THINGS THAT INFLUENCED ME TO WRITE AND ILLUSTRATE A CHILDREN’S BOOK

~MY LOVE OF ART~

When I was young, my father worked for the Daily Press Newspaper.  My brother, sister, and I loved it when he would bring home rolls of newsprint for us to draw on.  I can’t tell you how many times we would trace our bodies and create pictures on that large paper! When I was in the 5th and 6th grades, my parents gave me art lessons. It was fun to learn from “a real art teacher” and create pictures using pastels and paints! Other than that, I have had no formal training. However, when I retired from teaching, I started a small business where I hand-painted wine glasses, pitchers, and other glass entertainment pieces. I loved meeting people, hearing their stories, and seeing them smile when they bought my hand-painted glassware! It was a fun and exciting experience for me!

~MY LOVE OF BOOKS~

My love of books started when mom and dad would buy us little “Golden Books.” I still have a few of those books that are frayed at the corners and some with doodles in them…but they were well loved!  My dad also took us to the library every week in the summer to check out books. I could hardly wait to read the next Nancy Drew mystery! Of course, as a Kindergarten teacher, I  became obsessed with children’s books and collected hundreds of them. After I retired, I loved snuggling in bed with my grandchildren and reading some of their favorite books to them!  What sweet memories! My love for children’s books continues to this day! It’s no wonder that I would eventually take a stab at writing and illustrating one of my own!

~MY LOVE OF CHILDREN~

My love of children started when I became old enough to babysit. It was a chance for me to earn a little spending money, but most importantly, I found that I really had fun and enjoyed the experience of being with children! My senior year, I was elected president of the FTA (Future Teacher’s of America) and my fate was sealed. I graduated from Longwood College with a B.S. in Elementary Education and began a rewarding career that would span almost thirty years. Of course, the greatest love of all came when I had my own children, Courtney and Hunter!  Our family has continued to grow and grow. I have two “bonus children,” Lisa and Tony, and my husband and I have a total of ten grandchildren! Wow!  That’s quite a crew! 

~WHAT "LIFE EVENTS" PROMPTED ME TO WRITE A CHILDREN'S BOOK?~

In 2018, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I am doing great now…but when you hear the word “cancer,” it causes you to hit the “pause button” in your life! I reflected on what was most important to me and what messages I wanted to leave my children and grandchildren. A few years later, I would begin writing and illustrating what I refer to as my “Legacy of Love” for them. As I was writing and illustrating my book I knew…absolutely knew…that God was always with me. The Night of Christmas Miracles was written not only as a “Legacy of Love” for my family,  but it has been a spiritual journey for me and one I will always cherish! That’s why it was important for me to have Jesus as the focus of Christmas in my book! My intention is for us to embrace the real meaning of Christmas!

~HOW DO I WANT MY READERS TO FEEL WHEN THEY FINISH READING MY BOOK?~

I want my readers to feel that they are special and important because they truly are! I want them to realize that they each possess a unique gift and talent, and can make a difference in our world!  I hope my book will provide an opportunity for children to think about what they would do if they met Jesus and what gift they would offer Him!

~ WHAT MESSAGE DO I WANT TO LEAVE WITH MY READERS?~

I want to tell my readers to follow their dreams and passions! 

As Eleanor Roosevelt said, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” 

My readers are the future of our world.