I retired from teaching in 2001. After thirty-four years attempting to inspire middle school and high school students and instill in them a love for life long learning I decided it was time to pursue another one of my favorite pastimes, writing.
For the next three years I wrote and illustrated a variety of children’s stories. Today three of them have become published books. Nature’s Christmas Story, The Easter Sparrows and Holiday Adventures for Kids are all available on Amazon and can also be ordered at most major book stores.
There was only one disappointment in those accomplishments.
“What”, you ask. “How could publishing three books result in disappointment?”
Remember I mentioned I wrote and illustrated those three books? Well when I was in the process of negotiating with an editor about publishing my first book Nature’s Christmas Story she unkindly mentioned my pen and ink illustrations would not ‘cut it’ in the publishing world.
I needed an artist!
Several days of depression followed by several more days of pouting until the name Janine Ringdahl Schmidt popped into my head. Janine had been in my biology class when she was in high school and I was always impressed with the art work she displayed on her biology labs.
After graduation Janine completed a four year degree at the Minneapolis School of Art and Design specializing in book illustrating. Are you starting to get the picture?
One quick phone call and we became partners. I produced the written word and Janine produced the most beautiful illustrations.
My depression and pouting quickly ended. There are just some things that are meant to be. 🙂
A fourth book was produced titled The First Advent and I assumed that would probably be our last project together. You notice I used the word ‘probably’ so there is a always a little wiggle room for changing of the mind. 🙂
That ‘wiggle room’ came in handy last year when Janine and I were talking at a craft fair. I’m still assuming we have completed our last book together when she says to me, “Are you ready to do another book?”
I laughed because my ‘book idea’ area in my brain was empty.
Then I went home and her comment kept haunting me.
After a couple of days the memory light went on in my brain. There was another manuscript I had written (and of course illustrated) during those three years of writing following my retirement.
What was the name of it? It was all in rhyme and introduced children to four mystery animals in nature.
I headed for my office and began digging through mountains of papers. In no time I had discovered the manuscript bound in a plastic cover and emblazed on the front cover of the manuscript was the title Nature’s Rhyming Riddles.
Janine loved the rhymes and began brainstorming ideas for illustrating each page almost immediately.
Thank goodness for that ‘wiggle room’ clause because it didn’t take long for me to climb aboard too! 🙂
A couple weeks ago Nature’s Rhyming Riddles went live on Amazon. Book number five and this will ‘probably’ be our last one. 🙂
I believe it will go down as the most rhyming book in history. It will probably go into the Guinness Book of Records. The only non-rhyming parts of the book are the author and illustrators’ bios’.
The book is dedicated to our eight grandchildren and the dedication is done in rhyme.
The back cover always tells a potential buyer what the book is about. That also is in rhyme. In fact here’s what the potential buyer will read:
This book contains four riddles in rhyme, Clues of the animal are given each time.
Guess what the animal could possibly be, If you guess right you will be filled up with glee!
What if your riddle answer is not right? Fret not, learn the right answer and become more bright.
Reading in rhyme is really quite fun, Becoming very clear when reading this book is done!
Don’t you want to connect with Amazon right now and order the book? I think I might do just that. 🙂
Heck, now that you have had a chance to read the back cover I’m going to let you get a taste of the book. Here are the rhymes found on the first page:
Hints we will give you in these lines that rhyme, About creatures with hair, scales or a covering of slime.
As you read the hints found on each page, Don’t get frustrated or filled up with rage.
Instead listen to the rhyming hints with care, And before long the mystery creature’s name you will share!
There was only one major mistake that occurred during the publishing process. I have learned a valuable lesson from it. And what is that lesson you say? Never have a book go live during a pandemic!
Major marketing venues have disappeared. County fairs have been cancelled. Summer festivals have been cancelled. The fall craft fairs are in doubt. Plus the pandemic virus lurks we know not where! 🙁
Maybe I’ll rent the various towns’ football field bleachers, mark X’s with duct tape where people are to sit and I’ll set a tent up on the fifty yard line. Using a loudspeaker I’ll give a little presentation about my new book and then the people can take turns walking to my tent where they may buy several books.
The sunlight will be zapping those nasty viruses left and right and the gentle breezes will blow them harmlessly away. Hmmm….something to think about.
Until next time,
P.S. Don’t forget to order your book! 🙂 You’ll never regret it.
