Author Links
Welcome to My Bookish Pleasures, Michael! How did you get into writing children’s books?
My mom said many years ago, after she saw my love of writing, that if I ever became successful, it would probably be due to a kids book. During the beginning of COVID, I was very concerned about my children’s online education and thought, “What if I write a science book series and my kids have to read it because dad wrote it.” The Nurse Florence series was born and the first published in Sep 2020.
Do you think it’s particularly hard to write children’s books?
It seems to be a natural gift to write for kids. We have received many 5-star reviews and very many book awards for the series including two best series awards. I use it as a self-care activity and find peace and relaxation as I write.
What is your special place to write?
My kitchen table, at the end. Frankly, it’s the only place in the house that I can have a special setup. Family continues to do things around me as I write and it doesn’t bother me.
Can you tell us a little about your illustrator?
I have over 100 illustrators helping with the Nurse Florence® project, but Lindsay Roberts, who illustrated this book, is extra special for the project. She has illustrated 13 other Nurse Florence® titles. Here’s her bio in her own words:
Lindsay acquired her BFA from Columbus College of Art and Design. She was a self-employed metal artist beginning in 1985 and was part of the American Arts and crafts movement of the late 80’s and early 90’s with an art piece on permanent collection at the White House and the governor’s mansion in Ohio. The majority of the works she sold then were done in metal, either soldered or welded. During that time, she spent 5 years serving on the board of Ohio Designer Craftsmen and networked part of her business through them. She sold many of her works through art galleries across the USA and Japan. She did many individual commissions and was also commissioned to do giftware design through Bath and Body Works, i.e., the Limited, in the year 2000.
In 2008, Lindsay went back to college to acquire another degree so she could try her hand at teaching high school art. She acquired a M.Ed. from U of A. She taught art at 6 different schools in AZ before retiring in 2022. In her last 4 years, she taught: Art 1, Advanced Art, AP Art, Ceramics, Advanced Ceramics, and Photography I, II, III, and IV (which was also producing the school’s yearbook). Several of her students were recipients of HAA Art scholarships. During her first year of teaching at public schools, she taught Graphic Design. All this time, she enjoyed making art with her students and building her illustration, drawing, and painting skills.
During those teaching years she still accomplished a few commissions of steel sculptures. It started with the first commission from Norton Abrasives of creating the company’s mascot. It was a larger-than-life French bulldog named Cooper. Cooper resides at the company’s US headquarters in Brownsville TX. The mascot had long lines during one trade show of people wanting to take selfies with it. It was a hit and resulted in a personal commission for a couple in Los Angeles of another bulldog named Sebastian.
When Lindsay retired in 2022, she worked with an old friend in Ohio who is an author and performer on a children’s book. All the illustrations in the book including the cover were created by Lindsay. The book is for 0-8 year old children and is called “Sleep Little Raven”.
Lindsay has kept a blog since 2008 showing the progress of her works at www.curlycu.com.
In Lindsay’s words:
“Making art is like breathing; it is a must for my own survival and sanity.”
When you are not writing, what are you doing?
I work as Registered Nurse at an inpatient psychiatric hospital. I also spend time with my wife doing dates.
If you could choose the perfect place to write more children’s books, where would that be?
On a porch in San Diego on the beach.
You can purchase your copy at Lulu.
No comments:
Post a Comment