Below are the answers to some of the top 10 questions that you may want to know about my writing experience. If you have an additional questions, please feel free to post a them in the comments section and I will be happy to answer them for you!
Answers to the top 10 Questions that You May Be Pondering!
1. Tell us about yourself. What is your background in and your current occupation?
I am currently a full time health science professor at Palm Beach State College in FL. I have worked in healthcare for several years and a majority of that time was spent serving on active duty in the Air Force. After I left the military, I taught 4th grade Math and Science for two years in Brackettville, Texas.
2. Tell us about your book. How did you come up the story and what inspired you to start writing?
My book is called “Mrs. Garcia’s Class Visits the Hospital.” I was actually inspired to write the book after having a discussion with my 4th graders about what they wanted to be when they grew up. Brackettville is a very small community and most of the time students that young can only respond based off of their experiences. All of the students in Brackettville were a great group of kids, and I wanted to do something to encourage and inspire them in the same manner in which they inspired me as their teacher. Since I have always loved career exploration and had experience working in healthcare, I decided to focus my writing in this area.
3. What was the hardest part of the writing process from start to finish?
Believe it or not the story came very easy to me. Prior to writing the story, I had a discussion with my peer teachers, Lauren and Cheryl to let them know what I had plans to do. As usual, they were always very supportive and encouraging, and I brought back a completed manuscript with an illustrated PowerPoint about two weeks later. The hardest part has been the actual publication process, since I self published. I thought that it was a great experience, but I was very detailed about the entire book. Since this is a representation of me, and I am dedicating it to the students I use to teach, I wanted it to represent all of us well. I wanted people from the community or anyone else reading this book to be able to see the focus on content and detail even in the illustrations.
4. What sort of research did you do for this book?
Most of this book was written based on my personal experience as a Healthcare Manager. I did use a few online sources such as the Occupational Outlook Handbook, but I wanted to make sure the book was written with my primary target age in mind. Most of the students who will be reading the book range from ages 8-10. I provided plenty of resources for teachers and parents in the supplements and on my website. There is also a glossary included in the book.
5. How do you get ideas for characters? Are they based on real people or made up? What advice do you give aspiring writers?
As mentioned earlier, I was inspired to write this book from interacting with my students. The story is fictitious but some are the characters are loosely based on the students that I use to teach. I thought that it would be great for them to have something to read where they can actually see themselves as a part of the story. I also feel like it is important for those students to know that someone out there is consistently thinking about them and rooting for them to have a great future as they grow older.
6. Where do you foresee your writing career in the future? Do you plan to continue publishing?
I definitely plan to continue writing and publishing! In fact this whole thing has become bigger than I already ever thought it would. I know that I am being led to do this, and will continuously keep God first as I continue to move forward. I hope to continue growing as a writer and eventually evolve into public speaking.
7. What’s the best thing about being an author?
The best part is feeling a sense of accomplishment because your work is out there and you truly believe that it can be used to make a difference.
8. What impact would you like to make through your writing? How do you plan to reach out to others?
I plan on using my books to promote childhood literacy through career exploration. I am already planning to partner with several organizations and begin speaking about the issue. I will be donating copies of my book, speaking, helping to raise money, volunteering, and having regular contests on my website to promote the importance career exploration literacy as well. You can check my blog, www.kidmedic.blogspot.com, for continuous updates about these issues.
9. How did you come up with the Kid Medic concept?
I came up with Kid Medic as a result of venturing into writing children’s books. I plan to continue to write, publish articles, and speak on health science career exploration, the importance of parental and teacher involvement in the career exploration process, and the role of career exploration in literacy development in the future. In fact, I will be speaking at the National Black Book Festival in Houston, TX this summer on this very topic. Again, you can check my blog or website for continuous updates about these events.
10. Do you have any favorite authors or favorite books?
Right now, I am in a book club but with my schedule, I have not had a chance to read as much anymore. I listen to a lot of audio books via my iPod. When I was a child, I loved to read. I remember my 4th grade teacher Mrs. Wigglesworth reading books like Wayside Stories from Wayside School and poetry books like Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein. In fact I have that book on my shelf right now; it was given to me by one of my mentor teachers when I first started teaching 4th grade. I believe that is important to start exposing children to reading concepts as early as possible, that time spent is well worth it, and you will definitely be remembered for it.
Do you have a question or comment? Please fee free to post your questions and comments and I will be sure to reply throughout the week!
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