Why Do I Do it?

Sometimes, I wonder why I continue to create books, but then I get a chance to interact with children who enjoy them. It is a wonderful reminder that my books don't have to be best sellers for me to be happy. They only have to make one child smile.

Thanks to Hanna Gray, the Gadsden Children's Librarian, I had a chance to get smiles from several children at Walnut Park Elementary School. Hanna already taught the children the concepts I was showing them in my presentation, but they participated and laughed anyway, and they loved Jazzy.

Hopefully, at least one of them left with a feeling that, if they wanted, they could write a book too. But I know that they all left with a smile, and so did I.

Caption This, Jazzy - My Way Out of Writer's Block

I am always looking for inspiration that results in a new Jazzy Book. I've done alphabets, numbers, shapes, colors, friendship, opposites, word books and more.

September, however, threw me for a loop. I had nothing. No ideas. No inspiration. I didn't want to write anything. The thought of writing made me want to throw up, it was so bad.

It's not from lack of ideas. I have at least 7 different MG (middle-grade) novels, and Chapter Books for third grade, at various stages of completion. I have the text for about five different picture books that aren't about Jazzy. No matter what my mood, I always have something I can flush out.

Except this time.

This has happened before. It's like a mental shut down. When I fall into these slumps, I start sorting my belongings. I throw away stuff I haven't used in decades and, sometimes, I throw away memories, as if purging them will absolve me of this feeling of uselessness that overwhelms me.

I've never been to therapy and perhaps should consider it next time, but what helped me out this time was Jazzy.

Sometimes my expulsion sessions involve deleting files from my computer. Like cleaning up a hoarder's house, I ask myself, "Why do I still have that 106MB Photoshop file when I have the 5mg picture that I made from it?" As I perused the possibility of deleting Jazzy's old photos, I saw her cute face and realized that I couldn't. I suppose I will always be an electronic hoarder.

Jazzy is always with me. She follows me around the house. She tries to sit on my feet when I practice piano. She doesn't leave when I practice violin, though I can see her ears twitching every time I slide the bow over the E string. The minute I sit on the couch, she's in my lap.

Years of photos of Jazzy, provided me with expressions that match so many emotions. As I moved from photo to photo I could feel empathy in her expressions. It made me feel better, and I thought, "What if I put those in a book for children?"

I organized my favorite photos and pondered over the text for each page. Should I write just one word with each picture? Should I write an actual story? What should I write?

When my husband, Dale, saw a photo and made a comment, it struck me odd that he would think that particular photo was about sadness when I thought it was peaceful. Eureka! That was the problem I was having. Every photo could be viewed in so many different ways. Why should I put my emotions on what someone else might feel.

And that is how Caption This, Jazzy, came about. Here are some of the photos that did not make it into the book. (You're going to have to buy the book to see the rest.) I am waiting on my Library of Congress control number, and then I will publish it.

But of course, I couldn't leave it all to chance, so I created a page of words to help the readers write their own.

ABC Jazzy will be featured in the Gadsden, Alabama Story Walk.

I'm excited to announce that ABC Jazzy was chosen as the book of the month for the Gadsden, Alabama Story Walk. The book walk is set up at the Dr. Clarence Underwood Jr. Park.

If you don't know what a book walk is, then I'll tell you. Each page of the book is printed and placed in a holder. Children can walk along the sidewalk and read each page as they go.

Of course, ABC Jazzy is all about the alphabet, so if you have children working on that, then this is perfect for them. The text is simple to read, so it's also great for beginning readers.

Not only can you enjoy the book as you stroll, you can win a prize if you do. All you have to do is read the story on the walk, return to the library, and tell the librarian which letter was your favorite and your name will be entered to win a prize.

I've included a flyer with this blog, so please share it.

I have at least 15 stuffed animals (see picture below) that I used in the book, "Count with Jazzy" that will be given away to the winners. Even the tall penguin needs a new home.

The book walk will be up soon. So keep an eye out for it.