How I ‘Kind Of’ Became an Author
One day I was cooking supper in my kitchen. Jolene, my dog, loves watching me stir any ingredients because she is hoping for food to fall into her opened mouth like sprinkles on a cupcake.
When Jolene waits for food she gets very excited. She sits patiently but she farts. She lets out little toots, which drives me CRAZY!
I was making fun of her but felt a little guilty because she looked so cute. I often talk to her like she is one of my own children so I asked her, "Jolene, are you kind?" She wagged her tail and then I continued, "You are kind. But you're also kind of....stinky and silly and..."
I remember shouting out loud, “I have an idea! I have to write it down!” I ran to my office and quickly grabbed my journal.
I played with the words, and I typed it up. It felt right…but not perfect. All I could think was ‘What is my book missing?’
So I asked Manjit for help!
Who is Manjit you ask?
For almost ten years I taught English Language Arts to grade eight students. One of the units these grade eight students encountered was children's literature.
I continue to use this power-packed genre in my classes: both physical education (to guide movement) and English Language Arts (to teach story structure and literary devices).
Children's literature fills the gaps when discussing topics such as racism, values and both internal and external conflicts. I have a huge collection of children’s books that NEVER collects dust - the pages are always waving at me, begging to be heard by any audience.
The grade eight students in my own classroom were taught the fundamentals of children's literature, and the power of story even when the word count was reduced from formal paragraphs to a few sentences. Students also played with watercolours and techniques to bring their story to life. Every student walked away from the experience as an author. The books were bound and even shared among staff members. The writing workshop became a highlight and anticipated event in Room 214.
Manjit was a student of mine for two years prior to ‘Kind Of’ taking up space in my brain, yet I had no idea how I was going to have the book take up real estate on any shelf. How was I going to illustrate such a project? I wrestled with ideas of photography as an option; I even thought about taking my own art lessons to hone my craft. Then I had another idea.
My classroom is decorated with pictures from various trips I have been lucky enough to go on with my students over the years. I also have plants, souvenirs and artwork- everything in my classroom is strategically set in place. Every piece has a story to tell and I always encourage my students to ask. One day as I was sitting alone in my classroom preparing for the day, my eyes locked in on the larger pieces of artwork that line my book shelves. These art pieces were created as stage props for plays that I have both written and directed over the last 14 years. There on the shelf was an image that provided the answer I had been looking for. It was Manjit's artwork. After pondering the idea for a few days, I anxiously “popped the question” to Manjit about embarking on a journey with me…
"Yes, I'd be happy to help!" and the collaboration began!
THE INSPIRATION BEHIND THE BOOK
MEET THE REAL LIFE OTTO!
Otto is my dad’s name. While I named the character in my story after my dad, the adjectives in the story all come from tales about my own kids.
My three children, Jaymi, Isaak, and Katie are walking story books.
Our time together under one roof provides excellent material. Many of their adventures live in my memory and some are found written down in journals and scraps of paper tucked into journals.
Jaymi, our first born, is our artist. There's not a wall, book, or piece of furniture where you cannot find evidence of her three year old signature. No wonder she found a career in marketing, and has been the biggest driving force behind the digital presence you’re experiencing!
Isaak, our second born, was the first to climb tables, trees, houses and mountains. On one occasion I remember sitting on the park bench hearing him holler, "MOM!!! MOM!!!!" I looked around at the towering structure around me and could not find his face. Then I looked up! Sure enough, wedged between the pine boughs was our climbing king.
Katie, our third, was the silent spit fire. Upon first glance you thought she just followed in line with the other two. Not the case. Each child makes up their own decisions. She was the escape artist, running out of grocery stores, movie theatres, and yes, even out of the bathtub.
With the artwork and stories set in place, I just needed a space to include my mother, an integral piece to my role as an educator. My mom is no longer with us; yet she has definitely found her place on the pages.
The caterpillar within the pages has two meanings. I look for my mom in many of my life's challenges, just like the caterpillar carefully placed within the artwork. All children look for their mom, that never ends. The caterpillar eventually completes its journey and morphs into a stunning butterfly. In death, a new version takes place. She's still here. I know it. I know she would have bought everyone a copy of my book! She was that kind of person, and my biggest fan.
In my writing workshop with younger students I often ask the guiding questions, "When have you been kind to someone? When has someone been kind to you?" Children do not hold back in their responses. I hear every story about kindness imaginable: dogs, grandparents, strangers have all reached out. The message the students create can be summed up in one word. Hope.
Then I ask the students, "How do you feel when someone is kind to you? Does it change you?" The answer is always, "Yes." When someone offers a helping hand, a compliment or even a spot at the carpet for story time, we always stand a little taller. Hope and confidence grows.
And now the book is out in the world!
Just over two years from the time Jolene and I were at the stove to writing this blog post and I am very close to holding the printed piece. Like any project (thinking of our recent kitchen renovation as I write this), it always takes longer than planned, but in my experience, it's always worth the work, and the wait.
Through a friend, I was given the name of Friesen Press Publishing. I learned the power of email and online communication. I had to hone my computer literacy skills and the process of reading instructions. Teachers are never good at that skill. LOL! I was provided an editor who walked through the text and offered constructive feedback. I was given a design team that organized the illustrations and prepared them for layout, creating the first full proofs of my book. I made several revisions and even deleted a few pages; the cutting room floor is a real thing.
The process took approximately six months but as of today, I have a book for sale online and in bookstores. Who knew that a little dream in Room 214 could become such a big reality. Now I share my story with up and coming authors within Winnipeg, Manitoba. I continue to collaborate with teachers and students alike because we all have a story and gifts to share.
I encourage you to think about how you can describe yourselves to the world. Most importantly, how can you surround yourself with people that accept you for who you are because we are all "Kind Of" perfect just the way we are.