In the fourth chapter of Ecclesiastes we are told that two can stand back-to-back and conquer. However, three are even better — for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

As an author, this war-like imagery is powerful because writing a children’s book is not for sissies. One must be mighty to undertake such a task. For this reason, I knew it would take a fearless team to create Do You Like Peas?

In my last blog post, you met Megan Campbell-Curl, co-author of Do You Like Peas? In this post, I would like to introduce you to the third strand of our not-easily-broken-cord, illustrator Beth Snider. I did not know Beth before this book project, but it did not take long to learn she is both beautiful and mighty. Beth is charming, fun, and super talented!

During the book writing process, we met at Panera Bread. And although we talked all-things-book, on many occasions the conversation easily turned to discussing life, Jesus, children and all kinds of things friends chat about. Many of our meetings could’ve been much shorter except I simply loved spending time with Beth! After working with her for almost a year, I can say Beth is completely committed to three things: her craft, her family, and Jesus.

To help you get to know Beth a little better, I asked her three questions:

How does one become a children’s book illustrator?

Illustrators learn the skills of drawing, practice doing art on a daily basis for years, and take time to build an interesting portfolio. They share their work publicly and join communities of other children’s book artists, authors and designers. They let everyone know they are available to hire as a children’s book artist and eventually they will be approached by interested authors. 

How is illustrating for a children’s book different than other types of illustrations?

Illustrating a children’s book requires the skill of being able to draw the same things over and over again while keeping them looking consistent. It takes a great amount of endurance and commitment to draw a whole book because you are not simply drawing the 30 or so finished pages but many more sketches and discarded versions in preparation for the finished book. 

Why do you think it takes a team/soldier effort to create a children’s book?

Creating a children’s book is not something that can be approached lightly. It takes time and effort. It takes patience and support. This type of project requires a special kind of commitment to the process and a dedication to getting the end result just right. 

What an honor it is to work with such a lovely and professional artist. THANKS BETH!

 

 

You can learn more about Beth at Beth Snider Art.

“Would you be interested in writing a children’s book with me?” I asked my niece, Megan.

I don’t recall her exact words, but they were something like, “Sure. That would be fun!”

I knew if Do You Like Peas? had any chance of becoming a children’s book, I would need an experienced children’s person to help with the words of the book. I believed Megan was perfect for the task mainly because she LOVES children. Megan teaches second grade, volunteers with the young girls at her church, is beloved by her two young nieces, and is a great writer. Strong credentials.

Equally important, Megan and I share two passions: we both love to write and we both love Jesus! I felt we would make a great team.

We decided to meet during Spring Break to conduct book research. We met with a variety of people who spend time with children so we could learn about book message and demographics of readers. By the end of the week our brains were full, but we had had a blast!

Not long after that, we began the writing process. Often, we wrote at coffee shops because we felt our creative juices flowed better there.  After long days and nights, our first draft was complete. We celebrated with dinner at a fancy restaurant.

In the subsequent months, we revised, edited, pondered, prayed, and laughed. Through this adventure we learned important stuff about each other, like we both prefer Coke over Pepsi. We grew accustomed to each other’s sense of humor and work ethic. We discovered and agreed an early bedtime works best for each of us.

I also discovered a few things about my sweet niece. Megan drinks coffee in the morning and pop in the afternoon. She furrows her eyebrows when she’s deep in thought. She likes ice cream but not tomatoes. And she loves colored pencils.

Ecclesiastes 4:9 says, “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.”

Do You Like Peas? could not have succeeded without the partnership of Megan’s words, experience and perspective. I’m grateful she came along with me on this adventure. One of the things I loved most about writing a book with my niece: it gave us a memory we can share forever. And at the end of the day, I think this is what makes life both wild & wonderful!

 

 

Imagine this:

What is something you prefer to do with someone rather than doing it alone?

 

Get your autographed copy and Free Shipping by August 5 (use promo code: summer) click here:  Buy Do You Like Peas

 

My mom always called the period of time when people are becoming friends the “do you like peas” stage. This is when you are learning about each other’s likes, dislikes, and backgrounds. Spending time in the “do you like peas” stage helps move relationships from just an acquaintance to a friendship. 

When I said yes to Jesus at nine years old, my relationship with him was much like the “do you like peas” stage. I didn’t immediately know everything about Jesus the day we became friends. I attended church and learned simple things about him. My Sunday school teachers and parents read the Bible to me and taught me short Bible verses. And as our relationship grew, I wanted to know Him better. 

Just like a relationship with a girlfriend, a friendship with Jesus begins at the “do you like peas” stage and develops over time. 

I felt Do You Like Peas? was a perfect name for a children’s book because it’s a simple question any child can ask and understand the answer. Becoming a friend with Jesus is the same. He starts with His simple question to anyone who wants to answer, “Do you want to be my friend?” 

My hope is that children will read Do You Like Peas? and be inspired to ask Jesus to become their best friend!

 

“Have you considered adapting A Wild & Wonderful Life into a children’s book?” my friend, Linda, asked at the launch party of my first book written for grown-ups.

“Why no, I haven’t,” I replied.

And at that moment the Holy Spirit began to prick my heart at what would become an idea for a children’s book called Do You Like Peas? As an adult writer and teacher for twenty-plus years, I’ve never really been around children much. However, there is one topic in my first book that crosses all generational lines: Jesus wants to be your best friend.

For me personally, the greatest promise Jesus makes is when He says, “I have called you friend.” Through this promise, all the things that go along with friendship are what make my relationship with Him so wonderful. I think a friendship with Jesus is kind of like the relationship someone would have with her best friend.

Perhaps one of the most frequent struggles I hear from women is that they are lonely. In a world of activity, technology, and busyness, we still have a hard time making friends. I am learning this is not only true for women but for girls, too. I am grateful to my friend Linda who encouraged me to share the message of friendship —  with Jesus and others — to a young audience. It’s been so fun!

My prayer is that when a young girl reads Do You Like Peas? she will discover she is never alone. Jesus is truly her best friend and He goes with her on every journey life takes. Truly, in the midst of wild times — wildly good and wildly hard — Jesus is with her, and this makes life wonderful.

To learn more about or purchase a signed copy of Do You Like Peas? go to Buy Peas Book

On November 15, I launched my first book,
A Wild & Wonderful Life.

Since then, I have received countless support through emails, handwritten notes, phone calls, and words of encouragement. I’d like to share a quick story from Kameron, a friend of my son who lives in Birmingham, Alabama. The Saturday after Thanksgiving, we were all tailgating before the Auburn/Alabama game when he told me this:
From Kameron:
“On Thanksgiving, I was telling my dad that you had written a new book and I was thinking about giving a copy to my grandmother for Christmas. As we were talking, my grandmother entered the room.”

“What are you talking about?” she asked.

“My friend’s mom has a new book that I think you would enjoy.”

“What’s the name of the book?”

“A Wild and Wonderful Life.”

With that, my grandmother turned and left the room. A few minutes later she returned, with a copy of A Wild & Wonderful Life in her hand.

“How in the world did you know about the book?” I asked.

“My friend Laura wrote a blog about it and suggested to her readers that we should all get a copy, so I did.
This Laura, who Kameron’s grandmother was speaking about, is a dear friend of mine from Austin, Texas. Laura traveled to Kansas City to support me at the book launch party. As it turns out, Laura is also a dear friend of Kameron’s grandmother who lives in Birmingham, Alabama.
I love this story because it shows how word of mouth travels. From Kansas City, to Austin to Birmingham, in less than 10 days, my little book made an appearance because someone told someone else about it!

Life is wild for sure, but most definitely it is wonderful when your story includes Jesus. I pray that as you read my new book, you will experience the immeasurably more that a life with Him offers. And then, I hope you will share your Jesus story with someone else. If you do, who knows, I may just hear about it in Kansas City!

Will you help spread the word? If you’re a member of a group (church group, book club, women’s group, or any organization) I would love to share or discuss my book and my Jesus story. Please contact me and I would be glad to schedule a time.

Today is the day! I’m officially launching my book, A Wild & Wonderful Life: Say Yes To Your Immeasurably More Jesus Story.

To say woo hoo! or yippee! would be an understatement. I’m excited beyond measure.

Writing this book has certainly been an incredible journey. Now I am ready to share my Jesus story with you. My hope is that this book encourages you to pursue your immeasurably more story. My prayer is that when you read it, you will meet Jesus, either for the first time or in a fresh new way.

A friend asked me today, “If there was one thing you would want me to know about you, what would that be?”

That’s a great question.

Without a doubt, the answer is, “I love Jesus more than anything and He makes my life great. And I want you to know how great He is because knowing Him makes your life great too.”

What does A Wild & Wonderful Life look like? Most likely, not how you envisioned it. Even when life does not turn out the way you planned, Jesus promises to join you on the journey, especially when it’s wild: wildly good or wildly hard. That’s pretty wonderful.

And it’s pretty clear that Jesus wants you to pursue a Wild & Wonderful Life, “I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of” (John 10:10b).
So I promise you this: if you are ready to say “yes” to Jesus with your wild & wonderful life; you will have the ride of your life. Happy reading!
(My book is available on Amazon)