Without a doubt my greatest pleasure from writing is when I get to see a photo sent from a family who purchased one of my books of their child reading it or being read to. There is something eternal about it whether that books lasts a life time or not. The fact that the time I spent writing the words and collaborating with gifted illustrators who bring those words to life results in engaging a child’s imagination is as close to experiencing writers’ heaven as there can be. I don't think writers write for themselves. I believe they write to share something special with the world—in my case, the world of early readers.
One of my good friends and reviewer of my book, A Halloween Warning, put it this way,” I will enjoy interpreting each page with my 4-year-old granddaughter.” That is time well spent—reading partners interpreting and sharing the words and images. That is what it is all about.
As parents, grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, teachers, family or friends there is such an important role that we play in encouraging and nurturing the active imagination of our children. Books are vehicles that strengthen that bond of togetherness experienced during those few precious minutes.
Children relate to books in so many ways. When I wrote the book Theo the Mouse…A Christmas Story, for instance, I had no idea that Theo and Theodore are still fairly popular names. I have seen a number of wide-eyed children excited to see their name in print. (Theo started out in the draft with the name Toby. I have come to realize that would have been a serious mistake sticking with Toby. He is so much more a Theo than a Toby!)
I probably will never make any serious money with my writing. (There is always hope.) But knowing children and families who have given my writing a chance by purchasing a book is a form of profit all its own.
Happy reading.
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