Telling Picture Book Stories with Animal Characters: Author Interview with Stephen G. Bowling

You’ve now published 5 picture books, but what inspired you to write the first one?
I got the idea for my first book, Calvin the Christmas Tree, about 20 years ago when I was traveling during the Christmas holiday. I was meeting some family and friends and we had rented a house. It was Christmas Eve, and everyone decided that we should decorate the house and it would be nice if we had a Christmas tree. The men in the group had the mission to get a tree, which was not easy as everything was closed. 

We went looking to no avail, and finally saw an abandoned Christmas tree stand, which was now basically an empty lot. Someone spotted a small, not very good-looking tree that fell over and was left behind. We considered ourselves fortunate that we found something to bring back. We loaded this awkward little tree in the car, and on the drive home I thought this would make a wonderful story. A story about a little tree that almost didn’t make it for Christmas. One that beat the odds and became a Christmas tree.

It was just a thought, and I didn’t have any plans to do anything with it. A few years later I needed to buy Christmas presents for a lot of young nieces and nephews and found myself with a lack of funds. I decided to write the story and give it as a present. It seemed like a good solution to resolve my dilemma. I had, as usual, put off getting presents until the last minute, so to get this completed in time I needed to work fast and well into the night. 

I wrote the story and illustrated it, finally finishing on Christmas Eve. I made copies of the “book” and gave them to the children. A friend of mine, who is an author, recently encouraged me to self-publish the story. I rewrote it, found a real illustrator (who is amazing), and did just that. So far it is the only book I wrote in prose, the rest are written in rhyming verse.

Three of your books have a bird as your main character. Why not make the story a magical adventure for a young boy rather than a bird?
Children seem to have a special relationship with animals. In their world, anthropomorphizing animals comes naturally. It wonderful aspect of being a child and I like to use it in my books. In one of the books, the bird talks to a ladybug on a flower having a cup of tea at a little table. I find it enjoyable creating animal or insect worlds that mimic our own. I believe children enjoy it as well. My first book does that with trees.

The three books you refer to are a series I wrote about Simon, a young bird. The first book came about when I had a challenge to write a story involving a birdhouse. It seemed natural to write about the occupants. I thought what do children do regarding their house? How do they think of their house or their room? Simon would think the same way any young child would. I wrote the story and thought it would be fun to use Simon in more books, adding more animal characters in each.

You are part of a non-profit philosophical organization that teaches students critical and analytical thinking. Would they also find that in your books?
To some degree, yes they would, in subtle ways. I don’t write with that specific purpose, however as the story unfolds analytical thinking often comes into play, perhaps because of my background. For example, the second book in my Simon bird series has the main character searching for a dragon that he has heard rumors about. He does what a lot of children do, or at least what I did, and he decides to look for it. He puts a bottle cap on his head as a helmet, as the dragon is rumored to be very big and mean, and begins his search. He asks the other animals if they have seen the “beast” that flies around the barn, none of which had ever seen it. 

What Simon eventually discovers is something quite different from the rumors he has heard. I think this helps children realize they need to question and search for the facts, to be critical and analytical about what they have heard as some things are not always what they seem. Another story deals with spatial relationships and resolving a problem by thinking of alternative solutions. My upcoming book deals with scarecrows who have a debate and use reason to settle an argument.

As an indie author you are responsible for every aspect of publishing. Other than writing, what other parts of the process do you personally do? What do you hire others to do? 
I currently do the formatting and put the books on all the platforms I use. I hire someone to turn the book into an eBook, although I may start to do that in the future. I obtain ISBN numbers, apply for the Library of Congress number (LCCN), and I do the copyright myself. I hire a company to do the Publisher's Cataloging-in-Publication Data (PCIP). 

I do some of the marketing, and I hire and try various companies and services for marketing. Some parts of the process may seem daunting at first, however like most unfamiliar tasks once you get familiar with them they become merely a chore you’re used to. I am by no means an expert at any of them and I am still learning. Doing much of the work yourself may not be for everyone. I have a tendency to jump into things without knowing much and learning as I go. I like to be familiar with the process even if I hire that process out. Doing these tasks yourself does take time which some may deem better spent on writing.

How did you find your illustrator?
I was very fortunate to find my illustrator whom I love working with. We have become great friends and a team, despite living on different continents and speaking different languages. He is an amazing artist and he hand paints all the illustrations. We work extremely well together. I happened to find him on one of the networking platforms. I saw his work and it was perfect for what I wanted. He had no reviews, so I decided to take a chance. I was lucky I suppose, and I am thrilled to be working with him.

What do you know now about publishing you wished you had known sooner?
I wish I had known how to launch a book before publishing it. That would have helped a lot, getting reviews and some awareness through blog tours, public relations, etc. before publishing.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?
My advice for children’s book authors is that you still need a good, well told story even though the book is written for children. Children like and enjoy good story telling as much as adults do. Books for toddlers would be written differently of course. Additionally, if you are writing in rhyming verse, it is vital to maintain a rhythm and cadence, and the words you chose for rhymes must be meaningful and advance the story, not chosen just because they rhyme.

Are there any other points about writing you would like to add?
For children’s books, authors should keep in mind that they are writing for two different readers. The challenge is writing children’s books so they are enjoyable for the child and the parent or adult who reads them to or with the child.

What is the next book coming out? Can you give me a short synopsis?
My next book is Winslow Scarecrow which should be out in late June in time for National Build a Scarecrow day. Winslow happens to be a very friendly Scarecrow who invites the crows to rest on him. Some of the other scarecrows are upset, as being scary is their job, it’s what they do. There is a fun debate between them, and Winslow comes up with a solution to make everyone happy. Describing what the scarecrows were wearing was a lot of fun. One of my favorite lines in the book is: “Now hold on there” said Jack, who had a Pumpkin for a head. Jack wore baggy trousers that were green but mostly red.”

I got the idea when I heard someone say “Aren’t scarecrows supposed to be scary?” I thought that would make a good story, having no idea how I would do it. I did know that many kids like scarecrows. And I have heard some young girls say they never see girl scarecrows, so I have plenty of both boy and girl scarecrows in the story. The next book after Winslow Scarecrow is about a man who yells at the Moon, that’s a fun one too.

That's all for today's interview. I hope it has encouraged you to learn more about Stephen's books. Here's how you can do that.
 Website: www.StephenGBowling.com
Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Stephen-G.-Bowling/author/B07S94JV84

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19443914.Stephen_G_Bowling

And here's some additional bonuses!
Free Activity Pages: https://stephengbowling.com/simons-tree-party-free-activity-pages/

Here's your chance to win a free eBook of Stephen's story Simon's Search for the Scary Dragon. Just leave a comment on this post and we'll pick one reader who'll receive this eBook. So do that now. It can be as simple as I want to be in the giveaway. We'll chose a winner next Friday!

Bringing American History to Life: Author Interview with Joan M. Hochstetler

You’ve now published several books, but what inspired you to write that first one? What made you decide to write your American Patriot Series?
The first book I wrote was inspired by a dream I had one night that intrigued me so much I knew I had to write the story to find out what in the world those people were doing! The story turned out to be a medieval epic tragedy—which I’m determined someday to update and publish!

The American Patriot Series was inspired by the 1982 TV movie “The Scarlet Pimpernel”, starring Anthony Andrews, Jane Seymour, and Ian McKellan. The characters were fantastic, the story so full of pathos, romance, improbabilities, and rolling-on-the-floor-laughing hysteria that I knew I had to write my own version. You might call it early fan fiction. Anyway, the characters resonated with my adventurous and romantic side, and my imagination ran wild.
 
The movie was set during the French Revolution, an event I had no interest in at all. However, it occurred to me that we here in America have our own Revolution! The twist was that I wanted my Sir Percy to be a woman and Marguerite’s character to be a man. The first worked out perfectly in Elizabeth Howard. As for the second, I quickly realized that the hero had to have a much stronger role in order to be a suitable counterpart to the heroine. In fact, he essentially had to be Ian McKellen’s character, Chauvelin. With a twist. And that’s how Jonathan Carleton was born.
 

How do you go about doing research for your books? What’s one of the most unique facts you’ve discovered in doing your research?
When researching I consult as many historical sources and bios as I can get my hands on, both printed and online. I especially look for the qualities people of the particular social and economic status I assigned them would have and how they would realistically act. Of course, I also consult the best resources on the historical events themselves so I get the facts right. Then as I write my characters, they begin to take form through their reactions to the historical events I immerse them in and the obstacles I put in their way. They always surprise and delight me as unexpected aspects of their natures surface.

I came across a unique or, more properly, unexpected fact when Bob Hostetler and I were working on the Northkill Amish Series. I had no idea of the extent to which the Moravians were involved in the French and Indian War. Some acted as emissaries and translators between the Indians and the British and Americans, particularly Christian Post and David Zeisberger. Their ministry to and advocacy for the native peoples was sacrificial and truly admirable.

You’ve also co-authored The Northkill Amish Series with Bob Hostetler. What made the two of you decide to write about your Hochstetler ancestors?
Bob and I are both direct descendants of Jacob Hochstetler, who immigrated to this country with his wife and children in 1738. The family settled in the Northkill Amish settlement at the base of the Blue Mountain in Pennsylvania on the border between the English settlements and French and Indian territory. Then in 1757 they were caught up in the French and Indian War when a band of Indians raided their farm, killing three members of the family and carrying Jacob and two of his sons into captivity.
 

The story is very well-known among the Amish and Mennonites. It’s considered an outstanding example of nonresistance because Jacob refused to fire at the attackers or allow his sons to do so. Our ancestors’ experiences resonated deeply with both Bob and me, and we separately became very interested in expanding their story into a fictionalized form. Ultimately we ended up joining forces to write it. As you can imagine, the scenes in which we portrayed what they must have gone through during and after the attack evoked deep emotion.

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?
Writing is solitary work, and the feeling of isolation can be challenging to deal with. The friendship of fellow authors who’ve become dear friends and lovely reviews from fans are the best encouragement for me. They remind me that I’m not alone and help me to keep on writing the stories God lays on my heart even when the work feels like too heavy a burden.

Marketing is the biggest key to making sales. What is the best marketing source you’ve used that has produced more sales rather than just clicks?
My book promotion budget is unfortunately small, so I depend heavily on networking and social media. I also use online book promo sites like Ereader News, which I’ve had good results with in getting not just clicks, but also sales. I also have accounts with Written Word Media and BooksGoSocial that run effective promotion at a reasonable cost. For creating professional graphics, I use BookBrush, which is a bit pricey but allows you to create some very nice promo images. You can even create book covers, business cards, and other materials on their platform.

What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner?
How difficult it is to find an audience, and how hard writing a novel worthy of one really is. This business isn’t for the faint of heart. Competition is fierce, and each author is just one little grain of sand in a very large ocean. It takes all the skill, ingenuity, and marketing savvy you can develop to hook readers and make them fans.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?
Write where your heart is. Research intensively using the best, most accurate sources. Strive to create compelling characters who will grip your audience, and then allow them to speak and act naturally as they reveal themselves to you. Seek God’s guidance in your work. It’s He who called you to it.

Are there any other points about writing you would like to add?
I’ve learned not to try to force my characters to do what I want them to. That may sound strange, considering that they’re fictional! But every author knows that characters develop a life of their own and at times insist on veering dramatically away from the path you want them to follow. I’ve found that it’s always more entertaining, not to mention more realistic, when you allow them to behave impulsively and inconsistently just like real people do.

What is the next book coming out? Can you give me a short synopsis?
My current project is titled A Season for the Heart, which is set in the summer of 1945, at the end of WWII. It releases in November 2024.

Synopsis
Ellie Hershberger is sick and tired of her plain, nonresistant Mennonite life. Having graduated from high school, with World War II almost at its end, she longs to be a part of the wider world, unrestricted by the boundaries of her conservative farm community. Then without warning her dreams are shattered, and she's forced to question everything she thought she believed in.
Refusing to be baptized and join the Mennonite Church he grew up in, Judah Mast enlisted in the Marines and ended up in the South Pacific. Now, battle-scarred and crippled, Jude is forced to return to the last place he ever wanted to be. Yet in this most unexpected of places, where he believes he'll never be forgiven or accepted, he discovers a grace he never conceived of.
Can they find their way home to the land, to the Lord—and to each other?

Sounds intriguing. If you'd like to learn more about Joan's writing, here are a few links to get you started.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joan.hochstetler/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/jmhochstetler/
Author website: www.jmhochstetler.com
American Patriot Series: www.theamericanpatriotseries.com
American Patriot Series blog: americanpatriotseries.blogspot.com

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/J.-M.-Hochstetler/author/B001HMLOD2

And here's a special bonus for my readers... Leave a comment below and next Wednesday, we'll pick one winner to get an ebook copy of Daughter of Liberty, Book 1 of The American Patriot Series.