When I started this writing and publishing journey five years ago, I didn’t know a lot. I only knew that I wanted to tell stories that spoke to me, and that I would never write a children’s book. Well, I’m still writing those stories that speak to me, but you know what they say about never saying never? You say never and – POOF – it happens!
Today I’d like to tell you the story of how The Lavender Fairies series came to be. Let me start by saying that it took me by surprise. After my holiday reading event at Long Row Lavender (LRL) last November 2017, Tracy Smith, owner of LRL, and I were cleaning up and talking about the success of the event. I said, off-handedly, wouldn’t it be fun to write a story about Lavender Fairies that lived on the farm and invite kids and parents to LRL for a storytime and fairy garden event.
Tracy’s face lit up and she said, “I’ve always wanted to do fairy gardens!â€
Reading at the Long Row Lavender Storytime and Fairy Garden Event
At first, I only thought about writing a short story to read at the event. Nothing as complicated or crazy as an actual children’s book. But who was I kidding? Anyone who knows me knows I love to go big and make life as crazy for myself as possible. So, in February of 2018, this fairy adventure began.
Meet the Kiddos Who Helped Me Create the Story
Storytelling is something that comes naturally to me. Like the little boy in the movie, Sixth Sense, sees ghosts everywhere, I see stories everywhere. They come at me left and right when I’m at the grocery store, traveling, or just sitting at home watching the news.
This time something was different.
I didn’t have a clear picture of this story in my head. I waited for the story to form like most of my stories do, gradually and purposeful. Yet nothing came.
Honestly, I think I was still hung up on the fact that I wasn’t meant to write a children’s book. Never mind that I had a daughter who loved fairies when she was itty-bitty. Forget the fact that I taught preschool children music for ten years and knew kiddos’ imaginations well. None of this mattered because I was stuck on the idea that I wasn’t a children’s book author. I write about human trafficking, addiction, family secrets, and fathers who run out on their children.
But fairies?
Luckily, I had two fun-loving creative minds who were willing to sit down with me one day at a coffee shop and help me create the first story of The Lavender Fairies series called Brave Hearts.
My young friends who helped me create a magical fairy land
May I introduce you to my young friends who helped me create this magical land? That day at the coffee shop was so fun and it reminded me that when I write I can play and have fun with my characters. I don’t have to be all serious with an outline and a deadline. All I need is to let my imagination loose and let all the pieces fall where they will.
Meet My Illustrator
The other challenge I faced when writing this book was that I knew it had to include illustrations. Since it’s a chapter book I knew I didn’t need full-color images that spread across the page. Something simple would do, but I draw four-legged birds. I was not going to be illustrating this book.
That’s when I had the idea to hold a contest across three counties in my region for high school students. The winner would have his or her illustrations featured in the book and on the cover.
My winner is a young woman named Evelyn Schmidt. At the time she won the contest, she was a high school junior and gave me her entire spring break to create the cover art and several interior illustrations. We recently held a private book signing for her friends and family that gave her the chance to answer questions about her work and the experience.
Evelyn Schmidt, Illustrator, hard at work creating magic
That day is probably going to go down as one of the best days of my career for this one simple fact. On that day it wasn’t about me or the book, but about this young woman who had the opportunity to showcase her talents and receive the praises of her friends and family. We don’t get those days enough or ever as we grow older. Watching her soak up the complements with awe and gratitude filled my heart.
The Journey Continues . . .
We’ve only begun this fairy adventure together. Over the next several months, three more books in the series of four will roll out. No announcement regarding the dates yet, but I’ll keep you in the loop. Evelyn will be working on the illustrations. We’re excited to see how the interior of the next three books change and grow with our ideas.
I want to thank YOU, my readers, for allowing me to flip the switch. To try my hand at a different style of writing. After writing 60 Days (Missing Girl Series – Book 1), I needed this escape into an imaginary world of fairy magic and childhood adventure.
If you’re interested in purchasing a copy of Brave Hearts, (The Lavender Fairies, #1), the book is available on Amazon, B&N, and at any of my upcoming events. Follow my Facebook page for a list of events.
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