Paul Aertker is a multilingual teacher, international traveler, and man of the world. He built a children’s library in Africa, worked as an au pair in France, and even took the CIA exam. The second book in his middle grade series, Crime Travelers, was released earlier this month. Paul and I discussed the fun of writing for kids, what’s working for his author platform, and his writing practice. More importantly, Paul shared the incredible news that he’s just received a movie offer for his series, so we may be able to see Crime Travelers on the big screen in the future. To learn more about Paul and his work, visit www.crimetravelers.com.

Congratulations on the release of your second book in the Crime Travelers series, “Diamonds Are For Never.” The series is for middle school readers. What do you enjoy most about writing for this age group, and what do you hope kids will take away from your books?

Most people who know me, know that I act like a child. No but seriously, I do. I like being around kids because they laugh more and it makes me laugh more and I end up seeing funny things everywhere. Behind the humor and action-adventure stories, there is also the teacher in me that wants kids to exercise their imaginations and to open their minds through travel and world exploration.

What’s the best piece of advice you could give someone who wants to write books for a young audience?

Tap into your inner child. I think most adults had their emotional development arrested at a certain age. For some of us, it’s sixteen; others it’s six. For me, it’s straight up eleven, which is why I find eleven year olds funny. (Seventeen year olds are way too old for me.) That’s in part true. I think the best thing—for me to remember when writing for or speaking to younger people—is to be honest. Kids know when you’re full of baloney and they appreciate it when you are real with them.

I’ve read that you love to travel. How have your journeys inspired your imagination & creativity?

To me opening page one in a book is like going on vacation. Or at least it should be. I tell kids all the time that they can travel by bike, by boat, or by book. All books or stories are journeys of some kind with the most important trip being that of the reader.

How has your writing practice evolved over time?

I used to be more of a morning writer, but I’ve noticed that my internal critic is more censorious, even vituperative in the early part of the day. (Big words Alert!) I always write a first draft knowing full well that it is going to be re-written, but the flow of words onto the page, at least the first time, have to be uninhibited. And the critic can kill that flow. So I often wake up in the middle of the night and write for a couple of hours while the critic in my head is still asleep. I go back to bed and wake up in the morning and find that someone has miraculously written several chapters! Now the internal critic has something to work on.

What’s been the most helpful thing you’ve done to establish your platform as an author?

I speak and Skype at schools all over the world. Just this month, I’ve Skyped with kids in Vietnam, Mexico, South Carolina, Oregon, Texas, and Nigeria. I also work on my relationship with teachers. If teachers like my books, then they are more likely to recommend them. I often give teachers copies of my books for free.

What has the character of Lucas Benes taught you? Does he have a few more adventures in his future?

Lucas is a great guy and he really is focused on doing what is right even if it means breaking the rules. His next adventure? Now this is interesting! Lucas just may very well be headed to Hollywood since a production company now wants to option the Crime Travelers series for a major motion picture!

Thanks, Paul!