What inspired you to write "Dragonfly"?

This past year I had the opportunity to work as a Teacher's Aide in an Autism Department. The children were preschooler's. Each week the teacher would read a Golden Book story to the children while using visual cue cards. This one particular week, the story was "Little Miss Muffet." By the third day of reading the story, three of the children (without any prompting) decided to act out the story by themselves during playtime. Autistic children tend to excel in one area, but may lack in another.

The first little boy went and found a bowl and spoon (eating her curds & whey). The second little boy found a pillow to sit on (she sat on a tuffet) and took the bowl and spoon pretending to eat. The third little boy recited the rhyme and was the mean old spider. The second little boy would scream and run across the room. The children had us laughing for over a half hour as they repeatedly reenacted the story.

I learned from these little children that by combining elements you can make something beautiful for others to enjoy, even if you have Autism. Something may not be beautiful by itself, but add a little spice to it, and you may have a good pie.

That same day, as I was outside gardening, a dragonfly brushed my shoulder and scared me to death. I screamed and ran for the house (probably looking like Little Miss Muffet). At that point, the inspiration came to me. Put together a short story combing the dragonfly, flowers, and dance.

You recently completed a children's booked entitled "This Land is Our Land".  Share a few comments about the book.

"This Land is Our Land" was inspired by my two grandsons (ages 8 thru 12) and three nieces. After the September 11th tragedy, the children were very upset and afraid. I would talk to them on the Internet, but just couldn't seem to ease their fears.  Somehow I had to show them that this is still the greatest country in the world. So, I wrote the book "This Land is Our Land" which reflects two imaginary children having to leave their home in the state of Maine traveling all the way across to California.

Every state had beautiful sites to see. To overcome the children's fears of moving, their parents took them to see lighthouses and canoeing in Maine, cog-railway in New Hampshire, cheese and chocolate in Vermont, Niagara Falls and the Statue of Liberty in New York, Civil and Amish country in Pennsylvania, aviation in Ohio, Indy 500 in Indiana, Chicago theater in Illinois, ect.,ect. ect. Well, since my grandsons and nieces have read the book, I've not heard one word about them being scared to live in the USA.

What are some of the challenges you have faced or do face as an aspiring author?

I personally think that in order to write for children, you need to become a child. To write for the environment, you need to get out in to nature itself. And to write about romance, you need to fall in love with something. Every day, try to be an inspiration for someone. Let go of the cares of tomorrow, and see who's spirit you can enrich today.

What recommendations would you give to someone who is thinking about wanting to write?

Wisdom, knowledge and understanding are wonderful virtues. But it's what is in the heart that creates life all around you. Pretend that you have a pearl of great value in an alabaster box. The outside of it is very rough and coarse, but when you open the inside it's not only smooth and shining, but it lights up the world.

In each and every human being there is a beautiful spirit. Find your spirit and let it flow in the wind to create a better environment for all to enjoy.

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