs to be a part of your life, not something you pick up and put back down for stretches of time. The only exception is when you’ve tabled something and want to give yourself some breathing room from it. Then a few months’ distance can work wonders.

“Harvesting Wisdom” makes me think of the podcasts and audiobooks I listen to while I drive. Whether it’s about writing, creativity, or any other subject on the planet, I love engaging with pods and audio books to keep learning. 

What books do you have coming out this year?

2025 is a really exciting year for me. Fiona and the Peculiar Praise – my newest picture book – just hit the market on May 13th. Books 3-5 of the Show Strides middle grade series come out this summer. And a book that I co-authored, The ADHD Field Guide for Adults, comes out Sept. 2.  Something for everyone this year!

Can you share an example of a time you received constructive criticism that helped you improve your writing and ultimately contribute to winning an award? How did you apply that feedback?Can you share the most interesting story that has happened to you since you started working in the entertainment industry?   

The first time I wrote a feature story at People, I thought I knocked it out of the park. My editor, Jess Cagle, called me into his office. As an overly-confident 20-something writer in NYC, I had the audacity to think he was calling me in to compliment me on the feature. I’m sure you can guess where this is going. Jess went through the story with me, line by line, pointing out every single place where I could improve and elevate my text. He was, of course, absolutely correct. “Good writing is rewriting,” as they say, and when I took his advice to heart and pushed myself to make every word better, the piece reflected my efforts. When you finish writing something and think it’s good, that’s your start. You’ve got to keep pushing from there. 

I have so many interesting stories working in the entertainment industry! One of my favorites was when I wanted to cover the Fuller House premiere — as a child of the late ‘80s and ‘90s, I grew up with Full House. I flew to LA on another assignment but also set up meetings with Warner Bros. and Netflix executives to pitch People – and myself – as the one to cover the new show exclusively. This sort of thing wasn’t my forte at the time, but it worked! And I think I did it by being authentic and sharing my enthusiasm for the reunion everyone my age was excited about. It paid off in spades. A People cover, later a book collaboration with a cast member, and — icing on the cake — a private tour of the Tanner house set from John Stamos himself. 

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned about managing your time and workload as a freelancer for a major publication like People?  Share one time management strategy that has worked best for you.

The juggle is real. It’s never easy to figure out how to manage a workload when you’re self-employed. Right now, for example, I have four books to read and review for People, five books that come out this year, and several manuscripts and proposals in various stages. I try to work backwards from deadlines and try to prioritize whatever is due soonest. And when I catch a wave of inspiration or motivation, I go with it. This past weekend, I was able to finish a manuscript line edit a lot quicker than I’d anticipated because I just found myself in the groove. And last week, on a work in progress, I figured out where my plot was going, and my fingers could barely keep up with my imagination! Staying open to those waves is what results in those super productive spurts. 

Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?  

I can think of many people I’m grateful for, including my literary agent, Elizabeth Rudnick, whose unwavering belief in me as an author makes me feel like I can do the things I’m afraid of in this business. Her support combats the imposter syndrome that inevitably pops up! I also remember the first time I got a ghostwriting deal – for Christian Siriano’s first book, Fierce Style, right after he’d won Project Runway. I was a writer at People at the time and I burst into my colleague and fellow book collaborator Alex Tresniowski’s office, panicking at the idea of writing 50,000 words. I don’t remember exactly how he talked me down, but he, too, made me believe I could do it. That book with Christian was the first of 17 titles I’ve now written or co-authored.

What do you do about writer’s block?

I like to give myself grace and rest. A writer’s mind never stops or shuts down. Turning your attention to other things and letting whatever you’re stuck on breathe a little bit will go a long way. It can be harder to get back into that part of whatever you’re working on after a break, so after that time resting, I force myself to write something. Anything! It’s kind of like when you do a big, fake laugh and it ultimately turns into a real laugh. If I sit at my desk and just type words, even if it’s my characters gossiping about me and what a terrible author I am, eventually something good will come out. Then I delete the starter filler and keep going with whatever little grain of an idea came out.

Can you please give us your favorite ”Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

KISS – “keep it simple, stupid.” My dad reminded me of that one often, growing up. Lovingly, of course – the “stupid” in there is just a way to keep from taking yourself too seriously. And, of course, to make the acronym work. No matter how busy or overwhelming things get, I always remember to just keep it simple. I’ll make a to-do list of every manuscript I need to touch. I’ll set alarms on my phone so I don’t miss meetings. I’ll block out entire afternoons to devote to various projects to free me up for after-school activities and dinner with my kids. Simplifying whatever is going on is the key to making sense of it all. Even just getting a little bit done at a time, it all adds up.

Do you have plans for a book tour?

I make appearances at bookstores, trade shows, and schools for author visits throughout the year. I love to meet readers old and new, so people can contact me on my website, www.renniedyball.com, or on IG @renniedyball.