et ceteras
Welcome to et ceteras, a blog featuring posts about Joann, animals, childhood, The Mollys B. (her latest book coming out soon!), and writing in general. An insight to her writing, Joann shares thoughts on topics regarding her inspiration, ethics, companionship with animals, and imagination. Check back often, or subscribe to receive the latest updates by email!
Inspiration Behind the Writing of THE MOLLYS B. Part 1
The birth of a picture book can take years, endless quantities of patience, and the kind of creativity that doesn’t blush – THE MOLLYS B. is a perfect example. The incident that sparked my getting this story down on paper was 18 years in the making. When asked what inspired me, I immediately think about Molly the cow’s spirit and gumption, which is uncannily similar to the “Molly” she was named after – Margaret Tobin Brown of Titanic fame.
The Allure of Picture Books
My writing journey started when I was a kid, but like so many childhood dreams it was set aside when life got busy. Timing, in the end, turned out to be on my side. When I finally got serious, I was attracted to picture books - that delicious blend and balance of words and illustrations. Although challenging to write, when done well, the reward is indescribable and is regarded as an art form.