Katrina and Winter: Partners in Courage
by Nancy Stewart
Synopsis from Amazon:
All Katrina Simpkins longs to be is a normal girl. Because she must wear prosthesis as a leg, she feels anything but. When she meets and befriends Winter, the tailless dolphin, at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, everything changes, including Katrina's whole life. Suggested age range for readers: 8-12
Please help me welcome Nancy!
Cherie: Tell us about your picture book, Katrina and
Winter: Partners in Courage.
Nancy: It came about in a
circuitous way. My husband and I bought a condo on Clearwater Beach, Florida,
four years ago. One day I happened to
drive by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, home of Winter, the dolphin. I’d never
heard of her so decided to have a look. I visited Winter and went in to see the
video they were offering about her.
Featured in the video was an eight year old girl, Katrina Simpkins, who
had to wear a prosthetic leg. It told
the story of her journey from being a shy, withdrawn and bullied child to one
with more self-assurance and determination.
About a year later, I received a phone call from a woman called Maria
Simpkins. I knew I’d heard the name but
couldn’t place it. Martie is Katrina’s mom, and she called to see if I’d be
interested in writing a book about Katrina. The rest is, of course,
history.
Cherie: It’s wonderful that you were able to share Katrina’s
story with the world. She sounds like an amazing young lady! What is your
writing process like?
Nancy: Process, for me, is a funny old thing. Usually I try to organize my thoughts, plot,
characters, on paper. This is the way I
always attacked any scholarly work when I was a university professor of
education. Alas, or perhaps for the
better, that technique never seems to work for me. In fact, just yesterday I began a sequel to
Skeleton Coast. I sat with a blank
screen too long, gave it up and began the book.
Now to be fair, I already knew the characters well, but even so, jumping
in seems to work for me. Once I’ve well
and truly begun, I then go back, take a hard look at where I’ve been and give
some bones to the form.
Cherie: Your writing process sounds similar to mine. What is
your favorite thing about writing picture books?
Nancy: Here comes that U professor thing again: I love doing research. Always have. Even if I’m writing fiction (and not
non-fiction, dealing with due diligence), I want it to be correct. For instance, when I wrote the Bella and
Britt Series, I spent countless hours researching dolphins, pelicans, what an
oil spill does, manatees, etc. Yes, of
course, the beauty, lyrical language and whimsy have to be there but so does
accuracy of the factual material.
Cherie: Do you have any advice for aspiring picture book
authors?
Nancy: Read many picture books
that have succeeded. Don’t give up! Keep working, honing your craft, join a
critique group, attend conferences and write and edit some more! Those who persevere are the ones who join the
body of published authors
Cherie: Great advice! What are you working on now?
Nancy: I’ve just finished a middle grade novel called Lost
on the Skeleton Coast. It’s an
adventure/mystery set in Namibia. Two
kids up against diamond smugglers, kidnappers and lions. A very quiet little book…
Cherie: It sounds fascinating! Now for some fun questions. Favorite
color?
Nancy: blue
Cherie: Favorite animal?
Nancy: cat
Nancy: cat
Cherie: Are you a morning person or an evening person?
Nancy: Both!
Cherie: Okay, that’s impressive!! Do you have any guilty
pleasures that get you through the writing/revising process?
Nancy: Checking my stats and/or Facebook too much!
Cherie: Favorite food?
Nancy: Pasta—any kind, any time!
Cherie: Do you have a favorite place to write?
Nancy: In my sunroom
Cherie: Are there any types of books you don’t read?
Nancy: Si-Fi and Vampires
Thanks, Nancy, for being with us
today!!
Learn more about Nancy and her books
Available from
Many thanks for hosting me on your great blog today, Cherie! I appreciate the opportunity.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to you and your followers (of which I am now...)
It's my pleasure! Thanks for stopping by and following. :)
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