Please tell us about your most Recent Book: “The Christmas Pumpkin” and “The Worst Day Ever!,” are illustrated children’s books inspired by actual events.
“The Christmas Pumpkin” is based on my son’s first visit to the pumpkin patch. He decided to pick a green pumpkin instead of orange. Later we found a green pumpkin growing behind our house in November and carved our Christmas pumpkin. The story is about a young boy who decides to carve a star, “like the star the Three Wise Men followed to find the baby Jesus in the manger,” on a neglected green pumpkin and let his light shine. Even though everyone laughs at his idea, his family supports him as he shows everyone what a green pumpkin can do for Christmas. It is a message of self-confidence, family values, and perseverance.
With “The Worst Day Ever!,” I like to say, “We changed the names to protect the guilt…INNOCENT, because, while mistakes were made and feelings were hurt, they all learned the valuable lesson of empathy and compassion for others.” Inspired by one day in my son’s life in kindergarten. The first time he would experience getting in a little trouble with his teachers and having some friends pick on him at school and unconditional love and understanding at home.
Both stories are very popular with ages 4-10 as well as teachers and counselors.
Why do you write what you do? I write what I know. When I started this accidental journey, I was writing about my son and experiences in his young life. I realized so many others the same age are having the same experiences, why not share the story. Lately, so much of the content young children are exposed to includes sass and snark. It is important to share positive, family-friendly messages without the disrespectful language.
I aim for approval from family-friendly organizations like Dove, and Mom’s Choice, Parent’s Choice, etc.
What are you currently working on? Another story, based on actual experiences in my son’s life, which continues to share the message of compassion and empathy for others.
How does your work differ from other work in its genre? I always include an activity page so the reader can express themselves creatively after reading the story. I do not write with disrespect or sass. If there is a character that behaves that way, that character also receives an appropriate response of correction to remind young readers to have empathy and compassion for others. I choose to have the entire process happen in Texas; from writing, editing, and illustrations, to design, printing, and distribution.
How does your writing process work? My stories are based on what happens in my son’s life. Since I also market, promote, sell, and distribute the books nationwide, I write when something happens that strikes that emotion. Now that he is a teenager, perhaps there will be some YA or middle school books in my portfolio.
Debbie grew up in Maryland, worked for the NSA, moved to South Carolina, and worked in tech support for a school district until she met her husband, had a son, Matthew, and moved to Texas where she decided to be a full-time mother. She would write small articles for the local newspaper from time to time although she didn’t anticipate turning into an author.
While working at her son’s pre-school, she wrote ‘The Christmas Pumpkin’ during the children’s naptime. She drew the illustrations while he did gymnastics, and put it away as a memory. An “inner voice” lead her to share these stories through publishing. Several years later, after Matthew had a rough day in school, she wrote ‘The Worst Day Ever!’
She wears all the hats of a small business owner, as well as a mother, and wife while she promotes and shares her books. She’s taken a “crash course” in business management, not from a college, but from real life experiences.
Her books have sold nationwide as well as in other countries. She does school author visits, speaks to mother’s groups, exhibits and sometimes speaks at other interesting events such as library/school counseling conferences, Christmas tree growers, pumpkin/corn maze owners, & Santa Claus conventions.(some of her favorites)
http://www.debbiereece.com/
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