Hello, Writers and Creatives of all genres.
Today, I find myself deeply inspired by this amazing interview featuring the remarkable collaboration between debut author, Amie Darnell Specht and the experienced and talented author, Shannon Hitchcock. Together, they have woven a poignant narrative into their latest book, inviting readers into the life of a child diagnosed with a rare disability. This story is a testament to resilience and hope, offering a window into the journey of embracing a new reality with courage and an open heart. Having had the privilege of attending Shannon and Amie's book launch in Asheville, NC, alongside their wonderful friends and family, I was touched by the warmth and community spirit present. The event was not only a celebration of their literary achievement but also an educational experience about Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva, or FOP. Witnessing Amie's strength and the joyous way she approaches her extraordinary life left me profoundly moved. I am thrilled to host them on Teazurs Blogspot, and I hope their story will inspire and uplift you as much as it has me.
Amie, given your journey with FOP, what inspired you to embark on writing a book?
Most people have never heard of FOP, so opportunities to spread the word about it excited me. When Shannon reached out, there was no hesitation.
What are your hopes for the readers of Dancing in the Storm in terms of the lessons they might take away from your story?
We all are going through something, so try to help other people get through whatever their something is.
What was it like for you to collaborate with author Shannon Hitchcock, and how did you two find one another?
She was amazing to collaborate with. She made it so easy. We met because Shannon knew my parents.
Your parents have shown remarkable support for your endeavors. What valuable lessons have you learned from their example, and what advice would you offer to other parents based on your experiences?
My parents always let me just be a kid and tried to support me.
I feel it’s important for parents to remember
that despite illness or disabilities, their child wants to
participate in activities
like their peers.
There are a lot of opportunities for disabled kids these days, so let your kid experience life! They will only get to be a kid once!
That we are stronger than whatever problem we are having at the moment, and we will get through it!
You have some amazing friends by your side. What would you like others to know about becoming friends with someone with a disorder like FOP? What can friends do that really helps?
Talk to people who are different. Get to know them, and don’t treat a disabled friend any differently just because they are disabled.
Imagine you could swap lives with any fictional character for a week. Who would you choose and why?
I always wanted to be a lawyer as a high school student, so Elle Woods. I love Legally Blonde and her personality is so different from mine. I think it would be fun!
What's the most unique or fascinating hobby you've explored? I recall from the recent book launch that you've dabbled in various activities.
The most unique is these juggling-type sticks I got at a Renaissance Faire. They were so fun, and you could do tricks with them.
I have no idea where they ended up, though.
I also crochet, diamond paint, paint by numbers, and play games on the PC and Twitch. I have also recently started learning French again and next will be Spanish. I started learning coding a few years ago to learn HTML and other languages.
How do you balance your passion for gaming with your advocacy work for FOP awareness, and do you find any crossover between these two aspects of your life?
I stream on Twitch, (though I have had to take some time off due to illness), and I use it as a platform for learning about FOP.
On Twitch, I am very open about FOP, so my community will ask questions and I answer. I do fundraisers for FOP and sometimes just days of Q&A.
I share other resources too, like the trailer for a documentary about FOP called "Tin Soldiers."
You can watch it at https://www.tinsoldiers.org
If you could have dinner with any three authors, living or dead, who would they be and why?
My favorite author is Nicholas Sparks, absolutely love his books. I still need to read a lot of his newer books, though.
Frank McCourt – I read his book as a freshman in high school and couldn’t put it down. I would love to meet him and learn more about him.
Shel Silverstein – I grew up with his poems and can still recite one today. His poems were so fun to us as kids.
What was the most challenging aspect of incorporating your personal experiences with FOP into the story, and how did you overcome it?
I had no problem sharing my experiences, but I had a bit of a problem deciding which ones to share and how we would make them unique to Kate. I was diagnosed at 4 ½, so I had a different middle school experience than Kate has in the book.
They can go to IFOPA.org and learn more about it and host fundraisers in their communities!
Can you share a particularly memorable moment from your writing journey with Shannon?
When she asked for my story, I thought it was ordinary, but she felt it was a great one to tell.
What message or feeling do you hope readers will take away from your book?
That we can overcome challenges! And you are strong!
If I gave you a megaphone and the whole world would listen - what one sentence would you shout?
At about 11 years old, we had just moved to a different state. My mom and brother were being made fun of, and my dad had long drives to and from work. One day, we were at the dinner table, and they were complaining. I banged my fist on the table and said,
“Stop complaining!
This is where we live,
and we just have to learn to deal with it!”
I would probably shout something like that but add in that we need to learn to accept everyone!
What would you like kids to know that might help them in their life, especially when they are going through tougher times?
Don’t be shy and reach out to someone! A teacher, school counselor, friend, or family!
Thank you, Amie, for providing such a profound and enlightening overview of your debut publication, sharing with us not only the essence of the narrative but also the journey and passion that led to its creation. Your insights truly illuminate the depth and dedication behind this book.
Now, we turn our attention to Shannon, a distinguished and accomplished author within the realm of children's literature. Shannon's reputation precedes her as a brilliant and inventive storyteller whose contributions to KidLit fiction have captivated young readers.
Let's dive right in...
Shannon, your journey as a reader began with the patient guidance of Mrs. Pauline Porter. How old were you then? How did those early experiences shape your view of literature and storytelling?
I was six-years-old when Mrs. Porter, our newly integrated school’s first African-American teacher, taught me to read. Because I was a struggling reader myself, the books I write keep struggling readers in mind. They are often described as “accessible.”
Your sister played a pivotal role in igniting your passion for telling stories. Can you share a bit about how those bedtime stories laid the foundation for your future as a writer?
Telling stories to my sister broadened my imagination. I liked to make her laugh, and I liked when she asked questions about what would happen next.
What challenges did you face as you transitioned from a career in various fields to pursuing your dream of writing?
I had to learn how to write for publication. That took numerous SCBWI conferences, Highlights Foundation workshops, and paying for professional critiques. The biggest challenge is to have patience—breaking in takes time.
The loss of your sister must have been incredibly difficult. How did her passing influence your decision to pursue your dreams with renewed determination?
When Robin died, I realized time is short and whatever dreams I wanted to pursue, it was time to do so. That meant taking writing classes, doing the homework and carving out time to write.
Dancing in the Storm, your latest novel, addresses the challenges of living with a rare genetic disorder. What inspired you to co-author this heartfelt and illuminating story?
Can you tell us about your collaboration process with Amie Darnell Specht and how your respective backgrounds and experiences shaped the narrative of Dancing in the Storm? The first time Amie and I worked together, we filled out a character worksheet. She decided on our heroine’s family structure—a brother, sister, and two parents. She named the characters, chose the setting, and shared stories about growing up with FOP.
A lot of things that happen in the book actually happened to Amie. For instance, she was kicked out of Girl Scouts because her troop leader worried about the liability of Amie participating in field trips.
What I brought to the table is experience. I have four previously published novels and so could help Amie shape her experiences into a story with a beginning, middle, and end.
Writing about sensitive topics like rare medical conditions requires empathy and understanding. How did you approach the research process for this book?
I started with the official website ifopa.org. From their website, I was able to download the FOP Handbook. After reading the handbook, I read a memoir by FOP mom, Carol Zapata-Whelan called Finding Magic Mountain, Life With Five Glorious Kids And A Rogue Gene Called FOP. And, of course, a lot of my research came from talking with Amie herself. Because diagnosing FOP has changed since Amie was diagnosed, I needed to consult an expert, and Dr. Frederick Kaplan generously helped me with that aspect.
Can you share with aspiring writers how they might go about research for their projects? And how important is research for a fictional novel overall? I think research depends on the project. Almost all my novels have required a ton of research. I have written about the tuberculosis pandemic of the 1920s, the Civil Rights era, Anita Bryant’s Save Our Children campaign, the Syrian Civil War, and now FOP. I always start my research on-line, and then move to print sources. I often find the best information comes from interviews. As a writer, how do you balance the need to inform readers about important issues with the desire to create engaging and relatable characters? I try to create compelling characters and then put them in the middle of an important point in history, or in the present day. Story comes first, and the important issue is woven into the narrative. If I gave you a megaphone and the whole world would listen, what one sentence would you shout?
What advice would you give to aspiring authors who may be facing challenges or doubts on their own writing journey?
Examine how badly you want to be a published author. If you want to badly enough and are willing to work your tail off, it’s probably achievable.
Are there any upcoming projects or ideas you're currently exploring that you can share with us?
I have a picture book biography coming on April 16th. It’s called OF WORDS & WATER—The Story of Wilma Dykeman—Writer, Historian, Environmentalist.
How do you like to unwind and recharge when you're not writing?
I am a voracious reader, not only for research, but for enjoyment as well. The biggest way I unwind is going out to dinner with my husband.
Looking back on your journey as a writer, what do you wish you would've known then that you know now? I wish I’d understood from the beginning that it would take much longer to break in than I had thought.
But remember this—you wouldn’t just pick up a paintbrush and expect for your work to hang in a gallery. You wouldn’t take a ballet lesson and expect to become a prima ballerina.
If you could collaborate with any author, living or deceased, who would it be? Appalachian food writer, Ronni Lundy.
What elements do you think are essential for crafting a compelling and relatable character in middle-grade novels?For me, I have to like the main character enough to want to follow them on a journey.
Finally, what message or feeling do you hope readers experience when they pick up Dancing in the Storm?
All of my novels have a social justice theme. My latest picture book, Of Words & Water, says it best:
Thank you so much, Shannon. But before you head off to your writering space...
Do you have any upcoming book signings or conferences? How can my readers support you?
I will be at the North Carolina Reading Association Conference on March 18th. I would love for your readers to read and review Dancing In The Storm.
Wow, you two rock! Thank you both for such a great interview. I learned a lot about your writing habits, how to collaborate, and how to research fiction. Thanks for sharing so much with Teazur's Blogspot Readers.
And if you'd like to follow these lovely writers, you will find them here:
Write~on
xo Angie
