I’m not usually a consumer of picture books, but thanks to my sister-in-law — the mother of my 16-month-old nephew — I’ve developed a new appreciate for kid’s books. That’s why I picked up a copy of Michelle Medlock Adam’s new book (keep reading to find out more about it!), and that’s why I’m so excited to have her here today. If you’ve ever wondered about children’s book authors, here’s your chance to find out more!
Thanks so much for being here today. What was the first book you read that you couldn’t put down?
The Secret Garden is the first book I remember reading and thinking, “I want to read this as many times as I can before I die.” I loved the heroine, Mary. She inspired me because she had grit and hope despite being ignored and mistreated most of her childhood. She still finds the gumption to make friends and transform a garden—in the process, of course, transforming herself and those around her. Love that book!
Where’s the most unusual place you’ve read a book?
I was totally captivated by my friend, Eva Marie Everson’s latest novel, and I wanted to stay up all night to finish it, but I knew I couldn’t because I had to teach at a writers’ conference the next day. Still, I wanted to read the final two chapters so much that I downloaded the book to my phone so I could read it during the Editors & Authors panel that next morning. And yes, I was on that panel, lol. When the question didn’t apply to me, I read another sentence or two.
Have you ever had a book recommended to you that you didn’t like? No names, but what didn’t you like about it?
Absolutely. I respect the person who recommended the book, and yet, I really hated it. I felt like the author misrepresented the content of the book, making promises that were never fulfilled. I kept reading, hoping it would get better but it never did. In the end, I felt cheated and like I’d wasted several hours of my life that I’d never get back.
If you could turn any of your books into a movie, which would you pick? Who would cast as the main characters?
I would love to see Dachshund Through the Snow turned into an animated Christmas special. I can totally see that story coming to life. For the voices of my main characters? Let’s see…I’d want the voice of Crosby to be Justin Timberlake with Tim Allen as the voice of Santa, and the voice of Bo the bully could be The Rock. I think Dachshund Through the Snow could be turned into a musical with fun songs throughout the action-packed story.
What a fun idea! If you could turn any book into a movie (yours or someone else’s), which would you pick? Who would you cast as the main characters?
Yes, I would love to see my friend Andy Clapp’s novel, Midnight Christmas Eve turned into a movie. First off, I love a good romance, and this one is so special. Let’s see, who would I have play Brady and Sarah? They are in high school in the beginning of the book and older later so you’d have to use different actors and actresses for those different ages but I think someone like Sandra Bullock as Sarah and Josh Lucas as Brady would do nicely. They don’t perfectly match the description of each character’s physical attributes in the book but I think they’d work perfectly with those characters.
I’d watch that cast! Here’s a tough question: who’s your favorite author? Why?
Gosh, there are so many great ones…I love Kate Messner, Candace Fleming and Melissa Stewart. They are phenomenal nonfiction children’s book writers. As a journalist, I love to write nonfiction for adults, and I’ve been doing quite a bit of nonfiction writing for children in the past few years. I want to do more of that, and I’d love to be as successful and gifted as those three amazing authors. They make facts come to life.
Please share five books from your TBR (to be read) pile.
I have so many more than five, lol, but here are five:
Coop Knows the Scoop by Taryn Souders
You are Stronger than You Think by Joel Osteen
Writing Picture Books Revised and Expanded Edition: A Hands-On Guide From Story Creation to Publication by Ann Whitford Paul
Signs You’ll See Just Before Jesus Comes by Rick Renner
Courageous World Changers: 50 True Stories of Daring Women of God by Shirley Raye Redmond
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Yes. Creating stories for children—stories that teach, entertain, encourage, and inspire—it’s a noble calling. It’s a calling I don’t take for granted. I truly love what I do.
Dachshund Through the Snow tells the story of Crosby, a teeny-tiny dachshund who’s known for his size but wishes he were known for his many talents. When his entry to the Artic Olympics, where he plans to compete to make a name for himself as the top burrower, goes terribly wrong, he frantically burrows away. He burrows so fast and so hard that when he finally comes up for air, he realizes he’s caught in a snowstorm—the same storm that’s left Santa and his reindeer stranded and desperate for Rudolph’s bright nose to guide them home. If only they could get to Rudolph.
The perfect dog for the job, Crosby springs into action and burrows all the way to the North Pole to alert Rudolph of the situation at hand. The two fly back to the cave, rescue Santa and the stranded reindeer, then jet off to save Christmas. When Crosby wakes up on Christmas morning wondering if it was all a dream, he notices a gift from Santa—a gold medal praising him for his ginormous heart and a note thanking him for saving Christmas.
Dachshund Through the Snow is a beautifully illustrated, sweet reminder that it’s what is on the inside—in our hearts—that really matters this Christmas. The book was recently awarded the prestigious 2021 Firebird Book Award in the Holiday category.
Michelle Medlock Adams is an award-winning author, earning more than 80 industry accolades, and her 100-plus books have sold almost four million copies. Her most recent releases include: Cuddle-Up Prayers, Puppy Dog Devotions, and Dachshund Through the Snow. Over the course of her career, Michelle has helped pen a New York Times bestseller, blogged for Guideposts, and hosted TBN’s “Joy in Our Town” TV program. Today, she co-owns Platinum Literary and serves as an acquisitions editor for Wren & Bear Books, a division of End Game Press. Michelle is married to her high school sweetheart, Jeff, and they have two married daughters and five adorable grandchildren. To learn more, go to www.michellemedlockadams.com online.
Original post from https://karinbeery.com/2021/11/writers-are-readers-michelle-medlock-adams/