Today we have another book for the younger crowd, and it’s a new release with an adorable cover! This author has published works in the YA and children’s genres, but also has a MG fantasy and a women’s fiction she’s shopping around with agents. When it comes to sleeping in a coffin or spending the night in a haunted house? She’s done both. Welcome D.G. Driver!
Would you rather sleep in a coffin for one night or spend the night in a haunted house?
Back when I was 21, I was in this terrible play called Countess Dracula, and I played a crazy vampire. My first appearance was rising out of a coffin, so I had to get in it before the audience came in (no curtain at this theater) and lie in there for a good forty-five minutes. It was not fun. I have also spent the night in a haunted hotel doing a ghost hunt, which was scary but also fun. So….. I’m going to pick the haunted house and hope for the best.
If you were in a horror movie, would you rather have a loaded gun or a car that wouldn’t break down?
Definitely the car. Ghosts and zombies don’t die when they get shot, and murderers and monsters always get back up. I vote for escaping.
Would you rather put your hand in a box and feel something slimy or furry?
Gritting my teeth and timidly speaking: Furry?
What was the hardest part of writing your author bio?
Deciding what to leave out. I’ve had a few things published now, but I don’t like bios to be long. For the bio at the back of Matching Costumes, my first picture book, it felt strange to mention all my YA books. Not the same audience. So, I focused more on the themes of my writing rather than the titles.
Which comes first for you – plot or characters?
The first thing that comes to me in the premise or situation that the character will be facing. With that in mind I come up with a basic plot. Then I decide who the characters are and adjust the plot to fit these people. Matching Costumes has less than 60 words to it and was based on this premise: a child wants to make costumes for her dog and herself, but the dog won’t keep the costume on. The point was to create a pattern and then give a solution that breaks the pattern. I didn’t even name the girl or the dog.
What are you working on now?
In a total change of pace, I just finished writing my first women’s fiction novel and am shopping it around to agents. I’m also seeking representation for a middle grade fantasy novel called Dragon Surf that I’ve co-written with Jeni Bautista Richard. I’m in the process of recording and editing a musical story called Songwriter Night with a wonderful composer named Caleb Dinger that is going to be sold as a full cast audiobook.
Finding a costume to match a pet dog for Halloween isn’t easy. You have to be creative. Some ideas are funny, spooky, or pretty. Getting the dog to keep a costume on is the tricky part. Matching Costumes is a great picture book for infants-PreK
Matching Costumes is written by D. G. Driver and illustrated by Cason Rome. It is published by Huskies Pub, an imprint of MacLaren Cochrane Publishing. It is available at MCP Store and at Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1643721607
Author Bio
D.G. Driver is an optimist at heart, and that’s why she likes to write about young people making an impact on the world. You’ll find among her books a teen environmental activist, a young girl teaching people about autism acceptance and to stop bullying people with special needs, a princess who wants to be more than a prize for a prince, a boy who wins a girl’s heart by being genuine and chivalrous, and a girl who bravely searches for a friend lost along the shore of a dark lake. She is an award-winning author of books for teens and tweens, but you’ll find some romance and horror stories published in anthologies, too. When Driver isn’t writing, she’s a teacher at an inclusive early child development program in Nashville, TN. She might also take a break from writing once in a while to strut the stage in a local theater production. You’re guaranteed to find her belting out Broadway show tunes anytime she’s driving. Learn more about her books at www.dgdriver.com
http://www.facebook.com/donnagdriver
http://www.instagram/d_g_driver
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/d-g-driver
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7867013.D_G_Driver
Twitter @DGDriverAuthor
Books and Such 
Looks like a cute book. My kids would have loved it when they were little. Wishing her all the best with it.
Thanks, Teri.
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I tried to put a Halloween costume on my cat. Big mistake. Huge.
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I love the idea that Halloween is for all ages and interests, and that Bad Moon is inclusive of this age group. Glad to see this work included.
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It’s not something I’d initially thought of when BMR started, but why not? Halloween and “scary” books are for all ages, so I was thrilled authors of books like these were interested in participating.
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D.G has a lot of terrific things going on. Good to see her here.
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She sure does, John – a busy woman.
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Matching Costumes looks like such a fun read for kids and that cover 😍😍😍.
You know, I don’t think I could choose between furry and slimy. I wouldn’t be able to put my hand in at all. Nope…can’t do it 👻
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I’d definitely have to go with the furry. With slimy, I think snakes – not going there. At all.
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Aw, what a cute book! It’s interesting that Ms. Driver is someone who has actually spent time in a coffin (even if it was for a play).
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Right? I can’t imagine having to stay in it 45 minutes before the show even started.
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Sounds like a cute book. Also, I bet you were glad when that time was up and you could rise out of the coffin.
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Lying in a coffin for 45 minutes? That’s definitely something I would remember and not want to repeat, LOL.
The book looks adorable. I love that it includes a dog. All the best to D.G!
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Same here with the coffin, Mae.
Have you tried to put a costume on Raven? We have one from Shadow, our rescue before Bond. I tried to put it on Bond (bat wings) – what a disaster. Never trying that again!
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D.G.’s book sounds so sweet. Congratulations to her also on completing her first women’s fiction novel. That’s on my bucket list. Thanks for another great interview, Teri!
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Doesn’t it? The illustrations are beautiful.
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Glad to meet another writer this month!
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I’ve introduced you to lots of new folks, Jay!
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Happy hump day, Teri. How fun to meet DG. Adorable is right re the cover — I love it. The book sounds wonderful too. Happy (almost) Halloween hugs!
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It really is. Have you ever tried to put a costume on Crystal? Bond wanted no part of it – it wasn’t pretty.
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Aw, this one looks like so much fun! Going to check it out for my granddaughter, for sure. Nice to learn more about D.G. and her work, Teri. Fun post, even though I’m getting here late in the day. Definitely sharing! 🙂
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It’s a perfect seasonal book for the wee ones, Marcia. And thanks for reblogging!
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Reblogged this on The Write Stuff and commented:
Young Adult and Children’s author D. G. Driver is Teri Polen’s guest today on Bad Moon Rising. Sorry I’m late sharing it with you, but please don’t let that stop you from checking out her fun post today. I think you’ll enjoy it, and I hope you’ll pass it along so others can, too. Thanks, and as always, thank you, Teri, for such a fun October series! 🙂
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Awww, what a cute book! Makes me wish I had kiddies to share this with them 🙂
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Right? Mine are wayyyy to old for this now.
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This sounds like a fun book for children.
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It really does. I’m glad I could include a wide age range of books this year. Something for everyone.
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Five years ago I struggled to find suitable Halloween books for younger readers. This one looks perfect!
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Hope it’s not too late – this one would be wonderful for younger readers!
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What a cute book for children! This was another fun interview, Teri!
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I’ve had a blast with these interviews, Jan – the different ways authors can answer a question are pretty humorous.
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I like what you cover in your author bio. As I’ve worked with students from preK and up, I think it’s very important for them to get entertainment with a positive message.
Your featured book to me brings out a difference between real life and fiction. In real life, I’d likely be less afraid of someone dressed as a zombie than of being responsible for a young girl trying to dress her dog!
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