Inspiration
Question:
Did you always enjoy writing?
Answer:
Yes, for as long as I can remember I enjoyed writing. As a young child, I wrote long letters to my Aunt Barbara when she moved to Florida. She always called me her “little queen”, and when she moved away I missed her terribly. Writing helped me not to miss her so much. Then as a teenager, I spent a lot of time writing stories, poetry, and songs.
Question:
Did you ever share your stories, poems and songs with anyone?
Answer:
I shared the stories and some of the poems in my creative writing class in high school, and some of them were published in the school newspaper. Most of my poems were love letters to my high school sweetheart. Once I shared one of them with a friend, and she asked me to write a poem for her boyfriend. It was difficult to write it because there were no feelings prompting me, but I didn’t want to disappoint her, so I wrote it. (Their relationship didn’t last long). My songs were shared often at church, at weddings, at funerals, and at birthday parties. I even sang one of my songs at my college graduation in front of thousands of people.
Question:
When do your ideas come to you?
Answer:
Emotions always drove my poetry and songs, but my stories are driven by a variety of things. Sometimes I’m inspired by people, experiences, dreams, and of course, emotions. The dreams are the weirdest type of inspiration though because they wake me up out of a sound sleep. Then I turn my light on and jot the ideas down on a little green sticky note pad on my bookshelf beside my bed. In the morning I read them and decide whether they are worth saving or if it was just indigestion stirring up my mind! When they seem worth saving, I put the sticky notes in a very messy notebook that’s filled with random thoughts and ideas. I’m always sure to close the notebook because if I look at them too long, the mess drives me crazy. I’m a little OCD when it comes to organization, so the randomness and the disconnectedness gets to me if I don’t have time to organize it. When I do have time to sit and write, I feel a sense of relief when I can discard the sticky notes and organize my thoughts into a framework of ideas.
Question:
You are a teacher. When in the world do you find time to write?
Answer:
Most of my writing occurs in the summer time when I’m relaxed and enjoying nature. During the school year, my life is much more unpredictable with lots of demands, so there’s no steady schedule for me to write. I read and write in short bites of time and long for the summer or holiday breaks when I can sit for hours upon hours writing. My husband is often amazed at my ability to stay focused on a task for so long.
Question:
What would you like to do when you retire from teaching?
Answer:
Read, read, read, and write, write, write! (And of course, spend lots of time with my huge family!)
Question:
Do you have any suggestions for others who hope to be an author one day?
Answer:
Yes. Read, read, read, and write, write, write! There are two childhood poems that still inspire me today:
Good, better, best. Never let it rest. Till your good is better and your better is best!
2. If at first you don’t succeed. Try, try again!
One Final Question:
What do you hope to accomplish by sharing your stories?
Answer:
I want to write stories that kids love to read. I’ve had the opportunity to read my stories to hundreds of kids, and they always beg me for more. So, here goes nothing! My first novel was just published, and we’ll see how it goes!
Question:
What are some of your most memorable moments teaching students to read and write?
Answer:
I had the great opportunity to teach a 54-year-old man to read. His goal: to read his favorite hymn. (I think it was Amazing Grace). When he finally broke through and began to read the words, we spontaneously sang… then cried together. That was a magical moment! I’ve had countless other magical moments throughout the years seeing the joy on students’ faces when they finally “get it.” Teaching “Young Authors Clubs” is something else I enjoy because I want to inspire the next generation.
Question:
What’s your next project?
Answer:
My new line of reading comprehension games and activities will be available soon. At the end of each school year, I always ask the students what their favorite class activity was. Hands down, they respond, “The Word Wizard Game!” Like my stories, I am making my games available to all. Keep watching my website; they’re coming soon! And of course, I am working on the second book in the trilogy, Curse Breaker. I can’t wait to share it with you!
Fun Fact:
Did you know that Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the Little House on the Prairie series, didn’t publish her first book until she was 65 years old? Yet look at what an impact her books continue to have on our world. My grandson Raine is young, and his career as an illustrator has just begun! (I’ll try not to work him too hard.) I’ve been called the energizer bunny, and I’ve got lots of great stories in this little gray head of mine. Raine’s artistic abilities are about to blow people away. He just earned scholarships to several art institutions. Disney, make way, make way! I see movies in our future!
From Mori:
Dream big! The future is yours. Find your talents and work hard.
You are never too young, too old, too poor, too… (fill in the blank). Don’t let anything stand in your way. You’ve got this! Follow your heart and make a difference in the world! I stepped out and did it; you can too! The Celtic cross is sparkling; this is your moment.